It's funny how things just evolve. For example, take the library's little nature preserve, visible from the public computer area. When the new library was built, nearly twelve years ago, that space was professionally landscaped with shrubs and trees. After some time, a couple of the shrubs died and had to be removed. The space was looking pretty bare, so library staff members purchased a couple of bird feeders to hang from the trees to attract birds in the winter. Our children's librarian purchased a hummingbird feeder and started making monthly batches of hummingbird nectar in the break room.
After a few seasons, the lawn started to deteriorate and the grass gave way to clover, attracting rabbits. The Friends of the Library bought a bird bath to place near the feeders. Soon, the Pendleton Garden Club took interest in the area and obtained a grant to introduce native plants to the library's landscape. Now there is a pollinator garden that includes plants like Cardinal Flowers, Golden Alexanders, and Wild Bee Balm. Scott Andersen, from Seedy Sally's, took note of this charming little outdoor space, and donated a lovely new bird feeder that looks like a birch tree. Before we knew it, what started out as basic, run-of-the-mill commercial landscaping became a nice, little wildlife refuge where you can spot birds of all kinds, rabbits, stray cats, and even the occasional fox.
It wasn't our intention to create this space. It just kinda happened. The bunnies hopped over, and the birds settled in. Staff gave the rabbits and squirrels names like Sweet Pea and Mayor McSquirrel. They live in the microcosm of local flora and fauna that we can all enjoy, year-round.
Lynn Hobbs
PCL Director
