Volunteers bring new look to Potawatomi Conservatory Desert Dome

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Volunteers for the Potawatomi Conservatories have been hard at work placing river rock into their Desert Dome facilities.

According to the Conservatory Director, Emily Bradford, the new installation is part of a project years in the making. It aids not only in improving the area’s appearance but serves to cut down on invasive plants.

“It’s just going to help so much with dust coming up from the basin of the dome. It looks uniform and helps just to highlight the different plants without looking lost in a sea of plants that aren’t supposed to be there or just a dirt backdrop,” said Bradford.

The historical conservatories serve several purposes in the community, from being the site of weddings and other ceremonies to being a calming area to unwind.

Potawatomi Conservatories are also sustained by the participation of volunteers and donations, the very aspects that enabled the river rock installation.

“Without our volunteers, we would have nothing. We are always looking for new volunteers and plant knowledge is not required. We are always able to teach on the job,” said Bradford.

The river rock feature is available to view this Monday, May 30 anytime from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bradford mentioned it is also a good opportunity to see a rare bloom from an agave plant. These blooms occur only once every 30 years.

For more information about Potawatomi Conservatories including event planning or volunteering, you can visit their website here.