First Street Plaza Habitat Hero Partnership

Laramie’s 1st Street Plaza (1st and Grand) is a popular gathering spot for both residents and visitors, and Laramie Audubon often uses this location as a meeting point for field trips. Earlier this summer, Laramie Audubon’s Habitat Hero committee began working with the Laramie Main Street Alliance (Downtown Laramie) and the City of Laramie to enhance the Plaza’s gardens to better benefit birds and pollinators and provide an example of what can be accomplished in backyards in Laramie and beyond. The committee applied for, and received, a grant from the Laramie Garden Club to plant additional native perennials in the existing, appealing garden space. Laramie Audubon volunteers worked hard to add elements that will attract birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and have been busy watering, weeding, and adding name tags for the plants. Working with the University of Wyoming’s pollinator initiative and Roberta Harper-McIntosh, educational information has been added to the Plaza’s kiosk, including a printed poster and digital display.
 In partnership with Audubon Rockies, the 1st Street Plaza is now designated as a Habitat Hero Demonstration Garden. This new partnership with Downtown Laramie and the City has been both rewarding and fun. On August 6, the partners hosted a “Birds & Brews” event, with over forty people in attendance, to celebrate the garden and the partnership. We welcome everyone to stop downtown and see the efforts at the 1st Street Plaza. Thanks to all the volunteers that helped build this partnership. [Heather Johnson]