We created the bird habitat garden in Spring 2017 as the North Shore Channel Habitat Project kicked off as a vivid demonstration of the attractions of gardening with plants native to this region—and of the City of Evanston’s commitment to expanding bird and pollinator habitat throughout the city. The garden, which is located in front of the Civic Center at Ridge and Leonard Place, includes more than 60 varieties of plants. A bur oak will eventually become a dominant feature. Right now, western sunflowers (Helianthus occidentalis, left) and grasses are putting on a show.
Neighbors have adopted the garden and work there at least once a week. You are welcome to join in Thursdays at 5:30 for an intensive half-hour session.
We also invite you to drop by on Tuesday, September 19, at 6:00 pm for an introduction to the garden. Doug MacDonald, a professional horticulturist, is one of the leaders of the volunteer group and will be there to point out some of the features of the garden. We also will have plant lists available. (A list is also available here.) You may want to go on to the 6:35 meeting of Natural Habitat Evanston, a program of Citizens’ Greener Evanston (in room 2402 of the Civic Center).
— Wendy Pollock
