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Native Plant Garden

Group of children and adults smile for a photo in front of the completed garden at Sarah Milner Elementary
A landscaped area in front of Sarah Milner Elementary School, with newly planted shrubs or small trees, a paved walkway
Wide view of volunteers spreading sod and preparing planting areas in front of Sarah Milner Elementary
Children and adults roll out green sod to replace bare soil during the school garden installation
Parent and child smile while carrying a large roll of sod during the Sarah Milner garden project
A young person in a blue shirt is kneeling on new Tahoma 31 turf
Families plant native plants in front of Sarah Milner Elementary School
Adult and three children plant native grasses together in front of Sarah Milner Elementary
Young boy and adult sit side by side planting small native plants in fresh soil
A parent and child kneel together smiling while planting a small native plant in the garden bed
Volunteers of all ages plant native plants along the school building during the garden installation
Groups of volunteers plant native plants in front of the school near the Thompson School District sign
Families and volunteers plant small shrubs and grasses across freshly prepared soil near the school

In August 2025, Sarah Milner Elementary School replaced 5,000 square feet of turf with a native plant garden that saves water, supports pollinators, and welcomes the community.

Hand-drawn landscape plan showing native plant groupings, benches, and Tahoma turf areas for Sarah Milner Elementary School

Concept design for the Sarah Milner Elementary School native plant garden, showing the layout of three planting zones bordered by low-water Tahoma 31 turf. The drawing highlights plant groupings, benches, and pathways that create a welcoming, sustainable entrance for students and the community.

To conserve water and promote native landscaping, Thompson School District replaced around 5,000 square feet of high-water Kentucky Bluegrass with a low-water garden in front of Sarah Milner ES. A mix of Tahoma 31 turf, which requires minimal watering and maintenance, and a variety of native plants now welcome students and the community at the school's entrance.

Colorado Designscapes provided the essential elements of this project, including site preparation, a concrete-edged pathway, irrigation system adjustments, and the selection and installation of the plants. On Saturday, August 2, 2025, volunteers from the school community and the neighboring church joined together to install the plants. They rolled out sod and dug through the hard clay soil to plant a variety of plants.

As the plants continue to grow and establish themselves in front of the school, we look forward to the year-round colors and return of pollinators to this space.

The project was paid for through a combination of grants from Northern Water and the Colorado Water Conservation Board, as well as school and district funds. Northern Water developed the design.