Myself and others working together to plant a pollinator garden at Annapolis Hall.
Image Credit: Michael Ellis
I have always enjoyed being outdoors and helping Maryland’s native ecosystem. I am Garrett Fulton, and over the summer, I worked at the University of Maryland as a Conservation Landscape Intern. Being a student seeking a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and an Applied Agriculture Certificate from the IAA, this internship was right up my alley. Under the supervision of Michael Ellis, I was able to create and maintain native landscapes on the university’s campus. Michael believes “Conservation landscaping on campus isn't just about supporting nature; it's about cultivating a sustainable harmony between the environment and society, enhancing education, and ensuring a greener future for all.” This includes learning about native plant species and native landscapes such as meadows, which provide a critical habitat for many of Maryland’s native pollinators. My favorite project that Michael Ellis and I worked on over the summer was the establishment of two new pollinator gardens at Rossborough Inn and Annapolis Hall. To do this, we worked with two grounds crews and had to dig up Millenium Ornamental Onions, New England Asters, and Tufted Hairgrass (which are all great native plants for pollinators) from the Iribe center. We then put them into bags and moved them to Rossborough and Annapolis. The whole process took multiple weeks including the establishment of these gardens. We would load my boss's truck with as many plants as we could, then go and plant them in the areas that needed pollinator plants. This took about two weeks total to complete, then we had to water and fertilize the gardens, which was very important to keep the plants from drying out in the summer heat. I also got to sit in on some of Facilities Management's (FM) weekly meetings, where I learned how FM manages issues on campus. The skills I gained while working as a Conservation Landscape Intern at the University of Maryland include communication, urban garden planning, biodiversity conservation, and teamwork. I also got the pleasure of visiting the Bee Lab in Laurel, MD, where I was able to learn about the process of studying native and invasive pollinators in Maryland. I was personally very inspired by some of their unique gardens, and this translated to the adoption of several pollinator plants and a “bee hotel” at my house. Furthermore, I was able to participate in the on-campus Bee Festival, arranged by my supervisor as well as other local clubs and organizations around College Park including UMD’s
Entomology Department, Bee City USA, Bee Campus USA, and other native plant nurseries in the area. This internship was a great learning experience for me, as I learned plant identification, the importance of native plants and pollinator plants, and how an organization works. I am excited to use the skills I’ve learned from Michael Ellis and this internship in my future jobs.
