Pollinator Action Case Studies
This Pollinator Action Guide is intended to inspire tangible, on-the-ground action in support of the Hudson Valley’s at-risk pollinators. The work of preparing this guide included establishing and documenting four case studies spaced across the bioregion. Each case study site installed restoration plantings using plant species from this guide’s plant list, designed to sustain the Hudson Valley’s at-risk pollinators.
The four sites each received a set of customized landscape designs, planting plans, and seed mixes, prepared by ecological landscape design firm Landscape Interactions. Each site’s managers were then responsible for preparing their site, purchasing the recommended plants, installing the plantings, and providing for future maintenance.
The four case study plantings were installed in summer 2023. A survey of native pollinators was conducted in 2022 by Molly Jacobson of SUNY-ESF and will be repeated in 2025, after one full season of plant growth.
Each case study includes a brief site description and land use history; notes on the site preparation and planting methods used; the complete set of design drawings used for each project; and details on project budget, plant and seed sources used, local contractors engaged, and project timeline. Site managers also share their top lessons learned on site preparation, plant and seed sourcing, and planting.
Planting growth and site management will be documented over the first growing seasons, and case studies will be updated beginning in late 2024.
Become a Featured Case Study!
Are you using the tools in this guide to plant native for Hudson Valley pollinators? We’d love to document your progress. Contact hello@climateactionhv.org to share what you’re working on!
Are you affiliated with a municipality, school, nonprofit organization, public library or faith institution interested in planting for pollinators? Partners for Climate Action is offering funding for at-risk pollinator habitat installation through the 2024 Ecological Restoration Grants. Join the PCA mailing list at climateactionhv.org to be notified when this grant opportunity opens in late summer 2024.
Meet the Case Study Sites
The Gallatin Case Study is a privately owned former orchard with over 100 acres of open fallow fields in southern Columbia County. Project plantings were a 100’ woody hedgerow for moist soil, and a three-acre hayfield-to-meadow conversion. Additional designs for a pond edge restoration and bee and butterfly lawn were prepared but not installed; all designs can be found in the appendix.
The Gardiner Case Study is a privately owned rich bottomland hayfield along the Wallkill River in Ulster County, home to a historic farmhouse and nearly 80 acres of active hay production. Project plantings were a 300’x50’ riparian buffer of trees and shrubs along the riverbank, installed in partnership with NYSDEC’s Trees for Tribs Program; and two ⅛ acre seeded meadows: a lawn-to-meadow conversion and a hayfield-to-meadow conversion.
The Red Hook Case Study is a former conventionally managed agricultural field recently acquired by Bard College in Dutchess County. The Pollinator Action project plantings were a twelve-acre cornfield-to-meadow conversion including separate dry and wet soil meadow mixes, and a series of woody hedgerow plantings throughout the meadow area.
The Kingston Case Study is the urban grounds of the Kingston YWCA, in Ulster County. Project plantings comprised three urban garden beds adjacent to the building; additional designs for an urban tree planting, sidewalk meadow strip; and other garden beds that were prepared but not installed and can be found in the appendix.