Property Description: Explore a 1.25-acre yard in a residential neighborhood that has been converted from traditional non-native landscaping to majority native species. Sarah and Scott have lived at the property for 10 years with their two children and dog and have been removing invasive species and adding native trees, shrubs, and plants ever since. Formal front yard sun and shade gardens (HOA-friendly), foundation plantings, privacy hedgerows, lawn-to-prairie conversion, newly-planted ground cover gardens, and a 1/2-acre oak savanna restoration with a tiny creek will be visited. Hear about their maintenance techniques, including the use of prescribed fire in even the smallest gardens. As the coordinator for The Land Conservancy’s Conservation@Home program and a previous WPPC mentee, Sarah has received much inspiration from our community and has a passion for blending the beauty of native plants in a formal setting with ecological function. Come hear the lessons learned (ugh bindweed is the worst), and see the projects-in-progress! A detailed how-to of Sarah’s lawn-to-prairie conversion can be seen on The Land Conservancy of McHenry County’s youtube channel here. The guided walks will begin at 10am and 11:45am.
Directions: From the intersection of Walkup and Edgewood Roads in Crystal Lake, travel east on Edgewood Rd. Take your first right onto Larkspur Drive, we are the 3rd house on the right. Just look for the house with the native plant gardens. Street parking available.
