PEKIN, Ill. - Education and beauty go hand-in-hand with the new native plant landscape project at Morton Public Library. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners in the Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit worked to beautify the landscaping at the library while educating the patrons about the benefits of native plants. Efforts included the addition of native plant species to the existing landscape beds as well as information posted inside the building on native landscaping and pollinators.
Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Janine Donahue leads the project. “It was my goal to add native plants to the bed that lies between the parking lot and the street and educate the community about native plants,” explained Janine.
Some of the education Donahue and her team provided includes the facts that native plant species support healthy ecosystems in land and water and reduce the need for inputs. Their benefits include:
- Serving as essential food sources for bees and other pollinators
- Reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizer
- Reducing stormwater runoff and soil erosion
- Outcompeting weeds and harmful invasive plant species
- Adding color and natural beauty to the landscape
Janine created an educational display about native plants and other horticulture topics. To add to the education, Master Gardeners worked with library staff to purchase new books about native plants: Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallemy, Gardening with Native Plants in the Upper Midwest by Judy Nauseef, and Pollinators of Native Plants by Heather Holm.
“We enjoy our partnership with the Master Gardeners,” commented Alissa Williams, Morton Public Library District Director. “We are all about connecting people through educational opportunities and we appreciate the assistance and expertise the Master Gardeners provide.”
“Patrons of the library are also very appreciative of our work and thank us if we are working as they walk by,” commented Janine.
Janine was recognized as a “State Outstanding Master Gardener” in 2020, an honor only bestowed on 1 - 2% of active Master Gardeners in the state. Joining her in volunteering at Morton Public Library are Master Gardeners Donna Cothrell, Annette Peugh, and Linda Rinaldi.
Additional information about beneficial horticulture practices and the Extension Master Gardener program can be found by contacting your local Extension office or visiting us online at extension.illinois.edu/fmpt.
Source: Tara Heath, Horticulture Program Coordinator, tsheath@illinois.edu
About University of Illinois Extension: University of Illinois Extension is the flagship outreach effort of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, offering educational programs to residents of all of Illinois' 102 counties — and far beyond. Extension provides practical education you can trust to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. U of I Extension offers educational programs in five broad areas: energy and environmental stewardship, food safety and security, economic development and workforce preparedness, family health, financial security, and wellness, and youth development.