STATEHOUSE NEWS

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The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) in partnership with Keep Ohio Beautiful will celebrate the power of pollinators to support nature and our food supply as part of Keep Ohio Beautiful Day at the Ohio Statehouse Wednesday, September 20, 2017. A variety of activities are planned at the Ohio Statehouse, including planting an Ohio Native Shade Garden, designed by scientists at The Davey Tree Expert Co. In addition to attracting a variety of pollinators, this garden will provide nectar sources for the beehive installed on the Statehouse grounds in 2015.

Keep Ohio Beautiful Day celebrates the value and power of native species in restoring ecological balance to the environment while creating greener, more beautiful communities. To commemorate this day, Keep Ohio Beautiful will host a public educational event at the North Plaza of the Ohio Statehouse, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event will be kicked off by an interactive pollinator educational program with students from Annehurst Elementary presented by senior entomologists from Scotts Miracle-Gro. Following the presentation, Senator Bob Peterson will read to the second and third grade students. A program with remarks from representatives of the participating organizations is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

The species included in the native shade garden were carefully selected by scientists at Davey with assistance from Tamra Ansel, asst. deputy director of grounds with CSRAB. The design plan and herbaceous plants were donated by Davey.

High school students from the Delaware Area Career Center and Ohio Hi-Point Career Center and organizations from throughout the state will be on hand to educate attendees about native plants, pollinators and related subjects. In the case of inclement weather, the location will be moved to the Ohio Statehouse Atrium. The event is free and open to the public.

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