Native Landscaping
The front of Winona Elementary School was redesigned with low-water, native landscaping to continue reducing unnecessary outdoor water use, become better stewards of the environment, and increase public awareness of native plants.
The Winona Cottages were demolished - revealing around 12,000 square feet of dirt needing landscaping. Rather than plant high-water Kentucky Bluegrass, the Thompson School District used plants adapted to the local climate.
As a result, the area was filled in with a mix of low-water native plants, including Big Brush Sage and Little Bluestem, boulders from a local quarry, gravel, a pathway that encourages visitors of the school to walk through the space, and plant signs to identify various plants.
By choosing these native plants over Kentucky Bluegrass, the school is anticipated to see water savings of over 405 kgal a year, equivalent to around 8,500 bathtubs! A Colorado Water Conservation Board grant allowed for a larger project to be completed than with District funds alone.