Construction is underway on the Arboretum’s new Pollinator and Bird Garden. The $9 million project is the culmination of years of development going back nearly a decade.
Arboretum director Kim Steiner said the new garden will be unlike anything done before.
“Nobody has ever tried to do what we’re going to try to do here and that is attract every single species of native pollinator in this region. And that’s several hundred species of insects,” Steiner said.
The plans come amid a steep global decline in pollinator populations that’s threatening billions of dollars in agricultural industry.
“Pollination is a big deal right now. It’s been in the news a lot. We’re losing bees,” Steiner said, “but it’s extremely important economically and there’s evidence that many of the native bees which are very important for pollination too are having troubles.”
Primary construction should be done by late fall while final planting should be completed in the spring of 2021.
Invasive trees deemed hazardous are also being cleared along nearby Schreyer Lane, widening the road to the Penn State president’s house by two feet.
