How to turn your Indianapolis yard into a mini wildlife haven

A grassroots effort is helping Indianapolis properties become part of a nationwide habitat network.

INDYtoday: INDY_Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park Newfields hike_MAY25

Catch a glimpse of the Lilly House as you explore the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park.

Photo by INDYtoday team

Want more from your lawn than just grass? You could turn it into a mini “national park.”

Meet Homegrown National Park, a nationwide grassroots movement that invites property owners to restore wildlife habitats through sustainable planting and the removal of invasive species.

Here’s how it works: Swap a portion of your lawn for native plants that support food webs for local fauna, then watch your yard transform into a natural oasis where wildlife thrives.

Registered habitats are tracked on a digital biodiversity map, so you can see which Indy neighbors and orgs are pitching in — like Belmont Beach and the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park.

Ready to get started on your own turf? Learn how to register your green space and browse beginner-friendly planting tips.

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