‘A small garden can make a huge difference’

Letter to the editor: 

Though many local gardens are no longer flowering, as of November 1st, two small demonstration pollinator gardens at the Fort Atkinson Hospital are blooming and still attracting magnificent native bees. In a joint project to expand awareness about the importance of supporting native plants and pollinating insects, Fort HealthCare designated two green spaces for this purpose. In early June, led by nature enthusiast Dr. Donald Williams, a group of Heart of the City volunteers planted a variety of native Wisconsin plants along E. Sherman Avenue and around the hospital flagpole. Through the dry summer spells, Jean Brooks of Heart of the City along with Dr Williams, lovingly tended and watered these two plots which the insects and birds now enjoy. And after successfully establishing themselves, the plants can be expected to return year after year.  Even a small garden can make a huge difference.

Every year many insect species become extinct due to effects of climate change, especially as a consequence of inadequate food sources, urban sprawl and pesticides. Many of the foods we enjoy,  depend on insect pollination, so as humans, it behooves us to support these pollinators.  Creating a native garden on our private and public properties will help the pollinators survive. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Study, a decrease in native plants, also decreases the Spring insects necessary for birds to survive.

Though nonnative trees and plants may be pretty and seem exotic, they have not evolved with our Wisconsin insect species and tend to not support the insect pollinators for Wisconsin’s plants or provide food for our birds. Birds rely on the plant insects such as caterpillars, bees, butterflies and moths to name a few. Many people have historically used pesticides to kill what were thought to be pesky insects but the birds need insects for sustenance and pollinators need pesticide free native trees and plants. This joint venture between Heart of the City and Fort HealthCare can be a model of how two local organizations can work together for a common environmental goal. To become involved in Heart of the City or to volunteer to help with these gardens for the 2023 season, please contact Heart of the City at heartoffort@gmail.com or Margaret at nomowmay@gmailcom.

Margaret Schroeder

Fort Atkinson