Meet us at Victory Park in New Bedford’s south end for a family-friendly afternoon of exploring the natural world around us!

In this photo: Christian Smith, Founder of the New Bedford Wildflower Project

Between 3:00pm – 4:30pm, join local, amateur naturalists, staff from Mass Audubon, the steward of the Little Free Library, and staff and volunteers from Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) for a series of activities focused on plants and animals and how they depend on us to help them thrive. Learn about pollinators and the native plants that support our urban ecosystem, pick up a book about nature or a seed packet to take home, look for birds that call the south end home, and learn about beekeeping and growing your own food!

Program leaders will be at stations throughout the Victory Park and Poor Farm property facilitating your experience.

Two years ago, with the goal of attracting more bees and butterflies to the south end, Christian Smith, who calls the south end home, created a pollinator garden (the New Bedford Wildflower Project) with support from Mary Rapoza, Director of the City of New Bedford’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches, and with the help of dozens of volunteers. Join Christian and learn how to identify native plants and how they benefit pollinators and our urban ecosystem.

Jennifer Smith and Keri Cox, city residents, will lead a short, guided bird walk through the path leading from the pollinator garden to Y.O.U.’s Children’s Garden. Bird guides will be available to aid program participants with bird identification and binoculars are recommended.

Bernadette Souza and her team at Y.O.U. will be at various stations throughout the site:
Suzanne Trimble will talk about the new Bee Hives recently installed along the path between the pollinator garden and the Children’s Garden.

Bob Nichols will be at the Victory Park Children's Garden on the corner of Lighthouse Lane and Freedom Blvd. and Carrie Hawthorn from Mass Audubon will talk about the pond and the Osprey nest at Clegg Field. 

Sandi Montour, Steward of the Little Free Library at Victory Park, welcomes you for a nature and gardening focused experience. Bring a nature or gardening book or seeds to share. Grab a book or free seed packet to go.