Cheshire Family Gifts Cheshire Pollinator Pathway With Substantial Donation

CHESHIRE, CT — The Cheshire Pollinator Pathway recently announced a substantial donation from a local family.

The gift was made on June 4 by Cheshire’s Lockwood Moore family, according to the organization.

“Our family is honored to support the Cheshire Pollinator Pathway, the visionary organization that has brought gorgeous native-plant gardens to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail,” Lockwood Moore family member Deanne Moore said in a news release. “Not only do the flowers delight bees and butterflies, but they also bring joy to the people of Cheshire. We hope that others who value the environment and our community will consider contributing to this remarkable Cheshire organization.”

The Cheshire Pollinator Pathway group was ecstatic when they heard the news, said Cheshire Pollinator Pathway President Joy VanderLek.

“It is humbling, and at the same time it is gratifying to know the hard work of our dedicated volunteers is being recognized,” VanderLek said. “I am grateful.”

According to VanderLek, the Lockwood Moore Family gift will be used for garden installation projects and educational programming for 2027-2028.

Read more from the news release below:

The Cheshire Pollinator Pathway was formed in 2019 in response to devastating declines in bird and insect populations, including monarch butterflies, in what entomologists refer to as the Insect Apocalypse. The grassroots volunteer group went to work installing native, straight-species plants and trees to sustain the needs of pollinators and wildlife. A defining butterfly medallion identifies each of the CPP gardens.

As of 2026, Cheshire Pollinator Pathway has four gardens, the largest is the extensive West Main garden complex at the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. Additionally, there is a nursery for shrubs and trees at Boulder Knoll Community Farm.

“The Cheshire Pollinator Pathway helps to create interest and awareness of the need for local pollinator habitat recovery and support, as much of their natural habitat has been severely fragmented,” Cheshire Pollinator Pathway Vice President Joanna deBear said. “As we work to improve our local spaces with invasives removal and replacement with native plants, we hope to educate the community about issues facing pollinators and local wildlife, and how each of us can make a difference. We hope these native plant gardens will inspire the community to support both our non-profit and pollinators in general -- not only through donations, but also by volunteering, which will ultimately give folks both the knowledge and excitement to bring good pollinator practices back to their own yards.”