A natural habitat that will help to remove blight, promote workforce development, and provide a space for community engagement to take place.
$2,500 to $5,500
Volunteer
Good
Grantee
2016
Sun
Demographic Inspiration - Detroit along with Matten Landscaping Lawn and Snow installed the Native Butterfly Meadow lot design. Their hope was to implement a project that would bring beauty to their neighborhood, remove blight, promote workforce development, and provide a space for families to enjoy.
Demographic Inspirations - Detroit
$2,500 to $5,500
02/2016 – 07/2016
Ronald Matten, Mario Halley
Volunteer
Demographic Inspirations Detroit, Volunteers
Native Butterfly Meadow
Happy Lawn
Single Lot
15368 Fairfield St., Detroit, MI 48238
Technical Assistance was the first step we used to determine the specific lot design that would be best suited for our lot, which resulted in us installing the Native Butterfly Meadow. Deciding how to reuse contaminated soil, and contracting to remove 3 inches of back-fill with compost and topsoil were among the most difficult tasks. Through that process, we learned that back-filling offers an opportunity for plants to survive and reduces grass and weed infiltration. After we overcame our initial challenges, we next had to figure out how to work with suppliers for various materials, plants, and soil. Determining the exact amount an item or task would cost changed as we progressed throughout the implementation process. Then we began with the installation of soil, plants, and seeding, followed with specific placement of plants. Germination blankets and mulching protected each plant, giving it the opportunity to grow. Watering was very key to the survival of the plants. We also included a stone pathway for added appeal, which divided the planting mix into an aesthetically pleasing arrangement and helped keep the suggested measurements. Due to the lack of immediate access to water, a rain barrel collection apparatus was constructed to offer the community to maintain water to the plants.
Although we followed the instructions, there was some customization added to our design. We added a path through the design that included stone and added edging to control and contain the lot design.
Yes
Beautification
Land acquisition was conducted through conversations with the Detroit Land Bank.
This project helped me learn how to access resources for additional supplies and volunteers. I also feel as though my ability to execute additional projects has improved.
It is necessary to reach out to the community and offer greater payback to bring about a better-quality environment. From children to seniors, all residents have a desire for an attachment to their community.
We were able to secure funding with the Working with Lots mini-grant program. Learning more about the processes and continuation of fundraising is key. The community needs to see what fundraising will do for their area(s).
N/A
Taking the time to determine the timeline of each part of the installation from start to finish was tedious. However, the love and need to accomplish a project is “the ends justifying the means.”
Continue to nurture, prune and water. Follow the instructions of the Field Guide and treat each design special. Year-round maintenance.