Over 8,000 plants to be planted Tuesday, Sept. 29
Why: Pollinator habitat is dwindling, and so are pollinators. We rely heavily on pollinators for our food production in the U.S. and recreating habitat for these animals and insects is a way we can assist in bringing back some of the most threatened, like the Monarch Butterfly.
All of the plants used in this project are native to Virginia and the goal of the site is for it to become naturalized in a few years so that intervention by humans is not necessary. There will also be two small areas near the rest station building planted as education stations, so visitors can learn about the project that VDOT intends to implement statewide.
VDOT, Dominion Virginia Power, Virginia Native Plant Society, Plant NOVA Natives, and others will place pollinator-friendly plants at the I-95 northbound rest area at Dale City (car only) in Northern Virginia on Sept. 29. The site will serve as a “way station,” or refuge, for monarch butterflies and other threatened pollinators by providing nectar and shelter to protect and boost populations.
Dominion is providing a cadre of volunteers; Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, the Virginia Native Plant Society, and the Plant NOVA Natives Campaign are providing additional technical expertise; and VDOT is providing the project management, site preparation, the land, volunteers, and staff to plant the new habitat.
