The Eastern Region's Pollinator & Native Plant Gardens - Come Join Us

Native Plant & Pollinator Gardens Provide Enjoyment of Nature's Simple & Complex Workings

Our goal has been to establish native plant & pollinator gardens within administrative sites on all 15 of our Eastern Region National Forests in 17 states. While a number of our native gardens were established several years ago, we began this endeavor in earnest more recently. Spring of 2009 will be the first year that all our Forests will have established at least one garden - some Forests have as many as seven within their administrative sites (District & Supervisor's Offices).

To date we developed over 30 native plant & pollinator administrative gardens to engage the public in landscaping with native plants which serves to decrease the use of fossil fuels, pesticides, and water. Our gardens provide viewing opportunities to learn more about our very important native bees and butterflies and the essential ecosystem service they provide - pollination. We also harvest the seed from these gardens for use in our Forest restoration activities. Lastly, the gardens at our offices provide easily accessible educational opportunities for adults and children to interact with important components within a natural community.

So far six of these gardens have been designated as Wildflower Viewing Areas with more as the gardens are completed, signed, and interpreted. Find out where they are located at http:///www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/.

Local contacts, images, and additional information for specific gardens within the 15 Eastern Region National Forests can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wildlife/plants_botany/

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/ssrs/ and/or

http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/news/index.shtml

Please come join us in the enjoyment of nature's simple and yet complex workings within our native plant & pollinator gardens.