Site Work and Landscaping

A couple weeks ago, workers from the the landscaping subcontrator, Lovisa and Barone, began preparing the site for planting. Trees and shrubs went in the ground just in time for several good soaking rains. Reddish shrubs will screen the electrical equipment from view in this courtyard north of the bookstore.

We are looking out at a lot of mud and weeds right now with pools of of water to support the mosquito population. Seeds and plugs will be started in September when the sun is a bit lower in the sky and there is a better chance of regular gentle rains.

The site of the new building has been graded to channel the stormwater off the roof away from the building and into raingardens where it will seep into the soil. Raingardens will be established in between the wings of the building using native plants that have deep root systems for absorbing and cleansing the rain water. In heavy downpours, water that cannot be absorbed by the rain gardens will be directed north to the large area near the seminary drive where prairie grass will be planted. We have had several heavy rains in the past couple weeks so we can see that the grading is working as planned.

It will take a couple years for the plants to become established in the raingardens and the prairie restoration areas both north of the building and over the geothermal well field. During this time, we will be looking at scraggly seedlings and bare ground. Weeds will be managed by mowing before seeds develop.

The AMBS maintenance staff is prepared for the challenge of nurturing the native plants and prairie. JF New, a local firm that specializes in restorative landscaping, will provide services and advice during these first growing seasons as the plants become established. Don Yoder, retired landscape designer, is a valued volunteer who has worked on other prairie restoration projects in southern Michigan.