Demonstration Gardens

Since 2007, Openlands has installed small (approximately 20' by 20'), highly visible native habitat demonstration gardens throughout the Chicago region. Click here for an interactive map.

As part of this project, Openlands:

• Conducted a site visit,
• Designed a garden with input from the demonstration site's staff and volunteers,
• Ordered the plants (usually grasses and flowers—sometimes shrubs),
• Supervised the installation of the plants,
• Underwrote a portion of the plant expenses, and
• Designed and purchased interpretive signage.

We also helped inform staff and volunteers about the benefits of native plants and how to maintain them throughout the year.

Reciprocally, each of the native habitat demonstration garden sites agreed to:

• Recruit volunteers or staff to help install the plants,
• Identify someone to be trained to identify and maintain the plants in all seasons,
• Oversee the garden for several years until the plants established.
• Find opportunities to promote the garden within their organization, as well as in the wider community.

Although we're no longer accepting applications for the native habitat demonstration gardens program, Openlands continues to offer educational sessions explaining the benefits of native plants through our Building Urban Gardens (BUGs) classes.