8.3.A. PRSR 10-10-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 of 5 > * Provide a pleasant garden experience for those visiting the fair > or other activities at that location > * To provide a natural botanical environment to view bees and > butterflies > * To provide a hands on learning experience for children and > adults to study these insects and learn about their importance > and the problems they face such as the recent bee colony > collapse issue. > By design, the butterfly shaped garden will remind viewers of its > purpose and provide an attractive location for the plants. For > structure and ease of maintenance, a border of paving bricks will > enclose the entire outer perimeter of the gazden. To represent the > body of the butterfly, lazger stepping stones, matching the color of > the perimeter, will be placed through the center. This will allow > visitors to walk through the center for a closer look. > Plants will be selected based on their importance and preference to > butterflies and bees, as well as the soil type, and the light and > moisture requirements. It is anticipated that a variety of both native > and nonnative plants will be used, and will be clearly labeled for the > public. In addition, the entire gazden will be mulched for moisture > control, weed control and attractiveness. It is anticipated that > garden construction and maintenance will be taken care of through the > Sherburne County Master Gazdeners and Jr. Master Gardeners as well as > local 4-H clubs. In addition to the gazden, a display will be prepazed > on the honeybee. A logical offshoot to this project could be to > incorporate associated speakers at the 2008 Sherburne County garden > expo, and/or at the monthly Master Gazdener meetings, such as someone > familiaz with bee colony collapse, a local beekeeper, a community > education offering. This is a critical issue that the public should be > more awaze of. It affects us as gardeners, as consumers, and we can > learn more about what to do to help. > Expected impact in the community: > * Increase public awareness of the importance of pollinators in > the community and related topics such as nectaz, toxins, > disappearing flower habitats, endangered species, and the need > for protecting these habitats. > * Learn what we can do in our yards and gardens to help pollinators > * Increase the public awareness of the need of and importance of > butterflies and bees in our daily lives > * Explore the threat to butterflies and bee colonies in our > communities and what impact they may have for the future > * Provide beauty and environmental impact for the fairgrounds and > the many visitors to the events at the facility > Amount of funding requested: $650 8/9/2007