New Pollinator Garden at Joplin Public Library to provide for butterflies, bees and birds

A new pollinator garden installed at Joplin Public Library will provide for butterflies, bees, and birds, and will be a welcome addition to the Library on its west side.

The project got its start when three MOSO Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) students, who hoped to use the idea to complete their CAPStone project, approached Library officials in January.

The students worked with Library Director Jeana Gockley to find a space for the garden, conducted some preliminary research on what native plants to install, and raised $300 to use toward the project.

In April, the students completed their CAPStone project, presenting the “Butterfly Garden” as part of a pitch event at Missouri Southern State University. At that point Gockley reached out to Chert Glades Missouri Master Naturalist and native plant enthusiast Val Frankoski to ask for help and guidance to complete the project.

“Val’s help with this project has been significant, “ said Library Director Jeana Gockley.  “She took the time to understand our vision for the project, spent considerable time selecting native plants for the area and mapped out the garden’s design. We are so thankful for her help. ”

With the help of nearly 20 volunteers, the garden was planted on Monday, September 18.

The garden will be maintained by Friends of the Joplin Public Library.