NRWA Pollinator Garden: Created Through Community

In summer our gardens are filled with pollinators like bees, butterflies, birds and others. These busy foragers are more important than you may realize. About 75% of flowering plants and 35% of the world’s food crops depend on them for reproduction. Scientists even estimate that they are responsible for every one out of three bites of food we eat! But our pollinators are in trouble. Habitat loss, diseases, parasites, and environmental contaminants are causing their numbers to decline. In the last five years we have lost three of our local Bumblebee species and three more are threatened. Which is where our gardeners come in to help! By creating pollinator friendly gardens, we can help out these declining yet vital animals. Gardens provide the right kind of environment for these amazing creatures to do their job, especially when there aren’t enough native plants around. From including one or two native plants in an established garden to incorporating a variety of them, a pollinator garden is a great way to support our unsung hero pollinators.

These gardens play a vital role in growing the pollinator population and ours at the River Resource Center wouldn’t be possible without the generous aid and support of local community individuals and organizations. The Pepperell Garden Club, Deb Fountain, and Jeanne Nevard donated an array of plants, adding their own unique touch to the garden. Their thoughtful contributions have brought life and color to the land and created a haven for the pollinators. We extend our appreciation to these plant donors for their invaluable support.

The transformation of the garden was made possible through the dedication and hard work of a remarkable team of volunteers from Bemis Associates in Shirley. With enthusiasm, they undertook the task of uprooting grass and planting the donated greenery and flowers, reshaping the landscape into a vibrant oasis. Their commitment and labor have left an incredible mark on the garden and we are very grateful for their selfless contribution.

What you can do!!

1. Save your dandelions! They are the first source of food for the bees when they come out of winter hibernation.

2. How to Create a Pretty Pollinator Garden for Butterflies and Bees: refer to this article, it's super helpful including different flowers you can plant and some maintenance tips!

3. Find plants native to your area, these are low maintenance and produce lots of nectar and pollen, use this link!

4. Massachusetts Pollinator Network is a useful resource for learning about pollinators.

Learn More! The Importance of Pollinators or Gardening for Pollinators