Pollinator Pathway

Master Gardener volunteers have designed and maintained demonstration gardens located at the Dutchess County Farm & Home Center in Millbrook. The Pollinator Corner was created to encourage and support habitats for native pollinators and is situated around the main entrance of our building. The plants in this garden were selected primarily for birds, butterflies, and pollinators, all of which share similar needs: food, water, and shelter. Our carefully chosen plantings provide these essentials. Native trees, shrubs, and flowers offer pollinators a healthy habitat that supplies food, water, and shelter throughout the growing season, as well as nesting places during the winter.  

Pollinator Pathway Millbrook is an initiative of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County aimed at promoting sustainable gardening practices that enhance and protect pollinator habitats in our area. Pollinators are crucial for growing our food crops and supporting natural ecosystems. By connecting people with nature and safeguarding local food supplies, we also strive to support the health and well-being of our communities.  We assist community members who wish to create environments that support pollinators in their own landscapes through education, training, and resources. 

We invite you to learn about ways to get involved by visiting our website: https://ccedutchess.org/gardening  

Our gardens are open to the public from sunrise to sunset during the growing season. Once planting is complete, all plants will be labeled, and handouts will be available at our kiosk. Free garden tours are offered by appointment. Donations are greatly appreciated.

Nestled on 185 acres just 90 miles north of New York City, Innisfree is a quintessential American stroll garden. A remarkable synthesis of Modernist and Romantic ideals with Chinese and Japanese garden design principles, the garden harmoniously blends elements of nature with a rare sense of economy and grace. We welcome visitors to experience the beauty and tranquility of the garden from late April, when thousands of daffodils are in bloom, through early November, when the majestic fall colors reflect off the lake. Throughout the year, we offer a number of special events and programs where you can learn more about the natural world as well as the cultures and art that inspired Innisfree.  

https://www.instagram.com/innisfreegarden/ 

https://www.facebook.com/innisfreefoundation

The Millbrook Library Native Garden is a vibrant, pesticide-free planting space designed to support local pollinators while creating a place of beauty and learning for the community. Installed in 2025 on the lawn outside the Franklin Avenue entrance, the garden features native plants that provide essential food and habitat for pollinating insects and birds throughout the seasons.

This project was made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Millbrook Library, funded by proceeds from their annual Holiday Silent Auction and ongoing Book Sale, along with grant funding from the Millbrook Garden Club. The garden also reflects the Library’s commitment to environmental stewardship through its participation in the Sustainable Libraries Certification Program, which emphasizes sustainability, social equity, and economic responsibility.

In addition, the Friends launched a plastic film recycling initiative in response to the Trex Plastic Recycling Challenge, collecting 1,000 pounds of plastic waste to earn a composite bench that will be installed in the garden in spring 2026. Proudly registered with the Pollinator Pathway, the garden contributes to a growing network of habitats that nurture pollinators and strengthen our local ecosystem.