The city’s newest pollinator garden was completed just in time for the start of National Pollinator Week, with a dedication celebrating the achievement of 15-year-old Sydney Thompson held Monday. The garden is located at the First Presbyterian Church at 436 East Second Street, itself between a pair of past Eagle Scout projects in the stones bearing the symbols of military branches and brick column at the church’s flagpole and the gazebo on the edge of the parking lot.

Thompson said that proximity is no accident as the project at the flagpole was completed by her older brother, and she wanted hers to be close by. She said the location was also chosen to give the church’s environmental team a centerpiece for future outdoor programming. Thompson said that she had originally been inspired to join the Boy Scouts because her brother had before her, joking that the decision was motivated by sibling rivalry.

The decision to plant a pollinator garden for her Eagle Scout project was a natural one as Thompson already had experience with gardening and knew she enjoyed it from helping relatives.

“I really enjoyed the project. I’ve always liked gardening, and I’ve helped my mother and grandmother with theirs, so it was something I’m familiar with. We decided to put the tallest flowers in the center and sort of make a pyramid out from there, so the shorter flowers are at the edge,” said Thompson. “We didn’t use anything too invasive in case something like a bird ate them and they spread, and we chose perennials so they would come back and spread out.”

Councilwoman Sara Baer, left, and Sydney Thompson install the official plaque designated Thompson’s pollinator garden as an official pollinator habitat. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

Thompson said the actual wooden frame of the garden was constructed by some friends who are carpenters because scouts are not allowed to use power tools in their project until they are 18 years old. She said that while this restriction was primarily for safety concerns it contributes to what she feels is the primary concern of the project to teach leadership skills as it forces the scout to network with people in their community to locate and co-ordinate volunteers with the tools and skills to help make the project a reality.

Between herself and her volunteers the project took 68 hours of labor, which doesn’t include all the necessary research and proposal process, with Thompson’s proposal submitted in October and the garden finished on June 9.

“Most of it was waiting for the weather to warm up and making sure everything was organic because if anything is chemically treated it can cause issues,” said Thompson.

Thompson said that given the protracted timeline of Eagle Scout projects it was important to ensure that you choose a project you’ll enjoy throughout the three-step process which begins with the proposal, after which the project is completed with documentation throughout including photos and receipts. After the physical project has been completed, a third step reflecting on the project and what could have gone better or been improved is completed.

“You have to choose a project you’re going to enjoy. With the amount of time and work that goes into it, if you choose to do a garden and don’t like gardening, you’re really not going to enjoy it,” said Thompson.

In addition to completing her Eagle Scout Project, Thompson has earned 46 merit badges, nearly double the 24 badges needed to become an Eagle Scout. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

Councilwoman Sara Baer, left, and Boy Scout Sydney Thompson were all smiles Monday after a ceremony to designate the pollinator garden built by Thompson for her Eagle Scout Project as an official pollinator habitat as the city’s celebration of National Pollinator week began. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

(Photo by Morgan Ahart)

(Photo by Morgan Ahart)

(Photo by Morgan Ahart)

(Photo by Morgan Ahart)

(Photo by Morgan Ahart)