Description:  Barb and Mike moved to Crystal Lake in the summer of 2006.  At that time, there were large portions of the 1 1/2 acre corner property that were simply manicured lawn.  Starting in 2009, with H.M. Hepperlen as mentor, prairie plants were introduced and the yard has continued to […]

Property Description: The first of two walks today! Explore a 1.25-acre yard in a residential neighborhood that has been converted from traditional non-native landscaping to majority native species. Sarah and Scott have lived at the property for 10 years with their two children and dog and have been removing invasive […]

Property Description: The second of two walks today!  Nancy and John Gonsiorek have been tending their very wild acre for over 25 years.  When they purchased their home, the previous owners touted the property as “the greenest lawn in the neighborhood.” The new homeowners quickly noticed a lack of pollinators […]

Description: On a whim about twenty years ago, Dave Zieger and John Shiel agreed that they might as well start working to restore a portion of the church property in Wonder Lake that was right across the street from Dave’s living room window. Dave brought it up, since its neglected […]

Description:  Scattered islands of natural landscaping–all developed over a thirty-year period and placed within the confines of a 1/4 acre city lot. The yard is planted with a delightful combination of native plants, various grasses, native shrubs and trees. John will discuss “his dilemma” of what to do about shade […]

Description:  As you walk along the paths, you’ll meander through oak forests (with bottle brush and other natives on the forest floor), a restored pond, prairie fields on gently rolling hills with wide vistas of sky and edged by oaks. Many species of birds are attracted to this beautiful parcel […]