In 2023, Common Ground Earth (CGE), began a partnership with Asbury Methodist Village (AMV) to support the conversion of turf grass to native meadow on their 134 acre campus in Gaithersburg, MD. In 2024, the Chesapeake Bay Trust awarded AMV a $76k grant to transform 1.6 acres of turf grass to native meadow. Two sites were selected: one site located next to the riparian buffer adjacent to the stream restoration completed in 2020 and one site with high visibility to the community at the corner of Odendhal Ave. And Russell Ave.
A custom native meadow seed mix was developed to establish a vibrant and diverse ecosystem composed of wildflowers, grasses, and other plants that are indigenous to Gaithersburg. These native plants create an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife, attracting colorful songbirds, hummingbirds, butterflies, and pollinators. A native meadow also embodies a fundamental principle of CGE: diversity.
We believe that diversity is crucial for fostering a healthier community and a healthier planet. Just as the variety of plants in a native meadow enhances the earth's health, CGE promotes the inclusion of diverse people, industries, perspectives, and expertise in our mission and programs. After all, we all share common ground—the earth.
In addition to supporting wildlife and birds, native meadows enhance water, air, and soil quality. They also create a beautiful, peaceful environment around the AMV campus, reduce maintenance time and costs, reduces the need for pesticides, and help decrease pollution.
The deep-rooted plants of native plants offer additional benefits:
Native plants can capture and store carbon in the soil where it naturally belongs.
Plants with deep, extensive root systems are particularly effective at this,
far surpassing turf grass or ornamental plants.
Microorganisms in the soil depend on the healthy, extensive root systems of
native plants. These thriving microbes, in turn, produce and supply nutrients to the
plants, resulting in improved soil conditions that benefit other native plants
Insects and animals drawn to native plants assist with pollination and help manage
pest population
Create a self-sustaining green space: When selected appropriately for their
environment, native plants can self-seed, develop deep roots, and thrive for
generations with minimal maintenance
Native plants support pollinators, which in turn feed birds that consume and
disperse the seeds, allowing the cycle to continue indefinitely.
CGE is dedicated to the sharing of ideas and scientific insights between homeowners, community organizations (HOAs, faith-based organizations, schools, retirement communities), scientists, and businesses alike to promote ways to incorporate nature-based solutions into the varying land uses throughout communities. The methods we promote are easy to replicate, scalable, and allow you to prepare a section of your property for a new native meadow or other nature-based solution. We look at the existing use of the land to be naturalized through conservation landscaping, establishment of native meadows, pollinator gardens, and integration of best management practices.
Empire Landscaping and Environmental Group assisted us with our first turf removal spray event in August of 2024, using an aquatically safe solution to halt turf growth. The success of this new meadow largely depends on the attention we give to the turf removal phase. For this project, we needed to incorporate a selective spot spray day to ensure we create the most favorable environment for drill seeding.
Written By: Joan Plisko – Plisko Sustainable Solutions, LLC
Co-Contributors: Mark Magness (CGE), Sean Coomes (CGE)
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