We restore endangered ecosystems.
Pocket Prairies
• Palouse Prairie •
The Phoenix Conservancy is taking native landscaping to the next level in eastern Washington. Our "Pocket Prairies" are designed to bring endangered Palouse Prairie into communities, providing ecological, social, and financial benefits to local landowners. If you live in the Palouse and would like to have your own pocket of prairie, we can help.
A Pocket Prairie in bloom 3 months after planting.
"What's a Pocket Prairie?"
Pocket Prairies are gardens or “pockets” of native prairie communities that can be as small as a single garden bed or as large as an entire property. The purpose of our Pocket Prairie Program is to incorporate the endangered Palouse Prairie ecosystem into the fabric of Palouse communities, while also benefiting local businesses and landowners by providing low-maintenance landscaping.
"What are the benefits of a Pocket Prairie?"
Urban and suburban areas can play a key role in restoration, providing habitat for native species, as well as opportunities for public education and engagement. In the Palouse, where much of the landscape is dominated by agriculture, cities and towns have the potential to harbor substantial amounts of native Palouse Prairie habitat. Having quality prairie in our yards helps native wildlife, from birds to bees, increase habitat connectivity and move through the landscape.
Pocket Prairies also provide a host of benefits for home and business owners:
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Pocket Prairies are drought-tolerant and require little to no maintenance once established.
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The deep root systems of native prairie plants are excellent at preventing erosion, making them ideal for steep slopes and disturbed areas.
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Pocket Prairies are beautifully diverse, blooming throughout the growing season and providing year-round resources for native birds, pollinators, and other beneficial animals.
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The increased native plant diversity attracts animals such as parasitic wasps that control pests but are harmless to humans.
A rare Palouse visitor, an endangered Western Monarch butterfly rests on a Common Sunflower (Helianthus annua) blooming in a Pocket Prairie.
"What's the process for getting a Pocket Prairie?"
After you contact us, we’ll set up a consultation to see the area in question and get more information. One of our representatives will meet with you to ask questions and assess your site so that we can tailor a design to fit you and your space well. We’ll then create a proposal for you with a list of recommended plant species, a work timeline, a design for your Pocket Prairie, and three different budget options and add-ons to choose from. If no further modifications are necessary, you’ll sign a contract and we’ll get to work creating your beautiful Pocket Prairie!
"How does The Phoenix Conservancy create a Pocket Prairie?"
Our process depends on whether you’re starting from scratch (i.e., a new development), a lawn, or a complex landscape, as well as your site’s specific conditions. In general, our steps to restoration include (1) initial installation, which may include work like sod removal, soil amelioration, and invasive weed removal, plus seeding and planting, (2) weed maintenance, and (3) seed and plant supplementation. Our contracts last a year but can be renewed for multiple years if you’d like to continue expanding your Pocket Prairie. We also offer weeding only contracts for continued weeding maintenance following the first year.
A Phoenix Conservancy crew clearing space and removing weeds before seeding and planting.
"How long does it take for a Pocket Prairie to become established?"
Prairie plants generally grow in three stages: “sleep,” “creep,” and “leap.” They spend their first year growing deep roots—during which above-ground growth is minimal—their second year producing smaller shoots, and their third year blooming. Our Pocket Prairies usually take around three to four years to become well-established, but you’ll likely see blooms (especially from pioneer species, which grow more quickly) the first or second year. This timeline can vary depending on the seedling and seed densities you opt for with your budget, as well as weather variation, pre-existing soil issues, and irrigation.
"How much does a Pocket Prairie cost?"
The cost of a Pocket Prairie varies depending on the size of the area, how quickly you want the prairie to be well-established, whether your soil needs amelioration, and if you’d like any add-ons such as landscaping rocks or mulch. In general, the price ranges from $750 - $5,000 for homeowners and more for larger properties or areas with severe erosion issues.
For a more affordable “pre-packaged” option, see our Micro-Prairies page.
A homeowner's yard filled with invasive plants before (left) and one year after (right) Pocket Prairie installation. We expect the plot to completely fill in with plants within 5 years, but it is already providing habitat for over 20 pollinator species, including endangered western Monarch butterflies. Restoration stopped at the property boundary at the bottom of the hill where dead grass is visible in the image on the right.
"Is this a landscaping business? Isn't The Phoenix Conservancy a non-profit?"
Sort of and yes! The Phoenix Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our Pocket Prairie program is a social enterprise that both furthers our mission to restore endangered ecosystems and helps fund our larger restoration projects. Net revenue goes toward restoring places like Conservation Park, Missouri Flat Creek, and other public lands in the Palouse.
"My yard has a lot of shade. Is it still possible to have a Pocket Prairie?"
The Phoenix Conservancy specializes in restoring open prairie and prairie-forest edges, meaning that we have species that thrive in full sun and others that thrive in partial shade. As long as the area in question isn’t under dense tree cover and has some open canopy, we can tailor a plant community to fit your space.
Western Aster (Symphyotrichum spathulatum) blooming in a Pocket Prairie.
"How do I sign up?"
Please fill out the inquiry form below to get in touch with us and schedule a consultation. Please include some details about the area that you would like converted to Pocket Prairie, your budget range, and your goals (e.g., minimize water use and increase visual appeal). We look forward to talking with you soon!
Our goal is to replicate wild Palouse Prairie (above) within communities throughout the region.
Number of Pocket Prairies So Far
43
Acres Under Restoration
44.5
Number of Species Planted
50+
Number of Pollinator Species
30+
Francis & Heidi B.
“We are loving our new pocket prairie. There is always something blooming and the flower colors change with the seasons."
Mike & Lisa H.
"We are very pleased with the work of the Phoenix Conservancy program! Our front yard, in particular, is fast becoming a showcase for Palouse Prairie after just a few short months. Looking forward to watching our beautiful yard continue to develop!"
Want your own Pocket Prairie?
Tell us about the area you'd like to convert, your budget range, and your goals (e.g., minimize water use and increase visual appeal) in the form to the right.
We'll get in touch shortly to set up a free consultation!
*This program is only active in the Palouse region of southeastern Washington and northern Idaho*
Frequently Asked Questions
"Will The Phoenix Conservancy take care of my Pocket Prairie after it is planted?"
Yes and no. We generally recommend year-long work contracts, which include weeding maintenance. We also offer stand-alone weeding contracts if you’d like to opt for continued weeding maintenance, which is often recommended for the following year or two. Homeowners can participate in an “owner work offset” and opt for more or less intensive maintenance services based on their needs and budget. Once contracts have been completed, long-term care is the responsibility of the client. We offer free summer Pocket Prairie cleanup (trimming dead stems) for all current or previous clients that consent to our crew collecting a portion of seeds produced.
"How do I care for my Pocket Prairie?"
Pocket Prairies are extremely low maintenance once established, depending on your design type. Native Palouse plants are generally quite hardy and tolerate normal seasonal fluctuations such as drought, heat, and below freezing temperatures. Most native perennials naturally enter a period of dormancy around midsummer, which allows them to survive yearly drought. However, increasing extreme heat and drought events can still pose a challenge, especially when plants are very young. Watering regularly through the late spring and summer can be highly beneficial for growth and survival in the first few years. Watering after the establishment period is usually not necessary, although some watering during dry springs or severe summer drought can be helpful. Watering into mid-summer will also keep plants green and blooming for longer. Weeding is another important part of caring for your Pocket Prairie, as invasive plants can pose a challenge, especially in the early stages of development. We provide free resources, such as our Client Information Packet, which contain detailed information on Pocket Prairie care.
"When can I have my Pocket Prairie installed?"
Our Pocket Prairie crews will be available weekdays between 8am and 5pm PST between April 15 and June 11th (spring) and September 16th and October 29th (fall).
"I'd like to do both the design and landscaping work myself. Can I buy native plants and seeds from The Phoenix Conservancy?"
At the moment, not separately from our contracting, prescription, or consulting services. We grow all of our plants in our greenhouse with supplemental purchases from Rose Creek Nursery, Plants of the Wild, BFI Seeds, and other local and regional suppliers. In the near future, we hope to start selling local ecotypes of species you are unlikely to find elsewhere. Be sure to stay connected through our newsletter or social media to find out when this program launches!
"What areas do you service?"
This program is currently available to homeowners and businesses in the Palouse Prairie and Spokane regions of southeastern Washington and northwestern Idaho. We serve communities anywhere within the dotted white lines on the map below. (The region of Spokane has been added.) If you live close to the area outlined and are interested in our services, please contact us for more information, as we sometimes make exceptions.
A map depicting the boundary and towns of the Palouse Prairie.
"I live in the Palouse but am pretty far away from your headquarters in Pullman. Can I still get a Pocket Prairie?"
Yes! We will accept contracts anywhere outlined on the map above, and we provide services at no additional cost to anyone living within 15 miles of our headquarters in Pullman. If you live farther than 15 miles away, we will apply a $1.50 per-additional-mile surcharge to and from your Pocket Prairie's location. For example, if you live 25 miles away, we would apply a $30 surcharge (10 extra miles one-way * 2 * $1.50 = $30). If you have questions or concerns before scheduling an official consultation, we would be happy to discuss these with you for free over the phone or on video call. Please note that an in-person consultation is required should you wish to proceed with installing a Pocket Prairie.