The Governor in the Garden: Native Planting at the Executive Residence – Phase II

October 2024
By Garrett Hopkins, RRC Communications Specialist

“It’s like a dream that I thought was never going to happen,” said Hope Oostdik, holding back tears. “Nearly 20 years in the making and an hour’s worth of work.”

Oostdik, an original member of the Wisconsin Lake Leaders Institute, stood on the lakefront lawn of Wisconsin’s Executive Residence with dirt on her jeans and sweat soaking through the rim of her hat. Bustling about before her, three dozen fellow volunteers were diligently digging holes, planting plugs, and spreading mulch across a vast garden.

The Native Lakeside Restoration Project at the Executive Residence, where Wisconsin governors live, had existed in the imaginations of many for a very long time. On Sept. 21, it became a dream fully realized. Borne from a Wisconsin Lake Leaders Institute meeting in 2008, the garden was pitched as a way to not only help protect Lake Mendota, but to inspire people who own waterfront property to duplicate the project on their land.

While volunteers are an irreplaceable piece to the conservation puzzle, their work often goes unheralded. But on this blue-skied, balmy Saturday, the participating volunteers were given a special measure of gratitude. Around noon, Governor Tony Evers, joined by his wife Kathy, arrived home and beelined to the backyard.

His formal wear stood out among the work boots and gardening gloves, but he quickly blended into the crowd as he admired the charming new garden. The governor personally thanked many of the volunteers, posed for a group photo, then went inside and – to the delight of all – emerged wearing a Brewer’s shirt, basketball shorts and sneakers. After enjoying a quick slice of pizza, he walked back to the garden and asked how he could help.

For the next hour or so, Tony Evers was just another member of the crew. He drove holes in the ground, planted native plants and had casual conversations with volunteers. During a quick break, he spoke about the project and his interest in conservation.

“This garden is doing two important things,” he said. “It’s going to make a beautiful area even more beautiful, and it’s going to catch nutrients before they go into the lake.” Shoreline gardens are comprised of native plants that have expansive, deep root systems which absorb and filter chemicals that would otherwise run into nearby water sources.

The Native Lakeside Restoration Project was greenlighted by Governor Evers in the spring of 2022, and Phase I was completed later that year. The governor, who previously installed native prairies on two of his personal properties, has a passion for botany that dates back to his college days. “I got a Zoology degree from UW. And when you get that degree, you take a lot of botany courses. At heart, I’m a science guy and I understand how important plants are to our environment.”

Each Wisconsin Governor has left a unique mark on the Executive Residence – from a grand wedding alter to interior renovations. Governor Evers’ support to install an approximately 7,000-square-foot shoreline garden – as well as raingardens and naturalized shoreland – demonstrates his dedication to the environment and the wellbeing of future generations. It also displays his desire to be a role model for people who share his passion for conservation.

“To me, this was a no-brainer,” he said. “Visitors can now come see this and say, ‘Hey, this works and looks beautiful.’ People don’t have to live next to a lake, they can try it in their own yards. Instead of planting x-number of potato or tomato plants some year, try out some of these plants. Put them in a place where water is running on your property and see how it works.”

In 2008, a group of Wisconsin Lake Leaders and other key individuals dreamed about a native garden at the Wisconsin Governor’s Residence. Sixteen years later, many of these same people found themselves kneeling beside the governor with their hands in the dirt, finally installing the historic landmark they had worked so hard to manifest. It was a critical moment in Wisconsin conservation and a once-in-a-lifetime memory for all of the volunteers who made it happen.

“To see it all come together, to have the Evers embrace it… Whoa.” said Oostdik. “In that role, you have to be an example. This is their house, so why shouldn’t it be a reflection of everything that we know about preserving our lakes? It’s amazing, it’s amazing.”

On behalf of all who will be inspired by this garden, Rock River Coalition expresses deep gratitude to Tony and Kathy Evers, Wisconsin Department of Administration, the Wisconsin Executive Residence Foundation, State Capitol and Executive Residence Board, Wisconsin Lake Leaders, Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department, Dane County Land and Resources Department, Extension Lakes at UW-Stevens Point, Resource Environmental Solutions, Clean Lakes Alliance and Executive Residence ground team.

If you are interested in adding a native shoreland planting to your own lake or river property, the Wisconsin DNR can provide up to $1000 in cost-share funding through the Healthy Lakes and Rivers program. Learn more at healthylakeswi.com.