St. Thomas More High School gets new pollinator garden

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — One Central Illinois Eagle Scout brought his high school vision to life. St. Thomas More High School’s Henry Karduck created a 450-square-foot pollinator garden for the community.

It’s a garden grown out of good will and hard work. Karduck created the pollinator garden, starting with a goal of beautifying the empty spot and helping the environment.

“I led a team and we did all the work, from laying the bricks, to clearing out the space, planting the plants, to maintenance,” he said.

Chief Operating Officer Anthony Corapi with St. Thomas More said the new space also gives an opportunity for environmental education. It will provide food and habitats for pollinators like birds and insects.

“Agri-science classes, I think, could start to tap into that,” Corapi said. “Taking a look at the native plants there, the effect it has on the ecosystem, and then how you maintain those native plants.”

There are more than 12 different species and 200 plants in the garden.

“The goal was to plant something that was sustainable, and so all of those plants that you see there should come back and then start to recede. So, they’ll move around a little bit,” Corapi said.

The plants have already attracted a friend.

“They benefit our ecosystem as well as benefit us because they pollinate the plants that allow us to enjoy many of the foods that we eat,” Karduck said.

The pollinator garden was paid for by an $800 grant from a youth fund and foundation.

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