UCO's John F. Barthell Pollinator Garden to be Featured on 'Oklahoma Gardening'
Sept. 17, 2024
The University of Central Oklahoma College of Mathematics and Science’s John F. Barthell Pollinator Garden will be showcased on the popular television show “Oklahoma Gardening.”
The episode, set to air Sept. 21, will highlight the garden’s ecological importance in supporting native pollinators while also serving as an educational resource for students and the community as an outdoor classroom, as well as its contribution to UCO’s broader sustainability initiatives.
“This garden lets students imagine the biodiversity of Oklahoma's natural landscape before so much of it was destroyed,” said Gloria Caddell, Ph.D., dean of the UCO College of Mathematics and Science and collaborator on the garden project.
“Our students are documenting the plant-pollinator interactions in the garden, and even middle school students have collected data on types of pollinators visiting different types of flowers. The garden inspires students, faculty and staff to grow native plants at home to support pollinators.”
Named in honor of John F. Barthell, Ph.D., former UCO provost and renowned pollination ecology researcher, the 4,000-square-foot garden is home to more than 60 plant species native to Oklahoma. The garden was designed by CLS & Associates, a landscape architecture firm dedicated to sustainable designs using native plants, ensuring resilience to Oklahoma's climate while fostering biodiversity.
The garden is part of UCO’s continued efforts to engage the public in environmental stewardship.
Watch “Oklahoma Gardening” on Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) stations Sept. 21 to learn more.
For more information about the College of Mathematics and Science, visit www.uco.edu/cms/.
(end)
Tami Jackson
Cutline: The University of Central Oklahoma College of Mathematics and Science’s John F. Barthell Pollinator Garden will be showcased on the popular television show “Oklahoma Gardening.” This episode, set to air Sept. 21, will highlight the garden’s role in supporting native pollinators while also serving as an educational resource for students and the community. Pictured is the John F. Barthell Pollinator Garden at the University of Central Oklahoma.