Bondegaard
Bondegaard is our wild pollinator health project located at our main facility and a second location in Franklin County, Vermont.
Bondegaard is a combination of open fields, a small number of maintenance paths, and a few shaded areas comprising about three acres. The location was selected for ease of maintenance as well as the incredibly varied biome produced by large variations in the ground moisture level.
While we haven't specifically cataloged the separate micro-ecosystems, there are at least six distinct regions with their own flora and fauna in this very small property.
Bondegaard is a combination of open fields, a small number of maintenance paths, and a few shaded areas comprising about three acres. The location was selected for ease of maintenance as well as the incredibly varied biome produced by large variations in the ground moisture level.
While we haven't specifically cataloged the separate micro-ecosystems, there are at least six distinct regions with their own flora and fauna in this very small property.
What's the goal?
Originally started in order to reduce the maintenance load on the property with all of the attendant environmental impacts (GHGe, lawn clippings, disturbing of habitats, increased run-off, etc.), the project quickly morphed into a concerted effort to create a robust habitat for local fauna as well as creating three-season forage for pollinators.
Wild pollinators are at risk from a number of threats including the now infamous Colony Collapse Disorder. Not only do we help pollinators directly through the project, we try to show people just how easy it is to replicate our model at home.
Wild pollinators are at risk from a number of threats including the now infamous Colony Collapse Disorder. Not only do we help pollinators directly through the project, we try to show people just how easy it is to replicate our model at home.
What does maintenance look like?
There's one really, really long day early in the season, and then after that it's fantastically easy!
As one old farmer once told us, "Everywhere in Vermont wants to be the woods again if you let it." While we love the Green Mountains that gave the state its name, it's also important to provide forage for pollinators.
So accordingly, on one day in early May when the ground has dried just enough to allow for mowing, we do a high-blade mow over 90% of the open fields, leaving patches where small shrubs have taken root and leaving three thickets of branches we've created as bird habitats.
The next day we confirm that we've taken down any young maples (which are practically like dandelions in Vermont) as well as any other plants at risk for becoming full-grown trees.
After that, we perform a weekly mow on the few maintenance paths, and spend the rest of our time enjoying the property!
As one old farmer once told us, "Everywhere in Vermont wants to be the woods again if you let it." While we love the Green Mountains that gave the state its name, it's also important to provide forage for pollinators.
So accordingly, on one day in early May when the ground has dried just enough to allow for mowing, we do a high-blade mow over 90% of the open fields, leaving patches where small shrubs have taken root and leaving three thickets of branches we've created as bird habitats.
The next day we confirm that we've taken down any young maples (which are practically like dandelions in Vermont) as well as any other plants at risk for becoming full-grown trees.
After that, we perform a weekly mow on the few maintenance paths, and spend the rest of our time enjoying the property!
How successful has it been?
After 50 years of this property being maintained as hay fields, we now have over forty different flowering species on the property with absolutely no planting on our part! The property looks like an animal sanctuary most mornings.
It's amazing what Mother Nature can do if you give her just a little bit of help.
It's amazing what Mother Nature can do if you give her just a little bit of help.
