Issie Gale ’25 Sows the Seeds for a Pollinator Park

Then they "stumbled" upon the idea of a pollinator garden after discovering that both Oakland and Harpswell had planted them at their transfer stations. Pollinator gardens are increasingly popular in backyards and public green spaces, as they're seen as one way to stem the worrisome decline of many pollinator species due to pesticides, pathogens, loss of habitat, and climate change. The gardens also help birds, other beneficial insects, and small mammals.

Gale and Caron toured the Harpswell garden and got many of their questions answered from the town's solid waste manager. One major difference between this site and Topsham's, however, is that the Harpswell garden is just 1.7 acres. Topsham's pollinator garden would be more of a pollinator park, as Gale calls it, since it would encompass about ten acres. The cost of creating the ecological meadow would come to about $11,000, which would cover a flower seed mix that appeals to native pollinators, as well as the tilling and sowing of the field.

After drawing up a proposal, Gale presented it to the Topsham select board. "I know it is asking for a fair amount of money, but the good thing is that most of the costs are up front," they said. After the flowers have matured, the town would only have to mow walking paths, if it decides to create them.

Besides reading up on flower species and pollinator park maintenance, Gale researched possible grant sources, including nonprofits that support pro-pollinator efforts.

Topsham Planner Josh Franklin said that town officials have received the idea positively, and that he plans to pick up where Gale left off. "We are pushing to turn Issie's idea into a reality," he said. "I have no reason to believe this wouldn't happen, especially since Ed Caron is so supportive."