Neighbors Naturescaping

Naturescaping is a method of sustainable landscaping that incorporates native plants and flowers, working to build a greener and more sustainable city. Through the Neighbors Naturescaping program, Brightside offers supplies and tools to St. Louis groups interested in a naturescaping project in St. Louis. Plant a native garden to cheer up a public space in your neighborhood!

What are the benefits of Neighbors Naturescaping?

• Beautify a public or not-for-profit space in your neighborhood
• Restore Missouri native plant communities
• Attract beneficial wildlife, such as butterflies, bees and birds
• Reduce stormwater runoff and protect our drinking water

Submit Your Naturescaping Project   

Ready to take that next step to beautify your city neighborhood? Consider a Neighbors Naturescaping greening project with Brightside St. Louis to improve public spaces in your area.

To learn more, download the Neighbors Naturescaping 2025 Flyer or contact us. Learn more about the 2025 grant round at our Neighbors Naturescaping Kick-Off Presentation and garden tour on June 19th.

Your Neighbors Naturescaping project can be in any public space in St. Louis City, including medians, neighborhood entrances, parks, street barricades, LRA lots with current garden leases and other public spaces and nonprofits approved by Brightside.

Projects selected for implementation will be provided with plants, tools and hardscape, as requested in their application and approved by the Selection Committee.  No cash awards will be given.

2025 Application Details!

Want to apply for a project this year? Request a 2025 Application packet by registering to participate in the Neighbors Naturescaping Q & A at the St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium (Register here). Digital applications will be emailed starting the week of May 19th. Paper applications will be available at the St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium (SLUGS) and available at the Brightside office for pick-up (starting 5/19) If you miss SLUGS and are still interested in applying, please contact Brightside by 6/27.

Applications will will only be available 5/19-6/27 and complete applications may be submitted via email or on paper until noon on 8/8!

NEW THIS YEAR: We will offer a native plant garden tour on 6/19 throughout St. Louis city to showcase a variety of garden locations and plant choices. More details will be posted here as they become available so check back often!

As groups prepare their proposal, we recommend planning a visit to our Demonstration Garden to see the recommended plants in person and to learn about which plants are appropriate for their proposed planting location.

Attend the 2025 St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium

To help prepare for a neighborhood greening project, groups are also encouraged to participate the 2025 St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium.

The symposium will feature special guest speakers who will share their wealth of experience and knowledge of native plants, pollinators and all things urban gardening! Then we will break into small group workshops led by experts in their respective fields.

This annual event offers a special educational presentation to help groups successfully develop and properly care for a neighborhood garden.