Pollinator Garden

In today's post, Andrea Lazarri talks about the new pollinator garden and its growth throughout the season. (NOTE: This post was written in the early spring of 2013. Check out the plants that are in bloom today!)

If you’ve spent any time at Fenner Nature Center in the past few months, you’ve probably noticed the beginnings of a brand new pollinator garden here. This garden was made possible by the work of master gardeners, Fenner employees, interns, volunteers, stewardship workers, and even campers. While it may look dead and drab right now, I can’t wait to see how it looks in the upcoming months.

As the environmental education intern here this semester, I’ve been working on interpretive signage for the pollinator garden. These signs, when complete, will go in the garden and provide valuable information on some of the plants and pollinators you may find there.

Pollinator gardens are important anywhere. But in an urban setting like Lansing, they are especially important. A variety of plants and animals count on pollinator species like bees and butterflies for resources like food and shelter. These pollinators help plants to reproduce, giving many animals a place to live. By helping plants spread and grow, they also provide a food source for many animals – even humans! Did you know that one third of all the food we eat is pollinated by honey bees? This spring, when the snow begins to melt and plants begin to bloom, be sure to drop by and check out what’s going on at Fenner Nature Center’s pollinator garden. You’re sure to be amazed by all the beautiful plants and creatures you’re bound to see.