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Conserve - Educate - Inspire

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We teamed up with community partners to build a demonstration garden at Crail Ranch using native plants that are wildlife friendly, water wise, and preserving of the historic landscape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Native plants: 

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  • Are adapted to local conditions, requiring no fertilizer or pesticides.

  • Require less watering to thrive and can help control stormwater runoff.

  • Improve air quality by reducing area for mowing and sequestering carbon.

  • Provide food and shelter for wildlife and support pollinators.

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Crail Gardens are located at the Historic Crail Ranch, 2100 Spotted Elk Rd, Big Sky, and are open for touring during daylight hours 7 days a week.

Native plants are the foundation of the food web and vital for sustaining ecosystems.

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In our 2nd full growing season, a white-crowned sparrow nested and successfully reared her young among the prairie sage in our largest garden.

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Crail Garden Benefactors

Garden Benefactor's contributions play a key role in maintaining and enhancing this unique community asset as a place of learning, inspiration, and enjoyment.

There is 1 more available 
benefactor spot for 2024-2025.
Grow a legacy of conservation with us!

1,141

WILDFLOWERS PLANTED

49

NATIVE SPECIES

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159

VOLUNTEERS

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584

VOLUNTEER

HOURS

Garden Partners

Origins of the Gardens at Crail Ranch

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In 2017, the caretaker of a small flower garden at Crail Ranch reached out to us for expert assistance on weed and flower identification. During the site visit, it was determined that the majority of plants in the flower garden were invasive species.

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Talks about revitalizing and improving the garden began, with a focus on native species. Once word spread, other local groups expressed interest in helping with the project due to similar mission and goals of sustainable land and water stewardship. The project has grown from improving one small garden, to improving all of Crail Ranch.

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Historic Crail Ranch is a tangible reminder of the life of the earliest European settlers of the Big Sky area. This garden showcases the native species that the pioneers would have found in the landscape.

Thank you to our partners, funders, donors, and volunteers for helping us build our garden!

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Beth MacFawn Landscape Design
Big Sky Community Organization
Big Sky Landscaping
Big Sky Owners Association
Big Sky Resort Tax
Big Sky Water & Sewer

Big Timberworks

Cross Charitable Foundation

Gallatin Canyon Women's Club
Gallatin Conservation District

Gallatin River Task Force

Gallatin Waterworks

Great Bear Native Plants

Historic Crail Ranch
Meadowvi
ew II LLC
Moonlight Community Foundation
Quarry Works

Rotary Club of Big Sky
Spanish Peaks Community Foundation
Westscape Nursery
Yellowstone Club Community Foundation

We want to send a special thanks to our bench and garden sponsors!

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Yellowstone Club Community Foundation
Big Sky Owners Association
Rotary Club of Big Sky
Spanish Peaks Community Foundation
Gallatin Conservation District
Cross Charitable Foundation
Steve & Rhonda Karl

Donate to help us maintain our native garden & grow wild!

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