What’s all the buzz about? Well, the Northeast Wisconsin Pollinator Corridor, of course! The Pollinator Corridor project first originated in 2011 with the goal to provide a habitat of native plants for bees, butterflies, and birds across the Green Bay area and beyond.

In 2019, the Pollinator Corridor Project was formally recognized by the City of Green Bay, and in 2024 the team started large-scale planting projects in partnership with Green Bay Botanical Garden.  Since then, the project has continued to gain traction among the community.

Earlier this summer, the Conservation Corps of Green Bay and Green Bay Botanical Garden worked together to coordinate additional planting days to support the Pollinator Corridor in various parks across the city. To learn more about the planning, planting, and perks of this project, here are a few words from Green Bay Botanical Garden’s Director of Horticulture, Mark Konlock, and the City of Green Bay’s Conservation Corps Coordinator, Maria Otto!

What went into the planning process for this project? How did you choose these locations?

Maria Otto: To reinvigorate the Pollinator Corridor Project, last year Mark and I decided to install two plantings while also completing surveys for future sites. The first two sites (Danz Park and Perkins Park) were chosen since there were already plans to install native plantings in those areas and the site prep was minimal. They also were situated about halfway between the Fox River and the far east/west boundaries of the City of Green Bay.

Moving into 2025, we chose our locations primarily based on proximity to other landmarks. We looked for parks that ‘halved’ the distance from our current plantings, the river, and the far east/west boundaries. Once we had a list of potential parks, we looked at site conditions and chose sites that accomplished multiple goals. For example, we planted along a steep slope that was difficult and dangerous for staff to mow to make maintenance safer and more efficient.

What’s the significance of creating a pollinator corridor instead of a collection of random parks?

Maria Otto: A corridor allows pollinator species to move between parks and mingle. This creates genetic diversity and allows for species to find the most suitable nesting habitat by having a means of a “food highway” along their way. The hope is to eventually connect the entire city and remove as many barriers for pollinators as possible. The first step to that goal is providing food and nesting habitat that we can keep free of pesticides and other harmful products.

How did you choose the plants for each location? What resources would you recommend for at-home gardeners?

Mark Konlock: We used plants that the Garden could grow from seed in large enough quantities to support the project. This year, we donated and helped plant around 10,000 plants! We plant spring, summer, and fall bloomers along with grasses that will provide food for all types of pollinators at different times of the year. 

Some parks have planting themes given by the Parks Department – for example, Firemans Park has hot colored flowers, like yellow, orange, and red (including the plant prairie smoke!) while Bayview Park has blues, purples, and white for a water theme.

Do you have any advice for at-home gardeners who want to help pollinators in the area?

Mark Konlock: Anyone can add native plants to their home gardens! You don’t have to make a full-on prairie, but try to sneak plants into your existing gardens. I’d suggest adding spring, summer, and fall blooming plants to provide year-round food for pollinators.

To source plants, check out Prairie Nursery or Prairie Moon Nursery online, or Stone Silo Prairie Gardens locally.

Why is it important to help protect our pollinators?

Mark Konlock: Pollinators are needed to produce many fruits, nuts, and vegetables that humans eat. Many sources say that 1 out of every 3 bites we take was made possible by pollinators. They also pollinate other plants that make up healthy ecosystems, and some plants even depend on pollinators for survival. Keeping all these connections is important to maintaining robust ecosystems for humans and wildlife.

Maria Otto: Pollinators are an essential base to our ecosystem. They play a role in our food development, and provide a necessary food source for other animals. By protecting pollinators, we are protecting our ecosystem and countless other animals and plants.