“Our first commitment was to conserve these 80 acres and 10 biodiverse habitats that were slated to be broken up into 10 large parcels.” – Sharon Prince
Designing with Purpose
Ecological landscaping is more than a trend—it’s a vital approach to mitigating climate change. By using native plants and practicing ethical land stewardship, we can restore balance to natural systems. Kimberly Kelly, our Director of Horticulture, reminds us that “it’s about the choices we make—down to the nourishment of our soil.” In The Choices We Make, she calls on us to reflect on our own practices and their ecological impact. Throughout the summer season, Grace Farms invites the public to learn more about ecological landscaping, including this Saturday, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. Check our events calander for on-going nature-based events; here’s highlights of our nature-based events throughout August.
Kimberly Kelly, our Director of Horticulture, often leads visitors on tours of the meadows and natural landscape to teach about biodiversity at Grace Farms.
Over time, land management has evolved from a “do-no-harm” stance to a more intentional collaboration with nature. Today, there’s a movement to work with nature’s rhythms, along with ethical and sustainable land management to restore biodiversity.
Understanding Biodiversity
“Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms… These organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life.” – World Wildlife Fund
Taking these concepts into consideration, Kelly explains that advocating for less turf grass and more meadows, for instance, not only benefits the environment—it improves our health and the well-being of the planet. Over the years, the practice of turning lawn, a single species plant, into a meadow using a variety of native plants and grasses, has taken hold. A recent BBC article, explains why “turning lawns into meadows can have big benefits for people, wildlife and the climate” and why “‘meadowscaping’ has become the latest gardening craze.”
Larry Weaner Landscape Associates, the award-winning design quoted in this article, returned 70% of Grace Farms’ mowed areas back to natural meadows. Landscape architecture firm OLIN, also working with the architects at SANAA, helped transform the former horse farm into open spaces composed of woodlands and natural habitats.
Grace Farms: A Living Model
Our commitment to ecological and ethical land practices has led to measurable impacts. For instance, the number of bird species located on Grace Farms increased from 40 to over 120 bird species, including the return of the American Kestrel—North America’s smallest falcon—thanks in part to our installation of nesting boxes. Once considered “threatened,” this species has rebounded due to efforts like these, with statewide nesting box projects playing a crucial role in population recovery, according to Audubon Connecticut.
We invite visitors of all ages on birdwatching tours throughout Grace Farms’ 80 acres of natural habitats and scenic nature trails. The American Kestrel is a small, slender falcon that is about the size of a robin. It is found in open habitats that have plenty of nesting cavities and hunting perches.
Our efforts to remove invasive species, along with the installation of thousands of native plants, have further supported pollinators and enhanced biodiversity at Grace Farms. In 2024 alone, we sowed 18 pounds of native grasses and pollinator plants—potentially yielding over 3 million individual plants that not only add to the biodiversity of Grace Farms, but its natural beauty that offers a peaceful place for reflection.
Global Impact of Biodiversity
According to the World Health Organization:
- Over 75% of global food crops depend on pollinators, contributing up to $577 billion to global agriculture.
- Forests, which store 80% of terrestrial biodiversity, absorb 2.6 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually.
- Invasive species contribute to 60% of species extinctions, causing $423 billion in global damages.
- Healthy ecosystems supply 75% of the world’s freshwater—yet since 1970, 35% of wetlands have been lost.
As biodiversity continues to decline at alarming rates—species extinction is now 10 to 100 times higher than natural rates—we recognize our responsibility to steward and share sustainable practices. “Without plants and animals, the world would not be habitable for humans.” – Reuters, COP16: From forests to oceans, nature in a dire state (2024)
We have installed thousands of native plants and grasses, creating habitats for wildlife and pollinator pathways for the butterflies.
Sustainable Design Beyond the Landscape
Building on our past LEED certifications for Building Design and Construction (BD+C) of the River building and Barns, and Operations and Maintenance (O+M), in 2024 we achieved LEED Gold for the O+M, reflecting our ongoing commitment to thoughtful stewardship and sustainable practices.
Our achievements since opening in 2015 include:
- Restoring 11 acres of our landscape to native meadows to protect the fragile ecosystem of our site.
- Reducing the heat island effect from the River building’s highly reflective roof.
- Reducing water consumption site-wide.
- Refining procurement and purchasing selections to ensure that post-consumer recycled and FSC-certified materials are selected whenever possible.
- Instituting a “full-circle” food waste program on-site to repurpose food scraps into compost that is reused in our gardens and meadows.
- Implementing erosion control measures which play an instrumental role in erosion control measures.
- Green-E Certified Renewable Energy Certificates
- Reduced waste through ongoing recycling and composting.
- Construction and use of geothermal wells.
- On-site milling and kiln-drying of trees that were cleared for construction, used to construct indoor and outdoor furniture.
Nature as a Classroom
Through our Nature’s Classroom series, we host tours, workshops, and seasonal programs led by Kimberly Kelly, who also serves as President of the International Association of Butterfly Exhibitors and Suppliers (IABES). Visitors of all ages learn about native meadows, soil ecology, and the vital role of pollinators.
Beginning this June, Grace Farms will host the Amazing Butterflies Exhibit, a family-friendly, interactive maze created by the Natural History Museum in London in collaboration with Minotaur Mazes.
Adventure through the leaves, learn how to move like caterpillar, discover an ant that reaps the reward of an unusual friendship, then transform into a butterfly and take flight!
Our Impact in Numbers
Below are the impactful highlights of on-going nature initiatives:
- 3 million + various species of native grasses populated our meadow after sowing 18 pounds of native grasses and pollinator plants
- 3,000 + visitors on average participate in nature-based programming
- 32,000 + engaged in pop-up programs created by our Education Team
- 600 + on average engage in our annual Earth Day event
A Certified Monarch Waystation
Grace Farms is recognized as a Monarch Waystation, providing vital habitats for monarch butterflies. We are also a founding partner of the New Canaan chapter of the Pollinator Pathway, a nationwide initiative creating pesticide-free public and private-property corridors for bees, butterflies, and birds.
On August 23, we invite visitors to experience the amazing life of butterflies.
“We are earth. Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all have their tribes, their families, their histories, too. Talk with them, listen to them. They are alive poems.” – Joy Harjo, 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate
Explore Our Additional Perspectives
- Butterflies in Winter
- Why Are Butterflies Important? | Kimberly Kelly
- The Choices We Make | Kimberly Kelly
- Native Meadows | A Conversation with Kimberly Kelly
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About Grace Farms Foundation
The River building at Grace Farms is embedded in nature. Nearly 80 acres of natural and diverse landscapes surround the award-winning River. (photo by Sahar Coston-Hardy)
We bring together people across sectors to explore nature, arts, justice, community, and faith at the SANAA-designed River building and Barns, on 80 acres of publicly accessible natural landscape.
Our humanitarian work to end modern slavery and foster more grace and peace in our local and global community includes leading the Design for Freedom movement to eliminate forced labor in the building materials supply chain.
This collaborative approach to comprehensively address humanitarian issues and generate new outcomes is reflected across all of our initiatives and the place of Grace Farms.
Membership
Grace Farms members can visit without advance registration and enjoy a 20% discount on paid programs, retail, and dining, invitations to members-only gatherings, complimentary events, and a welcome gift from Grace Farms Tea & Coffee.
Becoming a member helps us advance our mission to pursue a more peaceful world and supports the preservation of the River building and its surrounding 80 acres.
For more information, visit gracefarms.org/membership.
Visit our calendar of events to learn more about upcoming programs.
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