On a beautiful autumn day in St. Louis, nearly four dozen people celebrated the native plants, tall grasses and wildflowers unique to Missouri’s prairie.
“When my client asked me about our prairie restoration project, she proposed a Prairie Day for her employees to learn about the process, where we are now, and what it will become,” said Dan Schaefer, Focal Pointe account manager.
For many Prairie Day seed harvesters, it was their first opportunity to learn about our unique ecosystem and gather seeds they could use at home.
Joining Schaefer in making Prairie Day an unforgettable experience were three dozen participants from our client’s corporate office, and a team from Focal Pointe, which included Branch Manager, Ben O’Neal; Designer & Horticulturist, Matt Hagemann; Operations Manager, Jose Bautista; Gardener & Foreman, Manuel Medrano; and Gardener Oscar Chavez.
The prairie project recently received a 2024 Award of Excellence from the National Association of Landscape Contractors (NALP) in Adaptive Reuse & Erosion Control—a category that relies on the strategic use of plants to restore biodiversity and soil health. “Our goal is to work toward a common mission of serving the land we all love. We’re proud to create something that provides an essential habitat for pollinators and wildlife, and a place where people can find inspiration in nature,” adds Schaefer.
The wide-scale restoration was led by Focal Pointe’s construction director Brian Bobikiewicz. Scope of work included the creation of a 15’ buffer zone of managed turf and the installation over 5,000 yards of topsoil. Using a seed mix of native plant species and flowering plants and grasses, the team was able to create an ecologically sustainable landscape that flourishes year-round.
To learn more about Focal Pointe’s commitment to celebrate the harmony between people and nature, go to: www.yourfocalpointe.com
Credits:
Focal Pointe’s Award-Winning Project Team
Branch: Focal Pointe Hazelwood, Missouri
Branch Manager: Ben O’Neal
Account Manager: Dan Schaefer
Construction Director: Brian Bobikiewicz
© Award photos: Bryce Chmylak
© Prairie Day photos: Coni Kreisch Dan Schaefer, Jose Bautista