Pollinator Garden at Arroyo Trails

An Eagle Scout Project led by Eilleen Koran from Scouts BSA Troop 454

 

Pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds are important for creating environmental biodiversity and for pollinating the plants that provide the food we eat.  It is estimated that 1/3 of the food we eat would not be possible without pollinators. Alarmingly, many of the pollinators we depend on are facing drastic population declines because of habitat loss and destruction. 

 Preserving and planting native plants, which pollinators depend on for their food source and habitat, is one of the best ways to take action against the pollinator population decline.

 

Illinois-native plants provide a food source and habitat for local pollinators such as bees, butterflies and birds.

Pollinator Garden

What’s Growing in the Garden?

In the 900 sq ft pollinator garden, there are a wide variety of native plants including:

  • Anise Hyssop
  • Common Milkweed
  • Butterfly weed
  • Yarrow
  • Black-Eyed Susans
  • Purple Coneflower
  • Foxglove Beardtounge
  • Bee Balm
  • Blazing Star
  • Cardinal Flower
  • Sundial Lupine
  • Virginia Bluebells
Seed Swap

Native Seed Swap Box

Made from a repurposed mailbox, the Native Seed Swap box makes native gardening accessible for everyone in the community. The box works in a similar way as a “little free library,” anyone can take some seeds to plant in their own yards, and then return any leftover seeds. Also, after the Illinois-native plants grow up and produce their own seeds, you can put those into an envelope and put them into the Native Seed Swap box so that other people can also enjoy a variety of native plants.

Bee Box

Bee House

The mason/leafcutter bee house gives native bees a place to nest so they can carry on the next generation of pollinators. Mason and Leafcutters are native, solitary bees. Solitary bees are passive pollinators, many of which don’t even have stingers and all of them have no interest in stinging people unless they are being attacked (unlike honey bees which swarm and are prone to sting anyone that is near their hive).

Conservation

Conservation @Home Program

This Eagle Scout Project pollinator garden has been recognized with the Conservation@Home program for its use of native plants in preserving the environment.

The Pollinator Garden is located in Arroyo Trails, west of the Trailhead.

PEOPLE FOR CHANNAHON PARKS FOUNDATION

24856 W. Eames St, Channahon, IL 60410
Phone: (815) 467-7275 |  Fax: (815) 467-5677  |  info@peopleforchannahonparks.org
People for Channahon Parks Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. DLN: 17053149037019 FEIN: 26-4058097

Board Resources Page

     

©2023 People for Channahon Parks Foundation