SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new pollinator garden is now officially open in Soddy-Daisy, the result of a community-wide effort focused on conservation, native plants, and supporting local wildlife.
Keep Soddy-Daisy Beautiful dedicated the garden at the corner of Dayton Boulevard and Thrasher Pike during a ceremony that brought together local officials, Ivy Academy, and the Tennessee Aquarium.
The Soddy-Daisy Mayor and Vice Mayor also attended and took part in the event.
Organizers recognized multiple partners with certificates for their roles in the project, highlighting collaboration across the community.
The garden is designed as a long-term habitat for pollinators, with organizers emphasizing its environmental purpose.
While a “Buzzstop” sign on site is still a prototype, leaders say the garden itself is fully established and intended to support bees, birds, and other native species.
Vice President of Keep Soddy-Daisy Beautiful Wynne Anderson said the purpose of the space is rooted in supporting pollinators and restoring natural balance.
“What are pollinators your bees your insects your birds they’re there are places that our natural environment and our pollinators. Need to have and this right away. Has provided that for our neighbors our insect neighbors. Our bee neighbors are pollinators,” (Anderson).
The project also connects to statewide conservation efforts after Governor Bill Lee signed House Bill 1738, officially designating April as Tennessee Native Plant Month.
The measure encourages the use of native plants and promotes conservation and environmental awareness across the state.
Organizers say the garden reflects those goals, both in design and in the way it came together through community effort. When asked about challenges during the process, Anderson said she views them differently.
“I won’t call them challenges I just called them opportunities to meet new people to create new ideas about how to get something done in a collective and so I’m not gonna say we had real challenges just the freaking weeds,” (Anderson).
She added that the project would not have been possible without strong partnerships and volunteer support from across the community.
“We had to prepare the soil we had to have the city to come and do the tractor work for us. We had to have people come and weed we had to have the Tennessee aquarium come and help us donate plants tdot Donate plants information for children educational information the city saying OK you could do this. We are going to support you,” (Anderson).
Looking ahead, Keep Soddy-Daisy Beautiful will host a Pollinator Workshop next Sunday at the Ivy Academy Markum Building for anyone interested in learning more about native planting and pollinator support.
From soil preparation to full bloom, organizers say the garden reflects what can grow when community partners work together toward a shared environmental goal.
