ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – The Discovery Center Museum at 711 N. Main Street opens its newest exhibit designed to teach kids about the importance of pollinators.
The Enchanted Garden is the fourth pollinator garden developed and donated by Rose Pest Solutions. The company, which has seven locations in Illinois, including one in Rockford, boasts it is the country’s oldest pest control company.
The company says while it’s known for solving pest problems, it’s also passionate about protecting the bugs and animals that help crops and flowering plants grow.
Janelle Iaccino, the marketing director for Rose Pest Solutions, says she remembers coming to the museum as a kid and approached museum leaders about teaming up to help spruce up the outdoor space that is now home to the garden.
“One of the biggest reasons why we’ve collaborated with the Discovery Center Museum is because it’s an absolute pillar in this community and they believe in education just like us as well,” Iaccino said during Tuesday morning’s ribbon-cutting for the space.
Featuring several species of native plants, the Enchanted Garden is designed to draw several types of pollinators like honeybees, butterflies, moths, beetles, hummingbirds and even bats at night.
In addition to the plants, the garden also features a “wind cloud,” a giant colorful floral mural, all-weather furniture and fence art. The wind cloud, which stretches above the garden, creates a soothing “whooshing” sound like ocean waves or rain. The mural was created by local artist Brad Towell and includes specific colors that are attractive to pollinators.
“Encouraging pollinator health and working to stave off further decline is so important to our future,” Iaccino said in a news release. “We can’t really live without them since they are responsible for one out of every three bites of food we eat. We are on a mission to educate everyone about the importance of pollinators and what we can all do to protect them. We hope The Enchanted Garden will be a beloved, fun learning oasis for Rockford-area families to encourage kids interest in the natural world. When we reach and teach children, they grow up knowing the importance of our pollinator friends and can help make a difference.”
For more information about the Discovery Center, visit its website. For more information on how to start your own pollinator garden, visit www.pollinator.org.
Copyright 2026 WIFR. All rights reserved.
Comments are closed.