All Creatures Great and Small

Pollinator Habitat Project

As a church body, we appreciate the beauty and value of all creatures. We are aware of the biodiversity declines both in our community and throughout the world. Losses of pollinators and the plants they depend on are alarming. Recognizing the value of intact ecological networks, we want to do our part to help by using our space in a way that is beneficial to biological communities. In January 2024, a 1.4-acre wildflower meadow was established with the goal of creating habitat for plants, insects, and birds. A hand-selected mix of native grasses and wildflowers was planted in February 2024. These include:

Common name – Scientific name

Blackeyed Susan - Rudbeckia hirta

Butterfly Milkweed – Asclepias tuberosa

Clasping Coneflower – Dracopis amplexicaulis

False Sunflower - Heliopsis helianthoides

Green Antelopehorn Milkweed – Asclepias viridis

Greyheaded Coneflower - Ratibida pinnata

Indian Grass - Sorghastrum nutans

Iron Weed - Vernonia altissima

Lance Leaved Coreopsis - Coreopsis lanceolata

Little Bluestem - Schizachyrium scoparium

Maximilian Sunflower - Helianthus maximiliani

Pale Purple Coneflower – Echinacea pallida

Partridge Pea - Cassia fasciculata

Prairie Blazing Star – Liatris pycnostachya

Purple Prairie Clover - Dalea purpurea

Rigid Goldenrod - Solidago rigida

Spiked Blazing Star - Liatris spicata

Spotted Beebalm - Monarda punctata

Switchgrass (Cave-in-Rock) - Panicum virgatum

Tall Dropseed - Sporobolus compositus

White Wild Indigo – Baptisia alba

Wild Bergamot – Monarda fistulosa

To capture the change in the plant and animal communities over time, we have created a project on iNaturalist. It is called Northside Baptist Church – All Creatures Great and Small. We invite you to report your observations and take part in noticing the world around you here.

Next Steps:

To encourage reflection and meditation, we have plans to build a labyrinth near the wildflower meadow. This space will be housed within a shaded grove of native trees, and will include a wheelchair accessible path, seating, and a water feature.