Partnership & Grantee Highlights
Shelburne Farms
Cultivating knowledge and habitat for a sustainable future
A moment in the formal gardens during a pollinator walk. Photo by Sarah Webb.
Shelburne Farms is a working farm and forest, a National Historic Landmark, and an education nonprofit organization founded in 1972. Their vision is a thriving world rooted in nature, stewardship, and community, and their belief is that education is the path to get us there.
In 2025, Shelburne Farms received one year of One Hive funding to launch work on a comprehensive pollinator plan for the property. Key to this work is collaborating with UVM PhD candidate Leslie Spencer to develop pollinator education programs and strengthen staff capacity to both manage land for pollinators and teach about their importance.
Throughout summer 2025, Leslie led 10 guided pollinator walks. At the end of each walk, participants were invited to make a “pollinator pledge” committing to an action to protect pollinators, which is part of her PhD research exploring how short educational programs can inspire people to take conservation action at home.
Example of a pollinator pledge from Leslie's research.
Example of a pollinator pledge from Leslie's research.
Throughout summer 2025, Leslie led 10 guided pollinator walks. At the end of each walk, participants were invited to make a “pollinator pledge” committing to an action to protect pollinators, which is part of her PhD research exploring how short educational programs can inspire people to take conservation action at home.
Participants received this brochure at the conclusion of each pollinator walk. The back features a list of action steps they can take at home to support pollinators.
In January 2026, Shelburne Farms secured three additional years of funding to expand the pollinator plan. This support will sustain public programs like guided walks, build staff capacity through professional learning programs about pollinators, create educational videos about pollinators, establish native plant teaching gardens, and host the Vermont Pollinator Working Group’s annual Pollinator Celebration Day event.
Learn more about the collaboration between Leslie and Shelburne Farms in this video.
02.26.2026
02.26.2026
02.26.2026