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Youth Environmental Action Students Create a Model Pollinator Pocket Meadow

June 2026

Over the past year, students in the Youth Environmental Action (YEA) program have worked tirelessly to turn an idea into a living example of community-based conservation. Motivated by a desire to improve biodiversity in Wicomico County, students envisioned a project that would both support pollinators and inspire others to create habitat on their own properties. The result is a budding new pollinator pocket meadow at the future home of the Wicomico Public Library on Schumaker Drive.

From the very beginning, students took ownership of each step of the project. They researched ways to strengthen local ecosystems, explored what types of projects would have the greatest impact, and ultimately settled on creating a model meadow that could demonstrate how even small spaces can become valuable pollinator habitat.

The process involved far more than simply planting flowers. Students spent extensive time identifying the right location, learning about native plants, and working with local experts to give the meadow the greatest chance for long-term success. YEA was especially grateful to partner with Lower Shore Land Trust and to receive guidance from Beth Sheppard in selecting an appropriate native seed mix and preparing the site. Shore Cut also provided exceptional support in sod removal and site preparation.

YEA is also thrilled to collaborate with Wicomico Public Library, whose commitment to modeling sustainable practices made them an ideal partner for the project. In addition to the meadow at the future site of their flagship library, another pollinator meadow has also been established at the new Riley Library in Parsonsburg, further expanding opportunities to showcase environmentally responsible landscaping and habitat restoration.

The meadow was seeded in the fall of 2025 before the first frost. This spring, students have continued monitoring the meadow’s progress and recently added additional native plants to provide an extra splash of color ahead of the community celebration.

On Sunday, June 7 dozens of community members joined YEA Ambassadors for a special celebration of the meadow project. During this informal event, attendees learned how the meadow was created, discovered ways to establish similar pollinator-friendly spaces at home or at local businesses, and celebrated the dedication and leadership these students have shown throughout the project. Two students, Sarah Yamakawa and Madeline Tomilson, were awarded scholarships for their exceptional leadership.

This meadow represents far more than a landscaping project. Through careful planning, partnership, and persistence, these students have created a lasting resource that will support pollinators, strengthen biodiversity, and demonstrate the powerful impact young people can have on their community. This project is a part of the Shore Blooms: Lower Shore Pollinator Habitat Network effort.

Youth Environmental Action is a fiscally-sponsored program of the Wicomico Environmental Trust.