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The Norman Bird Sanctuary selected PLACEstudio to re-design the main entrance at the Welcome Center and trailhead for the new Universal Trail. This new entrance and trail provide access to the first floor of the barn, the Welcome Center, Sign-in, gift shop and Administration offices and to Red Maple Pond.
The concept for the garden is based on the mission of the Norman Bird Sanctuary, set forth by Mabel Norman at her bequest in 1949 and by the charge of her will, to maintain the land “for the propagation, preservation, and protection of birds, and where birds and bird life may be observed, studied, taught, and enjoyed by lovers of nature and by the public generally so interested in a spirit of humanity and mercy.” When approaching projects at the NBS, Executive Director, Natasha Harrison always asks, “What would Mabel do?”. We felt strongly that if Mabel knew then what we know now regarding habitat conservation that she would approve of a garden for wildlife that taught the public about the importance of creating habitat.
The RI native plant species were selected based on benefits to birds and butterflies. Food, nesting material and shelter attributes were taken into consideration. Audubon Priority Birds and Monarch butterflies were used as a baseline for selection. Sources for the plant list came from URI Native plantfinder http://web.uri.edu/rinativeplants/, RI Wild Plant Society, and rhodynative.org. The garden itself is an exhibition of native flora found throughout the sanctuary and RI. The placement at the main campus entrance allows visitor’s to engage with birds butterflies and plants right away giving them a preview of what they will see out the trails. This allows educator’s to discuss aspects of Sanctuaries habitat in a more controlled area before they head out for a hike.
It is our hope that visitor’s can take inspiration and information from this garden and create a native plant garden of their own....increasing native habitat on the island and in the region one garden at a time.