By Susan Harkins
This year, we were thrilled to receive numerous applications for our pollinator grant program. Selecting the winners was no easy task, as each proposal showcased incredible dedication and innovation. However, after careful consideration, we’ve chosen five projects that not only promise to enhance public education but also boast strong collaborative partnerships. Without further ado, let’s meet the winners!
Forestry Outreach Center
Located in Berea, the Forestry Outreach Center plans to utilize their grant to create more accessible community spaces celebrating native plants and wildlife. Equipped with informative signage, the area will transform into a captivating self-guided tour for the community. Students will lend their hands for the project while the dedicated staff ensures its upkeep. Berea’s educational staff will fulfill the crucial role of educational partners, enriching the learning experience for all involved.
Legacy Grove Park
Legacy Grove Park, managed by the nonprofit Legacy Greenscapes, stands as a testament to visionary park design. Featuring a sprawling two-acre play area inspired by Kentucky’s iconic landmarks, nature trails teeming with indigenous flora and fauna, and extensive ADA-accessible pathways, the park is a haven for both nature enthusiasts and families. With this grant, the park aims to establish garden beds brimming with native species, further enriching its ecological tapestry. Supported by a passionate volunteer program and led by garden curator Anna Campomanes, Legacy Grove Park is poised to continue its mission of environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) Fund
Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC), dedicated to empowering individuals and transforming communities, will utilize their grant to establish a vibrant pollinator garden near the administrative building. Situated in a high-traffic area, the garden will serve as a living classroom for students and the public alike. With plans to incorporate the garden into various curricula and open its doors to the community, OCTC exemplifies a commitment to accessible education and environmental awareness.
St. Xavier High School
The Environmental Club at St. Xavier High School embarks on an exciting journey with this grant to create a pollinator garden within their school grounds. Providing students with a hands-on learning experience, the garden aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving habitat diversity. Supported by Environmental Biologist II, Rebecca Clark, from the Kentucky Division of Water, and bolstered by a dedicated group of students and parents, St. Xavier High School is poised to become a hub of environmental education and activism.
Corbin School of Innovation
Their pollinator garden will be on site at Corbin School of Innovation which is a shared space with Corbin Elementary School. Both schools will be using the pollinator garden for scientific observations, calming space, and research for environmental education projects/biology. Support will be given from our maintenance department who will maintain the area around it. The Montessori middle and high school will be maintaining and up keeping the garden through weeding and replacing plants as needed yearly.
The Corbin Garden Club has also offered to come and add plants to it as needed. The Whitley County Extension has also offered to help with preparing the garden beds
We Encourage You to Apply
As we look forward to the next grant cycle, slated to open in January, we invite all interested parties to consider applying. Subscribers of The Ladyslipper will receive timely announcements and updates. While anyone is welcome to apply, we do emphasize a few key requirements:
- An educational partner with agricultural expertise must be involved to guide the project over a two-year period.
- Preference will be given to projects integrated into curricula.
- Preference will be given to projects accessible to the public, within reason.
Let’s continue cultivating a greener, more sustainable future together.