Planting for Pollinators at Our Southampton Office
January 16, 2026
By Bridget Micieli-Martinez
This past fall, staff were excited to come together to install a new pollinator garden in the front yard of our home office in Southampton. It was a feel-good, dirt-under-the-fingernails kind of day that combined teamwork, learning, and a shared commitment to supporting the essential movement of pollen that sustains healthy ecosystems.
We were thrilled to partner with the Long Island Native Plant Initiative (LINPI), which generously provided an abundance of locally grown native plants through their Public Pollinator Garden Program. Their guidance and resources—including the LINPI Native Plant Database—were not only greatly appreciated but proved invaluable as we put shovels in the ground. The database is an excellent tool for anyone considering transforming lawn space into native meadows, especially since fall is the most opportune time to plant for successful native plant establishment.
Led by Josh Halsey, Senior Environmental Programs Manager, staff spent the better part of the day pushing shovels, sharing jokes, and getting dirty while installing a prairie bundle of native plants. These included favorites such as common yarrow, false indigo, goldenrod, and Carolina rose—all species that provide essential food and habitat for pollinators throughout the seasons.
It was a wonderful day to work side by side and create a hearty playground for bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species. While the garden is now resting under a peaceful winter slumber, it’s already hard at work below the surface, preparing for spring.
We can’t wait to welcome our buzzing friends back when warmer weather returns and to watch this small but meaningful space grow into a thriving pollinator habitat for years to come. Our little garden has become a living example of how conservation truly starts close to home.
Bridget Micieli-Martinez
Senior Marketing and Events Manager
bmartinez@peconiclandtrust.org