How Did We Get Here?

Review the Process

The Pollinator Action Plan emerged from collaboration between public officials and community members. While it officially started in early 2023, the tendrils of the project began long before. Our community sees cities as participants in global conservation. Even a city as dense and developed as Somerville. Residents and City staff have been increasing the quality of our plantings over many years. We incentivize quality plantings on residential property too. But this plan takes that work one step further.

This was truly a collaborative effort. Mayor Katjana Ballantyne tasked her staff with putting together a group of experts to form an advisory committee in late 2022. The committee hired Offshoots, Inc., to do the careful research and write the plan. Staff from Public Space & Urban Forestry worked closely with Offshoots to make sure the plan met our goals and spoke to our community. And committee members reviewed their work every step of the way.

For almost two years, we have worked to create a plan that is approachable and actionable. It needed to be for everyone, not just for residents with gardens or City staff. We hope that each one of you can find actions that YOU can do to help. Because if we act together, we can make a powerful difference.

To learn more about the process, check out our committee meeting video archive and meeting materials.