Dow AgroSciences, Brownsburg Parks create pollinator garden

The US Williams Park will soon be buzzing as a pollinator garden is installed through a joint effort between Dow AgroSciences and the Brownsburg Parks Department. More than 2,000 plants are being installed as part of a beautification project being led by volunteers from Dow AgroSciences, Brownsburg Parks Department and Brownsburg Boy Scout Troop 397.

Designed by experts at Dow AgroSciences, the pollinator garden will be a habitat for bees, butterflies, birds, and bats that are crucial to the production of most fruits, nuts, and berries on which people and wildlife depend. Pollinators are nearly as important as sunlight, soil and water to the reproductive success of 75 percent of the world’s flowering plants. In the United States alone, more than 150 food crops, like blueberries, apples, oranges, squash, tomatoes and almonds, depend on pollinators.

“Developing this new habitat and educating the community on the important role pollinators play in the production of food is a win-win,” said Ken Isley, Global Leader, Legal Department at Dow AgroSciences and Brownsburg resident. “Collaborating with the Brownsburg Parks Department and the Brownsburg Boy Scout Troop on this beautification project will provide an incredible learning environment for our community and enhance the bee population for years to come.”

When asked about how the Brownsburg community can expand on the benefit pollinators provide, Brownsburg Town Manager Grant Kleinhenz said, “The more we grow, the more open space in the form of fields and meadows is lessened. If we can strategically place gardens around the community it will lessen the negative impact to the environment and support craft or hobby farming activities such as beekeeping and orchards.”
Brownsburg Park Board member Phil Utterback thinks the new pollinator garden can have a dual benefit saying, “It provides both an educational opportunity for the community while also significantly enhancing the natural beauty and conservation efforts.”

Dow AgroSciences’ Lawn and Landscape Club donated all the plant material and the 90 yards of mulch used to complete the project and provided expertise to create the garden design. Brownsburg Parks Department completed the necessary pre-work of grading and tilling to prep the area for the new garden plants.