With the help of 20 Memphis Business Academy students and Clean Memphis organizers, Memphis Light, Gas and Water is replanting a power line right of way with wildflowers and native grasses as its first linear meadow.

The high school students will set out 200 seedlings of several wildflower species Thursday morning in the more visible area of MLGW’s linear meadow in John F. Kennedy Park, 4577 Raleigh-LaGrange Rd. Last week, workers using a seed drill planted the area with wildflower and native grass seeds.

“This will not only lower our maintenance expenses, but it will also enhance the natural environment,” said MLGW’s Commercial and Industrial Customer Care manager Bill Bullock. It likely will take two summers before the meadow is fully established.

In all, students and workers will be transforming about 13 acres – or 5,500 linear feet – into a field with such plants as black-eyed Susans, coneflowers and milkweed. The native grasses and wildflowers provide food and habitat for birds, bees and butterflies. The meadow also will better filter any runoff into the nearby Wolf River.

For more project details, go to: midsouthgreenprint.org/progress/project/kennedy-park-mlgw-native-grasses-wildflowers/

Photo/Video Opportunity

Who: MLGW, Memphis Business Academy students and Clean Memphis

What: Students setting out 200 small wildflower plants

When: 9:15 a.m. Thursday, June 30 for about one hour

Where: John F. Kennedy Park, 4577 Raleigh-LaGrange Rd. – about 1/4 mile into the 260-acre park on the right- hand side – just beyond the Alzheimer’s Day Services center.