Pollinator Garden
Oberlin’s pollinator garden is a vibrant living classroom for the biology department housed on the first floor of the Science Center.
A large bank of two-story windows frame the pollinator garden, designed to allow students and visitors to literally see conservation at work. They may also observe the critical ecosystem services that flowering plants and their pollinators provide.
After entering the space, a narrow path winds past several flower beds before opening up to birdhouses and ferns. The garden has some 50 species of plants and native hosts such as common milkweed, butterfly weed, and swamp weed. There are also nesting sites for native species of solitary bees and hives for European honey bees. Small water reservoirs are tucked under branches.
The garden remains active year-round. While most plants remain dormant, birds feed on the seeds and fruit that result from successful flower pollination. They also feed on bees that have died and have been removed from the hive by young worker bees.
Photo Galleries
Select an image to see the album on Oberlin Flickr.
