Pollinator Pathway

In March of 2021, on this 2 acre parcel of land, we planted 300 native trees throughout the site. In November 2022, we added a pollinator garden, 12 feet by 30 feet. Volunteer beekeeper Jennifer Liola added a bee hive on the property in May 2023.

This spectacular forest has somehow remained undisturbed, despite the massive disturbance that has forever altered the Illinois landscape since European arrival. Old growth forest is exceedingly rare, and to have one of such quality in an urbanized area like Edwardsville, is unheard of. In fact, Bohm Woods represents one of only three old growth forests remaining in the entire Metro East.

Our pollinator garden was planted this Spring inside our community garden located at the Meyer Center YMCA.  We planted mostly butterfly milkweed, blazing star, coneflower, coreopsis and White False Indigo plants hoping to entice butterflies and other pollinators to come to our garden. We welcome children from the schools, scouts and other organizations to visit the garden to learn and enjoy.

In partnership with the Dunlap Lake Property Owners Association, resident volunteers have created a series of pollinator gardens to enhance and mitigate various common area sites around our lovely lakeside community.   East Lake Common Area 2, West Lake Common Area 1 and Barnett Common Area 3 have been targeted to address wetland and hillside erosion issues.    

Plantings of native trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials have been beneficial not only as a nurturing habitat for insects, caterpillars, butterflies, moths and bees … but have also enhanced the overall shoreline health of Dunlap Lake, a vital far-reaching community watershed.

439 East Lake Drive Edwardsville IL 62025

The Clock Tower Garden is a tiny pocket park location in the heart of downtown Edwardsville. Although small in size this garden is mighty at heart. These plants are working overtime to thrive in the harsh elements of an urban environment.

228 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025

The Watershed Nature Center is home to more than 40 acres of wetlands, woodlands, and grassland habitats. The Center features paved hiking trails, a raised marsh walk, and a welcome center. The Watershed is dedicated to providing environmental education, outdoor recreation, and enjoyment of native habitats for Edwardsville and surrounding communities. We are dedicated to improving our park to ensure our community has everyday access to nature.

The gardens at the 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House showcase native plants and historical varieties grown in the region during the early 19th century.  Master gardeners from the University of Illinois Extension Office work year round to maintain the gardens at the site which include a teaching garden, shade garden, woodland plants, herbs, flowers, and a small orchard.

A series of pollinator beds and grasses along a 0.8 mile separated Class One bikeway. The goal is to attract bees, hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, and other pollinating creatures.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's (SIUE) Community Teaching Garden was established in spring 2021. In our six garden beds, 2 small raised beds, and a Three Sisters Garden, we grow produce including peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and more. Through the garden, nutrition and dietetic student interns aim to promote food sustainability, provide nutrition education, and contribute to reducing food insecurity within the university community by providing free fresh produce.

The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability is focused on caring for the Fuller Dome as we promote our connection to the Earth and to each other (https://www.fullerdome.org/). Toward that end, we invite you to visit our small garden on the southeast side of the Dome. It is planted with native plants intended to bloom from early spring through late fall, providing habitat and food for bees, butterflies, birds, and other friends. If you visit and don’t see anything blooming, it’s because our garden is also a favorite snack bar for the SIUE deer population. Luckily, the deer don’t seem to like lanceleaf coreopsis and beardtongue. If you’d like to volunteer in the garden, please let us know.

During the 2021-22 school year, Liberty Middle School raised money to do a courtyard makeover.  The students and staff of Liberty transformed the courtyard into an outdoor learning space.  The courtyard now consists of separate outdoor classrooms, a native garden, a pollinator garden, and two murals that read "Show Your Pride" and "You Are Loved".

Poag Sand Prairie is 10 acres and connects to a larger, 40-acre state-owned property in similar condition. Many unique species found on or nearby the property include Tiger salamanders, bobwhite quail, purple-headed sneezeweed, eastern prickly pear, Ohio spiderwort, ornate box turtles, and Illinois chorus frogs.

This is a collection of gardens located in the historic LeClaire neighborhood of Edwardsville. These gardens got a complete overhaul in 2022.  Native plants make up a majority of the design and were chosen with a high contract color pallet to catch the eye or those driving by.

In 2018 Edwardsville Children's Museum broke ground on the Discovery Garden, transforming its lawn into a nature playscape and classroom to combat rising rates of childhood obesity, ADD, ADHD, and sensory processing disorders. We wanted to create a beautiful place for children and their families to experience the wonder of nature because we know that wonder is the first place of learning. Research shows that children who spend time in nature grow up to be adults who take care of our environment.    The Discovery Garden features plantings of native and pollinator friendly plants along with educational signage.  With the support of our community, children have been able to learn and grow in our Discovery Garden for the past five years through classes, programs, and exploring with their families.  

Every Summer the downtown street are awash with color from these beautiful container gardens. Each year members of the Edwardsville Beautification and Tree Commission design and plant new colors and combinations of plants to line Main Street.