From staff reports
Sag Moraine Native Plant Community last week hosted its first Evening of Appreciation at the Bedford Park Community Center.
At the June 15 event, individuals and municipalities were recognized for their efforts to improve the local ecosystem through the planting of native plants and providing education about the importance of restoring native plants to suburban landscapes.
The Sag Moraine Planting a Greener Future Seed Award, which recognizes the demonstration of ecological leadership by restoring habitat through native plantings within the community, was awarded to Prairie Trails Library in Burbank, the Justice Park District, and the Tinley Park Environmental Enhancement Commission.
In partnership with Sag Moraine Native Plant Community, each of these entities planted community gardens that will not only beautify their communities but will create food and shelter for pollinators.
The Sag Moraine Planting a Greener Future Community Award, which recognizes an exemplary commitment to restoring habitat and providing environmental education for the community, was awarded to the Village of Bedford Park.
In May, the village added 5,000 native plants to their existing ornamental landscapes along the residential fence line from the Bedford Park Police Station on Archer Avenue to the underpass heading into Summit.
A 1,000-plant pollinator garden was added next to a walking path on the east side of the residential area.
In addition, the Bedford Park Park District created an educational pollinator garden near the community building, which will be used for adult and youth programming.
Attendees had the opportunity to view these newly planted gardens either by walking or on a guided shuttle bus tour.
Sag Moraine Native Plant Community is an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit environmental organization located in Bridgeview, that services the near west and southwest suburbs of Chicago.
Their mission is to restore native plants to suburban landscapes to help provide a greener future by helping declining populations of pollinators and birds and improving the local ecosystem.
For more information, visit them on Facebook, Instagram, or at sagmoraine.org.