Bringing the wings

Keyhole State Park is one of six Wyoming destinations to be taking part in the "Wings Over Wyoming" project to install pollinator gardens this coming spring and summer – and volunteers are needed to make it happen.

Wyoming State Parks (WSP) announced last fall that it had been selected as a recipient of the 2022 "Hearts of STIHL" Program, receiving $20,000 towards pollinator projects for the coming summer.

Sponsors STIHL Inc. selected projects to represent the six state park regions, with the aim of funding sustainable, conservation or environmental education programs. As one of the chosen recipients, WSP decided to highlight a selection of individual sites.

The idea of the initiative is to positively impact pollinators at the sites. This will be done by creating demonstration gardens, improving habitat and offering public programming surrounding the project.

"We are excited to make Wyoming Parks even more pollinator-friendly with beautiful blooms and buzzing pollinators," said Interpretive Ranger Angelina Stancampiano.

"We can't wait to welcome visitors to engage with us in interpretative opportunities so that they can take pollinator projects and ideas home with them."

More than 25 parks applied for the grant, with a broad variety of funding and support needs.

"The awarded grants will be managed by America's State Parks Foundation, ensuring that all funding will support environmental efforts and educational programming. Selecting our final recipients was difficult," said STIHL Inc corporate communications manager Roger Phelps when the award was announced.

"There were so many worthy projects, but in the end, we selected those that we felt would provide the greatest benefit to their communities and visitors to the parks."

Along with the one at Keyhole, pollinator gardens will also be created at Bear River State Park, Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park, Curt Gowdy State Park and Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site. A victory garden is planned from Camp Douglas Officers' Club State Historic Site.

You can sign up to be a volunteer for the project at https://wyoparks.info/pollinatorvolunteer. An online form will ask you to select the park you would be interested to volunteer for and list the tasks you would be willing to help with, such as watering plants, building raised beds or programming.