Salem United Church of Christ becomes a Sacred Ground!


    The National Wildlife Federation, America's largest wildlife conservation and education organization, designated Salem United Church of Christ in downtown Farmington as a Certified Sacred Native Habitat through its Sacred Grounds Program on September 26th, 2021.


Churches who dedicate a portion of their land to support sustainable native habitats by planting native plants, providing water, and cover for birds, bees, insects and small animals join a growing number of churches who are dedicated to environmental stewardship and are taking steps to mitigate climate change.

 

Over the past year Salem has replanted the traditional perennial gardens with a variety of native plants, creating a woodland garden, a pollinator garden and replacing the traditional landscape in front of the building to be a prairie garden. It takes a few years for the plants to reach their full maturity, but while we wait, the roots will grow strong, and the soil will be replenished. Many of our plants have already bloomed and we’ve already noticed an increase in birds, bees, insects and butterflies!

  

On May 28, 2022, Salem will host a native plant sale. We will have a variety of plants and people who can help you choose what plants will work best for your garden. It’s a wonderful way to help our environment and join a growing number of individuals and groups becoming certified wildlife habitats. 

 

To learn more about the National Wildlife Federation programs visit nwf.org.



Why Go Native?

       Native plants are healthier and stronger. ​Plants native to an area are more likely to establish quickly and will naturally be hardy and healthy. Native plants have evolved over thousands of years, learning to thrive in particular areas—they grow in harmony with the environment, the soil, the water supply, the varying weather throughout all the seasons. They don’t require pesticides.

       Native plants require less water and help prevent erosion​.

The deep root systems of many native Midwestern plants increase the soil's capacity to store water. Native plants can significantly reduce water runoff and, consequently, flooding.

       Native plants help reduce air pollution.

Native plants sequester, or remove, carbon from the air.

       Native plants create wildlife habitat. When native plants thrive in their original environment, they create a natural habitat for wildlife that is both beneficial to the environment and adds life to your outdoor space. We think of the obvious pollinators, like bees, birds, and butterflies, but these plants can also help create homes for small animals, warm and cold-blooded, and microscopic organisms in the soil. All these living things have jobs to do; the natural environment promotes a symbiotic relationship.

       Native plants promote biodiversity and stewardship of our natural heritage​.

       Native plants are beautiful and increase scenic values!

     

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