The Garlands Earns BACT Recognition for Conservation Efforts
Strolling through the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Garlands of Barrington campus, one becomes enveloped by textures and colors that welcome year-around interest. Wright believed in designing structures that were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture. It's a philosophy that The Garlands embraces both inside and out.
Organic Architecture
“The harmony of nature outside our 32-acre campus is a reflection of the interior beauty that encapsulates the warmth of The Garlands community,” says The Garlands Director of Interior Design and Landscape, Ann Pateros.
Through the original vision of The Garlands of Barrington award-winning landscape architect, Joe Karr, Ann and her assistant Cindy Baldocchi help ensure that the wealth of seasonal detail and warm color palate of The Garlands grounds continue to thrive through sustainable landscape design.
Conservation@Work
The main goals of sustainable landscape design are to minimize both the input of resources and the output of waste in yards and gardens. In order to achieve these eco-friendly aspirations, The Garlands strives to treat water as a resource, value the soil, preserve existing plants and conserve materials. As such, the Barrington Area Conservation Trust recently recognized The Garlands conscientious efforts to “improve the natural world for wildlife and humanity” and awarded it their Conservation@Work certification.
In reviewing The Garlands conservation efforts, the Trust noted that The Garlands:
• incorporates a variety of native flowers, grasses, trees and shrubs into the existing landscape
• manages the property for invasive species
• practices positive water stewardship
• has a recycling program and
• provides programs or activities that promote awareness and positive conservations values.
“We at the Barrington Area Conservation Trust are pleased to recognize Ann, Cindy and The Garlands team for spearheading a move toward eco-friendly landscaping and pond naturalization,” said Beth Adler, BACT's Conservation at Work coordinator. “The Garlands sustainable actions benefit not only generations of Garlands residents but also the area wildlife and the earth.”
Eco-friendly Landscaping and Pond Naturalization
Evidence of The Garlands Conservation@Work best practices abound. For example, throughout all seasons, The Garlands outdoor gardens and walkways provide vivid splashes of color, interesting textures and sweet fragrances. Bird houses carefully placed around the ponds welcomed their first families of bluebirds this spring, while marsh milkweed beckoned monarch butterflies to lay eggs for the next generation. The native plants also attract dragonflies, birds and bullfrogs, and the wildlife activity continues to thrive. Patient waiting and observation are rewarded with a good look at some of these welcome visitors.
The Garlands timeless quality also provides a perfect background for Garlands members to engage in outdoor activities. “Our native pond environments are intended to provide a pleasant and relaxing experience and create a beautiful backdrop for Garlands members and guests,” said Pateros. “Quite often you will find a Garlands member with paint brush in hand at an easel enjoying the beauty of The Garlands campus.”
Raised Gardening
The Garlands also offers thirty-two raised planting beds for members to grow their own flowers and vegetables. These raised garden beds invite members to participate in purposeful gardening activities and interact with neighbors, families and friends. The competition is on come early spring when the members' gardens are planted with vivid, colorful flowers and delicious vegetables and decorated with darling garden ornaments. The Garlands Executive Chef, Nick Torres, and staff also harvest home-grown, garden-fresh herbs and vegetables for seasonal specials in The Garlands four restaurants.
Continuing Education
Each year Garlands members are invited to stroll the campus with Jim Yaeger, Vice President, Damgaard Landscape Management. During this time Jim educates his students on aquatic and floral pond life and the environmental benefits that The Garlands several hundred native plantings offer.
What's in store for 2015? Ann and Cindy are currently working on their strategies for the upcoming year and look forward to continuing monitoring and supporting the beauty of The Garlands and the greater Barrington community.