PRESS RELEASE - In September 2020  <http:// pollinator-pathway.org/westhaven> installed  624 perennial pollinator plants  (Wild Bergamot, Short Toothed Mountain Mint, Mountain Mint, Sweet Goldenrod, White Yarrow, Butterfly Weed, Eastern Bluestar/Blue Ice, Purple Lovegrass, Little Bluestem Prairie Grass and NY Ironweed/Vernonia ) in 8 locations, with quantities of 222, 48, 10, 36, 192, 20,70 &  24 plants all in West Haven, CT public space. We had 35 Donors (5 anonymous) contribute between $20 and $100 each. Some Pollinator Pathway signs sales contributed $40. We spent $40 (signs) & $1363 (plants) of the $2685 grant and owe $100 for the remaining unsold signs.

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As Lead Organizer, I used managed facebook and press releases to communicate with the community via  <https://www.facebook.com/pollinatorpathway06516> (with 261-page likes)   and  <https://www.pollinator-pathway.org/westhaven>.  I/Mr. Carr used IO groups to provide transparent communication with the group and Volunteer Signup to plan the installation. Funds are held in trust by 501c3 Threshold Associates.

The project was successful in that we have reserved about $1180 for Spring 2021 which was not used due to the lack of people to help install plants and lack of sites.  We had a publicly advertised plant distribution event that was restricted due to social distancing which lacked of food, beverages, and entertainment.

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We were unable to have a public education event although lots of pictures and videos were posted on the web pages.

 

By 2021 we plan to seek approval from two libraries and the West Haven Public Schools to create gardens that will serve as pollinator education centers, possibly mirroring the work done by other schools to teach children and parents about pollinator management. We will have a new fundraiser and community awareness events, Opportunity will be available to donate money which will create memorial gardens and holiday gifts to create new steps on our Pollinator Pathway. Potential events will include native plant selection, site preparation, and ecosystem education.    

 

Our stated October 2020 goal, was, and remains, to identify new sites then prepare the areas using cardboard covered with wood chips as a means of teaching people the value of site preparation and propagation of hardy native pollinators, compared to the installation of cosmetic annuals. This process takes 6 months so now is the time to begin

Another expansion of the project will be direct seeding to support buying plugs as it seems we can seed 60,000 square feet for around $1200 (estimates from $900-1500 for 50 lbs seed). We will continue to seek sponsors and knowledge to support this. Possible sites include the Helm Street Hills aka Old 06516 Incinerator.

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Everybody who helped brought something to the project for which I and West Haven am grateful. My experience increased my working knowledge of plant species, site preparation, installation practices, and shopping for products while improving my communication and management skills. My previous gardening experience includes tomatoes, basil, pumpkins, houseplants, and chili peppers. You may reach me directly at 203-877-27024 extension 400826 which transfers directly, or other means. Thank you all for your participation. Make today what you imagined.