UT Dallas students active in sustainability programs on campus teamed up with Eugene McDermott Library volunteers this month to create a welcoming environment for birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
The volunteers planted around 150 native Texas plants in a new pollinator-friendly garden, the first all-native plant garden on campus, outside the east side of the library. For the students, it was another project to improve the ecosystem on campus and recognition of graduating seniors by the Office of Sustainability. For library staff, it was the satisfaction of continuing the library’s pollinator-friendly mission by installing the pollinator garden right next to the Monarch Waystation. A team of library staff worked with the Office of Sustainability last year by enhancing the waystation by planting butterfly-friendly food sources.
“This garden is to help support the Monarch Waystation that was planted outside the library last year,” said Greenhouse Landscape Coordinator and designer of the garden Craig Lewis. “All of the plants I chose because they are highly recommended for all pollinators and they are truly native to Texas. These plants are the hardiest. They’re the ones that were here before we were here and they’ll be here long after we’re gone. We do not have another bed like this one on campus; it’s truly unique. Hopefully it’s the first of many to come.”
“UTD is a stop for monarch butterflies. They have already moved through the Dallas area this spring, but the native plants we’re planting will be waiting on the monarchs when they come back through in October, and they’ll be able to get the energy they need from them,” Lewis told the group of volunteers before they began planting.
Lewis selected about two dozen varieties of native plants, including such varieties as Texas Lantana, Texas Rock Rose and milkweed, for the volunteers to place around two beautiful crepe myrtles located in the middle of the garden.
Studies have shown that pollinator populations are declining. Climate change, loss of habitat, modern farming practices and loss of food sources are contributing factors. Even small changes can make a big impact on native pollinators. The McDermott Library wants to be a part of those changes.
Last year, about a dozen McDermott Library staff participated in a conservation project called “Operation Monarch” along with the Office of Sustainability by planting one of four certified UT Dallas Monarch Waystations on the library’s east side. This was the library’s role in providing a rest stop for populations of magnificent migrating monarch butterflies during their epic 3,000-mile journey from central Mexico to southern Canada.
After the garden was planted, Gary Cocke, associate director for sustainability and energy conservation at UT Dallas recognized the students, also known as Ecology Representatives (Eco-Reps), for their sustainability service. Graduating Eco-Reps received pins for their sustainability contributions on campus. To qualify for the honor, the students had to complete 100 hours of sustainability service before graduation this spring.