The Pollinator Pathway movement is the next, natural step for this town with a rich agricultural history. It is perhaps best know for the Durham Fair, which was began by the Grange  in 1917 to showcase the agricultural accomplishments of local farmers. While the more recent “crop” is residential expansion, there is still deep respect for the beauty and importance of rolling pastures and diverse forests in this town. 

 

Geographically the town’s most prominent feature is a shallow, meandering river through its center called the Coginchaug. To the original people this meant “long swamp” and was a known hunting grounds. Today much of this is designated open space and farmland preservation.

 

Through a series of resident driven, educational workshops and community actions, the plan is to encourage, support and grow the number of pollinators working in our town and link us geographically with surrounding towns to the benefit of these amazing creatures.

 

Our way of life is being effected by the use of pesticides, herbicides and the promotion and sale of poison carrying, non-native, and sterile plants. This project, endorsed by Durham’s Clean Energy and Sustainability Task Force will give residents and businesses the knowledge and opportunity to play an important role in environmental recovery.

 

 Some simple steps on the pathway….

 

• Create a way station for pollinators! 

  • plant a window box or a container with native pollinator plants

  • provide a source of clean water

  • plant some of your lawn with native plantings including flowers, shrubs, and trees

  • Leave leaf litter on garden beds to over-winter, creating safe places for insects and their babies

• Rethink your lawn! 

  • Mow higher and less often.

  • Leave the clippings on the grass as fertilizer rather than adding chemicals

  • Consider the use of slow-release organic fertilizers if you do need to fertilize

• Plant native ground cover within your lawn