In summary, growing native grasses and flowers along the highway will:

• Support native wildlife, especially endangered pollinators and birds
• Improve crop yields by the boost in pollinator populations
• Mitigate soil runoff onto roads during rain and snow
• Save mower gas and money
• Mitigate flooding
• Enhance beauty

Currently, most of the Illinois highways are bordered by short cut grass. This is not good on an ecological level because lawn grass is a European native, not evolved to support Illinoisan wildlife, and certainly not best suited to handle the Illinois climate.

This is also a waste of money, since the state must spend unnecessary tax dollars mowing and other raise maintaining the grass. Additionally, Kentucky blue grass (lawn grass) has roots that only reach roughly 2 inches deep, meaning soil can still easily wash away with water; potentially adding to the risk of slipping on the highways. In comparison, our native plants’ roots reach anywhere from 3-16 feet into the soil. Most reach roughly 4-6 feet down, and have much thicker masses of roots to lock the soil in place.

Planting native plants will reap a variety of benefits for us. The restoration of the roadways will increase habitat for important pollinators including the beloved and endangered monarch butterfly.

The influx of pollinator habitat will result in a rise in pollinator populations, many of which are endangered or threatened. Because farms are common along the roadside, pollinators will be able to help pollinate the these farmers’ crops, increasing their yields. 

The increased vegetation along the roads will also be a front-like barrier to car pollution, absorbing some pollutants into their tissue, and  allowing others to simply collect on their leaves. These pollutants are taken out of the air, and will be washed away with the next rain. This green barrier has been proven to reduce inflammation for people living nearby.

Lastly, the pastel of colors is beautiful! For less maintenance, the roadways can become more beautiful with the addition of native grasses and wildflowers. The colors, which vary over the course of the roadway, and the year, create a beautiful scenery to drive past; unlike the short cut grass with no variation except the occasional piece of garbage.