Restoration project underway at Pollinator Garden in Phoenix – Medford News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News

The group working together to restore the pollinator garden in Phoenix is ​​shown. Left to right Gary Krause from Gary Krause Landscaping, Cody Scoggins from the Medford Water Commission, Julie Smitherman from the Southern Oregon Landscapers Association, Annie Drager from Bee City USA Phoenix, Sharon Schmidt from Cascade Girl, Gerlinde Smith from Bee City USA Talent, and Janine Sturm with This Seasons Colors Inc. (Courtesy Bee City USA Phoenix)

Seven months after the Almeda fire devastated the region, a restoration project is underway at the Pollinator Garden in Blue Heron Park in Phoenix.

Several local organizations are working together to restore the garden after the fire littered it with debris and burned down pollinator plants.

“We were badly hit in Phoenix by COVID-19 and the Almeda fire. We are still struggling to get back together,” said Annette Drager, vice chairwoman of Bee City USA Phoenix.

Drager explained that the garden serves as a hub for pollinators across the region.

She said the garden contained fruit trees and native plants that provided pollen for pollinators.

“The fire swept through and killed all the fruit trees, it destroyed shrubs that were not part of the pollinator garden that we have now pulled out, and that is the area where we expand to include more native plants that support the bees, butterflies, Birds, all the creations that pollen and nectar need to survive, ”said Drager.

Drager shared that the garden’s water irrigation system was completely destroyed by the fire. She said a new water system will be donated by the Southern Oregon Landscapers Association.

“We have wonderful people helping us,” she said. “It’s a big project, we’re doing our best to have a beautiful restored garden and to inspire people to create more pollinator gardens.”

She explained that the pollinator garden is essential to the future of our local crops.

“Without bees, most of our vegetables could not survive, our fruits would definitely not survive in the valley, our pears, our almond trees, apple trees,” said Drager. “We have a reciprocity between us and nature and sometimes we forget to honor the rest of the web of life.”

The project is sponsored by the City of Phoenix, Bee City USA, Cascade Girl, biodynamics expert Gerlinde Smith, the Southern Oregon Landscapers Association, and volunteers.

The group will have a planting party on Thursday at 10:30 am, Drager added, volunteers are needed and lunch will be provided.