BUSY BEES TOUT POLLINATOR WEEK
National Pollinator Week, June 17-23, didn’t pass unnoticed in Abilene as FaithWorks hosted a celebration in its garden, which of course, features pollinator plants.
With the help of the Big Country Master Gardeners, the garden on the north side of the building has been transformed from a once empty spot to a place of respite. Rolando Rios’ Mother Earth mural on the north wall adds to the ambiance.
“What began as a broken up asphalt parking lot has transformed into a lush garden location,” FaithWorks flier noted. How? By dumping lots of city mulch on top of the parking lot!”
Over time, the mulch composted and created a soil base for planting. The flier noted that it was not a quick fix, but more cost efficient than removing the parking lot or hauling in soil.
In October 2015, there were three rosebushes and a Vitex tree as the base of the garden. Today, there are perennial plants, many that are pollinator friendly, as well as three raised garden spaces.
For the celebration, held June 17, Travis Craver, newly elected city council member, filled in for Mayor Anthony Williams in reading a proclamation in recognition of National Pollinator Week, which came into being 12 years ago. The proclamation noted that for decades the city of Abilene has “responsibly managed our city parkland and other city owned properties and have diligently promoted wise conservation stewardshipo in our community.” The proclamation was signed by Williams.
“As mayor, and on behalf of the members of the City Council,” the proclamation concluded, “it is my honor to proclaim June 17-23, 2019, in the City of Abilene ‘Pollinator Week.’”
ARTICLE CREDIT:
Spirit of Abilene Online
by Loretta Fulton
https://spiritofabilene.com/2019/06/22/busy-bees-tout-pollinator-week/