Native Landscapes: Phase II – Art Annex

Amount Awarded: $3,788.20 

Academic Year: 2022-2023 

Implementation: Spring 2024

Full Application: Link

Categories: Grounds Campus and Community Engagement

This grant was the second in a two-part series (see Native Landscapes Phase I – York Farm). The project aims to replace underutilized lawn space on campus with diverse selections of native plants in 2024. The goal of the Native Landscapes project is to create a model of sustainable urban landscapes by restoring our natural systems around campus and the city as native ecosystems. This small model implemented on campus will be combined with educational signage; these signs will promote student learning about native plants, explain the purpose of the Native Landscapes project, and hopefully encourage future student teams to expand on the idea. 

The project, in partnership with WWU’s Grounds team, will be planted on the west side of the Art Annex on campus. The area was chosen by WWU’s lead gardener because it targets an underutilized space that the Grounds team was already looking to replace. Native vegetation that will be planted includes Pacific Bleeding Heart, Pacific Rhododendron, and Pacific Trillium. These native plants were chosen for their appeal to pollinators, their aesthetic, and their growing preference for shaded areas.