By Grace Leightheiser, Adirondack Pollinator Project Intern
Nestled among the local pool, little league fields, basketball courts, and bike path is the lovely East Field Community Garden in Glens Falls. The foot traffic and visibility at this location make it an exceptional place to expand the already existing garden to support pollinators, and the addition of new flowering beds provide excellent company to the many vegetables sprouting up. With the help of Shellie Wise, who is in charge of the community garden, her husband, and several volunteers, three hexagonal beds were installed on July 8th as part of the Pollinator Project.
Wise feels strongly about the need to support pollinators, especially as the issue pertains to our food system. She says, “many gardeners know about non-native honey bees but are often unaware of the other beneficial pollinators – butterflies, a wide assortment of wild bees & wasps, beetles, moths, bats, birds, flies, and others. People are more likely to support/protect pollinators if they are familiar with & understand them.” Given the prime spot in the public park, gardeners, families, and just about everyone who passes through will have the opportunity to enjoy the garden and hopefully learn about this vital effort.
As a Master Gardener Volunteer, Wise is in an ideal position to educate community members. During non-pandemic summers, the park typically hosts a summer day camp and she hopes to incorporate a children’s gardening program. “The pollinator garden is the perfect addition to that education,” she says. Workshops and consultations also take place at the site for community gardeners and Wise is excited to add in pollinator-friendly content. AdkAction could not be more pleased with the collaboration!
