From Turf to Habitat: How One Illinois Couple Turned Their Lawn into a Wildlife Sanctuary

From Turf to Habitat: How One Illinois Couple Turned Their Lawn into a Wildlife Sanctuary

When James Reed McGuire and Crystal Fritz left city life in Chicago for the suburb of Highland Park, Illinois, they never expected to become part of a growing environmental movement. The couple, both novice gardeners, decided to rip out their traditional grass lawn and replace it with native plants—a project they undertook with more enthusiasm than expertise. McGuire, a dedicated birder, had grown increasingly frustrated with the standard suburb…