This a collaboration funded through a NJ NRCS Community Gardens Grant with Urban Conservationist Morgan Devine as NRCS contact. The role of the Xerces Society is to support the selection, placement, and installation of the trees, shrubs, and nectar- and pollen-rich flowering herbaceous plants which will meet multiple goals.
Many native pollinator & habitat plants are culturally important, with medicinal and ceremonial uses for Turtle Clan. In addition, they provide water management goals, soil stabilization, and will contribute to the overall health of soil invertebrate and microbial and fungal communities across the farm. Finally, each plant will be selected for its benefit to beneficial wildlife. These plants support native bees, flies, beetles, and butterflies, which provide crucial pollination services that allow important and beloved crop and wild plants to become fruits and vegetables. They also support beneficial predators and parasitoids, such as ladybugs, lacewings, spiders, and beneficial wasps which help to control crop pests. Together, they will contribute to a living, healing ecosystem of healthy food, income, human, community, and animal and insect life.
For the a look at the Journey, we captured the story on video. We want to say a huge thank you to Kass Urban Mead who was the visionary who helped us plan, design and install these beneficial plants.
