Greengate Garden Center - Bronze Level Louisiana Certified Habitat - Lake Charles

Congratulations go to Greengate Garden Center of Lake Charles on their Bronze

level certification of their native plant garden. Last year during a slow time at the

garden center, Michaela Lachney got the idea to plant a native garden in a

neglected area of the grounds. She got manager Sam Cabuk on board and began

planning and rallying other employees to help with planting. The garden was born

in February 2026. It includes an area where flowering plants are on display, a wet

area where Louisiana Irises are planted, a critter habitat that utilized old left-over

Christmas trees, and a walkway that winds its way around the area. It is a work in

progress. Michaela’s intent in planting the native garden was to entice more

customers to buy natives for their gardens.