Pollinator Garden Planner

Over the past decade, scientists and the public have become more aware of declines in the health of managed honey bees, as well as populations of wild bees such as bumble bees. To help counteract these declines, many programs encourage individuals to install “pollinator gardens.” These habitats draw on lists of recommended, perennial plants that provide pollen and nectar for bees. Although these habitats can be effective, we have noted that garden design remains a barrier for many individuals, who are unsure how to create a beautiful garden using recommended pollinator plants.

To overcome this barrier, we are developing a web-based garden visualization app that helps users map recommended plants into a garden space, visualize the virtual planting, and check it against recommended design criteria prior to installation.

Students in the NCSU Computer Science Senior Design Center made a pilot version of the app, and we are currently seeking funds to complete the software and commission additional plant illustrations.

The pilot version of the app includes nine plants (out of ~300 to appear in the final version).

Your gift will support the Department of Applied Ecology, including, but not limited to, the programs and activities of the Youngsteadt Lab. Fundraising efforts for the Applied Ecology Enhancement Fund operate under the auspices of The North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3, non-profit (Tax id 56-6049304). You will receive an official receipt for your donation.

See a video of filtering and searching for plants, then dragging them into a garden plan:

Video of switching between the layout and side-view visualization of a garden:

Credits: Lucia Barrett illustrated the plants for the original pilot. Noel Drotor, Tammy Le, Kevin Bartushak, Carolyn Thompson, Henry Walsh, Michael Canziani, Daniel Moody, and Jason Benckert in the NCSU Computer Science Senior Design Center coded the original pilot. Collaborators: Danesha Seth Carley, Sarah Heckman, Anne Spafford, Lucy Bradley.

Current app development is being done by Speed & Function with artwork by Christina Spence Morgan.