Our Lady of Pity Community Pollinator and Butterfly Garden

Project Summary

Students and community volunteers at Our Lady of Pity Church in Staten Island created a 20×15 foot native plant pollinator and butterfly garden to support endangered pollinators, provide habitat for monarch butterflies on their migration route from Canada to Mexico, and create a community space for meditation and nature appreciation.

Detailed Story

Fifteen students at Our Lady of Pity Church collaborated with adult volunteers to design and construct a comprehensive native plant pollinator and butterfly garden behind the church parking lot. The project began with student altar servers delivering a “kick-off pulpit talk” at Sunday masses in March 2025, where they explained to parishioners: “We are constructing a butterfly garden back behind the parking lot. It will be a place we can all meditate, relax and think, pray or just admire the beauty of nature. Butterfly gardens create healthy habitats for pollination while offering a safe place for birds, bees and hummingbirds. They can also serve as a pit stop for butterflies on their long journey, migrating from Canada to Mexico.” The students worked alongside adults to create a detailed project plan that included zoned planting (tall plants in back, shorter in front), designated pathways for easy access and maintenance, butterfly houses and rocks for sunbathing spots, and a shallow water source for bees and butterflies. The garden features 13 carefully selected native plant species including common milkweed (essential for monarch butterflies), white wood aster, common boneset, woodland sunflower, cardinal flower, Allegheny monkeyflower, common evening primrose, wreath goldenrod, seaside goldenrod, white meadowsweet, and three varieties of blueberry (low bush, black highbush, and Blue Ridge). The project was developed in partnership with Citizen’s Climate Education (CCE) Staten Island Group, which provided guidance on connecting the local garden project to broader climate solutions and environmental advocacy. Students learned about how native plants reduce the need for harmful pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, improve stormwater management through better water infiltration, and create critical habitat corridors for migrating insects and birds in an urban landscape. Students reported learning “much about team work and helping endangered pollinators survive.” The project fostered intergenerational collaboration between the 6 adults and 15 children/youth participants, with students taking on roles as weed and mulch helpers, planting assistants, and pollinator observers who monitored butterfly and bee activity. The garden includes sustainable features such as a rainwater collection system to reduce water waste and organic mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds. Looking ahead, the team has already begun planning for the 2026 season with ambitious goals including implementing a seed/seedling sharing program to distribute 100 native pollinator-friendly seedlings to community members across Staten Island, hosting annual educational workshops on “Gardening for Climate Resilience and Pollinators,” and pursuing official certification as a Monarch Waystation. The altar servers successfully engaged the wider church community by answering questions, accepting donations, and recruiting volunteers after masses, demonstrating both environmental stewardship and community organizing skills.

Impact Statement

15 students and 6 adult volunteers collaborated to create a 20×15 foot sustainable pollinator habitat that provides essential nectar and host plants for monarch butterflies, native bees, and other beneficial insects. The garden serves multiple community functions: as an educational “living classroom” for hands-on learning about local ecology, plant identification, insect life cycles, and environmental stewardship; as a peaceful sanctuary for meditation and reflection; and as a demonstration site for climate-resilient gardening practices. Students developed teamwork, community organizing, and public speaking skills while learning about the decline of critical pollinator populations and taking direct action to address this environmental crisis. The project’s sustainability features (rainwater collection, composting, native plants) reduce chemical use and improve stormwater management. Plans for 2026 include expanding impact through a seed-sharing program to create satellite pollinator habitats across Staten Island, hosting annual public workshops, and pursuing official habitat certifications including Monarch Waystation status.