City Ordinance requires maintenance of the boulevard.

If you are interested in planting your boulevard with native grasses or plants, a waiver application can be completed and submitted for approval by the City's Community Services Department.

Complete Ordinance information can be see here: Ordinance 8.28 Weeds Yards Lawns

And the waiver application and instructions can be seen here: Waiver Application Native Grasses

93 acres of public land will be converted to pollinator-friendly spaces. These include land along Hastings Way, the on and off ramps of Highway-312, land adjoining the Chippewa River State Trail towards the Airport and north. Smaller parcels throughout Eau Claire in parks and open spaces are also part of the conversion plan, including portions of Archery Park, Boyd, and Fairfax Parks. 

Maps of the parks and roadway median areas that are being improved are shaded in red and can be found here Pollinator Parks Location Maps - revised 6/5/25

Phase 1: The contractor will begin spraying the first round of herbicide beginning May 28 & 29, 2025 weather permitting, and is expected to be completed within the same week.

Phase 2: Once there is additional growth of four to six inches, a second round of spraying will be completed.   If necessary, an additional spray may be applied.

Phase 3: Native seeds will be planted, along with winter wheat, for stabilization.

Within the first year, residents can expect to see the first blooms of pollinator-friendly vegetation, signaling the beginning of a thriving habitat for bees, butterflies, and other crucial pollinators.

Transitioning to pollinator-friendly landscapes on a budget of $500,000 requires cost-effective methods. While tilling the land would cost between $3–4 million and demand extensive labor, a controlled application of herbicide allows for efficient removal of existing vegetation, making way for new growth without the need for heavy machinery and prolonged soil disruption. Moreover, traditional tilling or removing topsoil can strip away the nutrient-rich black soil, leaving behind sandy subsoil that is not well-suited for native plants to flourish. Stripping soil and hauling in replacement soil would be even more costly.

The contractor hired to perform the transitional work in our parks is a licensed applicator of herbicides and applies them in compliance with safe use practices. When handled responsibly, they serve as a valuable tool in land management and habitat restoration projects.

We understand that some people have concerns about herbicides and we have very carefully considered their use.  Herbicides are legal for use across the United States and, when applied according to label instructions and safety guidelines, are considered safe and effective for controlling unwanted vegetation. Areas that will be treated will be marked as treated so residents can choose to avoid these spaces during the 48-hours following application.

The use of herbicides will help us return park spaces to their natural state more quickly, effectively, and cost-effectively.

 

From Erin J.

"Wondering about Archery Park: it's a space my family has often used for picnics, outdoor play, hammock time, etc. Will there still be some access to open spaces or will most of the area be more prairie-like? Are the trees staying? Will there be a trail through it to connect the wooded paths? Thank you for offering a way to ask questions!"

Answer:

Thank you for reaching out with your question regarding Archery Park. At this time we were planning to transition most of the open space to prairie-like however, we are open to ideas to what the community would like to see. I can confirm that no trees will be removed from this project at any of the proposed sites. At this time, there won’t be a trail through it however, our vision in the future would be to add mulched trails once the prairies are established at certain sites. Archery Park could be one of them! This most likely is a couple two to three years down the road though.

From Martina L

"We fully support the conversion of traditional grass to native prairies and pollinator-friendly landscaping, and commend the city's efforts in this regard. However, we are concerned about the repeated use of herbicides to establish these areas. For example, we are monitoring active bluebird nest boxes in Fairfax Park, which are in close proximity to one of the proposed areas. This situation may be similar in many other locations. Is there sufficient research to ensure that herbicide applications will not harm native birds, particularly during the nesting season?"

 

Answer: 

Thank you for reaching out with your questions in regards to the pollinators. I reached out to Stuart Boerst who is the prairie designer on this project with your question. He is a senior ecologist and has many years of experience designing and implementing natural habitats and prairies across Wisconsin.  He stated that the spraying will not have an impact on the birds. Once the herbicide is applied, and dried (which happens quickly this time of year),  it is not harmful to the wildlife around it. The product is also applied with drift control measures so that the product is only applied where intended. He also wanted to note that the use of glysophate is used widely in many areas and there are actually versions that are safe for aquatic use in lakes, ponds, and rivers. There have been many studies through the University of Minnesota and Iowa that show that that herbicide is the single best way to achieve the goals of these natural prairies and habitats.

Learn more about Stuart Boerst - Prairie Designer--051325

From Siri L.

"If I have a boulevard that is considered city property, but I'm still responsible for maintenance, would there be any way that I could volunteer to include my space in this project? I've been thinking about planting native plants there anyway, and there is only grass/weeds there so there wouldn't have to be any other landscaping done. Thanks!"

Answer:

Thank you for reaching out with your question about the boulevard. While it is a fabulous idea, unfortunately the city doesn’t have the capacity to take on the smaller parcels such as boulevards and other privately maintained spaces. Besides creating an ecological benefit to the community, we are also excited on the reduction of mowing that this will give the city and also help us with reducing our carbon footprint with less mowing.

I wish I had more information to provide but I know there is an individual who I believe is part of the East Hill Neighborhood Association who is doing some native plantings in Boyd Park and is very passionate about the cause. Maybe reach out to the Neighborhood Association to see if they can provide you with that contact information and if there is someone that would be willing to help out other neighbors in the process or even the potential project such as yours. I think there is definitely an opportunity there.

Existing Neighborhoods - map

Existing Neighborhoods - directory

I have also included some information if you do transition your boulevard. We request that you fill out the waiver with the required information and return back to me for approval.

Ordinance 8.28 Weeds Yards Lawns
Waiver Application Native Grasses

From Diane D.

"Hello,

1. What flowers and grasses are included in the seed mix and who determined the seed mix? For natives I have found the work is primarily root development the 1st two years and it isn't until year three that most plants takes off above ground.

2. Are any of the areas near buckthorn, garlic mustard or other noxious plants? While the natives are working hard at root development, I find it is important to keep out unwanted or invasive vegetation. (The spraying will go a long way in ensuring noxious seeds are not present in the soil to begin with.)

According to Prairie Moon Nursery, the planted areas should be mowed the first year when starting from seed. In year 2, the early natives may bloom and in year three some of the plants that require more root development may bloom. 3. Do people believe the work is complete after sowing the seeds or rather once the natives are established that the work is complete? If it works out like the sample pictures - beautiful!!"

 

Answer:

Thank you for reaching out with your question regarding the pollinators! I have included the seed mix plan that we received from the vendor. The gentleman who designed the seed mix is an expert in this field has transitioned many acres over to native and prairie lands. Everything that you have stated is correct. It does take some time to establish everything. There will be some flowering happening in the first year but as you stated, years two through five are where things are really going to shine and develop their above ground beauty. Apple Valley is providing us with a maintenance plan which involves mowing at certain intervals and potentially burning after year three. We can make mention that it will take many years for the full results because as you stated, this isn’t just a one and done, there is maintenance that needs to be performed each year until things are truly established. 

PDF:  Seed Mix Plan - Eau Claire 2025

From Janis T.

"What about using solarization as an alternative to herbicides? https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/solarization-occultation#:~:text=Solarization%20is%20the%20process%20of,seed%20germination%20and%20plant%20growth. "

 

Answer:

Thank you for reaching out regarding the pollinator landscape areas. We did consider the solarization or tarping of these areas however, with the total project estimated to be between 90-100 acres, we do not have the manpower, funds, or feasibility to go that route. When this project came up as a possibility, all the various other options were discussed however due to the large area, spraying was determined to be the best approach.

From Katy H.

Love seeing this plan for development of native growth throughout the city! I love seeing the sustainability goals of Eau Claire present themselves in real-world plans. I was wondering if any measures will be taken to minimize wind erosion. Some of the proposed sites are in areas that don't currently have a lot of cover, whether that's public parks or near roads. In those crucial first few years of development as plants root in these sites, will anything be implemented to help reduce wind erosion in areas more susceptible to it? I understand that in the long term these areas will overall help reduce erosion rates, clean runoff from roads, and help control flooding, but I'm curious if there is any plan for the first couple of years, or if this risk has been considered already. Thanks!

 

Answer:

Thank you for reaching out regarding the pollinator landscaping! Thank you also for your excitement in the project. Overall, there seems to be quite a bit of that going around!

In regards to your question about wind erosion, our biggest solution to that with this project is the planting of winter wheat throughout the project. Winter wheat is quick to germinate (approx. 7-14 days). This was especially important in areas with the steeper slopes in this project where we were worried about erosion and runoff. The other option was e-mat but for 90 acres, that would have added hundreds of thousands of dollars to the project as well as extend the timeline. Many of the areas that were picked do not have a lot of cover as the pollinators thrive with direct sunlight. The last item is that with the use of herbicide to kill the existing plantings, this will help keep the ground together and reduce the amount of erosion of all forms. The root structures of the dying plants should help keep things together while the winter wheat germinates.  If we were to remove and bring in soil or simply till the land, the areas would be much more susceptible to wind and runoff erosions.

 

From Cindy H.

WHEN will the seeds be broadcast? If not once the rains have started, does the City have a water truck? Will plastic mesh be used to stabilize the plantings?

 

Answer:

Thank you for reaching out regarding he pollinator landscapes. The seeds are actually going to be slit into the ground at application, they will not be broadcast. Also, there will be no watering of the areas. They are native seeds and with the wide variety of seeds, they will survive low water conditions. There also will not be any mesh used. The installer will be utilizing a winter wheat to help stabilize the areas until full establishment.

 

From Dawn P.

Good morning, I recently heard about spraying herbicide(roundup) around the skate park area by Ninth Ave in Eau Claire. My concerns with that are that there is a community garden in that area and the people that rent that space were not aware of this being done. They have already started planting their gardens and might not have rented this area if they knew round up was going to be applied near this area. This area is next to Lakeshore Elementary School. Were the parents of those students made aware of this? What about run off into Half Moon Lake? I have seen eagles, egrets and heron that eat fish from this area? Was the DNR notified and asked about this? These are just a few questions I have about this. I would like to see this on hold until the community around this area is made more aware of this happening. Thank you for you time. 

 

Answer:

Thank you for reaching regarding the pollinator areas. I would like to pass on that after hearing from a few community members such as yourself about this location, we have removed this area from the list for pollinators at this time.

In regards to your questions; when spraying, the contractor who is a licensed applicator would apply signs to the area that is sprayed. They also use multiple measures such as drift control and a surfactant to ensure that only the intended areas are sprayed. They also will only spray when the wind is under 10mph and no rain is forecast. This leads to the runoff. With a short amount of time, the herbicide is absorbed into the plant and poses a minor risk for run off issues. There also is no specific requirement for notifying the DNR about projects such as these.

 

 

From Libby S.

I just read the recent City managers newsletter* Re the areas that will no longer be mowed and turned into pollinator areas, This statement was in newsletter:  “Within the first year, residents can expect to see the first blooms of pollinator-friendly vegetation, signaling the beginning of a thriving habitat for bees, butterflies, and other crucial pollinators.”  It often takes years for a pollinator area to establish and for blooms to appear.  When I read the statement above and looked at the picture, it made me think that those areas would be flourishing with large plants and blooms in the first years. Maybe it would be a good idea to caution residents that the results might not be evident for a couple years. I’m also hoping that the City uses only seed from plants that are native to our area and that the seed is purchased from a reputable nursery that deals in native plants, such as Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona, MN, and Prairie Nursery, Westfield, WI. 

*Manager's update referenced can be found here:  https://www.eauclairewi.gov/Home/Components/News/News/12021/90

Answer: 

The first few years will look undone and spotty. It takes many years to establish the gardens as shown in the newsletter.

In regards to the seeds, the designer specified about 55 species of plants in the plantings. I have attached the seeds to this email. I do know that the designer specified a very diverse mix to flourish throughout the year. While I don’t know what nursery the seed was purchased from, I do know that about half the cost of this project is the seeds alone. The designer and installer have been doing these projects for many years (the installer over 30 years) with great success.

 

From Susan A.

I appreciate the City’s efforts to support pollinators, but I have concerns about the planned garden next to our community vegetable plots near Half Moon Lake. (9th Avenue and Broadway Street) Using herbicide to clear the area—even one labeled safe—raises red flags. Drift, runoff, or residual soil contamination are always risks, especially near food crops. This feels contrary to best practices in public gardening spaces. The location also adds to existing mosquito issues due to the lake’s proximity. More dense plantings could make that worse. And while pollinators are essential, concentrating them right next to vegetables can increase pest pressure and the chance of stings. There are many alternative sites around the city that would be better suited without these complications. Please consider relocating this planting. Thank you for your attention to my request.

 

Answer:

Thank you for reaching regarding the pollinator areas. I would like to pass on that after hearing from a few community members such as yourself about this location, we have removed this area from the list for pollinators.

From Jamie S.

What is the purpose of using glyphosate to clear the area? Couldn’t the same effect be achieved by removing the sod? Glyphosate has been proven to be toxic to humans, and many of these areas are spaces children frequent. I’m really disappointed in the city for choosing this method.

 

Answer: 

Thanks for your inquiry.  We explored other options such as sod removal/replacement, tilling or covering with tarps but all of these options added significant cost to the project.  We have $500,000 to spend and the other options bumped the cost up to $3-$4 million to do the same area.

Glyphosate has a short half life and is broken down by the soil so it does not remain there.  Crispin Pierce PhD, from UWEC, is a toxicologist and he spoke recently at a special Sustainability Advisory Committee meeting about glyphosate.  His speech was very informative and supported our use of the product in this application.

I fully respect your stance on this product but please know that we did extensive research prior to using glyphosate to make sure that we were making prudent choices.