FAQ

Q:  How did this project get started?

A: The inspiration for this project came in the fall of 2022, with the recognition that bountiful, pollinator-friendly habitat existed at the east end of town in the Arivaca Library garden, and at the west end of town in the Arivaca Dancehall garden, but that there was very little habitat along the "main street" in between them.  

There are many knowledgeable gardeners in the Arivaca area, which is reflected in many lush, flower-filled home gardens throughout the town and nearby hills.  Most of these gardens also contain some kind of fence or other protection around them to keep javelina, deer, and/or open-range cows off the plants.   

Throughout the years, some Arivaca "main street" businesses have tried to grow plants around their front entries, and though deer and javelina don't venture onto main street much, the open-range cows have no problem walking through town day or night, eating every delicious plant to the ground that they can reach.   So... in order to create a sustainable, pollinator-friendly pathway through town, it's definitely been necessary to make sure that cows can't reach the plants!  Therefore, garden locations have been chosen that are protected by a fence or low wall, yet highly visible for all who pass by and/or enter the premises.  Each of the gardens also has a colorful, hand-painted sign visible from the street.

Though Arivaca's "main street" properties were the initial focus of new garden installations,  the pathway is now expanding to include several new gardens in an area just outside the townsite, called "the 40's".  And who knows how far this pathway will lead in the future!

Q: Who is sponsoring this project?

A: The Pollinator Pathway Project is a collaboration between 4 main entities:

• Emily Bishton and Conrad Uno, owners of the Arivaca Dancehall;

• The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) from the Friends of the Arivaca Caviglia Library;

• The project's main grantor, The Endangered Species Coalition

• The project's non-profit fiscal sponsor, Arivaca Human Resources;

Q: Who is carrying out this project?

A: Each garden is being planned and created 100% by volunteers who live in and around Arivaca!  The awesome volunteers from the sponsoring entities and the Arivaca community have included:

• Madian, Sky, Jasmin, Treyce, Chelsea, Ethan, and Sasha from TAB;

• Wendy and Dana from the Friends of the Arivaca Caviglia Library;

• Emily & Uno from the Arivaca Dancehall;

• Ellen, Allyson, and Ed from Arivaca Human Resources;

• Other community members Kathy S., Glo, Nathalie & Digger, Zoe, Beth, Mark Dresang, and Mark Diekmann.

The garden signs have been created by:

• Emily & Uno from the Arivaca Dancehall;

• Jayne, Sage, Lynda, and youth from the Arivaca Community Center summer and after-school programs;

• Angie, Barb, Ellen, and the preschoolers from the Arivaca Action Center Early Learning Center summer program.

Arivaca has a long history of volunteerism, borne out in its many fabulous non-profit organizations, community-wide celebrations, and neighbor-helping-neighbor events. That can-do and caring spirit is ultimately what will make the entire Pollinator Pathway Project grow strong and be sustainable for years to come!

Q: Where/when/how was the Endangered Species mural done?

A:  The mural wraps around 3 sides of the restroom building at the Arivaca Dancehall, which is surrounded by a Pollinator Pathway Garden.  The mural was designed and painted by artist Paul 'Nox' Pablo, with painting assistance from TAB leader Madian Romero and Arivaca Dancehall co-owner Emily Bishton.  A huge dedication celebration was held on September 3rd, 2023!  

The mural steering committee - Emily, Kathy S., Jill F., Madian, and several TAB members- worked with the artist on the choice of endangered species that are featured in the mural design, and met with him onsite to discuss the design and logistics of the project.

Q: Where/when/how was the Nighttime Pollinators mural done?

This mural covers 5 large panels of the back garden fence at the Arivaca Dancehall, which is now surrounded by a new nighttime pollinators garden.  The mural was designed and painted by artist Paul 'Nox' Pablo, with painting assistance from TAB leader Madian Romero, and the mural and garden were both created for the Earth Day Celebration on April 20th, 2024!

Q: Where has the project funding come from?

A1:  As of December 2023, the funding for Pollinator Pathway Project garden-building has come from these sources:

• Approx. $2200.00 in grants from the Endangered Species Coalition; 

• The Arivaca Library Teen Advisory Board fundraising efforts, which have totaled over $450.00 as of November 2023;

• A $500.00 donation from Arivaca resident and butterfly expert Mary Scott and her husband Richard Conway;

• Agave plants donated by Bats Conservation International;

• In-kind and monetary donations from the Arivaca Dancehall and other community members. 

A2: The Endangered Species mural was funded by a $3000.00 grant from ESA@50, a consortium of 36 non-governmental organizations that sponsored mural projects from cost to coast in 2023 to honor the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act.  The Endangered Species Coalition provided an additional $300 towards the cost of mural paint and other supplies, and the Arivaca Dancehall funded the rest of the project costs.

A3: The new Nighttime Pollinators mural was funded by a $1000 grant from the Endangered Species Coalition, with additional project costs funded by the Arivaca Dancehall, 

Visit our Support the Project webpage for ideas on how you can participate by volunteering, growing plants, donating supplies, or other support!