By Grace Leightheiser, Adirondack Pollinator Project Intern

Now accompanying the impressive serpent sculpture at the Woodruff Street residential lot in Saranac Lake is a brand new pollinator garden. The large rectangular bed in the back corner of the yard was built by the property manager, Bill Domenico, and it is nicely visible from the street and parking area above. In addition to building the garden bed, Domenico graciously supplied the soil and local compost from his other business, Blue Line Compost. The installation took place in July with the transplanting of a nice mix of pollinator-friendly native flowering varieties.

When asked what inspired this project, Domenico replied that his 10-year-old son has become a pro at raising Monarch butterflies to be released into the wild. He enjoys gathering caterpillars, tending to them with the milkweed that grows by their home until they are ready to fly away, and has done so for several dozen butterflies over the past couple seasons. As a father, Domenico is excited to have the garden to further his son’s interest in pollinators.

He also wishes to continuously beautify the property and views the collaboration with AdkAction as a beneficial way to do so. Domenico says, “we have a vision of developing seating adjacent to the garden so residents of the property can enjoy the outdoor space better. And track use by pollinators and birds if they have interest there.” Ultimately, he believes that leading by example is one of the best ways to better society. “I hope as time passes more and more people will understand the needs for multipurpose spaces like the green space attached to our property.”