Kate's Eagle Scout Project -

Pollinator & Native Plant Garden Rehabilitation and Improvement

Kate Cooper

For Kate’s Eagle Project, they serviced and improved a native plant garden at Irvine Nature Center. For this project, Kate and a team of volunteers removed invasive species from the plot, carefully identified existing native plants to keep, and planted 40 new native plants in the area. The team also built and installed a bench to provide a resting place for visitors and encourage them to engage with the space.

Another objective of their project is to thoughtfully explain the importance of native plants and educate the public on the environmental value of restoring native habitats. Kate created and installed signage with a QR code that links directly to this webpage, where visitors can learn more about the garden’s design, the species selected, and the ecological thinking behind the project.

What are native species? Why are they important?

Native species are plants and animals that have existed in a specific place for a long time – long enough to adapt to its soil, climate, seasons, and other occupants. In Maryland’s Piedmont Plateau region, where this garden lives, native plants have grown alongside local wildlife for thousands of years. Native plants support pollinator species, including different types of butterflies, bees, flies, and birds. Native plants are the backbone of healthy ecosystems, and without them, entire food webs unravel. Restoring and fortifying native ecosystems are a key pillar in maintaining the biodiversity that keeps our environment resilient and thriving.