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 developed interpretive signs 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 as inspiration for signs in other conservation areas and gardens.
Rain Garden
Build Your Own Rain Garden
This sign talks about the function of rain gardens and how they can solve water issues. It also features a few rain-garden specific native plants.
Butterfly Garden
Home is Where the Nectar Is!
Perfect for placing 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! This sign is posted by our farm’s water feature that is landscaped with native flowers.
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
This sign is posted by our farm’s prairie restoration.
Pollinator Meadow Mix
Breakfast, Thanks to Pollinators!
Pollinator gardens and pollinator-focused seed mixes support native butterflies and bees.
Frequently Asked Questions
We created these signs with a company called EnviroSigns. Your organization can work with this company to edit these designs or create a completely new sign.
Questions? Please contact Lea Rodbarry at [email protected] for more information about these interpretive signs.
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 one of these interpretive signs 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.
As part of our Conservation@Home and Conservation@Work program, certified sites are rewarded 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!