The preservation and enhancement of the open space within Woodstone Prairie is of paramount importance to its creators. To that end, we composed an overall Conservation Plan which will guide the restoration and maintenance of the open space at Woodstone Prairie. The main goals of this plan are:
To improve water quality inputs to the wetland, Birches Creek and Lake Geneva by:
reducing sediment, nutrient, and surface water runoff inputs through the establishment of a native grass prairie
increasing infiltration and groundwater recharge
To improve wildlife habitat by:
maintaining and increasing areas of natural vegetation in the open spaces, including mesic prairie, oak savanna, and wetland
reducing populations of invasive vegetation
increasing structural habitat diversity by establishing emergent wetland vegetation in the storm water detention basin
creating a buffer along the wetland boundary
To create vegetation communities with a diversity of color and texture throughout the year
To create appreciation for the utility of native plants in landscaping
To make the open areas accessible to homeowners for passive recreation via a low-maintenance path
To give children and adults a place to experience and learn about a diverse natural community
To give residents pride in their living space
To involve residents in the care of their living space
To help build community through interaction with the landscape.
The following plants are present at Woodstone Prairie:
Native Grasses
Common Name Scientific Name
lbs / Acre
Seeds / Sq Ft
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardi
2.75
8.21
Indiangrass
Sorghastrum nutans
2.00
7.81
Sideoats grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
1.00
7.85
Little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
1.00
5.17
Western wheatgrass
Agropyron smithi
0.50
1.26
Forbs (flowers)
Common Name Scientific Name
lbs / Acre
Seeds / Sq Ft
Black-eyed susan
Rudbeckia hirta
0.80
1.73
Prairie coneflower
Ratibida columnifera
2.00
2.87
Purple prairie clover
Dalea purpureum
6.00
2.37
Purple coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
1.00
0.17
Illinois Bundle Flower
Desmanthus illinoensis
10.00
0.86
White prairie clover
Dalea candide
3.20
1.34
Partridge pea
Chamaecrista fasciculata
2.00
0.14
Tall Coreopsis
Coreopsis Tripteris
0.05
0.12
Roundhead lespedeza
Lespedeza capitata
0.50
0.11
Prairie Coreopsis
Coreopsis palmata
0.50
0.14
Woody Plants
Leadplant
Amorpha canescens
1.00
0.18
