Milkweed stems stand tall in the Field Museum's Rice Native Gardens. In the past, gardeners have been threatened with fines when native plants were mistaken for weeds. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

More than two years after Chicago's City Council passed an ordinance creating a Native and Pollinator Garden Registry, an advisory board has finally been appointed to oversee the operation.

The registry is designed to protect gardeners from being ticketed for growing native plants that, to untrained eyes, may appear to be weeds. By freeing registered gardeners from the fear of fines, the city aims to encourage more people to incorporate native and pollinator-friendly plants into their landscaping.

“Now, more than ever, we need to engage available resources to help us find climate solutions, especially those inherent in nature,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. “Native and pollinator gardens are vital to Chicago, not only as green space, but also for the benefits they provide for native wildlife.” 

Johnson announced the inaugural advisory board Friday. Members will create the garden registry, develop the criteria for applications, review applications and make recommendations to the Department of Streets and Sanitation, which will oversee and maintain the registry.

The members are:

— Jessica Fong, director of education for Openlands.

— Naomi Davis, founder and CEO of Blacks in Green.

— Laura Milkert, Chicago region conservation ecology manager for the Field Museum.

— Lorraine Kells, Chicago Community Gardeners Association.

— Brittany Buckles, entomologist and beekeeper for Midwest Alvéole.

In addition, several city officials will serve as ex officio advisory board members:

— Breanne Heath, senior program specialist-gardening, Chicago Park District.

— Ron Daye, chief landscape architect, Department of Planning and Development.

— Gloria Pittman, deputy commissioner, Department of Streets and Sanitation.

— Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd Ward, sponsor of the garden registry ordinance.

Board members will serve in staggered four-year terms, with half of the initial board serving two-year terms. The group's first meeting is expected to take place in April.

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]