Bring Conservation Home - Missouri Botanical Garden · •Hiking, Biking, Camping, Canoeing,...
Transcript of Bring Conservation Home - Missouri Botanical Garden · •Hiking, Biking, Camping, Canoeing,...
The Sandfort Story
Bring Conservation Home
OUR BACKGROUND
• MDC Volunteer Naturalists, Sierra Club, Forest ReLeaf
• Hiking, Biking, Camping, Canoeing, Gardening
• Oak Trees from Acorns, Game Camera
• More About the Camera Later
• Scouting, Outdoor Education, Bird Feeders
• School Programs on Birds, Bees, Butterflies
• Linda Virga at the Long School
OUR LANDSCAPE
• West County Neighborhood w/0.25 Acre Lots
• Lots of Shade from Large Trees; Sun in Front
• Creek in Back on Common Ground
• Invasive Honeysuckle
• Mix of Natives and Ornamentals
WHY WE APPLIED TO BCH
• Matched Our Interests
• Captured Our Imagination
• Recognized Group
• Affordable
• Selling Ideas not Stuff
• Blended Our MDC Training with Making an
Impact at HOME
• Our Own Contribution to Solve Large Issues
With Habitat at Home
THE PROCESS
• We Filled Out a Short Application
• Mitch Called, Described the Program,
Answered Our ?’s and Scheduled Us for a Visit
• Mitch and Karen Gave Us 3 Hours of Their
Time
• Walked Our Landscape With Us
• Asked Us ?’s to Determine Our Interests
• Took Pictures and Reviewed Their Ideas
WHAT WE GOT FROM IT
• Resource Packet With Native Plant and Other
References
• A Preliminary and Then 4-Page List of Ideas
Unique to Our Space for Habitat Creation
• Includes Plant Suggestions
• A Workable, Useable, Doable Guide for
Getting Something Done
SITE VISIT REPORT
• Written Survey Report
• Includes List of
Suggested Species
• Filled with Choices
• Not a Mandate
• Lists Steps to Certify
• NOT a Design Guide
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT
• No Mandates, No Pressure
• Work at Our Own Pace
• Respectful of What We Already Had in Place
• Gave Helpful Suggestions—Knowledgeable
• Written Ideas by Habitat Area With Plant List
• Easy for Us to Make a Design and Create
Action Plan
• Purchase Process Much Easier
WHAT WE’VE DONE SO FAR
• Added Native Flowers & Shrubs; Created New Beds
• Eliminated Many Non-Natives
• Purchased With a Purpose—Shaw NR & Greenscape
• Scouted for Wildflower and Plant Sales
• Photographic Record of Blooming Plants (Amazing!)
• Added Extras—Solitary Bee House (Independent Idea)
• Sharing With Realtor’s Box in Yard
WE HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED
SILVER
FOR OUR HABITAT
CHALLENGES
• Critters—Large and Small
FUTURE PLANS
• Rain Barrels & Water Feature
• Possible Bird Bubbler in Backyard
• Continue to Expand Beds
• Inventory/Labeling of Plants
• Plan to Invite Mitch & Karen for Return Visit
• Going for GOLD Certification