See Pollinators In Action at Donohoe Center
Hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and even bugs like the lowly gnat, are all pollinators or potential pollinators. As these creatures fly from plant to plant looking for food, they help distribute pollen, playing an important role in plant reproduction. In fact, about 75% of our agricultural crops rely on pollinators to produce fruit.
Scientists have been spreading the word about the decline in our pollinators, particularly bee species. The exact cause of this decline is unknown, but many factors have been identified: loss of habitat, chemicals, disease, invasive species, and changing weather patterns. While scientists continue to look for an overall remedy to stop these declines, there are many things that the public can do to aid their local pollinators.
To help our community learn more about pollinators and pollinator-friendly practices, the Westmoreland Conservation District constructed a nearly one-acre native plant pollinator garden near its office on Donohoe Road and compiled some useful online resources. The new garden, which is open to the public, is located along the path leading to the Ann Rudd Saxman Nature Park. Financial and other support for the garden was provided by the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s 2019 Environmental Education Grants Program.
Pollinator gardens can come in all shapes and sizes. They can fill acres of land or containers on a homeowner’s patio. We encourage you to learn more about how you can help pollinators.
How Can I Help Pollinators? (brochure)
Penn State Center for Pollinator Research
John Millen Interpretive Soil Display
Visit the John Millen Interpretive Soil Display and you’ll see something most people never do: The world underneath your feet.
Five large vertical slices have been taken right out of the ground from various locations here in Westmoreland County, and they’re displayed at eye-level for you to examine.
The top of each slice is the surface of the ground; the part we walk on. Underneath is everything you’d find if you dropped straight down to a depth of about four feet.
There are 47 different kinds of soils in Westmoreland County – including ones that are slick and slippery…super thin…and chock-full of air spaces. This display features four of these local soils. You may have one (or more) of them in your backyard.
The John Millen Interpretive Soil Display is located inside the District’s headquarters at 218 Donohoe Road, Greensburg. It is open during normal business hours and is free-of-charge.
John Millen Interpretive Soil Display brochure
Stormwater Trail
Various stations show and tell how each of us can manage stormwater (more commonly known as rain and melting snow and ice) in beneficial ways — from creating rain gardens to reducing the burden on our community’s storm sewer system.
Located around the District’s barn headquarters and the GreenForge building next door.
Open daily, dawn to dusk. Free.
