Returning to roots
Devonshire Mall unveils native plant garden
“NATIVE GARDENS HAVE SO MANY BENEFITS — IMPROVING WATER QUALITY, HABITAT FOR BIRDS, BEES AND BUTTERFLIES.” ED SLEIMAN
Windsor’s Devonshire Mall will be a little greener after the introduction of an outdoor native plant garden Wednesday.
The mall partnered with the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup and the Essex Region Conservation Authority to establish 680 plants and trees and unveil a sign near the Bank of Montreal entrance.
The project reminded Essex County Warden Tom Bain of an old Joni Mitchell song.
“They paved paradise, to put up a parking lot,” he said.
“We know they need a parking lot, but they are reversing that trend and are out here planting gardens like this so we get back to where we were.”
This is Devonshire Mall’s second native plant garden — with the original garden around the corner near the TD Bank entrance. Butterfly milkweed, obedient plant and golden alexanders are among the naturally existing plants.
These gardens provide the best habitat for pollinator species, such as birds, bees and butterflies, according to the conservation authority.
In addition, by replacing grass, these plants reduce the need for watering and fertiliz- er, improving water conservation and the condition of water run-off into the Detroit River.
“Native gardens have so many benefits — improving water quality, habitat for birds, bees and butterflies,” said Coun. Ed Sleiman, chairman of ERCA.
Sleiman said the ultimate goal is to educate residents and encourage them to plant native gardens of their own.
“The most important aspect is promoting the benefit of native plants to the many thousands that attend the Devonshire Mall,” he said.
Sarah Baldo, one of the dozens who came out to help plant the trees, agrees.
“I think it’s largely important in a high traffic area — a sign that catches people’s eye,” the 26-year-old ERCA employee said.
“Education is important, it encourages people to learn more and hopefully plant these native species.”
For 15- year- old volunteer Avery Firth, planting trees was the perfect way to spend a beautiful sunny day.
“Everything that goes on today is positive for the future. They don’t need to mow the lawn, its energy efficient, good for the watershed and bees and butterflies,” she said.
“I think it is a really positive thing to do with my day.”
Bain said that volunteers planting trees in an urban setting was something unheard of 30 or 40 years ago.
“They just put the parking lots up and said, ‘so what we’re missing trees and we’re missing plants,’” he said.
“Let’s continue to build more of these and save the environment for our children and grandchildren ... we don’t want them to grow up and not have any of this.”