The Matthew Lester Memorial Pollinator Garden (affectionately known as Matthew's Garden) is located at the East Hampton Historical Farm Museum, 131 North Main St, East Hampton, N.Y. 11937. The idea for the garden was the work of East Hampton High School student and Eagle Scout candidate, Matthew Lester as a way to help native pollinators. As the East Hampton Town owned the property he had to go before the Town Board to propose the idea, which was readily approved. The space that he was given approval to use was a 40×40 area that was surrounded by an 8' deer fence which was ideal for his project. He got to work on planning out his garden. Putting the garden into quadrants with an X of stepping stones through the middle of the garden so it would be easy for people to access and see all the different plants. He then decided that he would have 2 quadrants of native plants that would range bloom times from May through November, one quadrant of pollinator friendly herbs and 1 quadrant of berries and vegetables.
Unfortunately, Matthew never got to finish his project. In January of 2017, he tragically took his own life at the age of 17. Between his family and his Boy Scout Troop 298 , they vowed to make Matthew's project a reality. They held a fundraiser and were able to raise the money to buy the plants. The community also rallied their support and got the property rototilled and weeded. Local landscapers donated compost and top soil. Another donated the stepping stones and berry bushes. By October 2017, the Matthew Lester Memorial Pollinator Garden was dedicated. It became a certified Monarch Waystation and a member of the World Wildlife Federation National Pollinator Gardens . It flourished for a few years , but then Matthew's mother, Dana Lester, who had been the main caretaker of the garden, fell into ill health, and was unable to maintain the garden. For 3 years the garden did not have proper care and became overgrown. Then in the late summer of 2024, it was examined by the staff of ReWild Long Island Eastern Suffolk Chapter and they decided Matthew's Garden would be a wonderful addition. Matthew's vision is exactly what they look for in a garden. What a wonderful team they are! In the Spring of 2025 we applied for the ReWild grant and were chosen as a recipient. With that grant we were able to purchase many new plants and also were able to put down slow drip irrigation hoses which helps conserve water. ReWild also created many signs to label the native plants. We are now able to say that Matthew's Garden is flourishing and back doing it's job of feeding our native pollinators. Matthew's Garden is available to be viewed and enjoyed at all times.
For more information, email dlm92062@aol.com
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