Officials in Tulsa OK are putting their tax dollars to great use. They spent $5,000 to plant native wildflowers. It’s about the same as it would cost to mow the area used as part of this pilot program for one year. The first year is net neutral, but years after will require little to no upkeep, saving on mowing costs.
The Native Plant Society and ODOT have been using a similar program for years, planting wildflowers along highways across the state. I have seen many natives added to the grass areas along the highways; primrose, Indian paintbrush, coreopsis, blanket flower just to name a few. The flowers keep the areas looking nice and allowing the county/state to postpone mowing. I think it’s amazing we are reintroducing native wildflowers as an urban planning tool to reduce upkeep costs.
by mnmpeanut94
2 Comments
This makes my okie heart happy!!
Yay [Oklahoma Native Plant Society!](https://oknativeplants.org/) I’m not far from the airport in Tulsa, imma go try & have a look-see at the test plot if I can. Was so stoked to see this initiative, and since moving here have often lamented the waste of all the mowed wasteland along the highways & interchanges: barren, brown, billboards, Bradfords & other invasives… If any place needs beautification it’s here (sorry okies) & if it’s under the guise of cost-savings then that’ll speak to regular joes ‘round these parts more than ecological benefit for sure. THRILLED & hope it thrives.