Here’s an update from one of our Wild Ones – Root River Chapter‘s pollinator grant recipients, Green Ridge Cemetery in Kenosha. They applied for funds to purchase native plant seeds, another option for our program. Thanks to chapter member Ed Antaramian for thinking of a creative way to use our grant program. We can’t wait to see how this project progresses, stay tuned!
Native Prairie Garden Taking Root at Green Ridge Cemetery
On the northside of Green Ridge Cemetery, running along the fence on 66th Street, sits a steeply sloped 16,000 square foot area that cannot be used for burials and is very difficult to maintain. Historically this was the bank of the creek that now runs below the street. The General Manager Peter Shaw Johnson suggested turning the area into a pollinator-friendly garden. In a sunny area such as this, the best ecosystem for native pollinators is a native prairie garden. The cemetery board agreed in February 2024 and authorized Ed Antaramian to submit grant proposals for funding to supplement the cost. Wild Ones, the local chapter of a national native landscaping organization, approved almost $800 for seeds. Joining the effort is local landscape architect Tim Garland and George Preble. Chiwaukee Prairie Board Members Jeff Cologna and Nathan Robertson plan to collaborate on the project. The site was cleared and prepped over the summer and reseeded in fall 2024 to overwinter. Many of the species of plants will take two years to develop root systems. The prairie will become visually appealing in the third year with bees, birds, insects, butterflies and moths expected to visit much sooner. Stop by and watch our progress.