MARICOPA COUNTY PARKS FIVE-ACRE POLLINATOR GARDEN AT ESTRELLA MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK
Parks has teamed up with the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) and Arizona State University (ASU) to convert a five-acre area from irrigated turf to a pollinator garden. This will help the park conserve water and improve biodiversity. The acre includes:
- a single acre landscaped-interpretive pollinator garden
- four acres of natural landscape pollinator gardens
- two new accessible DBG trails along the garden to support visitors and
- a water feature to support the native wildlife and pollinators
The agencies have hosted several volunteer events over the last three years and planted over 800 plants, including:
- 10 tree species
- 46 shrubs/forb species, and
- Six cacti species
The single-acre pollinator garden has 28 pollinator pods. Each pod has 10 or 11 plants, intentionally designed by color to attract the most pollinators. The additional four acres of natural pollinator garden contain a more natural design, with pollinators scattered throughout and at the ends of the new Monarch Trail.
In addition, the garden contains two large signs,
- one large sign explains the need for pollinator gardens and why they are important
- the second large sign shows pictures with the common name and genus species of most of the species planted
The latter sign is informative for those looking for plants to include in their gardens to attract pollinators. In addition, a local artist designed small interpretive signs highlighting specific pollinators and the importance of plants to pollinators. A laminated Spanish version of the signs can be picked up at the nature center and viewed online using the onsite QR code.
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
FUNDING: The project was funded by a Healthy Urban Rivers Ecosystem Forest Grant from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management | U.S. Forest Service awarded to Arizona State University | Arizona Forward | CEMEX | Freeport-McMoRan | Desert Botanical Garden.
DESIGN: Maricopa County Parks & Recreation staff provided expertise and labor to ensure the project's success. The project is still a work in progress as the team continues to add biodiversity and new species as well as manage the area to prevent weeds from invading. A big thank you to the Desert Defender Volunteers and volunteers who have donated their expertise and time to the project.
PLANT SPECIES: There are a total of 62 different species planted as of December 2024. Some of the species planted include: Forbs and Shrubs (over 300 total of 46 species), Indian Mallow, Globe Mallow, Brownfoot, Desert Honeysuckle, Rush Milkweed, Desert Milkweed, Mohave Milkweed, Desert Marigold, Cous Senna, Sweetbush, Fairy Duster, Wolfberry, Hibiscus (Paleface and Desert Rose mallow) Buttonbush, Trixis and many more plus Cacti (18 total of 6 species): Saguaro, Barrel Cactus, Night Blooming Cereus, and over 300 Trees of 10 species: including Blue Palo Verde, Foothills Palo Verde, Mesquite (Screwbean, and Velvet), Arizona Ironwood, and Velvet Ash.