LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 34 from people who wanted to sign up. As of the seed pickup day on May 31, the District was shy of that goal by only about 3,000 square feet. Jim Kearney, who lives in Brant Lake, is one of this year's participants. He picked up his plastic bag of seeds, a species list, and a growing guide from Dunk- ley, and chatted briefly with him. "They provide all the information that you need," Kearney said. "And they're flexible…We increased the allotment…We originally signed up for 500 [square feet], and we just increased it up to 1,000 [square feet]." The seed mix that Colucci-Nunn planted last year in- cluded some non-native but pollinator-friendly plants. Based partly on participant feedback, this year's seed mix contains only native species. Unlike many orna- mental plants that originated in locations with very different conditions, native plants are well-adapted to existing soils, temperature, and rainfall. Once estab- lished, they require little to no supplemental water or fertilizer. "That's kind of the beauty of the wild- flowers. They're a pretty tough, resilient plant that'll do pretty good with minimal effort and upkeep,' said Dunkley. The larvae of some insects, including well- known species like monarchs and Karner blue butter- flies, can only develop by eating the leaves of partic- ular native plants. Native flowers also provide pollen and nectar for foraging adult insects. So far, 153 people have participated in Pledge a Plot for Pollinators, and a map plotting their locations shows yellow dots spread throughout Warren Coun- ty. "We've pretty much got people in every corner of the county that is not…state wilderness area," said Dunkley. Even small plots like these can make a difference, according to Schlesinger. "I think they're useful for a number of reasons, and I think one of them is that ev- ery little bit helps…and pollinators can find the next one, so they're stepping stones of habitat." The stepping stones created through Pledge a Plot for Pollinators tie into a patchwork of other pollina- tor protection efforts throughout the North Country. Some, like the pollinator gardens at the Richards Library in Warrensburg, were also funded by the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District. Sarah Gebbie-Measek, President of the library's Board of Trustees, obtained Community Conservation Grants from the District in 2022 and 2023. In the first year, Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Sarah Thomas helped board members revitalize the overgrown rain garden by increasing the diversity of native plants. In the second year, the trustees added additional pollinator-friendly plants to a shady garden bed. Their efforts have paid off, with the pollinators and the public. "We did see more pollinators, and whenever I was working out here…patrons would be like, 'Oh, good job, it's looking really nice,'" said Geb- Left: Blazing star in the Richards Librar y rain garden, Warrensburg. Right: Jim Kearney scattering wildflower seed on his property in Brant Lake, using the technique he calls 'feeding the chickens' Photo credit: Erika Schielke

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