Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) launched a crowdfunding campaign Friday for a pollinator park in Columbus.
The community will soon have a pollinator park if the Hoosier Chapter of Sierra Club, Winding Waters Group, reaches its goal of $7,500 by April 19. If successful, the group will receive a matching grant from IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program.
“Pollinators such as bees and butterflies are crucial to Indiana’s agricultural economy, family gardens and native plant species across Indiana,” Crouch said. “We are thrilled for this park to become a hub for pollinators as well as humans who want to gather and spend time enjoying the gardens.”
Funds from this campaign will be used to add native plant plugs, shrubs and trees, raised garden beds for Ivy Tech Pilot Project, bee hotels and bird houses, feature educational signage and add a bench at new native plant meadow. The goal of the project is to provide space for wellness while also improving ecological diversity and connecting the community to nature.
“In 2021, Columbus became the first Bee City USA affiliate in Indiana,” said Eric Riddle, chair of Columbus Pollinator Committee. “In 2022, we are thankful to build on that momentum by partnering with IHCDA. The AirPark Pollinator Path will connect people to the beauty of Blackwell Park, Columbus Community Garden and our new Native Plant Meadow.”
The CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $5.9 million in public funds and an additional $4.8 million in matching IHCDA funds.
The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and Local Units of Government are eligible to apply.
Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.
