In the Spring of 2025, Farmingdale State College (FSC) proudly unveiled its new ReWild Garden, a vibrant addition to the campus that celebrates native plants and supports vital pollinator species. Rooted in FSC’s origins as an agricultural college, this garden reflects the college’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable land practices.
Developed in collaboration with ReWild Long Island, the ReWild Garden is part of a broader initiative to enhance biodiversity and foster ecological awareness across the region. By planting a diverse array of native species, the garden provides essential habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, aligning with FSC’s designation as a Bee Campus USA affiliate.
Community engagement is at the heart of the ReWild Garden, encouraging students, faculty, staff, and local residents to participate in the creation and care of this living classroom. The garden was created to connect the campus community to nature and educate them about the importance of pollinators.
The goals of the garden are to:
Help pollinators thrive on campus
Introduce more native plants across campus grounds
Increase sustainability-related engagement
Set an example for other organizations in the area.
This garden will be a prominent highlight on campus tours and will show prospective students that sustainability is of importance to the college. Projects like this strengthen the connection between people and place, promoting shared responsibility for the environment and inspiring collective action toward sustainability – all of which are top priorities for FSC.
Through initiatives like the ReWild Garden, FSC continues to honor its agricultural heritage while advancing innovative practices that promote a healthier, more sustainable future.
For more information, email rosevame@farmingdale.edu
Designed by Samantha Jo and Maggie Muzante. Icons designed by Wren Halpern, https://www.wrenhalpern.com