Author: Kristin Hildabrand
Planning Unit: Warren County CES
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Plan of Work: Home & Consumer Horticulture 2024
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The Warren County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, in partnership with the Bowling Green Garden Club, hosted the Fairy Garden Tour Event to showcase the unique Monarch Waystation and Pollinator Garden Habitat. This tour was open to all, with the Garden Club members selling tickets before and during the event. The tickets highlighted the specific gardens in the Bowling Green area, with the first location being the Warren County Extension Master Gardeners Certified Monarch Waystation, a unique habitat for the majestic Monarch butterflies. Tours were offered on Sunday, May 19th, in the afternoon at the Warren County Extension Office.
The extension Master Gardeners, with their unwavering dedication, donated countless hours in preparation for this event. Before the tour's date, they meticulously maintained the garden area to showcase the beauty of native plants. They painstakingly redid plant labels to ensure their common names were visible and readable. The Master Gardeners, with their creative flair, assembled fairy garden houses and placed other fairy garden items throughout the garden space to bring the theme to life. Two Master Gardeners donned fairy costumes, adding a touch of whimsy and promoting creativity.
During the fairy garden tours, the Extension Master Gardeners generously shared their knowledge about native plants with the community members, enlightening them on attracting native pollinators to their gardens. They also displayed informative posters explaining more about native plants, the fascinating life cycle of butterflies, and the diverse garden visitors. Children were not left out, as they were given a fun and educational scavenger hunt game where they had to locate bees, butterflies, and a sleeping fairy.
One of the Master Gardeners working the event later reported that "several people did not know the garden existed, so it was an excellent advertisement for the Master Gardeners and the extension office. The kids enjoyed the scavenger hunt, and finding the sleeping fairy was a big hit. Lori's dressing up was outstanding! She was even asked to have her picture taken with the littles, and it was so precious".
This event was a great success, exposing over 450 people to the Warren County Extension Master Gardener Certified Monarch Waystation and the educational services offered through the Warren County Extension Office. The presence of both adults and children allowed for a unique learning experience. Children were introduced to outdoor activities and learned more about plants, insects, and the ecosystem. Conversely, the adults gained valuable knowledge on creating sustainable gardens and integrating native plants, thereby contributing to a more environmentally conscious community.
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