In 2009, Living Peace saw an opportunity. With 3 acres in our front yard doing nothing but being mowed every other week - we saw an opportunity to save money in mowing, reduce our carbon foot-print, and give back to the community. We planted a prairie with Ohio native species of grasses and flowers.
With the help of many individuals in and outside the church, we were able to convert the front yard to three separate prairie areas. After a decade of growth, many different species of grass and flowers have been identified, including prairie coreopsis, a variety of different types of coneflowers, wild bergamont prairie dropseed, a variety of different species of milkweed, big and little blue stem, false indigo, side oats gramma.
Planting native species is also a way to help conserve the native plant species locally in central Ohio. And in turn, the birds, bugs, and other critters that enjoy the native plants. It is not uncommon in the spring to see nesting Eastern Bluebird and Tree Swallows nest in and around our property.
In addition to the prairie in our "front yard," our "back yard" is roughly 2-3 acre of native wooded Ohio trees. This unique area is a refuge for many native flowers, plants, and wildlife, and also serves as a connector between two neighborhoods via a maintained trail. With nature abundant on our property, we've had the opportunity to enjoy the sights of white-tailed deer with their fawns, foxes, Red-Tailed and Cooper's Hawks, rabbits, squirrels (grey, black, and even 1 white), skunks, raccoons, turtles, and a host of different species of birds.
With the help of many individuals in and outside the church, we were able to convert the front yard to three separate prairie areas. After a decade of growth, many different species of grass and flowers have been identified, including prairie coreopsis, a variety of different types of coneflowers, wild bergamont prairie dropseed, a variety of different species of milkweed, big and little blue stem, false indigo, side oats gramma.
Planting native species is also a way to help conserve the native plant species locally in central Ohio. And in turn, the birds, bugs, and other critters that enjoy the native plants. It is not uncommon in the spring to see nesting Eastern Bluebird and Tree Swallows nest in and around our property.
In addition to the prairie in our "front yard," our "back yard" is roughly 2-3 acre of native wooded Ohio trees. This unique area is a refuge for many native flowers, plants, and wildlife, and also serves as a connector between two neighborhoods via a maintained trail. With nature abundant on our property, we've had the opportunity to enjoy the sights of white-tailed deer with their fawns, foxes, Red-Tailed and Cooper's Hawks, rabbits, squirrels (grey, black, and even 1 white), skunks, raccoons, turtles, and a host of different species of birds.