Parish Landscaping is a group of volunteers who care for the parish grounds. With seventeen acres of land in our care, keeping the gardens neat, the detention ponds clear, the prairie grasses maintained, and the lawn area cut is a three season project. There are usually three weekends set aside for volunteers to get the gardens ready for each season. With guidance from our landscaping contractor, there are also specific projects that are completed as needed. To volunteer, call the parish office.

During the summer of 2008, as part of our 30th Anniversary celebration, we started putting together native wildflower gardens in our landscape to replace the invasive weeds and scrub brush that had choked the grounds.  As stewards of the earth for our fellow creatures, we are creating the conditions to bring back their habitat - right on our own property.

We are proud to announce that the St. Mary of Vernon Church property has been officially designated by the National Wildlife Federation as a certified Wildlife Habitat. When the project started, our native plant gardens were still in their beginning stages, but the almost 300 wildflowers planted then were more than enough to qualify our property for certification, which was awarded to us on July 27, 2008. Our certificate is displayed on the Parish Life bulletin board. An official Wildlife Habitat sign is posted along the prairie garden path south of the parking lot.

As the months and years go by, we hope to say someday, “Remember when only weeds grew between the parking lot and the road? Now look at all the natural beauty. And it’s alive with the wonderful sights and sounds of birds and butterflies and little critters.” All of God’s flora and fauna have a place on this good earth. We hope to continue our part in restoring the habitat that is rightfully theirs.

Click on "Wild Flower" tabs to read about the various native plants in our gardens and other articles about God’s wonderful flora and fauna.