Ortonville’s Native Landscape Projects 

The Village of Ortonville, through the Downtown Development Authority’s Main Street Program, received grant money from the Native Partnership Initiative, (ONPI)* to install three Native Landscape Demonstrations in the village: one, a small garden in the VFW Memorial Park; the second, a modified stream-buffer on Kearsley Creek, behind the Old Mill, and the third, Heritage Garden, next to the Old Township Hall. The demonstrations are intended to show property owners how native plant communities function to protect wildlife and water quality, and how similar plantings can be installed on their own property. The Project helped Brandon Township meet its EPA Phase II Stormwater Management requirements. Wildlife Biologist Rick McAvinchey and Local Master Gardeners Ruth Vrbensky, Celia Ryker, and Trish Hennig coordinated the Projects.

*Ortonville Native Landscape Projects were funded by the Oakland Native Partnership Initiative, (ONPI) with a grant-match from the Oakland County Farm Bureau and in-kind help from local citizens and businesses. ONPI consists of Oakland County Planning and Economic Development Services (OCPEDS), Oakland Wild Ones, Oakland Land Conservancy, (OLC), the Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC),and the Oakland County Drain Commission (OCDC).