By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Miller Park Zoo is launching a new conservation project to not only protect animals but native plant species as well.

The initiative was launched about a month ago to create a diverse pollinator garden between the Tropical Rainforest Building and the Alligator exhibit.

Miller Park Zoo Superintendent Jay Tetzloff said the garden is filled with endangered plants.

“Our goal is to change all the species in that garden with endangered plants. So it’s something that’s very new to us. We’re usually working with animals; this one’s totally about plants.”

Speaking with WJBC’s Scott Miller, Tetzloff said caretakers removed plants from the garden and transplanted them around the twin cities.

“We took about 120 plants out of our pollinator garden and took them to a pollinator garden in White Oak park, so we’re going to expand what else is in the city in terms of attracting and expanding pollinators.”

In addition, nearly 100 Wild Lupine plants are being installed at the pollinator garden a few blocks from the Zoo at Allin and Front Street.

The new garden is funded by a grant from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].