A Habitat for New England Pollinators

A pollinator garden in front of the Wellesley Police Department is helping feed and house local birds, bees and other insects that pollinate our plants. These species are vital to our food supply because they ensure healthy crops.

The NRC hosted one of three demonstration gardens in Massachusetts as part of a grant from Pollinate New England, an initiative of New England Wild Flower Society (NEWFS). In June 2018, town volunteers and staff from the NRC and Dept. of Public Works participated in two educational programs to learn how to help these critical species. The main takeaway of the day: we should be planting more native plants in our open spaces and private yards!

The pollinator garden project is closely aligned with the NRC's Grow Green Wellesley initiative, which encourages reduced pesticide use and promotes earth- and pollinator-friendly landscaping and lawn care. The town currently uses pollinator-friendly plants in many of its garden spaces and plans to expand this practice.

The resources below provide in-depth garden planting information.

Watch the garden grow!

Thanks to our partners in this project: Mike Pakstis, DPW; Cricket Vlass, DPW; Chief Jack Pilecki, Wellesley Police Dept.
NRC staff Brandon Schmitt and Stephanie Hawkinson dig in the dirt.
Comparing young and mature compost.
Beginning to plant the plugs.
Our volunteers planted more than 150 plugs.
Our planting team and the finished garden!
The finished garden at sunset.
The Pollinate New England workshop begins.
Workshop participants take notes on the best plants for pollinators.
Pollinator Garden work zone.
Mark Richardson, NEWFS botanic garden director explains the planting list.
Pollinate New England co-ordinator Annie White talks about soil preparation.
Evening lecture attendees learned about garden best practices.
Pollinator plant kits on sale from NEWFS.
NRC board member Lise Olney spreads compost.

A Habitat for New England Pollinators

Watch the garden grow!

Thanks to our partners in this project: Mike Pakstis, DPW; Cricket Vlass, DPW; Chief Jack Pilecki, Wellesley Police Dept.

NRC staff Brandon Schmitt and Stephanie Hawkinson dig in the dirt.

Comparing young and mature compost.

Beginning to plant the plugs.

Our volunteers planted more than 150 plugs.

Our planting team and the finished garden!

The finished garden at sunset.

The Pollinate New England workshop begins.

Workshop participants take notes on the best plants for pollinators.

Pollinator Garden work zone.

Mark Richardson, NEWFS botanic garden director explains the planting list.

Pollinate New England co-ordinator Annie White talks about soil preparation.

Evening lecture attendees learned about garden best practices.

Pollinator plant kits on sale from NEWFS.

NRC board member Lise Olney spreads compost.

Pollinator Garden Resources

Provided by New England Wild Flower Society (NEWFS)

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