bee puddling station

Congratulations to The Fort Story Community Garden for being chosen for a $1,000 Green Grant in the Community Beautification category!

The community garden located on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach had previously experienced a drop in interest, but was reinvigorated in 2020.  Recognizing the important role pollinators play in the eco-system, Project Manager and Master Gardener Andrea Muffly wanted to build a pollinator habitat as part of the community garden.  This project will expand the natural habitat available to pollinators, thus increasing the number of pollinators nearby, which will increase the pollination of the crops, and therefore the yield, of produce for the community.

Funds awarded by the Green Grant will be used to purchase and install a bee puddling station, a frog habitat, and a large section of native plants to provide both habitat and nectar for moths and butterflies and native bees.  The native plants of Yarrow, Obedient Plant, Cutleaf Cone Flower, and Beautyberry will further increase the presence of pollinators.

Residents of Fort Story are all military families, and the nearest grocery store is a 15 minute drive from base, which can make it hard to access fresh produce. The Community Garden at Fort Story aims to fill a gap in the community’s need for fresh food.  It also provides mental health support by getting families outside, connecting with neighbors, and engaging in their community. The garden provides a much-needed space for families to play outside and work with their hands. The garden is free to join, and gardeners are given access to a tool shed and regularly-scheduled workdays with access to a Master Gardener for advice on what to grow and how to best manage their garden.

A community garden is a beautiful way for a Green Grant award to increase the productivity and impact of the natural environment for those who live on base!