Photo: Brian Crawford/Audubon NC.
Photo: Brian Crawford/Audubon NC.

News

First Lady Kristin Cooper Reveals a Bird and Pollinator-Friendly Garden at the Executive Mansion

North Carolina’s birds got the executive treatment this week, as First Lady Kristin Cooper unveiled a bird and pollinator-friendly native plant garden at the Executive Mansion!

"As someone who loves birds, gardening and our natural environment, I wanted the Executive Mansion native plant garden to be a model for those interested in supporting birds and wildlife in their own backyards,” said the First Lady. “Native plants are eco-friendly, support a wider range of pollinators and birds, and require less watering, maintenance and ongoing expense."

In coordination with the dedication of the Executive Mansion native plant garden, Governor Cooper declared October 22-28 “Native Plants Week” to encourage North Carolinians to plant native plants at their homes, yards and businesses. 

Audubon North Carolina Executive Director Heather Starck Hahn and First Lady Kristin Cooper put the final plant in the ground, a native Viburnum. Photo: Brian Crawford/Audubon North Carolina

"Whether North Carolinians plant just one, or hundreds of native plants in their backyards, they are making a real difference for birds and other pollinators," said the First Lady. We wholeheartedly agree! 

Watch the LIVE dedication of the Executive Mansion garden here:


The original Victorian garden at the Executive Mansion had become overgrown over the years with privet (Ligustrum) hedges and lost much of its original color and vibrancy. When the First Lady approached Audubon North Carolina with an idea about how to make it bird and pollinator-friendly, we immediately agreed to help! 

Ben Skelton. Photo: Jeremy M. Lange

New Hope Audubon Society volunteer and landscape specialist, Ben Skelton, created the design for the bird and pollinator-friendly garden, drawing from Audubon North Carolina’s Bird-Friendly Native Plants list, and working in partnership with the First Lady and Executive Mansion gardener, Charles Dixon.

"Before": The Executive Mansion garden hedges were removed to make way for native plants. Photo: Ben Skelton

Thanks to this group effort, the Executive Mansion garden now boasts over 1,000 bird-friendly native plants, with a total of 25 species added including native Viburnum, Eastern Columbine, Joe Pye Weed, Orange Coneflower, Wild Columbine and more. 

Staff from Audubon North Carolina and National Audubon Society stand proudly with First Lady Kristin Cooper. Photo: Instagram: @kristincooperflonc
Viburnum nudum fruits and leaves. Photo: Will Stuart
Wild Columbine. Photo: Will Stuart

We were excited to show the Governor and First Lady how much their support makes an impact. With our members' help, we were able to share  1,000 thank-yous with the Governor and First Lady in celebration of these 1,000 native plants that benefit birds, bees, and butterflies!

Audubon North Carolina staff delivered  your name and message to the Governor and First Lady, thanking them for their leadership in support of native plants and birds!

Instagram photo by the Oakwood Garden Club, whose members attended the event!

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