Laurel Native Habitats Program
Transforming yards to habitats
Across Maryland, thousands of people are joining together to transform their yards and neighborhoods into thriving, beautiful habitats full of native plants that support birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife. The Laurel Native Habitats Program is a collaboration between Laurel for the Patuxent and the National Wildlife Federation that is helping to grow this movement across Laurel.
Four Laurel homes will be selected for a free lawn makeover!
Laurel for the Patuxent will provide the planning, preparation, and plants to convert a section of your yard (up to 100 square feet) into a native garden. Garden designs will be provided by Vibrant Gardening LLC. You will learn, work, and build a community around native plants and supporting wildlife with the other participants in the program.
Participant requirements:
Convert a section of your lawn, visible from the street, to a native garden.
Attend the following:
A kickoff event at the start of the program
Garden consultations at each participant’s home
Chip spreading day at each participant’s home
Planting day at each participant’s home.
A total time commitment of about 16 hours from July to October is required.
Commit to building community with current and past participants in the program around native gardening and supporting wildlife.
Allow L4P to install a sign in your garden that links to more information about community conservation and native gardens.
Commit to learning to differentiate native plants from invasive plants (with help from L4P and NWF).
Commit to stewarding the garden by following a plan for watering, weeding and basic maintenance.
Avoid insecticide sprays and weed-and-feed treatments on your property.
Become a neighborhood ambassador for gardening for wildlife. This may include educating neighbors and sharing plants as they multiply.
Grant us permission to share photos of your garden on L4P and NWF social media and websites.
Waive L4P from liability for any injuries incurred with the installation and maintenance of your garden or the gardens of other participants.
