INTENTIONAL NATURALIZATION
Naturalization is the process of allowing natural plant growth to occur, while managing that growth typically by removing/limiting non-native and invasive species and planting and encouraging the growth of desired native species. Naturalization is an important strategy for improving ecosystem health, and, in turn, building climate change resilience. Naturalization, for all its benefits, comes with two main challenges. First, some residents interpret naturalized landscapes as messy and unkempt, leading them to request the municipality remove them. Second, contrary to appearances, in the early stages of plant growth, naturalized spaces can require more maintenance and specialized knowledge than mowed lawns. However, within a couple of years, naturalized spaces should require less maintenance and resources than mowed areas. Municipalities are often caught in the middle as they attempt to moderate between residents who dislike naturalization in parks and residents who want more naturalization for its environmental benefits. Joan Iverson Nassauer is a landscape architect in the field of ecological design who has studied this problem extensively: “Novel landscape designs that improve ecological quality may not be appreciated or maintained if recognizable landscape language that communicates human intention is not part of the landscape. Similarly, ecologically valuable remnant landscapes may not be protected or maintained if the human intention to care for the landscape is not apparent. Landscape language that communicates human intention, particularly intention to care for the landscape, offers a powerful vocabulary for design to improve ecological quality. Ecological function is not readily recognizable to those who are not educated to look for it. Furthermore, the appearance of many indigenous ecosystems and wildlife habitats violates cultural norms for the neat appearance of landscapes.” 1 1 Nassauer, J. I. 1995. Messy ecosystems, orderly frames. Landscape Journal. 14(2): pp. 161-170.
A key direction from that paper that can support efforts in naturalization is to implement “cues to care” – actions that increase the intentionality of naturalized spaces so that it is obvious that the space is deliberate and someone is caring for and grooming it. Some of these “cues” or grooming practices include: • Bold patterns/clean lines : While naturalized areas will naturally drift and change over time, the initial plantings should be laid out and confined to clear patterns or lines. This will help slowly introduce the idea to residents who request neat gardens. • Bird feeders and pollinator gardens : Bird feeders and plants for pollinators (e.g., butterfly and bee gardens) communicate the intention of the place (a place for nature), and reinforce that it is not abandoned or neglected. Also, encouraging birds could increase wildlife sighting and appreciation by residents. • Borders: Borders have the quick ability to make any collection of plants look neater, and can be made by fences, plantings, shrubs, or by mowing around the edges. • Signage: Educational signage describing the plants and/or process in the naturalized area may also help increase community understanding and, therefore, acceptance. Signage should also encourage visitors to stay out of the area to avoid trampling plants and exposure to ticks. Educational signage could be provided in collaboration with local groups and partners if interested.
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Town of Tillsonburg | DRAFT Parks and Recreation Master Plan
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