Conserve - Educate - Inspire
We teamed up with community partners to build a demonstration garden at Crail Ranch using native plants that are wildlife friendly, water wise, and preserving of the historic landscape.
Native plants:
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Are adapted to local conditions, requiring no fertilizer or pesticides.
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Require less watering to thrive and can help control stormwater runoff.
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Improve air quality by reducing area for mowing and sequestering carbon.
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Provide food and shelter for wildlife and support pollinators.
Crail Gardens are located at the Historic Crail Ranch, 2100 Spotted Elk Rd, Big Sky, and are open for touring during daylight hours 7 days a week.
Native plants are the foundation of the food web and vital for sustaining ecosystems.
In our 2nd full growing season, a white-crowned sparrow nested and successfully reared her young among the prairie sage in our largest garden.
1,141
WILDFLOWERS PLANTED
49
NATIVE SPECIES
159
VOLUNTEERS
584
VOLUNTEER
HOURS
Garden Partners
Origins of the Gardens at Crail Ranch
In 2017, the caretaker of a small flower garden at Crail Ranch reached out to us for expert assistance on weed and flower identification. During the site visit, it was determined that the majority of plants in the flower garden were invasive species.
Talks about revitalizing and improving the garden began, with a focus on native species. Once word spread, other local groups expressed interest in helping with the project due to similar mission and goals of sustainable land and water stewardship. The project has grown from improving one small garden, to improving all of Crail Ranch.
Historic Crail Ranch is a tangible reminder of the life of the earliest European settlers of the Big Sky area. This garden showcases the native species that the pioneers would have found in the landscape.
Thank you to our partners, funders, donors, and volunteers for helping us build our garden!
Beth MacFawn Landscape Design
Big Sky Community Organization
Big Sky Landscaping
Big Sky Owners Association
Big Sky Resort Tax
Big Sky Water & Sewer
Big Timberworks
Cross Charitable Foundation
Gallatin Canyon Women's Club
Gallatin Conservation District
Gallatin River Task Force
Gallatin Waterworks
Great Bear Native Plants
Historic Crail Ranch
Meadowview II LLC
Moonlight Community Foundation
Quarry Works
Rotary Club of Big Sky
Spanish Peaks Community Foundation
Westscape Nursery
Yellowstone Club Community Foundation
We want to send a special thanks to our bench and garden sponsors!
