Members of ReWild Long Island, which collaborates with communities to protect and improve biodiversity, resilience, and health of regional ecosystems, planted a new pollinator garden at the Windmill 1 senior citizens housing complex in East Hampton on May 21.
Pollinator gardens provide food — nectar and pollen — and habitat for pollinators including butterflies, bees, and other insects that are threatened by habitat loss and the use of pesticides.
The garden at Windmill 1 features species native to Long Island that were selected by local residents, Samantha Jo, a gardens manager with ReWild Long Island, said. "Over the winter, we hosted a garden design workshop so they can feel more empowered about the space," she said. "Here we are with their design. Designed by the community, for the community."
The garden features mountain mint, foamflower, eastern redbud, hummingbird mint, switchgrass, New York aster, ferns, and bayberry, according to ReWild Long Island's Maggie Muzante.
The new pollinator garden joins similar spaces established at East Hampton Town Hall, Third House in Montauk, East Hampton High School, and the Bridgehampton School, all thanks to support from the group.
"We hope to contribute to the health of the environment," said Leonard Green, an East Hampton resident, ReWild member, and co-founder of ChangeHampton, which promotes native gardens and sustainable landscaping practices.
