Denton, TX – Texas Woman’s University (TWU) has released a new educational resource aimed at promoting environmental stewardship through pollinator gardening. The bilingual picture book, titled ‘How To Make a Pollinator Garden,’ offers a comprehensive guide in both English and Spanish and is tailored for children ages 6-12. It aims to educate young readers about the significance of pollinators and provides a step-by-step guide to creating a pollinator garden.
The project, led by Camelia Maier, PhD, a TWU Biology professor with expertise in plant-pollinator relationships, was funded in part by a Creative Arts and Humanities Grant from TWU. The book’s illustrations were created by TWU graphic design majors Chelsea Flores and Kathryn Kelly under the guidance of Professor Sheli Petersen. Maria Serrano, PhD, from the TWU Division of Biology, provided the Spanish translation.
The book is intended not only for children but also for adults interested in transforming parts of their yards into pollinator habitats. It covers essential topics such as soil preparation, selecting native plants, and garden maintenance. Maier emphasized the simplicity and accessibility of the steps: ‘These are very simple steps that anyone can do in their lawn, even if they have just a small space.’
Proceeds from book sales will support the Bettye Myers Butterfly Garden, furthering its mission of conservation and education. Maier noted the critical role of pollinators in sustaining food supplies and the challenge they face due to habitat fragmentation, pesticides, and climate change: ‘It is important for many reasons, mostly because pollinators are so, so important, especially from the point of view of providing food by pollinating crops.’
Accompanying the book are two educational videos created by TWU graphic design students, which can be viewed online. These resources aim to enhance the learning experience and encourage the community to convert more spaces into valuable pollinator habitats.