Local

Operation Pollination aims to improve Youngstown environment, beautify neighborhoods

By Mahoning Matters staff and Jeremy Harper
Volunteers throw wildflower seeds into a freshly prepared 40-foot-by-50-foot bed of shredded mulch to launch Operation Pollination. The volunteers prepared the bed on Mahoning County Land Bank-owned property at the intersection of Ohio and Lauderdale avenues on Youngstown's North Side. (Contributed photo)
Volunteers throw wildflower seeds into a freshly prepared 40-foot-by-50-foot bed of shredded mulch to launch Operation Pollination. The volunteers prepared the bed on Mahoning County Land Bank-owned property at the intersection of Ohio and Lauderdale avenues on Youngstown's North Side. (Contributed photo)

YOUNGSTOWN — Operation Pollination, a new initiative led by the Rotary Club of Youngstown in collaboration with the Mahoning County Land Bank and other partners, is kicking off this month at sites across Youngstown to cultivate vital pollinator habitats, simplify property maintenance and promote positive health outcomes.

Several properties on each of the four sides of Youngstown have been identified to launch the effort. Volunteers will prepare and seed each of the locations, ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 square feet, with native wildflowers supported by shred mulching.

The first Operation Pollination site will be unveiled at 10:30 a.m. Thursday (April 22), Earth Day, at the intersection of Ohio and Lauderdale avenues (2203 Ohio Ave.) on the city's North Side.

"The land bank's native wildflower strategy will create vibrant green spaces that support positive health outcomes for all nearby residents — people, birds, bees and butterflies," Gary Davenport, project coordinator for the land bank, said in a news release. "It is a great kickoff to Operation Pollination's partnership goal of supporting local wildlife with native plants."

Operation Pollination aims to promote the use of native flowers and plants that support local native wildlife and generally require less mowing and maintenance. Landscaping based on native plants is also associated with less watering, better soil retention, reduced use of pesticides and fertilizers and a healthier environment, which, over the long term, can improve community health, the release states.

"The environment was added last year as Rotary's seventh area of focus, which are categories of service activities supported by global Rotary Foundation grants," Elayne Bozick, Rotary Club of Youngstown board member, said. "We believe that projects like Operation Pollination are critical, because pollinator habitats are disappearing faster than we can restore them. This timely collaboration brings a host of benefits, and we are hopeful that in the near future, other area Rotary clubs will join us in this meaningful work."

In addition to the land bank and Youngstown Rotary, Operation Pollination partners include MillCreek MetroParks, FirstEnergy, the Mahoning Soil & Water Conservation District, Youngstown CityScape, the Rotary Club of Struthers and the Mahoning County OSU Extension's Master Gardener program.

"The organizations and individuals involved all have a passion for the natural world and natural land management, which is why we are joining together to execute this initiative," Davenport said.

here

This story was originally published April 20, 2021 at 2:57 PM with the headline "Operation Pollination aims to improve Youngstown environment, beautify neighborhoods."