NATURESCAPING
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1CHOOSE
YOUR LOCATION Naturescaping improves resilience & biodiversity by relying on native species. Naturescaping can be done anywhere, but be sure to review your site conditions first. |
2
DESIGN
YOUR SPACE Are you aiming for a certain look? A natural fence or screening? Creating shade? How about a restored prairie? It’s all possible. |
3INSTALL & MAINTAIN YOUR LOT
Naturescaping requires an upfront investment, including regular watering, weeding, and mulching. |
Materials Checklist
- HAND TOOLS (Tip: borrow from Brightside St. Louis)
- Gloves
- Shovels
- Rakes
- Trowels
- NATIVE PLANTS
- MULCH (Tip: Borrow a wheelbarrow from Brightside St. Louis)
- Keep moisture in and weeds out with 2-3" of mulch
- EDGING
- Option for a more formal look: Use bricks or rocks around your garden's edge
- FOOTWEAR
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes or heavy work boots
Local Resources
- BRIGHTSIDE ST. LOUIS
- Neighbors Naturescaping Grants
- FOREST RELEAF OF MISSOURI
- NATIVE GARDENING INFO
- Grow Native!
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Shaw Nature Reserve
Design & Maintenance Tips
LIMIT YOUR SELECTION
Select 1 plant to fill most of your garden, and 2-4 others to sprinkle throughout. This keeps your garden simple while adding variety during the changing seasons.
IT GETS EASIER
Once established (1-3 years), naturescaping can require much less maintenance than traditional landscaping.
Select 1 plant to fill most of your garden, and 2-4 others to sprinkle throughout. This keeps your garden simple while adding variety during the changing seasons.
IT GETS EASIER
Once established (1-3 years), naturescaping can require much less maintenance than traditional landscaping.
SAMPLE PLANTING DESIGN
LOCAL PROJECT EXAMPLE -
The Sunflower Project
The Sunflower Project
MAP OF LOCAL PROJECTS
You can view the map legend by clicking the icon in the top left corner.
If you would like to add your community greening project to this map, please submit a contact form.
MEET THE TEAM
The Vacancy Collaborative is a coalition of community representatives, private and nonprofit stakeholders, and City agencies, committed to reducing vacant property in the City of St. Louis. Reducing the negative impact of vacancy is a complex puzzle that requires coordination to achieve a shared vision. The Vacancy Collaborative is not a stand-alone entity—it was created to coordinate existing vacancy efforts under one umbrella, and to support the public and private sectors in working together toward comprehensive solutions.
The Reinvestment & Reuse Working Group, one of six collaborative working groups, focuses on identifying and promoting financial and sustainable solutions to equitably reinvest in vacant property. Topics include small contractor and rehabber development, financial reinvestment tools and historic preservation, and alternative land uses like those presented in this guide.
The Reinvestment & Reuse Working Group, one of six collaborative working groups, focuses on identifying and promoting financial and sustainable solutions to equitably reinvest in vacant property. Topics include small contractor and rehabber development, financial reinvestment tools and historic preservation, and alternative land uses like those presented in this guide.
Green City Coalition (GCC) is a collective initiative of state, city, community organizations, and neighbors working collaboratively to develop and conserve green spaces that promote healthy, vibrant and engaged St. Louis neighborhoods.
GCC has cooperative agreements with the Missouri Department of Conservation, City of St. Louis, St. Louis Development Corporation, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, and Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, with additional members varying by neighborhood, program, or project.
GCC has cooperative agreements with the Missouri Department of Conservation, City of St. Louis, St. Louis Development Corporation, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, and Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, with additional members varying by neighborhood, program, or project.
Arbolope Studio is an award-winning Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Public Art practice based in St. Louis, Missouri, focused on creating innovative and impactful landscapes that balance high-quality design, social equity, and environmental resilience.
Arbolope works with a variety of local, national and international clients including universities, institutions, corporations, and communities – at scales ranging from intimate landscapes to large urban plans.
Arbolope works with a variety of local, national and international clients including universities, institutions, corporations, and communities – at scales ranging from intimate landscapes to large urban plans.
If you have questions, comments, or additions for this toolkit, please submit a contact form.
