Bee Meadow

Pollinator Meadow

Mission Statement

The mission of the Friends of the Pollinator Meadow is to maintain a space dedicated to the preservation and protection of native pollinators.

About Pollinators

"Isn’t one bee just like any other?"

Surprisingly, many native bees, like several kinds of bumblebees, are endangered in Maynard and throughout the Eastern part of Massachusetts. Learn how to recognize them here: https://beecology.wpi.edu/website/learn.

"Butterflies and other insects are also endangered here and countrywide. How did this happen?"

Scientists think there are many factors. Habitat loss, overuse of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and introduction of invasive plants that crowd out native plants are all causes. Butterflies, bees, bugs, birds, and pollinators of all kinds need three things: food, shelter, and a nest to lay eggs and spend the winter. If these vital things – native plants that provide nectar and pollen and a place to live – are missing in a landscape, the pollinators who need them will decline.

"How can I help?"

Read about our friends at the Native Pollinator Task Force, working now to reduce threats for at-risk pollinators in MetroWest. And….have fun learning about our native bugs and birds!

Events

  • Join the Friends of the Pollinator Meadow and the Save a Bee Club on Sunday, September 18 from 2-4 pm for our Native Pollinator Celebration! Learn about growing native plants and the valuable contributions they make to our ecosystem—supporting endangered pollinators like monarch butterflies and bumblebees, as well as birds and other beneficial creatures.
    • The event will be held outdoors, rain or shine, and will kick off with a special tour of the garden at 2:00 pm. Special guest BlueStem Natives—one of the few native plant growers in our area—will show us a variety of local plants to grow here in Maynard and help us unveil our new native plant ID cards.
    • Children’s activities start at 3:00 pm and include a Bug Scavenger Hunt for all ages and a painting workshop with ArtSpace artist Joyce Dwyer. We’ll also be showcasing new Meadow Rocks by Sylvia Guthrie and the Maynard ROCKS! crew. We hope to see you there!
  • The Meadow is buzzing and plants and insects are thriving! Come see native plants in all their natural beauty. Weekly “Weeding Bees” continue at the Pollinator Meadow Tuesdays from 4-6 pm (no Sundays for the present). If you would like more info please follow us on Facebook The Maynard Pollinator Meadow at ArtSpace.
  • Renowned native bee expert Dr. Robert Gegear visited the meadow and made recommendations for plantings & identified some very cool native bumblebees in the garden. Check out one of his citizen science projects at beecology.org, where people can record and locate native bee pictures!
Monarch by Priscilla Alpaugh Monarch Caterpillar by Priscilla Alpaugh Half-Black Bumblebee by Priscilla Alpaugh

Contributing Artists

Since the Pollinator Meadow shares property with ArtSpace, we felt it would be important to have art in the Meadow. Many thanks to the contributing artists:

  • Julie James: information kiosk
  • Thomas Cummings: hand-carved benches
  • Yvette Monstad: bee sculptures
  • Geoff Nelson: abstract metal sculptures
  • Priscilla Alpaugh: post
  • Lola Chaisson: post
  • Catherine Evans: post
  • Jen Maestre: post
  • Jill Pottle: post
  • Sandy Wilensky: post
Dr. Robert Gegear & Garden Manager Lisa Heffley

Dr. Robert Gegear & Garden Manager Lisa Heffley in front of the Pollinator Meadow.

Pollinator PDF Thumbnail

Click the image to download our flyer.

Bee Balm & Echinacea in Bloom

Bee Balm & Echinacea in bloom.