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A Very GREEN St. Patrick’s Day at the HP Library

“Garden for Wildlife” was the theme of a well attended resource fair hosted by Habitat Highland Park and Moraine Township. Residents learned about making their yards (and balconies) pollinator (and human)-friendly. An engaging Doug Tallamy video was screened.

HabitatHP gave away seeds for native plants, and signed up 13 residents on the spot to certify their gardens and porches with the National Wildlife Federation while many other took home forms and information.

Visitors talked with experts about native plants and garden design; about supporting birds and other wildlife; and kids enjoyed a craft activity related to raising monarch butterflies. 

Attendees got to study wildlife garden designs, including one that Highland Park homeowners shared their developing wildlife garden designs in process with Red Stem Native Landscapes, Inc.

Leaders from Lake-To-Prairie Wild Ones and Master Gardeners from Moraine Township’s Food Pantry Garden were on hand to introduce plans and sign up volunteers for the coming growing season’s Pantry Plants.

Lake-Cook Audubon representatives added their expertise on native birds. Go Green HP reps gave further tips: on composting, recycling and more, adding to the very green afternoon.

(HabitatHP is funded in part by Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood and is a joint project of GGHP and the LWVHP-Hwd. The Highland Park Public Library provides meeting space as a community service. The Library neither sponsored nor endorsed this event nor the presenting individuals or organizations.)

Sustainable Gardens

See the gardens featured

on our August 2023 Tour

Native Landscapers & Plant Sources

2023 Edition

National Wildlife Federation Registration

Click here to certify your habitat

Habitat Highland Park is a grassroots initiative dedicated to obtaining National Wildlife Federation (NWF) recognition and certification of Highland Park as a Community Wildlife Habitat. It is a joint project of Go Green Highland Park and the League of Women Voters of Highland Park-Highwood.  You are invited to help us meet our goal to provide safe and healthy habitats for insects, pollinators, butterflies, and birds in a collective effort to strengthen local biodiversity at all levels and reverse the alarming decline in pollinators in the US. Register your home and Highland Park earns points towards our NWF Community certification goal. START HERE.

  • Stupey Cabin grounds before garden installation
  • Stupey garden progress

With the blessing of the Highland Park Historical Society, assistance from the Park District of Highland Park, generous funding support from the Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood, the Stupey Cabin site was cleared by volunteers starting on May 1, 2022 (Arbor Day Rain Date).  Planting one “woodland/shade” and two “sunny” demonstration gardens took place in the weeks following.  Thanks to Habitat HP Steering Committee member Chris Wren and Sue Becker for the designs and plant selections you see at left.  Pictured: “before” clearing (photo by Anne Loshbough), HP Historical Society President Rob Rotering and Chris Wren (designs by Wren and Becker; photo by Bryna Gamson). (Click on desired image to stop rotation and enlarge.)

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Habitat Highland Park Steering Committee Expansion
The Habitat HP Steering Committee is seeking additional members!  Our group meets on Zoom once every 6 weeks to discuss increasing the number of pollinator-friendly gardens in Highland Park. Our goal is  to become a NWF Community Wildlife Habitat.  Steering Committee participation involves sharing ideas to increase pollinator awareness and supporting events that help Highland Parkers learn how to plant and certify pollinator-friendly gardens (even small ones, in pots!).
If you are interested in learning more please contact: Candice Dalrymple.

Habitat HP Blog

A Must Share Article!

Fall is a great time to plant natives in your garden. Read this informative article from the Washington Post with kid-friendly graphics to see how important one little oasis of native plants can be to our pollinators. You will be entertained and inspired by Sergio Pecanha’s “You — yes, you! — can help the planet. Start in your backyard”

Share freely!

Get Involved

Interested in learning more? Find information on the community certification program and its benefits at this site. Most properties in our town are capable of meeting the 4 basic elements required for habitat registration. Habitat Highland Park is eager to welcome all residents and organizations interested in participating in this initiative. Register your wildlife habitat here.
Please contact Candice Dalrymple at cdalrymple@jhu.edu to learn how you can join the Habitat Highland Park army!