Potential Pollinator Garden in Ocean Pines Causing “Buzz” In the Community

OCEAN PINES, Md. – A proposed pollinator garden is searching for funds to create a thriving field of native plants at a vacant field adjacent to a pond near the north entrance of Ocean Pines.

Connie Corbett is the project lead for the garden, and explains the main goal behind the initiative.

“So that’s the whole name of the game is conservation.” Said Corbett. “Environmental understanding and something that can withstand the time.”

The $5,000 project aims to bring a healthy thriving environment for pollinators in the region. Brook Orr with the lower shore land trust thinks increased pollinator gardens in the area are a great idea.

“Pollinators are especially important here on the lower Eastern Shore because we have such an influx of farmers, And then they also save water.” Said Orr. “So our native plants are meant to thrive in our area, which means they’re easier to maintain.”

The bees and butterflies that the native plants will attract aren’t the only ones who will get to enjoy this new space, members of the task force aim to involve the community in a variety of events, and even want to utilize the space as an outdoor classroom in collaboration with Maryland Coastal Bays.

Ryan Mello is a member of the Ocean Pines Grant Task Force, and explained that they believe they are a great fit for to the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grant.

“We want it to be really a community project.” Said Mello. “And that also adds to once the the garden is done, those people who have been involved in it, they will want to come back in addition to the people who are just living around in the area.”

If the grants are approved, and the $5,000 in funding is achieved, the garden is expected to be installed in April or May of 2027.