NATIVE PRAIRIES COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE
Illinois used to be full of prairie lands, as large as the state of Indiana. Now only .01% of the original 21 million acres of prairie are left. Native Prairies have massive benefits for the lives of all people in Illinois and in particular for the lives of Chicagoans.
In Chicago, Native Prairies provide a many benefits to residents in combatting climate change. Our city’s most pressing climate risk is flooding. If you’ve lived here for long, you’ve seen our city begin to flood more and more with each big rainstorm. Prairie plants are great natural allies to keep floods out of our homes and streets. Their roots grow deep to soak up and store water more than many other plants. Their complex root systems allow them to take in much more water, keeping them safe and hearty for drier days, and reduce flood risks drastically. More prairies in our city will ensure flooding neighborhoods face less damage as the climate emergency worsens.
Not only do prairie plants keep our city safer from flooding, but they also clean our air. Prairie grasses turn carbon dioxide into clean oxygen for us to breathe even more than trees do. Since each blade of grass is an individual organism the plant as a whole cleans the air in many multiples of the trees around us. Along with cleaning the air, prairies reduce the temperature of the air nearby. In cities, prairies have the ability to lower the air temperature around them by ten degrees. Just imagine how needed that will be as the world we live in continues to get hotter!
pollinators
Not only do prairies have these unique benefits to combat climate change, but they also are essential plants for our local pollinators. They provide homes and sustenance for all kinds of animals and insects. We simply cannot live without the efforts of the pollinators in our communities. They are the driving force behind our complex food systems and without them plants, fruits, and vegetables simply could not grow.
We would love to share more about the benefits of native prairies. If you’re curious to learn more join us on a tour!
Located in between University Hall and UIC Behavioral Sciences Building, UIC. 601 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL, 60607
Native PLants Featured
Spotted Bee Balm
Monarda punctata, also known as spotted beebalm, is part of the Mint family. A trait among many of the mint family is that they contain a square stem and opposite leaves. However a unique trait of the leaves of the Monarda is that they are lance shaped but are very narrow; and a stem with a light green to reddish-brown/purple color with very tiny hairs covering it. This herb is a perennial that grows in the eastern and midwestern parts of the US as well as the southern border. This plant can grow from 6 inches to 3 feet. They bloom for 2 months from April to September. The color of the flowers that bloom range from white, pink, yellow, green, and purple. The monarda’s complex blooming patterns attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and wasps.
This plant’s best growing conditions are full to partial sun with medium-moist to dry soil. It’s very drought tolerant, so it doesn’t need a lot of water to thrive! Although it doesn’t need much water, a proper drainage system is required to prevent rotting of the roots. When it comes to the propagation of this plant, you can start between September and October. They can be propagated by cutting off the leaves or by shaking dried flower heads to release the seeds. This plant is one of the easier ones when it comes to growing from seedlings. The best time to start the seeding process for this plant is after the last frost period. When planting the seeds, they don’t need a lot of soil on top of them, because they need the sun to germinate. However, this plant self-seeds on its own when it is already planted because it is a perennial!
Unfortunately, all species of monarda are susceptible to powdery mildew which acts as a natural sunscreen for the plants. However, powdery mildew is toxic to humans with prolonged exposure. When trying to grow spotted beebalm, you can grow it from either propagation or seed sowing. When planting Monarda seeds, you want to wait until after the first frost to pass before planting them. Although, this monarda isn’t an invasive species, it spreads very quickly and can easily take over. This perennial is a short-lived species that is native to North America, specifically the East of the Rock Mountains.
As for the medicinal usages of this plant, it has been used historically to treat ringworm and hookworm infections. The leaves of the monarda can be brewed into a tea to promote relaxation. When fresh leaves are crushed and steeped in cold water to drink, it has been known to help with backache, fevers, inflammation, and chills. Due to the high thymol content within this plant, it also contains antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties.
This plant is also known to represent protection and sustained enthusiasm in multiple cultures. Its unique spots on its petals have been thought to be seen as a sign of resilience and strength. When given this flower in an arrangement, it was supposed to inspire and uplift the receiver. The Delaware tribe used an infusion of this plant to help with skin problems on the face and help with fevers. The Navajo tribe hung this plant in the hogan because of its minty smell. The Mohegan tribe made an infusion of this plant to also reduce fevers. While the Nanticoke used an infusion of the entire plant to treat colds. This plant has been used with many Native American tribes.
Written by Heritage Garden Leader 2024
Sand coreopsis
coming soon…
NATIVE PRAIRIES can FIGHT ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM
Bringing back native prairie land to Chicago can rejuvenate industrial spaces in our city
For too long, neighborhoods on the South and West side have been forced to face the devastating effects of Environmental Racism. The chemicals released from factories and processing plants have polluted the air of Chicago’s Black and Brown neighborhoods. This continues into our current day with the pollution of the MAT Asphalt plant in Mckinley Park and the 2020 botched demolition of the Hilco plant in Little Village. After these sites stop active pollution they sit vacant in the neighborhoods they have hurt for decades. Turning these sites into Native Prairies is one answer to work towards righting the wrong these polluters have done. Prairies like the one planted at UIC are especially well suited to dry and nutrient-sparse soil that is often found at industrial and commercial sites. The plants you can find in the Heritage Garden Native Prairie naturally terraform the land and bring back thriving ecosystems to land once devoid of life. We must push for these kinds of renewal, both to bring equitable justice to communities that have been wronged, but also to ensure that our city has clean air and thriving pollinators for years to come.
Here are a few organizations you can look to for more information:
Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
Neighbors For Environmental Justice
Southeastern Environmental Taskforce
