Pollinator and Food Gardens at new campus
Landscape and garden Features
-
Native groundcover like violet, wild strawberry, and dandelion grow naturally in the area, but are also extremely nutritious for porcupine, bunny, and other species
-
Hugelkultur, a methodology that utilizez mounds of logs and branches, will be the base of our pollinator and food garden beds. This method mimics nature and holds moisture, builds fertility, maximizes surface volume and is perfect for growing fruit, vegetables and herbs.
-
A Sensory Area of the garden will include plants to touch, feel, smell, and engage all senses
-
Healing herbs including yarrow, jewelweed, and calendula attract pollinators and are also used in salves for skin issues
-
Attractive flowers like chamomile and echinacea will welcome visitors and can also used in teas and tinctures for staff, volunteers, and interns
-
A rainwater garden in the parking area will absorb and process runoff from impervious surfaces
Community Need and Goals
There are many ways to garden and landscape for residential or commercial properties. Yet manicured lawns and industrial seed banks can be deserts for pollinators and local wildlife, and many plants can wreak havoc on a local ecosystem. Thanks to volunteer support and local experts, we're planning ecologically sensitive gardening that will offer food for our wild animal patients and ambassadors, the wildlife found in and around our property, along with a 5 year native reforestation plan for the areas we disturbed during construction.
True to Center for Wildlife form, we are excited to host a "Plant Potluck", focusing on the pollinator and food gardens. You and your loved ones can start seedlings at home, and either drop off or attend one of our planting days (TBD) later this spring to help establish our gardens and plant your gift! If you are interested in joining the "Green Team" and donating plants or seedlings, please email Michelle.
Below is wishlist of plants and seedlings for the gardens
we request that you hold on to your plant babies until we can plant in late may!
Carrots
Chard
Kale
Spinach
Tomatoes
Peas
Sweet Potato
Apple Trees
Fennel
Chamomile
Lavender
Calendula
Tulsi
Echinacea
Oregano
Thyme
Mint
Cosmos
Verbena
Flax
Hyssop
Sunflower
Nasturtium
Marigold
Asters
Jonquil
Violet
Dandelion
Clover
Bee Balm
Butterfly Bush
Sweet Pepperbush
Sweet fern
Blueberry and Raspberry Bush