Interpretive Signs
An important part of The Conservation Foundation’s (TCF) mission is to educate the public on sound conservation practices that help nature and our environment. Interpretive signs placed at locations that demonstrate these practices are a good way to inform and engage people.
TCF has a catalogue of interpretive signs we have developed over the years for our farm in Naperville and other conservation sites. These signs interpret specific conservation practices, such as butterfly and rain gardens, prairies and pollinators, to name a few. We would like to share these signs with our valued community partners and offer them for your use. You’ll save money and time and we can share the branding opportunity, while educating people about conservation and what they can do to help nature in their community.
We created these signs with a company called EnviroSigns. Your organization can work with this company to use our signs. You can add your logo and even tweak any of our signs for your use. Please call Lea Rodbarry at TCF, 630-428-4500, ext. 109 or email her at [email protected] for more information about using our “ready to print” interpretive signs.
Rain Garden
Build Your Own Rain Garden
Customize this sign to highlight the specific native plants featured in your rain garden.
Butterfly Garden
Home is Where the Nectar Is!
Perfect for posting next to a butterfly or pollinator garden. This sign shares tips for attracting butterflies.
Clean Water
Clean Water - We Can't Live Without it!
Take a moment to appreciate clean water! Place this sign by a water feature or water conservation project.
Hydropanels
We Tapped the Sky for Clean Drinking Water
Hydropanels use the sun and the air to produce clean drinking water.
Prairie Restoration
From Prairie to Farmland
Share why it’s worth restoring lost prairie habitat.
Pollinator Meadow Mix
Breakfast, Thanks to Pollinators!
Pollinator gardens and pollinator-focused seed mixes support native butterflies and bees.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Conservation Foundation does not design or print interpretive signs. Instead, EnviroSigns handles all design and printing. They have a variety of sign materials and mounting options to choose from. In the past, we’ve printed signs on pressed laminate with a UV coating, making for a very high-quality, durable outdoor sign.
The cost of a sign from EnviroSigns will vary based on design changes, material, mounting, and shipping. A single 2×3 ft sign can cost $1,200 to 1,600, with the price per sign decreasing when ordering multiple at a time. If you are interested in ordering an interpretive sign from EnviroSigns, we can connect you to their staff who will create a custom quote for your project. We can also share the design file with you so you can work with a local company to adjust and print the sign.
The Conservation Foundation is grateful for the sponsors who funded the interpretive signs at our sites.
Monarch Joint Venture has lovely pollinator habitat signs for sale in English and Spanish. They are $25 for each 8×10″ sign. They are a good fit for school gardens, Eagle Scout projects, and native landscaping at home. When you get your site Conservation@Home or Conservation@Work certified, you will be rewarded with a sign explaining you are making environmentally-friendly gardening choices.
Our main goal with sharing the interpretive signs and other outreach materials is to educate and inspire. Please use the sign that is best for your project and budget!
