Upcoming Events:

Introducing Our New Mailbox Gardens How-To Guides

You asked for it and we created it - a step by step guide to create a pollinator garden. We give you the design, the materials and quantities you'll need, and the list of plants. Four different garden sizes in each guide. You buy the plants, dig them in, and watch them grow. Check them out - it's easy!

Full-Part Sun Pollinator Wildflower Mailbox Gardens

Full to Part Sun Pollinator Grass and Sedge Mailbox Gardens

Part Shade Pollinator Mailbox Gardens

A forest walk with naturalist and arborist Taro Letaka, Saturday, Sept 10, 9:30 - 11:00

First it was farmland, then it was forest. Now, the trees are facing challenges. Saturday Sept 10, 10th - 9:30-11am at Old Field Preserve in Waccabuc. Learn about a wide range of ecological topics from naturalist and arborist Taro Ietaka during this walk along the Nature Education Trail at Old Field Preserve in Waccabuc, which demonstrates the reclamation of farmland and its transition back to forest. This program will place special emphasis on learning about trees and some of the current challenges many are facing due to invasive species and disease. There will also be opportunities to have any questions answered about our region’s ecology and the current challenges and opportunities of nature conservation. We can expect to see a variety of habitats, several species of trees, meadow wildflowers, evidence of animal activity, and more. There's so much to discover on the 1-mile loop trail in a wonderful local preserve with lots to offer throughout the year. Advance registration at the link below is preferred so we can directly communicate any changes, but not required. This program is best suited for ages 7+ and the terrain is rated moderate. Sturdy shoes, pants, a hat, and water bottle are recommended. Friendly dogs on leash are welcome. Steady rain and other inclement weather will cancel. The entrance to Old Field Preserve is on the East side of Mead Street in Waccabuc at the intersection of Schoolhouse Road. There's plenty of parking in the preserve and on the side of the preserve driveway.

To register click here

Native Plant Weekend at Rosedale Nursery, September 10 and 11, 9:00 - 5:30, 51 Saw Mill River Road

Fall is a great time to plant! Get your native perennials, shrubs and trees and help support the Westchester Native Plant Center. members of the Native Plant Center get a discount. Free workshops each day from 11 - 2.

Seed Saving at Tea Town Preserve, Sept. 16, 3-5

Join the Stewardship & Grounds Supervisor, Rebecca Policello on Thursday, September 16 from 3pm – 5pm to learn about saving local, native seeds. During this workshop, Rebecca will teach participants basic plant identification for 3-5 native species, and you’ll go out into the field to collect seeds from those species as a group. At the end of the workshop, participants will prepare and package seeds to take home and learn about how to prepare them for planting in the spring. We will meet at the big tent behind the Visitor Center and then walk to the meadows. Be prepared for about a 15 minute hike. This program is for adults, but children 8+ are welcome to join.

September 17. Visit us at the Welcome Back Ardsley Community Event, Pascone Park, 3 - 7 pm

Come visit the Ardsley CAN by 2030!/Pollinator Pathway table at the event. Learn about how to create easy pollinator habitats, meet some of the team; sign up for a free garden consultation and report. We look forward to seeing you!

Mamaroneck Monarch Butterfly Festival, Sept. 24, 11-1 (rain date Sept. 25), Harbor Island Park Click here for more information

Larchmont Native Plant and Pollinator Festival, Sept 24 1 - 3 (rain date Sept. 25) at Constitution Park

Native plants for sale - lots of fun and activities.

Seed Collection Workshop - Sunday, October 2, 2-4

Would you like to learn more about harvesting seeds? Join the seed collecting workshop at Bedford Audubon's Bylane farm. We will harvest seeds from the Leon Levy native plant garden, but you are welcome to bring your collected seeds to discuss them with us as well. The workshop fee is $10 . There is a maximum of 20 participants. To sign up contact: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

Preparing Your Garden for Winter, October 12, 7:30 - 8:30, Zoom

Join the Ardsley Pollinator Pathway Team and learn how to: prepare your pollinator and vegetable gardens for winter; gather and store plant and vegetable seeds from your garden; sheet compost a space in your yard to create a no-dig garden by spring. Register here. FREE!

Dig and Divide Workshop - Sunday, October 9, 2-4

Westchester Pollinators is organizing a hands-on workshop about dividing together with Bedford Audubon. You are very welcome to join. October 9, 2- 4 p.m. The workshop fee is $10. Location: 36 Aspetong Road Bedford. This workshop can be combined with the Seeding Workshop (see above). Max. number of participants 15. To sign up contact: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

Westchester Pollinators Seed Swap Event - Sunday, October 16, noon 3 pm

We encourage everyone to start collecting native plant seeds and bring them to our annual Seed Swap event at the Bedford Hills Train Station. Vegetable seeds and native garden plants are welcome too.

Please clean and pre-sort your seeds in small quantities and bring them in envelopes with the name of the species clearly indicated

For newcomers there will be free seeds available for: Black eyed Susans, golden Alexanders, wild quinine, field thistle, liatris, purple cone flowers, Joe pye weed, goldenrods, asters and several more.

While you are at the event, don't hesitate to ask questions. The participants and vendors love to help you to make your garden attractive for pollinators.

There will also be plants for sale, so don't forget to bring your wallet.

November 9, 7:30 - 8:45. Letting Go of the Lawn: Rewilding a suburban yard, part 1. Zoom. Free.

Join Kathy Evers as she takes us through the first phase of her journey to rewild her yard. Kathy transformed her entire property in a year. Hear how she approached the project, prepared for the transformation, and spent the winter and early spring months getting ready for the return to nature. If you want to reduce your lawn to rewild, even in a small space, this is the webinar for you!

Register here.

December 10, 11 am - 2 pm.

Rain/Snow Date: December 11, 11 am - 2 pm. Ardsley Pollinator Pathway Annual Seed Swap and Social Event. Free.

Let’s get together and celebrate. Our excuse is a seed swap, but the real reason is to bring us together as we celebrate the end of the gardening year and the upcoming winter solstice. We’ll have lots of seeds to share if you want them (no need to bring any or take any home). Hot Chocolate, Mulled Apple Cider and baked goods will be served at this outdoor event. 23 Orlando Avenue in Ardsley. Plenty of street parking. Questions? Email us.

Join Our Public Garden Maintenance Team!

Three wonderful native plant pollinator gardens were created this spring. One at the Ardsley Public Library (April 23), one at AFV Park (May 14) and one at Hart's Brook (5/21). These gardens are fueled by volunteers to create, install and maintain the gardens. They will not be maintained in any way by Greenburgh or Ardsley. So, we need YOU!

Maintenance will begin in a few weeks and then be ongoing during the growing season. Watering will be the primary task. Occasional removal of baby weeds will be needed. The gardens were designed to reduce this chore.

We potentially have a large team and, if true, the time commitment will be low. You will most likely skip many weeks until you are scheduled for care. We'll develop a schedule for the growing season to minimize unnecessary visits and work. But if you need a break definitely go visit the gardens during an off week!

Please click here to fill out the survey concerning your willingness and preferences. Thank you so much!

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The May 2022 Cross Pollination Newsletter is here!

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Resources:

• October through January Get Together Presentations and Reference materials available here.

• View the new DEC documentary on invasive plants, Uninvited: The Spread of Invasive Species

• Free Garden Consults

Free garden consults are available to those wishing to support pollinators, birds, and our ecosystem in their yards. To request your free garden consult, email us.

• Join the Ardsley Pollinator Pathway

We're making substantial change, one yard at a time. Join our distribution list.