The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services partnered with members of Team Little Rock to expand a 40-acre pollinator habitat at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Sept. 27, 2024.
The project consisted of creating a new garden and trail next to an existing fishing pond to support native pollinators as well as the endangered regal fritillary and monarch butterflies.
Carice Kimbrell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Liaison assigned to Little Rock AFB, partnered with members of the 19th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental element to utilize a $15,000 grant to expand the 40-acre habitat on the base. The grant was provided by the Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program.
The project is located next to a trail near the 19th Medical Group, often used by staff and patients. The team’s goal is to familiarize Airmen and families at Little Rock AFB with the native pollinators of Arkansas and to provide an area to appreciate nature.
“We’re hoping that this garden will have some labels to try and help people on their little plant ID journey,” Kimbrell said. “We’re also hoping to put in carpenter bee habitat and some signs for people, just to get them familiar with their native pollinators.”