The Story Behind Native Restorations

How a classroom project became a movement for ecological restoration

In 2017, science educator Kevin O'Toole created a challenge for his biology students: transform an unused, biodiversity-dead school lawn into thriving habitat. What started as a classroom project became something extraordinary. Today, that original 5,000 sq ft lawn has grown into over 15,000 square feet of native habitat with 100+ native plants species. The Morton Freshman Center Monarch Butterfly Garden is now permanently featured in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and was presented at the UN International Day of Forests 2021. In 2025, this vision expanded into Native Restorations Group LLC—bringing science-based, sustainable landscaping to residential homes, HOAs, schools, and park districts across the Chicago area.

Key Recognitions:

✓Smithsonian: Permanently featured in interactive exhibit at National Museum of Natural History

✓United Nations: Presented at globally live-streamed International Day of Forests 2021

✓National Geographic: Kevin’s students were photographed in the garden and considered for an article highlighting people restoring nature in urban areas