Creating the Pollinator Pathway One Project at a Time
Current projects
Schultz 5th Grade Classroom Prairie Garden
A native prairie garden is in progress outside of science teacher Kristin Wilder’s classroom. Plants will be donated by Natives in Harmony with assistance from Pollinator Pathways and Strata Eco Solutions.
Schultz Elementary learning prairie and woodland
An extension of an Eagle Scout project approved by the Delaware Board of Education with plans to seed in the winter of 2025. The Eagle Scout project focused on the woodland and this project is a extension of that work done by Evan Maus. Support will be provided from Stefanie Hauck (SDO) and Ryan Mohr from the United States Fish & Wildlife Partners for Wildlife Program. An agreement with DCS will allow USFWS to establish and maintain the habitat for ten years.
City of Powell Recreation/Parks Pollinator Space – Fall 2024
NCOPP will be working with the Parks Director and City Council members to plant 120 native plants in Powell parks. The plants were donated by Leaves for Wildlife and NCOPP. The first installment took place in late September at Arbor Ridge Park.
Delaware Parks & Rec Native Plants Installations – Spring 2025
NCOPP will be assisting in the signage and promotion of the planned Delaware Parks & Rec native plants installations at Lexington Glen, Smith & Mingo parks. The planting is projected to happen in spring of 2025.
Delaware Parks & Rec Pollinator and Prairie Installations – Winter/Spring 2025
NCOPP will be assisting in the signage and promotion of the planned Delaware Parks & Rec Pollinator and Prairie installations at Lexington Glen Park. The plans are to treat the site in late fall with planting happening in the winter/spring of 2025.
Native Plant Gardens at Johnnycakes and Peachblow Elementaries – Spring 2025
NCOPP will be working in cooperation with Gale Martin and Master Gardeners to establish native pollinator gardens at local elementary schools. The plants were donated by Natives in Harmony.
Hyatts Middle School and Olentangy Outdoor Classroom and Prairie – September 2025
NCOPP, OPHI, Delaware Soil & Water, and Olentangy Schools will be supporting students as they learn about the natural world and take part in the Reed Run Riparian project and vernal pool restoration.
Creating a Pollinator Garden at Andrews House - Spring of 2025
A garden will be designed and planted at the Andrews House in Delaware in spring of 2025. Our goal is to plant native flowers in 1 – 2 areas around entrance with designs by Amy Dutt.
Unity Community Center Pollinator Garden - Spring of 2025
Unity Committee Center is lined up to allow NCOPP to plant the opening spaces near their two entrances (about 80’ x 8’) with plants from OWU Greenhouse.
Completed projects
Through the contributions of the NCOPP, who donated 170 plants, and Leaves for Wildlife, who donated 120 plants, raised beds were created with native plants on September 24, 2024. The project was managed by Susan Weber with the assistance of planting director Amy Eiken and the Berlin HS Biology Club.
North Central Pollinator Pathway expanded the native habitat at Boardman Arts Park with a planting project on June 8, 2024. Gale Martin of Leaves for Wildlife Nursery helped supply the plants installed on that day. Ongoing maintenance and monitoring of the habitat is planned for the future. Project coordinator is Terry Hermsen, thermsen@otterbein.edu.
​Delaware Cooperative Preschool Garden – Planted July 24, 2024
An approximately 10’ x 4’ garden planted at the Delaware Cooperative Preschool in early July. The plants were bought using a generous grant given by Wild Ones and the design was provided in partnership with NCOPP.
Columbus State Community College Pollinator Garden – Summer 2024
The Columbus State Community College Pollinator Garden was restored and enhanced in the summer of 2024 with plans for upkeep in the winter of 2025. In cooperation with OPHI & Strata Eco, plans have been made to treat the area for invasive species and extend the prairie in the future.
OWU’s Early Childhood Education Center Garden – Planted August 12, 2024
Native landscaping with mature plants was done at the Ohio Wesleyan University’s Early Childhood Education Center in August of 2024 with plans to add more plants in the future. Time and plants were donated by Strata Eco Solutions.
Planting a Micro Prairie at Delaware Hayes High School - Phase One complete Sept. 21, 2024
As part of Hayes High School's Outdoor Learning Lab, 150 plants were planted in a quarter-acre set of habitats representing ecological areas around Ohio on September 21, 2024, with help from the Hayes environmental science class. Students learned about the importance of native flowers and worked together to help support the pollinators in the area. The plants were donated by Leaves for Wildlife, with others purchased by NCOPP.