We have started three pollinator gardens in Scottsdale, AZ: (1) Pima Elementary School (2) Mohave Middle School and (3) Scottsdale Community Garden Club as well as enhanced two existing pollinator habitats at the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) with the funding. We did our initial plantings this Spring and now we are gearing up to do our larger Fall plantings. We had several dozen people involved in the planting efforts including students from Scottsdale Unified School District and Scottsdale Community College, SRPMIC community members, and volunteers. We have also funded student-designed signage for the project that will identify each of the gardens at part of the Maricopa Pollinator Pathway. We have several other schools that want to work with us next, and we are also planning to collaborate with teachers on integrating native plant/pollinator activities into their curricula.
On April 29th we began planting at Navajo Elementary School in Scottsdale Arizona for what will become a core level pollinator garden in the Maricopa Pollinator Pathway. We planted desert marigold, yellow bells, New Mexico thistle, globemallow, sunflowers and chuparosa. A second planting in the Fall is planned.
On April 22nd we did our first round of planting at Mohave Middle School in Scottsdale Arizona. A teacher and about 20 very enthusiastic seventh graders participated. We are creating a comprehensive level pollinator garden for the Maricopa Pollinator Pathway. On our planting list were: ironwood, globemallow, chuparosa, New Mexico thistle, yellow bells, and sunflowers. A second round of planting will be done in September/October once the worst of the summer's heat subsides.
