In January, the Cathedral of the Incarnation received a grant from Rewild Long Island to establish a pollinator garden on the Cathedral Close. The initial phase of the project design includes three garden beds that replicate the layout of the Main Sanctuary. This comprises two rectangular beds adjacent to the sidewalk on the north side of the Cathedral, and a circular bed representing the transept, high altar, and lady chapel.
Parishioner Susan MacDonald, together with Cathedral staff Kris Vieira Coleman and Caroline Cosgrove, collaborated with ReWild Long Island over a period of two months to select the plants. These plants consist of native, keystone flora that support various pollinators in our region. Director of Facilities, Stuart Newby, will play a crucial role in the installation of the garden beds and in managing the watering schedule.
The preparation of the beds, including the removal of sod, addition of compost and topsoil, is scheduled for April 4th. The initial planting will take place on May 20th at 9:00 AM. Individuals who are interested in volunteering to assist with the planting and ongoing maintenance of the garden are encouraged to contact Caroline Cosgrove.
Though most of the project is covered under the grant, the Cathedral is funding hoses, benches, arbor, and pest management for the garden. Anyone interested in donating to the ongoing maintenance of our pollinator gardens, please visit https://www.incarnationgc.org/donate/ and choose Cathedral Pollinator Garden in Fund.
Pollinators such as birds, bees and butterflies are necessary to the biodiversity of our landscape and climate resilience.
