Helena Community Plants Over 1,000 Native Plants to Enhance Law and Justice Center Landscaping.
HELENA — Community members and leaders in Helena are coming together to transform the landscaping at the Law and Justice Center on Fuller Avenue. They are planting over 1,000 native plants, grasses, and trees to create a more conservation-friendly environment.
Bridget Johnston, the City of Helena’s community facilities manager, explained that there were many questions before the project began. “People were wondering, ‘What’s going on? What did you do to our grass?’ We have done a lot of education about what a Xeriscape is and how it can help conserve water,” she said.
According to the City of Helena, “Xeriscaping uses native and drought-tolerant plants to create a landscape that uses far less water and can be designed to be incredibly beautiful and low maintenance.” Helena receives about 11 inches of precipitation annually, making this approach particularly relevant.
Johnston emphasized the importance of setting a good example for residents. “As the City of Helena, we think it’s a good example to set for other citizens to maybe follow suit to help us conserve water,” she noted. The city partnered with landscape designer Devon Malizia, who volunteered her time for the project.
Malizia utilized Montana’s keystone species, which are native plants that support the local ecosystem and its pollinators. Johnston added, “It’s going to create a beautiful landscape for people who visit the farmers market or come to do business at the Law and Justice Center.”
The landscaping project is funded by the Law and Justice Center, which pays rent to the City of Helena. Tenants include Criminal Justice Services, Grants and Purchasing, the Helena Police Department, and the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Johnston hopes the new landscaping will create a more welcoming atmosphere. “It is a place that can be uncomfortable for many people. They might be coming to court or visiting the police. We hope this creates an inviting space that makes them feel a bit more comfortable,” she said.
The City of Helena plans to complete the landscaping next week and aims to add benches to the garden in the future.