New Pollinator Gardens at Joslin Community Garden
Two years in the making! With the help of 20 enthusiastic volunteers, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) has installed two new native pollinator plots at Joslin Community Garden in Olneyville, creating more habitat for local wildlife and bringing neighbors together.
With beautiful fall weather on our side, community gardeners and volunteers planted 42 native perennials representing nine different varieties, including wild geranium, blue false indigo, New England aster, golden Alexander, and bee balm.
The new gardens are designed to support a wide variety of pollinators, not just the familiar European honey bee. Rhode Island is home to more than 250 species of native bees, along with butterflies, moths, beetles, and birds that play essential roles in healthy ecosystems and food production.
By incorporating flowers of different shapes, sizes, colors, and scents that bloom from spring through fall, these gardens will provide food and habitat for pollinators throughout the growing season. More plant diversity means more pollinator diversity!
Growing More Than Flowers
Located beside the Joslin Recreation Center, Olneyville Resilience Hub, and William D’Abate Elementary School, Joslin Community Garden is a beloved neighborhood resource where residents grow food, share knowledge, and build community.
That spirit was on full display during our planting day! About half of the participants were community gardeners, while the other half joined as volunteers. Together, they shared their enthusiasm for gardening, connected with neighbors, and took pride in improving a space they love.
The project builds on WRWC’s ongoing neighborhood garden initiatives, including the Community Pollinator Garden established at Donigian Park in 2024. Through our Community Action Department, WRWC continues to support more than 20 gardeners at Joslin while creating opportunities for environmental education, sustainable gardening, and community stewardship.
A huge thank-you to all 20 volunteers and community gardeners who helped bring these new pollinator plots to life! We’re excited to watch these gardens grow and bloom, supporting both wildlife and the wonderful Olneyville community for years to come.
Interested in getting involved? Explore WRWC’s upcoming volunteer opportunities and community garden events!