Pollinators, which range from the less-than-glamorous flies to showy hummingbirds and butterflies, have established themselves as necessary actors in the reproduction of over 85% of the world’s flowering plants and two-thirds of the world’s crops, including more than 100 crops in the United States.  However, loss of habitat is resulting in decline of these essential pollinators.  To help counter this decline, Associate Teaching Professor Susan Tomizawa asked her students in LA342/598 to research, design and install a pollinator garden for community partner, Maring-Hunt Library.

Students worked in teams to collaborate with the library personnel throughout the design and installation process.  In February, students sought feedback on initial design concepts at a community meeting. Based on the feedback received, students moved forward with plans to install a Monarch Waystation with a seating area at the library.  Additionally, to serve the many children in the library’s after-school program, students designed and installed nature-study equipment outdoors and created a book of activities for teachers to use with children to explore nature.  To help the community, students developed templates for Monarch Waystations and pollinator gardens that encourage residents to create their own home pollinator gardens. Students also painted new signage for the library that highlights plants for pollinators.  Installation took place over a period of two weeks, with completion of  the Monarch Waystation, a seating area, and signage.

By Susan Tomizawa
Associate Teaching Professor of Landscape Architecture