Pollinator Garden Coming to St. Philip this Spring
When you're outside, you may not notice hummingbirds, bats, bees, beetles, butterflies, and flies carrying pollen from one plant to another as they collect nectar. But these hard-working animals help pollinate over 75 percent of the world's flowering plants, and nearly 75 percent of our crops.
Without pollinators, wildlife would have fewer nutritious berries and seeds to eat, and we would miss out on many fruits, vegetables, and nuts, like blueberries, squash, and almonds — not to mention chocolate, and coffee, all of which depend on pollinators.
As part of caring for creation, St. Philip and the Perennial Waters Project are creating a pollinator garden near the southeast corner of the church property this spring. St. Philip is partnering with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners in Fish and Wildlife School Yard Habitat Program. We first will be preparing the ground by removing sod, tilling the soil, and bringing in topsoil. Then, we will have a planting day to plant native grasses and wildflowers.
Following the creation of the pollinator garden, we will work with the St. Philip Preschool to create an interpretive panel that teaches the value and benefits of the pollinator garden and our responsibility to care for creation.
Future projects include a rain garden, bird houses, bird stopover habitat, and a trail circling the church. Each stop on the trail will be a teachable moment for our Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and preschool students.
If you are interested in learning more or getting involved with planting, please contact John Hartig (johnhartig1@gmail.com) or Win Kurlfink (kurlfink@icloud.com).