by Susan Leahy
Board member-at-Large and Chairperson, Outreach Committee and Landscape Challenge
It’s time to submit your application for this year’s Landscape Challenge.
Landscape Challenge is sponsored by Wild Ones and Grow Native. The winner will receive a front-yard garden with up to $500 worth of plants, designed by a professional landscape designer, and planted by Wild Ones volunteers. More information on the Landscape Challenge can be found on the Wild Ones St. Louis website https://stlwildones.org/landscape-challenge/.
Applicants must live in St. Louis County or St. Louis City and have had a Bring Conservation Home evaluation completed. The homeowner must prepare the site for planting. The Landscape Challenge sponsors will not pay for items such as tree removal, fixing drainage problems or building walls/terraces. Please click on the link to see complete requirements and complete an application.
The 2022 Landscape Challenge Application Period is now closed.
Applications were due no later than Monday, November 22, 2021. Site reviews and interviews of the finalists will be completed in November/December and the winner will be announced by early January. The designer will work with the winning homeowner(s) on a plan in January/February and planting will be the end of mid- to late April.
The rules and agreement:
– I have had a Bring Conservation Home evaluation of my property completed and have the report available for the committee to review.
– I agree to maintain the planted area, keeping it free of weeds.
– I will prepare the site for planting as agreed upon with the designer.
– I will use only native plants in the project area.
– I will display the provided Wild Ones educational sign in the newly planted garden in a visible location.
– I will submit photos of the garden to the Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter (hereafter referred to as Chapter) as requested.
– I grant permission for the sponsors to use images of the project in educational efforts.
– I am willing to be interviewed on camera about the project
– I agree to acknowledge the funding source(s) in any project publicity or printed materials.
– A representative of the Chapter will be allowed to periodically observe the garden.
– I will allow visits by project partners and agree to host a Wild Ones monthly gathering within 2-3 years of the planting date.
– The Chapter shall have the right to supply others with a description of the project and disseminate its underlying concepts and/or ideas.
– The Chapter and sponsors and/or any of its agents, officials, or employees shall assume no responsibility or liability for claims of damage of any kind to property or for claims of injury to any person in connection with the garden installation.
The application questions:
– Are you currently a member of Wild Ones St. Louis?
– When was the Bring Conservation Home survey done on your property (mo/year)?
– Tell us about the BCH recommendations that you have followed up on or implemented
– Why would you like a front yard native landscape makeover?
– What is your experience/knowledge level with native plants?
– What is your experience/knowledge level with traditional gardening?
– Describe your landscape dilemma
– Describe any drainage problems you have on the property
– What are the dimensions (length and width in feet) of the site you’d like us to consider?
– How do you currently use the space, and how would you use it differently if it was made over?
– Please acknowledge that you have read the rules and agreement and agree to abide by the requirements.
We ask that you upload up to 5 photos that represent the site you’d like us to consider. You are required to submit at least 2 photos of the site, with 1 of those being from the street. Individual files should be resized to 1024 kb or less.
