BEND, OR -- Scientific studies show that pollinating animals have suffered from loss of habitat in developing communities. That alarming fact sparked the creation of a local bee and butterfly garden. Basey Klopp received a grant from Mt. Bachelor’s Protect Your Playground program three years ago.
Working with the city of Bend, Klopp and some like-minded volunteers were given a space next to the community garden at the corner of NE 9th and Franklin. Klopp tells KBND News, “I’ve planted specific plants to attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds that will help pollinate the garden plants in the community garden right next to us.”
The strip of property has more than 200 native pollinator plants, including “Flowering buckwheat, we have spirea, we have a mock orange,” says Klopp. A local Monarch Butterfly advocate group joined forces with the Native Pollinator garden and added native milkweed plants to attract the butterfly.
Klopp says her first measure of success was finding in more bees and butterflies in the native pollinator garden by year two, which was welcome news for the community gardeners next door.
Mt. Bachelor's “Protect Your Playground” grant process is now accepting new applications for ideas that could help the future of local environment and outdoor spaces. Grants are $100 to $2,500. Click HERE to apply. Applications can be made through Friday. Winning proposals will be announced April 22, Earth Day.
