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Students of LBW Community College and the Andalusia community has a new place to relax in nature with the opening of the Saints’ Haven Pollinator Garden on the school’s campus.

LBW Student Government Association President Emily Ann Morgan said the idea for the garden came from a love of nature and her desire to bring a multi-purpose green space to campus.

“We wanted to create a space for students to come and get way from the stress of college. It is intended to be a mental health area, but it will also be used by faculty for outdoor classes and Camp LBW will be utilizing the space. The local 4H will also be able to use it as an outdoor classroom,” Morgan said.

In addition to being the SGA president, Morgan is also an ambassador for the Wiregrass Resource Conservation and Development Council, which became a partner in the project.

Morgan said the process to bring the garden to reality involved planning as well as receiving approval from the LBW administration.

“We began planning the garden last spring and with approval from my RCD advisors, we brainstormed the location and how we wanted it to look. (LBW Dean of Student Affairs) Jason Jessie helped us to make sure we were ready to present to (LBW president) Dr. Brock Kelly, who approved it,” she said.

The group received financial and other forms of support from local businesses and individuals and began work on the 800-square-feet space last summer.

“A lot of times we have students wanted to do things, but when we tell them what we need them to do, we don’t hear from them again. I knew that would not be the case with Emily Ann. I knew she was going to follow through with this,” Jessie said.

The space includes a fountain, a variety of plants, a paved walking path, and a bench. It is located directly across from the Martha and Solon Dixon Center for the Performing Arts.

Anna Cornelius, a representative of the National  Association of RC&D Councils, said the project was a good fit in meeting the organization’s goals.

“We try to teach good conservation practices and bring communities together through development projects. These projects are locally led and meet the needs of the community. Emily Ann has done a great job here and we are very proud of her,” Cornelius said.

Sponsors involved in the project included: Andalusia Farmers Cooperative, Andalusia Garden and Landscape Supply, Ballard Farms, Covington Casket Company, Covington County Extension Services, Covington County Forestry, Covington County Soil and Water Conservation District, Covington Electric Cooperative, D&J Nursery, Hammett Drilling, J. Kellyscapes, Ken’s Welding, LBWCC, Morgan Family Farms, National Association of RC&D Councils, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Pilot Club of Andalusia, and Wiregrass RC&D.