Since late 2021, the Pollinator PowerWorks (PPW) has been working to transform a former hayfield on Colby Farm Lane into a thriving native plant pollinator meadow.
This project, a collaboration with the Conservation Commission of Newburyport, represents a long-term commitment to restoring habitat for pollinators while engaging the local community in hands-on conservation work.
The Beginnings: Laying the Foundation
The original plan was to test the feasibility of converting 1,000 square feet of hayfield into a native pollinator meadow. However, thanks to an enthusiastic group of volunteers and strong community support, PPW was able to triple the initial scope, starting with 3,000 square feet instead.
In April 2022, volunteers cleared the first section of invasive plants and hay, laying down tarps to suppress non-native growth. By November of that year, the first section—Parcel 1—was seeded with a carefully selected mix of native plants. The following January, additional seeds were introduced, catering to floodplain and rocky soil conditions.
Expansion and Learning: 2023 Progress
With momentum building, the team cleared and tarped another 3,000 square feet in October 2022 (Parcel 2), which was then seeded in winter 2023. As Parcel 1 entered its first full growing season, it was mowed to control invasive species, with expert consultation from the UNH Cooperative Extension. The winter also saw preparations for Parcel 3, which was marked for future planting.
Growing Stronger: 2024 and Beyond
By the start of 2024, the meadow encompassed 13,000 square feet in progress. Parcel 1 entered its second year of growth, while Parcel 2 embarked on its first. During the winter, tarps were removed from Parcel 3, and a new section, Parcel 4, was mowed and tarped to continue expansion.
A significant milestone was reached on March 2, 2025, when Parcel 3 (~4,000 square feet) was seeded. This marks a major step forward, as this section will begin its first year of growth this spring! The team looks forward to monitoring its progress and seeing native plants establish themselves, bringing even more pollinators to the meadow.
Looking Ahead
PPW remains committed to expanding the Colby Farm Lane Meadow in the coming years. Parcel 4 is scheduled for seeding in late 2025 or early 2026, ensuring a continual increase in habitat for pollinators. Each new section represents a victory in the fight to restore native biodiversity, and with every season, this once-overlooked hayfield becomes a more vibrant and essential piece of the local ecosystem.
As we welcome spring, we celebrate the hard work that has gone into making this vision a reality. With the recent seeding of Parcel 3, the meadow continues to grow—one step, one plant, and one pollinator at a time.
None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our incredible volunteers—a multigenerational group spanning ages 7 to 80+—who have shown up time and again to roll up heavy, muddy tarps, move pallets and bricks, remove invasive plants, mow, and haul brush to the yard waste facility. Their collective effort, resilience, and enthusiasm have been the driving force behind this project, proving that true conservation happens when a community comes together.
For updates on the meadow’s progress and ways to get involved, reach out to pollinatorpowerworks@gmail.com.
