Posted: September 10, 2020

The Arboretum needs volunteers this fall to install more than 90,000 plants to make the wonderful new Pollinator and Bird Garden a reality. Planting sessions are on weekends. Pre-registration is required.

Please help the Arboretum create the diverse habitats of our new Pollinator and Bird Garden. This specialty garden will add over three acres to the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens. It has been designed to attract all of our region's insect pollinator species as well as the broadest possible range of resident and migratory birds. Designed in collaboration with a large team of Penn State-based and outside experts, including Penn State's Center for Pollinator Research, this garden will encourage ecological diversity by incorporating habitats such as a pond, wetlands, woodland, and dry meadow. The new gardens will showcase over 300 unique species and varieties—most of which are native to Pennsylvania or the greater Appalachian region.

There are fifteen planting sessions on Saturdays and Sundays: Sept. 5, 6, 19, 20, 26, 27, October 24, 25, 31, and November 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21. Sessions will be held 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A COVID-19 safety plan is in place.

Pre-registration is required.

Contact: Kelly Oleynik, Volunteer Coordinator at keo5114@psu.edu or 814-867-2591.