top of page
Pinecroft flowers 2.JPG

Pollinator Pathway

Mansfield

Upcoming Events 3.jpg
Black Long Tail Butterfly.jpeg

Black Long Tail Butterfly.jpeg

Black Long Tail Butterfly.jpeg

Welcome to the Mansfield Pollinator Pathway. The Mansfield Town Council adopted a Pollinator Resolution in 2020. We are currently working in collaboration with the Towns of Chaplin and Windham, Joshua Trust, Eastern Connecticut State University and The Last Green Valley to establish contiguous, safe habitat for birds, bees, butterflies and other insects. Our Eastern Connecticut region contains bountiful trails and rivers which will become a documented pollinator pathway including private and public spaces, from small flower boxes or curbside strips to large parcels of land. 


Pollinators come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny wasps to butterflies to hummingbirds. Many insects have evolved to be plant specific and depend exclusively on native plants to host their larvae. Most local bees only have a travel range of half a mile before they need to refuel. Similarly, many native plants depend on specific soil conditions and pollinators to bear fruit. As a result, we need to involve our community in connecting our fragmented nature preserves, parks, town owned properties and our backyards with pollinator friendly plants. 


Regardless of where you live, your efforts can make a difference to our pollinator numbers and will help improve the quality of our town's air, water and soil. Please join us!

Town Gardens

Merrow Meadow Park

Merrow Meadow, a 33-acre park along the Willimantic River, is part of the Willimantic River Greenway. Joe pye weed, golden rod and perennial sunflowers in bloom. A bumblebee in a Touch-me-not.

Our pollinator friends need:

  1. Food and shelter 

  2. Access to water

  3. An environment free from harmful chemicals


Ways that you can participate:

  1. Join in upcoming events 

  2. Plant native plants and manage invasive species 

  3. Take the Pollinator Pathway Pledge if you own property 

PPMAP.jpg

Can you go one step further and join the Kiss My Grass - Goodbye program? If you keep areas of lawn for its own sake (not used for playing or entertaining for example) we would love you to kiss that grass goodbye by replacing the grass with native plants. Sources of native plants: https://www.pollinator-pathway.org/where-to-buy-native-plants

Partners

For more information email us at waltonvd@mansfieldct.org

bottom of page