A grant to build a native plant garden designed to support local pollinators and educate the community has been given to the Big Rapids Community Library.
The Wildflower Association of Michigan granted the Community Library funding for a Pollinator Pathway project. The pathway, which will be planted with native flowers and plants, is an initiative aimed at raising environmental awareness and supporting biodiversity in the Big Rapids area.
The Community Library is working with the Mecosta County Conservation District to help plan and design the pathway. The Conservation District is providing expertise on native plants and pollinator habitats, helping ensure the space will properly support local species.
District Administrator of the Mecosta County Conservation District, Brook Baumann, was a part of the initial startup process for the pathway.
“Our staff wrote the Wildflower Association of Michigan grant that will help fund the project, designed the planting concept, selected the appropriate native plant species, and will develop the interpretive educational signage along the pathway,” Baumann said.
Pollinators play a crucial role in ecosystems by helping plants reproduce. Unfortunately, in recent years, pollinator species have declined due to factors such as the spread of invasive species and the overuse of pesticides, putting native plant life at risk.
These Pollinators are vital to the ecosystem, and their loss could have grave repercussions.
“Native plants support a wide range of wildlife that depend on them for food, shelter, and nesting habitat,” Baumann said. “By adding a roughly 1,000 square foot native planting in a highly visible public space, the project helps strengthen the local food web and increase biodiversity within the Big Rapids community.”
The Pollinator Pathway will educate the community on native plant species and give insight on how you can plant native flowers in your own yard or garden, showing the community how they can do their part to help out local pollinators.
Native plants are not only good for pollinators but are very simple to take care of. Often requiring very little maintenance due to having evolved for local climates.
President of the Wildflower Association of Michigan, Carolyn Miller, mentioned just a few of the perks of having the pathways.
“You don’t have to mow it, you don’t need to apply pesticides, it sequesters carbon, it mitigates these heavy downpours, and it’s supporting biodiversity, and sometimes that is just enough,” Miller said. “We have got to become stewards that support our native fauna, you know, be it birds, be it insects, that is what we have to do.”
The Pathway will be installed on library grounds, where it will serve as a visual example of how native landscaping can benefit both wildlife and the local community. The space will encourage visitors to spend more time outside while also learning about native plant species.
Projects like the Pollinator Pathway expand learning opportunities at the library beyond just books.
Director of the Big Rapids Community Library, Lauren Perkins, talked about the benefits outside of helping local wildlife and pollinators
“The pathway, our community garden, and our Story Path through the park will have educational resources on display,” Perkins said.
Plants will be planted and treated by the local community and library staff.
“I think that the pollinator pathway will beautify the path in the park, encourage pollination in our community garden, and teach the community about plants that attract pollinators and why we should plant them,” Perkins said. “The planting date is the same as the Native Plant Sale, which is Friday, June 5.”
Once completed, the Pathway will be part of future programs and events for the public. The planting of the Pathway will coincide with another community event.
Projects like the Pollinator Pathway show how even small community efforts can play a huge role in supporting local ecosystems. Plating native species and creating spaces that support pollinators gives the community a chance at helping rebuild habitats that many insects rely on.
The Pathway will be installed on June 5, and community members are encouraged to participate in the planting. The Library will also be hosting a Native Plant Sale the same day, allowing you to take home your very own native flowers, trees, or shrubs.
For any questions about the Pathway or to find out how to volunteer, please visit the Big Rapids Community Library website or call at (231)-796-5234.