Keep America Beautiful is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to community improvement. Its mission is to inspire and educate people to work toward a cleaner, greener, and more beautiful America. Keep Mississippi Beautiful is a network that connects 60 Keep America Beautiful-certified affiliates throughout our state, focusing on litter prevention, recycling, and community beautification.
One of those affiliates, Keep Ridgeland Beautiful, recently unveiled a new Wildflower Pavilion at the Wildflower Field & Art Park in partnership with The City of Ridgeland and Explore Ridgeland.
“Sarah Kountouris, Executive Director of Keep Mississippi Beautiful, has always been impressed with states that do things with roadside wildflowers,” shared Jan Richardson, Assistant Director of Keep Mississippi Beautiful and Director of Keep Ridgeland Beautiful. “Think of the Bluebonnets in Texas and the tourism they drive to their state. We also know that pollinators appreciate a variety of flower species, so it is important to promote that kind of planting.”
Keep Mississippi Beautiful initiated the Wildflower Trails of Mississippi program with the goals of increasing awareness and education of the importance of pollinators and their role in the environment and educating the public of the importance of native plants and their role in the environment while enhancing aesthetics through the natural beauty of wildflowers to generate tourism through economic development.
Wildflowers are well-suited to thrive in Mississippi, requiring minimal maintenance and exhibiting greater drought resistance. Healthy plants help reduce erosion and serve as filters for pollutants, keeping waterways cleaner downstream.
Keep Ridgeland Beautiful became a partner in 2020 and has been adding to the field ever since.
“We knew from the beginning we wanted to eventually expand it to include public art, sculptures, murals, and turn it into a real park,” shared Richardson.
It took several years, but Keep Ridgeland Beautiful’s original idea has come to life with the help of many public and private partnerships. The City of Ridgeland, Explore Ridgeland, along with Gavin Bird of Copper Sculptures, and others.
“Explore Ridgeland has been using the Ridgeland Wildflower and Art Park as a wonderful attraction to draw in tourism,” shared Shanna Head with Explore Ridgeland. “It has always been great for the locals, but our President/CEO Chris Chapman wanted to create something where people from out of town stop and relax and take back pictures and memories.”
Now, visitors can stop and relax at the “Butterfly Bus Stop,” a pavilion offering shade from the sun and benches to sit on. There are human-sized butterfly wings, along with local art and murals, that provide additional photo opportunities for families.
“There are about 35 different groups that have participated in the Wildflower Trails in Mississippi. Some are private property owners, while other cities and municipalities have also spread the love for wildflowers throughout the state,” shared Richardson. “But, Ridgeland has the most established park for visitors.
Keep Ridgeland Beautiful has collaborated with the Mississippi State Extension to publish a paper to assist individuals or communities interested in establishing a wildflower field, aiming to increase their success.
When asked what’s the best thing about the Wildflower Field and Art Park in Ridgeland, Shanna Head responded, “It’s magical!”
*All photos are courtesy of Wildflower Field & Art Park/ City of Ridgeland
