The stone foundation of a former one-room schoolhouse on Palestine Road now holds a pollinator garden full of native plants. Along with the sprigs of plants taking root sprouts a sign that reads: “This site is on the Pollinator Pathway. These pesticide-free native plants provide food for birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects.”

The sign directs residents to the website, pollinator-pathway.org, which explains the local efforts of Protect Our Pollinators, POP, a group devoted to supporting pollinator health and habitat.

The garden, located at the Cherry Grove Preserve, a Newtown Forest Association (NFA) property, is part of an Eagle Scout project coordinated by resident Ryan Stutman. POP members, along with Ryan’s team of volunteers and several NFA members, planted the garden Saturday, May 11.

A POP member, Holly Kocet said, “Planting at Cherry Grove went very well. The Scouts were amazing!” She said the group “went right to work spreading topsoil and planting 84 plants in the 16-by-24-foot schoolhouse foundation area that was quickly transformed into a pollinator garden. The Scouts meticulously watered each plant, and the job was completed by lunch time.” A week earlier, Ryan and a group of volunteers had prepped the planting bed.

Ms Kocet said, “The garden includes plants for three-season color — spring, summer, and fall. These native plants were chosen for their value to pollinators in providing a resource of nectar and pollen.”

The plants’ deer resistance “was also a consideration for the garden,” she said. Mountain Mint, Asters, and Milkweed “are just a few of the 12 different species planted in groupings preferred by pollinators.”

Ms Kocet said, “Protect Our Pollinators is happy to have shared in this cooperative effort with NFA and the Boy Scouts to create this amazing pollinator garden on the Newtown Pollinator Pathway.”

With the planting completed, Troop 70 will maintain the garden, Ryan said.

NFA President Robert Eckenrode said the NFA had an interest in becoming part of the effort to create a pollinator pathway in Newtown. He said, “This is a good example and part of our NFA effort to share our projects and good management practices while engaging other groups in the community to be part of it.” He noted the importance of planting pollinator-friendly plants.