When the residents of the Willow Lake neighborhood became concerned about the health of the waterways that traversed their housing division, they got the help they needed from the Horticulture Department of Oklahoma State University. In the process, a project was born that already is serving as a model for other communities to emulate.

With an eye on the yards that sloped directly to the water’s edge, the OSU experts installed pest-tolerant plant materials, based on design plans of a landscape architect, in two demonstration yards. They backed this up with weekly seminars covering a breadth of ecosensitive landscaping topics, as well as how to maintain healthy water and fish.

The result has successfully addressed plants, water, and fish needs, as well as desired aesthetics in one easily replicable project. Aided by the Garfield County Extension, Langston University and numerous specialists, THE O.S.U. HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT IS GOOD NEWS FOR OKLAHOMA’S RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENTS!