Pollinator Pathway East Lyme (PPEL) is a non-profit organization run by volunteers and funded solely by donations. Our mission is to create pollinator-friendly habitats on public and private land because of the declining pollinator populations. There’s a fragile balance between native insects and native plants and PPEL can help. To accomplish this mission we are focused on two goals. The first is using native plants that have coevolved with our native pollinators to help maintain their existence and even increase pollinator populations. Secondly, we want to raise awareness of the importance of our native pollinators through educational outreach such as our Pledge Program and workshops.
In tribute to a life long resident of town and a leader in the gardening community we’ve been asked to create a native garden in memory of Betty Murphy who was employed at the Police Station for decades. Our design centers on a mature native dogwood tree situated on the property of the new Public Safety Complex in East Lyme. Under the shade of the tree we are incorporating native shrubs, perennials and bulbs that will attract pollinators, butterflies and songbirds from spring to fall. The added touch of a comfy garden bench will provide a spot for rest and enjoyment.
PPEL has a special partnership with The Giving Garden, another East Lyme non-profit organization, at 4 Church Lane in East Lyme. At this location in December of 2020, we installed a 2-acre meadow adjacent to The Giving Garden’s fields of food crops. Our meadow will be an ecosystem haven for bee species, butterflies, and many other pollinating insects that will pollinate the vegetable plants. This agricultural relationship is important because one in every three bites of food we eat on a normal day is due to a pollinator doing its job. Right now, the meadow is in its infancy. The seedlings are up and growing strong and we need your help to properly maintain it. More specialized seeding and a few haircuts (a mowing or two) are required so it can mature properly. When full-grown, it will be a Club Med for insects, open 24 hours a day. A place where they can pop in for an overnight, partake of the local cuisine, rest in optimal surroundings and maybe make a home.
Church Lane Meadow May 30th, 2022
Some of the exciting PPEL projects currently underway!
Press Release from Pollinator Pathway East Lyme, Inc. – The Board of Directors of PPEL is pleased to announce that First Selectman, Kevin Seery signed the East Lyme Pollinator Proclamation making HISTORY in our state!! East Lyme is now the…
Pollinator Pathway East Lyme 