April 20, 2023—The Friends of the Casa Grande Ruins were awarded a $1000 grant from the Florence Copper Community Foundation to help fund the creation of a pollinator garden at the national monument.

The grant was awarded in March 2023 during a ceremony at the national monument, with Foundation and park representatives present, along with the executive directors of the Coolidge and Greater Florence Chambers of Commerce. The Friends, National Park Service (NPS), and Strategic Habitat Enhancements (SHE) have been collaborating on a series of pollinator gardens at the monument since 2019.

The Foundation grant helped create a pollinator garden threaded through the park’s picnic area, attracting diverse animal and insect species. Florence Copper is pleased to support the continued enhancement of the Casa Grande Ruins, which serve as a point of pride in the community and a strong draw for local tourism.