Our project hopes are to restore five existing native plant gardens surrounding the Lincoln Avenue Residence (LAR) dormitories. Restoration would entail revamping the entrance garden and filling in plant gaps in the other gardens with more natives, such as Jacob’s Ladder, Orange Butterfly Weed, Great Blue Lobelia, Purple Coneflower, and others. These would be planted according to the light and landscape conditions on the perimeter of the buildings. The native plants would fulfill the objectives of the iCAP and attract students, children, faculty, families, and visitors to the area. It is our hope that a garden of pollinator flowers and deep-rooted plants home to the Midwest and Illinois would have the chance to put these once-widely distributed species back into the public eye through a proper and organized presentation. 

The arrangement of these plants has been designed to draw the eye to these beds, to make them noticeable for those looking out of their dorm windows, sitting at the dining hall, or pulling up the circle drive. If approved, these funds would be directed according to this project plan by our director, Pam Leiter, to purchase and install these plants by the work of future students in the latter seasons of this year and subsequent years through maintenance. 

The restoration of native plant gardens will contribute to the goals set in the 2020 iCAP and 2019 Resilient Landscape Strategy. Increasing native biodiversity on campus can be achieved through projects such as our proposed native gardens. 

The variety of native plants we have chosen will provide shelter for many species of insects, birds, and mammals. We plan to plant native flowering species which will help meet the 2020 iCAP goal [4.2.2] by providing additional ground-level pollinator-friendly landscaping on campus. The inclusion of native plants will increase the biodiversity of plants and animals found on campus. 

The water impacts of these gardens are also of importance. Section [4.2] Rainwater Management Plan looks to remedy flooding or inefficient use of rainwater. By planting native plants adapted to the site’s water conditions the gardens can assist with water infiltration into the soil to avoid flooding; it redirects water into the soil to be used by surrounding plants. 

Once established, native plants require less water and upkeep than ornamental varieties, as they are adapted to the amount of rainfall in Illinois. Most do not require extensive pruning. To minimize maintenance, we chose native plants best suited to each site’s light and water conditions.