While visiting the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Zoombezi Bay, or Safari Golf Club, you may have noticed large areas around the parking lots and entrances where millions of flowers have bloomed; this isn't just a landscaping project—it's a flourishing initiative in sustainability and conservation!
Planting the Seeds of Change
The Columbus Zoo is playing a pivotal role in re-establishing native prairie growth with perennial plants that provide a haven for pollinators. These plants offer nectar and pollen, vital for honey bees and wild pollinators, including hummingbirds and the magnificent monarch butterfly. This laudable project, in partnership with the Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund, took root in 2021.
Initially, a small test plot within the Zoo's Polar Frontier region was sown with seeds. Since then, the project has blossomed, thanks to a partnership with the USFWS - Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. The Service provided seeds and assisted in preparing the areas around the parking lots and along Powell Road. This winter, the seeds sprouted, and they are thriving.
Combined with seeds from the Service and the Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund, nearly 10 acres of new prairie are taking shape within the Zoo's grounds, with an additional acre across the road at the entrance of Safari Golf Club. If that's not impressive enough, the Zoo's waterpark, Zoombezi Bay, boasts three pollinator habitats, making it the largest of its kind in Ohio.
A Collection of Native Flora
Each pollinator site is meticulously planted with up to 40 different grass and wildflower varieties native to Ohio and neighboring states. These include a diverse range of flora, from wild rye grasses, sedges, and milkweeds to Joe Pye weed, black-eyed Susan, coneflowers, goldenrod, asters, and many more. The seeding strategy ensures that different heights and bloom times attract animals throughout the season.
While these areas will take several years to fully develop, they will evolve slightly from year to year. The Zoo's Horticulture Department also sowed annual wildflowers at the edges of each area to provide a burst of color throughout the summer, courtesy of the seeds from the Service.
Bringing the Pollinator Movement To Your Home
Now, you might be inspired to contribute to pollinator conservation in your own backyard. Here's some advice from Stoyan Iordanov, Horticulture Manager for the Columbus Zoo:
- Timing Matters: Fall is an excellent time to seed if your garden beds are well-prepared and free of unwanted vegetation and debris. This ensures better seed-to-soil contact.
- Consider Perennials: Early fall is perfect for planting perennial plants from nursery containers or dividing existing ones for transplantation.
- Winter Seeding: Prepare new pollinator areas in the fall and seed them using a broadcast method (seeding in small areas by either handheld or push spreaders) during the winter months (December to March). Freezing and thawing will help the seeds penetrate the soil for spring germination.
- Large-Scale Seeding: For larger areas (over 1 acre), consider mechanical seeding, such as slit seeding.
Support Local Nurseries
Stoyan Tip: When sourcing native perennials for your home garden, consider visiting local nurseries like Natives in Harmony in Marengo, Ohio. They offer native perennials in small container liners, ideal for direct planting.
Additional Resources
For further guidance and information on pollinator conservation, here are some valuable resources:
- Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund
- National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
- US Department of Agriculture
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources
As you learn more about the Columbus Zoo's commitment to pollinator conservation, consider how you can play your part in nurturing these essential creatures in your very own pollinator garden this fall. Together, we can create a world where pollinators thrive, benefiting not only our gardens but the entire ecosystem.
