YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Rotary Club of Youngstown and the Mahoning County Land Bank will renew efforts this month to promote pollinator species, make property maintenance easier, and promote healthy habits.
As part of Operation Pollination, the two organizations will plant native wildflowers at four locations in the city. The first location on the corner of Ohio and Lauderdale avenues on the north side will be unveiled on Earth Day April 22nd.
“The Land Bank’s indigenous wildflower strategy will create vibrant green spaces that support positive health outcomes for all local residents – people, birds, bees and butterflies -” said Gary Davenport, Land Bank’s project coordinator, in a statement. “It’s a great start to Operation Pollination’s partnership goal of supporting local wildlife with native plants.”
At the beginning of this year, the Landbank published the “Greening Guide: Greening Practices for Native EcosystemsList of plants endemic to Mahoning County. The guide also includes environmentally friendly landscaping and other recommendations.
“Environment was added as the seventh priority of Rotary last year. These are categories of service activities supported by grants from the global Rotary Foundation,” said Elaine Bozick, Rotary board member. “We believe projects like Operation Pollination are vital as pollinator habitats are disappearing faster than we can restore them. This timely collaboration brings a number of benefits, and we hope that more Rotary clubs in this region will participate in this meaningful work in the near future. “
Operation Pollination aims to encourage the use of native flowers and plants that support native wildlife and generally require much less mowing and maintenance. Landscaping based on native plants is also associated with less irrigation, better soil retention, less use of pesticides and fertilizers, and a healthier environment, which can improve the health of the population in the long term.
Operation Pollination’s partners include Land Bank and Youngstown Rotary MillCreek MetroParks, First Energy, the Mahoning Soil & Water Conservation District, the Rotary Club of Struthers, and the Master Gardener program of the OSU expansion of Mahoning County.
“The organizations and individuals involved are all passionate about nature and managing natural landscapes, which is why we are teaming up to implement this initiative,” said Davenport.
Pictured: Volunteers toss wildflower seeds into a freshly prepared 40 by 50 foot bed of shredded mulch to launch Operation Pollination, a new initiative by the Youngstown Rotary Club with Mahoning County Land Bank and other staff. Image via Youngstown Rotary.
Copyright 2021 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
