About Glenwood Pollinator Project

The Glenwood Pollinator Project began around four to five years ago when Glenwood Cemetery visitors began to notice a lower biodiversity of native species within the local green-space. The growing community concern for Texas pollinator and bird populations was the catalyst that Glenwood needed to begin practicing sustainable land management in an effort to restore the landscape to its historic abundance.

Project Description & History

The mission of the Glenwood Pollinator Project is to protect and enhance pollinator populations, and increase biodiversity of both native and non-native species within the Houston area. Glenwood Cemetery accomplishes this goal by planting a diverse variety of high nectar plants, host plants and habitat plants throughout the year. Glenwood takes great care to primarily use all organic horticultural practices, and low interference with insect populations.

Community Impact

The Glenwood Pollinator Project is addressing the loss of Texas pollinator habitat through the use of natural and organic horticultural practices within community spaces, and the protection of waterways within and surrounding the project green-space. This project provides essential resources such as shelter to an abundance of Texas species including pollinating insects, frogs, dragonflies, and small mammals. Glenwood Cemetery has dedicated horticulturists on-site to oversee best landscape management practices and record populations of native species through the seasons.

The Glenwood Pollinator Project increases local tourism by encouraging the community to learn how conservation efforts make a difference in diversity and abundance of our native Texas species. The green-space increases community involvement in creating natural and sustainable gardens within their own communities based off of our project.

Ecosystem services provided by project efforts:

• Pollination
• Erosion control 
• Water filtration
• Jobs created
• Recreation
• Toursim

Species that benefit from the Glenwood Pollinator Project efforts include Texas sage, Southern Carpenter Bee, Southern live oak, Monarch butterfly, Bald-cypress, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Cottonwood, Metallic Green Sweat Bee, American sycamore, Gulf fritillary, Southern magnolia, Yellow-throated Warbler, Water oak, Scarlet Tanager, Red maple, Swallowtail butterfly, and Yaupon holly.