The School & Corporate Campus Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. Bineshiinh Ogitigaan is one of several great projects we are excited to showcase on LandscapeArchitect.com.

Through the 2024 Wild Kingdom College and University grant program, the National Wildlife Federation funded the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire to establish Bineshiinh Ogitigaan. Ojibwe and other Traditional Ecological Knowledge was incorporated into the design of the garden, ensuring the plants provide bird-friendly habitat and honor the close relationships between Indigenous communities, wildlife, and native plants.

 

The garden was created through a partnership between the UW - Eau Claire grounds department, the American Indian Studies program and the Student Office of Sustainability which supplied matching funds to the $8,500 grant.

Staff and students planted a hedgerow of native shrubs to grow together and provide shelter, food sources, and nesting habitat for local and migratory birds. Native perennials planted in a matrix planting will grow together and reduce the amount of weeding and mulching needed.

Ojibwe language is represented through signage that educates the public on the gardens intent and through individual signs identifying plant names. Since the garden is directly adjacent to the Student Center, anti-collision decals were placed on the windows. The films were designed by Sarah Agaton Howes, founder of Heartberry. The pattern features a floral motif with hummingbirds. The choice of bird was suggested by Dr. Brian McInnes, American Indian Studies, as a symbol of hope and healing to remind visitors that although the land has seen trauma, we are still here and remain hopeful for the future.

To see more School & Corporate Campus projects, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/landscape-articles/sneak-preview-of-the-school-and-campus-issue

For more information about submitting a project, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/research/editorial/editorial-submissions.php