PPAC was not initially planned, but like many things in life, evolved on its own! In October 2021, I went to a Pollinator talk at Horsfords Nursery and learned about the importance and fragility of pollinators facing threats from climate change, pesticides and habitat loss. The young woman was positive and upbeat, and told us “If you want to do something that’s good for the planet, and see quick results, plant a pollinator garden!” This was the first thing that gave me hope about the future– climate change is so big and daunting, but planting a garden is small, local and fun! She also mentioned Doug Tallamy and his books, a great resource of knowledge and inspiration.
I went home and thought about it, and posted an idea and question on Front Porch Forum for Cornwall. I got 19 responses in an hour, so it clearly struck a chord! I invited people over to brainstorm on our patio, including Fran Putnam, who brought Brett Gilman, a Middlebury College student. What could we do? He told us about the Pollinator Pathway NE, started by Donna Merrill, in Connecticut, with goals to rethink your lawn, remove invasives, plant natives and avoid pesticides. There were over 200 Connecticut towns, creating pathways for pollinators, where they could feed and rest, along with rewilding lawns, which are pollinator deserts. Example of a section of rewilded lawn, with an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
I was inspired and intrigued when I heard about this group, and thought, “ Well, why not Vermont? We could do this here in Addison County!” So Fran and I got busy as bees, calling and emailing everyone we could think of to spread the word. People were interested and receptive.
There are 21 towns in Addison County, and we wanted to have a representative from each , to collaborate and work together to have gardens and create pathways for pollinators. We created a Steering Committee, with town reps, and met regularly to share ideas. Addison County is a rural area, like most of Vermont, different than Connecticut, but we share common concerns: the loss of pollinators and their habitat, climate change and toxic pesticides. Round-Up is used on lawns, and in gardens. Many farmers use neonicotinoid-covered seeds for their soy and corn and crops, deadly to pollinators, birds, soil and water. Lots of work to do!
First, we needed to educate ourselves, and winter was a good time for this, since we couldn’t be out in our gardens! Brett suggested a Winter and Spring Speaker Series, so we planned 4 Zoom webinars.
1) "Pollinator Pathway of Northeast" led by Donna Merrill, about the PPNE and its evolution, to show the overview.
2) “Planting for Pollinators” by Emily May, who is a“Pollinator Conservation Specialist” for the Xerces Society, and happens to live in Cornwall – lucky for us!
3) “The Green Corridor: Improving Biodiversity in Backyards and Protected lands”, by Mary Ellen LeMay, about rewilding, and planting native shrubs, plants and trees.
4) “Eco-Types, Eco-regions and Ecological Restoration”, and the importance of regenerating soil and using native seeds for our specific eco-region: planting the right seeds in the right place! Led by Sefra Alexandra All webinars were recorded on YouTube, so you can watch them now.We ended with a Spring Forum, with questions and breakout groups with ideas and how to move forward.
Here's a picture of a monarch caterpillar climbing up a swamp milkweed in my garden, one of the native plants I planted this year.
PPAC has grown through the past year, now with 14 towns, and committees on Education, Publicity, website and Communication. We’ve had Garden Tours and Walks, to see what others are doing, what works and what doesn’t. We’ve worked with a variety of organizations, including Conservation Commissions, the Middlebury Garden Club, town officials, religious organizations, land trusts and FPF postings, as well as articles in the local newspaper and word of mouth. People were curious and enthusiastic, wanting to be involved and see what they could do. This is community activism at work!
Come and join us! The pollinators ( and planet) need all the help we can give!
https://www.pollinator-pathway.org/towns/addison-county