Nature Lovers Unite

CHICAGO, IL

Tired of watering your lawn? Well, rest assured prairie-style designs are becoming a strong trend across the nation. So strong, in fact, a non-profit group called "Wild Ones"--a 20-25 year organization--is steadily growing nationwide. The Wild Ones has a mission to educate and share information with members and the community at the 'plants-root' level and to promote biodiversity and environmentally sound practices to replace the typical mowed lawn. This diverse membership also emphasizes natural landscaping using native species in developing plant communities.

According to Landscape Architect Bob Porter, restoration ecologist of North Park Village and member of the newly formed four month old North Park Village, Chicago Chapter of the Wild Ones, prairies are beneficial because they require "a lot less maintenance. One of the biggest benefits is the wildlife capacity and diversity they produce." He added that they also "absorb water rather than letting the water run off into the gutters." For more information about this organization, call 800-FOR-WILD.