Committee green-lights volunteer pollinator garden; staff to prep larger hillside

Chairperson Gary Ron and committee members discussed a volunteer proposal to establish a pollinator garden at the White Sands entrance and down the hillside toward Pere Marquette. Public works staff said a local scout wants to install a 2-by-20-foot plot while staff have identified a larger 30-by-140-foot area they would like to see planted.

The plan, presented by Public works staff, calls for burning or otherwise clearing the site, seeding with native plants and a multi-year establishment period. "It'll take a couple years before they really start to see it," the staff member said, and added that clearing the hillside will likely require a herbicide application that "is gonna cost about $200." Committee members also discussed fit with the park master plan and fencing designs that would be extended to define the planting area.

Committee members asked about timing and approvals. Public works staff said the scout must return to the Eagle Scout board for formal sign-off and find sponsors; staff agreed to prepare the ground and coordinate with the conservation agent. Members agreed informally to allow the small volunteer plot immediately and to plan for the larger hillside project as a phased effort without a formal motion.

The committee’s next steps include staff contacting the conservation agent to schedule herbicide acquisition and arranging logistics for planting. The scout will pursue Eagle Scout approval and fundraising; the committee expects site preparation to occur in the fall or spring depending on burn and seed windows.