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By Kate Arslambakova
Excitement was in the air at Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing as residents gathered outside of the Ben Falls Room to watch as the crew from Landshapes landscaping services began work on the butterfly garden. Perennial, noninvasive plants indigenous to central Vermont lined the lawn, ready to be planted. Laughter and chatter could be heard over the whir of the machinery, as this resident-led project was finally breaking ground.
“The residents are so excited to see this project finally come to fruition. They were working very hard for two years to make it happen and it is really great to see,” said Harriet Galfetti.
In the summer of 2023, a group of residents came together and began creating a plan to improve habitat for pollinating birds and insects, especially butterflies. This plan became lovingly known as the “Pollinator Project.” Supported by the Central Vermont Medical Center Office of Development and the Woodridge Life Enrichment Fund, the Pollinator Project is a 760-square-foot pollinator garden located in an open area near the patio. When finished, this garden will abut the surrounding meadows to invite birds and beneficial insects.
Pollinator group with crew from Landshapes landscaping services. From left, first row: Thelma Forkey, Harriet Galfetti, Sylvia Comolli. Back row: BJ Getty, Magnus Sullivan, and Noah Ladensack of Landshapes; and Amanda Sanderson, Woodridge care management and life enrichment director. Photo by Kate Arslambakova.
The pollinator group helped select native, noninvasive plants to ensure the garden would be sustainable and support local pollinators. Some of the plants selected included Joe Pye weed, panicle hydrangea, Jethro Tull coreopsis (tickseed), hardy geranium (cranesbill), ‘red sprite’ winterberry, ‘ruby star’ coneflower, and many others.
Residents also helped raise funds for this project. They reached out to individuals, businesses, and local environmental organizations, and organized a perennial plant sale with assistance from CVMC and Woodridge volunteers.
“Beautiful and Beneficial” became the motto and ended up part of a T-shirt design. The original design was created by Nona Estrin, an East Montpelier naturalist who makes watercolor drawings in the field (and has been publishing her poetic column “Nature Watch” in The Bridge for over a decade). These shirts were available for sale to all Woodridge residents, their families, and all who visit Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing.
This is only phase one of the Pollinator Project. To learn more about the project or how you can help, please contact Kate Arslambakova at Kate.Arslambakova@cvmc.org.
Kate Arslambakova is a development coordinator at Central Vermont Medical Center with a focus on philanthropy and support of the Woodridge Life Enrichment Fund as well as other community partners.
