Welcome to RNA’s Greening Initiative! Through our Greening Committee, we beautify neighborhood street corners and parkways with native flower gardens, host neighborhood clean-up days and social events, and work with other Chicago organizations on greening efforts in Ravenswood.
Do you want to beautify the neighborhood and help us fight climate change and the loss of biodiversity? Plant a native garden with the support of the Ravenswood Neighbors Association!
Due to popularity of the program, there is a waitlist, and for the first time, we’ll be offering info sessions! Please RSVP for one of the sessions HERE. Priority for planting a garden in 2026 will be given to those who attend a session.
- Thursday, Feb. 5 (7am-8:30pm) at All Saints Church, 1757 W Wilson
- Saturday, Feb. 21 (10am-11:30am – location TBD
Our native garden initiative, started in 2017, has grown to 40 gardens throughout the neighborhood. These plants promote biodiversity, alleviate urban flooding, and beautify our community. RNA grows saplings from seed and, when ready, transplants the plants to a new garden. We provide technical assistance to help you design your ideal garden and coordinate volunteers to support you on planting day.
Find more information about the program on our website or in this info sheet. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to us at ravenswoodneighbors@gmail.com.
- Wish to start your own native garden? Become an RNA Member and we will supply you with free native plants and flowers, labor, and expertise to green your portion of Ravenswood. These native plants, grown by RNA, help with drainage, support pollinators, and are used as multiple annual educational experiences for all ages! Complete this interest form to join our waitlist.
- Mulch Madness – Donate your fallen leaves and help Ravenswood native gardens! Drop off bagged leaves in our drop zone, then join us at Begyle Brewing for a Mulch Madness happy hour on November 16, 2024. Leaf donors and RNA Members get a beverage on us, can learn about leaf mulch with an ISA Certified Arborist from Kramer Tree Specialists, and win cool prizes!
- Garden Crawl and Happy Hour – Join us for free tours and a happy hour! Tours have included Ravenswood native gardens, local tree canopies, community gardens, Montrose Metra veggie gardens, the public orchard, Sunnyside Savanna, and a special “Learn to Bird” tour with the Chicago Bird Alliance. We will be back for our third year on July 27, 2024.
- Neighborhood Clean Up Day – Organizing clean-up efforts around the neighborhood on April 20, 2024. RNA Membership helps us purchase trash pickers, gloves and bags – volunteer neighbors help us collect trash from our streets, alleys and train corridors. Stay tuned for additional neighborhood clean up dates!
- Community Collaboration – We work with other local green organizations such as the Montrose Metra Community Gardens to host the Ravenswood Little Plant Library (Ravenswood near Berteau). Bring a plant, take a plant!
If you would like to start your corner/parkway garden, or learn more about our initiatives, contact Andy Smerczak at ravenswoodneighbors@gmail.com
Educational Resources
Here are PDF’s with answers to the most common questions we get about native gardening:
*Is this a weed? Here’s a pictorial guide on weed identification and removal (including some fun facts)!
*Should I keep plant stems up in the fall/winter or cut them down? Here’s how to create four-season habitats for stem-nesting bees.
*What kind of pollinator insects do my plants attract? Here’s a guide to wildflowers that attract beneficial insects.
*Can I trim native plants? Here’s a guide to pruning select native plants.
*Are there other places around Chicago to learn more about native gardening or volunteer? Here’s a guide to local community connections and resources.
Contact RNA to start planning your garden today!
RAVENSWOOD NEIGHBORS ASSOCIATION 