MTE and its subsidiary, United Communications, are teaming with community partners to give a boost to Mother Nature. They’re supporting the transformation of green space at Murfreesboro’s Barfield Crescent Park into a habitat for pollinators — the creatures that play an essential role in producing food.
“It’s estimated that one in every three bites of food we eat are dependent on pollination,” said Ethan Weibrecht, MTE’s vegetation management specialist for Murfreesboro. “Unfortunately, pollinator species like honeybees and monarch butterflies are experiencing serious population declines. If we lose our pollinators, we lose our food.”
The City of Murfreesboro donated two plots near the park’s main entrance for Project Pollinate. Weibrecht is overseeing the establishment of the 1-acre habitat.
With assistance from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Rutherford County’s UT Extension office, Weibrecht now has developed an action plan for developing the plot and adding needed nutrients to the poor soil.
“We’re spending this year converting the ground so that it will have sufficient organic matter to support a long-term, sustainable habitat,” he said. “It’s going to be a challenge because we have to get rid of a lot of noxious weeds that can
choke out the flowers.”
Following recommendations derived from soil testing, the site was prepared and wildflower seed sown in April. The initial plot features annual flowers expected to bloom throughout the spring and summer. These include cosmos, coneflowers, larkspur, zinnias and corn poppies.
The selected flowers attract a variety of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, small birds like hummingbirds and other beneficial insects. Pollinators are drawn to the colorful petals and sweet nectar of the flowers.
MTE employees will monitor and care for the plots throughout the growing season. In the fall, the habitat will be transitioned to perennial wildflower mixes.
“After that, the plot should be mostly self-sustaining,” Weibrecht said. Once established, a habitat is typically inexpensive to maintain, he said.
The vegetation management specialist hopes to use the knowledge and experience gained with the Murfreesboro project to establish other Project Pollinate habitats.
“I’d like to do this in every county and community MTE serves,” he said. “I’m hoping to grow this into something huge