The Pollen Nation event was a vibrant festival aimed at raising awareness about the essential role of pollinators within our environment. Conceived and organized by Sullivan Griffin (8th grade) and Victoria Lugomer-Pomper (12th grade), and supported by Mayor Niki Armacost, numerous local volunteers and the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund, the event fused educational content with engaging entertainment to attract and inform a diverse audience. To promote the event, the organizers asked a local artist to create its colorful poster.

Sully's previous experience hosting a pollinator table at Hastings' Annual “Spring Thing” street fair inspired this expanded event.Collaborating with Victoria, who is entering her senior year of high school, helped in planning. Planning involved coordination with village leadership, addressing logistical issues, location setting, budget allocation, and determining the event’s structure. One of the foremost challenges faced by the organizers was judiciously managing a budget of $1,500 to maximize impact. Materials for the festival—including games, arts and crafts supplies, local ice cream, and native plant seeds—were meticulously chosen, balancing cost against engagement and educational value.

The event’s structure was designed to be interactive and educational. Activities included frisbee, cornhole, and a creative station for attendees to decorate seed envelopes. A significant educational highlight was the butterfly life cycle presentation, facilitated by Sullivan through a live demonstration of caterpillar raising. This was not only informative but also engaging, allowing attendees to visually grasp the stages from egg, caterpillar, to butterfly within monarch species. Importantly, while the event did not include guest speakers, the continuous activities ensured that all participants—estimated between 100 and 150 over the course of the event including children and adults—remained engaged and informed throughout the afternoon.

Beyond entertainment and education, the event galvanized community involvement. Local high school students who volunteered at the event gained much-needed service hours, while the broader community was encouraged to initiate their own pollinator gardens. This engagement was further supported by a raffle managed by Victoria and her high school volunteer team that successfully raised $150 for the NYC Pollinator Working Group charity.

Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive, indicating that participants valued the educational exposure and entertainment equally. A notable outcome post-event included interest from a local teacher, who requested Sully to present his butterfly-raising demonstration to her class, thus extending the educational impact of the event.

As for reflections on the event's planning and execution, key lessons included the necessity for early planning around provisions such as food and water. While there are currently no confirmed plans for a subsequent event, the success of Pollen Nation suggests potential for future festivals.

Overall, the Pollen Nation event not only highlighted the importance of pollinators to the ecosystem, but also demonstrated the power of community engagement and environmental education. The distribution of numerous packets of wildflower and milkweed seeds is a testament to the long-term environmental commitment inspired by just a single afternoon’s efforts at Drapers Park.

Outcomes and Impact

Educational Achievement: The event was effective in educating the community about pollinators and monarch butterflies, complemented by a recreational setting.

Fundraising: A raffle raised $150 for NYC Pollinator charity, supporting regional conservation efforts.

Additional Details

Educational Outreach: Following the event, a local teacher expressed interest in having Sullivan present a butterfly raising demonstration to her students, potentially expanding the educational impact of Pollen Nation.

Environmental Contribution: The distribution of wildflower and milkweed seed packets plays a continuing role in promoting local biodiversity and conservation efforts.