The Native Pollinator Meadow at MacPherson Road in the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge was installed in spring of 2023 with the assistance of numerous partners and volunteers to enhance the habitat of the Refuge and help raise awareness on the importance of native plantings and managing areas for wildlife. The creation of the meadow and interpretive sign was supported by a grant from the Nashua Rivers Wild & Scenic Stewardship Council.

Click here for the interpretive sign at the Native Pollinator Meadow

Click here for location of the Meadow

Photos of the planting day and subsequent maintenance days are found here

The list of native plants planted at the meadow is available here

• What are Pollinators?
  Pollinators, such as birds, bees, bats, butterflies, moths, beetles, or other animals, move from flower to flower which assists in fertilizing plants and producing fruits and seeds. Our native pollinators and plants depend on each other and, we depend on them! They are important to the reproductive success of over 75% of the world's flowering plants.
• Why Create a Native Wildflower Meadow?
  Wildflower meadows and gardens are extremely valuable habitat, providing food, nesting sites and a protected environments for insects and other animals. Native meadow habitats, pollinators, and the systems that depend on them are in decline due to development and the use of herbicides. When we plant native meadows, we can rebuild valuable habitat diversity and connectivity in our ecosystem.
• Pollination Systems — Made Possible by Natives
  Plants that are native (indigenous) have long been growing in a particular habitat and region and are well adapted to the climate, light, and soil conditions of their ecosystem. Over time they have developed co-evolutionary relationships with other plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria. This means they rely on one another to thrive.
• Monarchs & Milkweed
  Monarch butterflies are one of the most well-known species of butterflies, but their numbers are dramatically declining because native milkweed plants are declining. While most butterfly species can feed on a variety of host plants, monarch caterpillars can only survive by eating milkweed. For monarch butterflies to survive, we need more milkweed plants, and you can help by planting milkweed in your home garden!
• What Can You Do To Help?
  – Plant native host and nectar plants for pollinators
  – Remove invasive plants
  – Reduce your lawn/mow less
  – Provide shelter in the form of windbreaks, ground cover, and overwintering habitat areas, including leaving leaves and plant stalks in the garden in the fall and winter
  – Equip outdoor lights with motion sensors. Lights at night disturb animal behavior
  – Avoid the use of herbicides and pesticides
  – Learn more about native pollinators and share what you learn. See the resources below!
• Acknowledgement
  The project is a partnership with the Town of Ayer, Devens Enterprise Commission, and the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge with support from Mass Development, Friends of Woodlands and Waters, and numerous volunteers. Funding for the interpretive signs and materials for meadow establishment was received from the Nashua Rivers Wild and Scenic Stewardship Council, Grow Native Massachusetts and local gardeners also donated native plants.
• Additional Resources
  – Grow Native Massachusetts has many resources on local native plants and gardening, including seed and plant sources.
  – Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources has a webpage focused on developing pollinator friendly landscapes.
  – Native Plant Trust has numerous Ecological Gardening Resources.