Members of Chris and Gary Pellett’s club in Gig Harbor were concerned about what kind of garden they should plant off the highway interchange, its ongoing maintenance, and whether enough volunteers would even show up to do the project. In the end, they agreed to plant a portion with plants carefully selected not only because they are native to the area but are particularly good for pollinators. Experts have compiled lists of what Tallamy calls keystone plants, which provide extra benefit to beneficial insects. According to the National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder, for instance, a willow tree in Gig Harbor supports 339 species of butterflies and moths, whereas a horse chestnut supports just 13 — and a non-native tree like a ginkgo might support nothing at all.
The Pelletts and their club started designing their project in 2022, working with the state transportation department that owns the land. Then, Gary says, “being good Rotarians, we bought the plants and got her done.”
About 30 people and a post-hole digger showed up on a cold day in February 2023 to plant about 175 trees and shrubs, including fir, pine, oak, Indian plum, red-twig dogwood, and Oregon grape. Environmental projects typically appeal to younger generations, and this was no exception. Chris Pellett says that the project enticed several younger, newer club members to volunteer. And the reaction from the local community and press was so enthusiastic that the club is planning to plant more.
