Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden

Description

The Lake Arlington native plant and pollinator garden aims to demonstrate water conservation by landscaping with native plants, creating a pollinator habitat to support city initiatives, educating adults on sustainable landscaping with native plants, and educating youth on water conservation and local plants and wildlife. In 2021, water department leadership recognized the need to address a lack of "hands-on" activities that involved native and drought-tolerant plants. This led to identifying 3 acres of vacant land adjacent to Lake Arlington as a possible demonstration area construction site. The land is an emergency spillway designed to prevent overtopping of the Lake Arlington Dam in extreme weather. Though flooding in the area has not been seen in over three decades, it must remain free of permanent structures and trees. TRWD and Arlington Water Utilities agreed to collaborate on establishing the Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden. Our primary goals for this garden are to Demonstrate water conservation by landscaping with native plants, create pollinator habitat to support city initiatives, educate adults on sustainable landscaping with native plants, educate youth on water conservation and local plants and wildlife, and collaborate with community partners to build expertise and inform the public about native plant landscapes.