Celebrating the first day of spring with news of a pollinator garden on campus

By Heidi Stasiowski '17 on March 20, 2017

Elena Sachs ’18 understands the “sting” of the declining bee population, and she and other students are working to be part of the solution—starting at TU. 

The environmental science major has been instrumental in the upcoming establishment of an on campus garden she hopes will be home to a number of native plant species that attract pollinators.

Rebuilding bee populations is crucial, she explains. 

"About 90 percent of the human population’s food is pollinated. So, if we don’t have any pollinators we’re losing our food supply…that’s the big thing.” 

She also says that in addition to pollinating our food supply, bees also pollinate about 75 percent of all wild plants that are vital to keeping our ecosystems stable and intact.

The environment has always been important to Sachs, and she aspires to make a real difference with her career path.

“As far back as middle school, I had a list of things that I wanted to do as an adult, and it [included] ‘save the rainforest and save endangered species’… My parents raised me to enjoy being outside… and I’ve always felt a connection with animals."

Her journey in making a difference has begun with the funding proposal being approved for the pollinator garden and the next step being approval for the space. The garden is expected to be located near the administration building, close to TU’s Urban Farm that provides access to fresh produce and gardening opportunities for faculty and students.

She hopes that the planting of the garden will be on Earth Day during TU’s largest day of community service, The Big Event.

“We really need student volunteers, so if students would like to be involved in helping with planning or with maintenance, they can email me directly, and I would be happy to add them to the list,” she says.