SPOTLIGHT

Showcasing remarkable individuals in our CCE Putnam community!

Spotlight

Pollinator Pathway Team

Volunteer Spotlight – July 2022

Pollinator PathwayThe Pollinator Pathway movement is catching on across the U.S., where gardens, parks, and backyards are added to a growing pathway of land set aside as a haven for pollinating insects. But a great idea needs great volunteers to make it a reality. Master Gardener & Master Naturalist Volunteer Lynne Bernstein heard about the Pollinator Pathway movement and had the inspiration to make it a reality in Putnam County NY, thus the Putnam Pollinator Pathway was born.

Lynne reached out to Putnam County organizations and individuals to ask them to sign on. After one of Lynne’s presentations the Philipstown Garden Club was inspired to start their own pollinator pathway, further enlisting individuals and organizations who pledge to plant native plants and refrain from using pesticides.

Lynne further developed the program by enlisting help from Master Gardener & Master Naturalist Volunteers who designed attractive signs, brochures, and informative displays. Visiting dozens of events and farmer’s markets, these volunteers enlisted even more households and businesses to the pathway. Currently more than 120 have taken the pathway promise, representing more than 100 acres of land in Putnam County.

Master Gardener & Master Naturalist Volunteer Jill Eisenstein brought her education skills to bear writing press releases and designing workshops. Master Gardeners Catherine Serreau and Robin Hoffman channeled not only their passion for pollinators, but their design skills as well to create attractive and informative signs, brochures, and banners.

Through the complications of a pandemic, this team of volunteers worked steadily forward, offering zoom workshops including “Create a Pollinator Paradise” and “Native Bees: Our Unstung Heroes,” which can be viewed here on the PPP webpage. They stood in wind and rain to answer questions about the pathway and sign individuals onto the pathway and offer an attractive sign for display.

With each winter seed sowing program they lead, these volunteers plant the seeds of knowledge. Their leadership and example have changed the hearts of many who have attended their workshops. Supporting our pollinating insects isn’t hard and it benefits everyone.

Last updated August 8, 2022