On Friday, September 30^th, the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point will host a brief ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of USMMA’s Pollinator Garden. The ceremony will be held at USMMA’s McNulty Campus, home to the American Merchant Marine Museum.  The Honorable Paul N. Jaenichen, Sr., Maritime Administrator will be joined by Rear Admiral James A. Helis, Superintendent, Andrew Breck and Dr. Erika Sudderth, Phd from Volpe’s Energy, Analysis and Sustainability Division, as they cut the ribbon and officially welcome guests .

USMMA created a pollinator garden in response to a 2014 Presidential Memorandum, Creating a Federal Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators and to promote the health of insects and other animals that pollinate. The garden provides food for these pollinators. The garden is one way in which the Academy has been giving back to the community for 73 years, as it supports food security, the economy, and environmental health locally, regionally, and nationally.

All are welcome to attend the opening ceremony to hear more about the garden and to learn about ways to “give back” and support pollinators at home, such as by planting native plants, providing food and water, and reducing mowing and herbicide use.

•         Several organizations and agencies were instrumental in the creation of this garden. Partners include:

            o   Greenbelt Native Plant Center, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, New York City, NY

            o   Long Island Native Plant Initiative, Hampton Bays, NY

            o   Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, New York City, NY

            o   Pinelands Nursery & Supply, Columbus, NJ

            o   Volpe, The National Transportation Systems Center, U.S. Department of Transportation, Cambridge, MA

            o   Casablanka Contractors

When: 30 September – NO RAIN DATE -

In case of rain the ceremony will be held inside the museum.

1:00:   Guests, Faculty and Staff arrive

1:10:   Ceremony Begins

• Welcoming Remarks
• Speakers
• Ribbon Cutting
• Band performance

1:50: Ceremony concludes / American Merchant Marine Museum Open to Visitors

Where:   American Merchant Marine Museum, McNulty Campus – USMMA

300 Steamboat Road

Kings Point, NY 11024