Champaign DOT

The project was planned in three small but highly visible areas totaling about an acre. The plantings were completed in 2005; stewardship has been ongoing since that time. The area was planted with a mix of native plugs and seed that contained native grasses and wildflowers. The species list consisted of 25 wildflower species and five grassland species. Species were chosen so that there would be different wildflowers blooming from early spring to late fall. The plugs had to be watered for the first six weeks of establishment because the project was started during a drought year. Spot herbicide treatments and mowing were used to control invasive species during the first years of stewardship. Prescribed fire has not been implemented on this site but will be conducted in 2008 once the site has fully matured. This roadside planting has demonstrated the drought tolerance of native species as well as the improvement of water quality due to storm water infiltration. This experimental project also was a way to show how Illinois roadsides can be aesthetically pleasing, eco-friendly, and relatively low maintenance.

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