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In May, Connor Orr added about 350 perennial plants at Kuhnert Arboretum for his Eagle Scout project. Courtesy photo.
Aberdeen residents who took advantage of pleasant weather this summer might have noticed some new blooms in Kuhnert Arboretum on South Dakota Street.
In May, Aberdeen Boy Scout Connor Orr directed his troop in planting 350 native perennial flowering plants to expand an existing plot of pollinator flowers. He chose the project after learning about pollinators from his science teacher.
The project was completed as part of the process for Orr to become an Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Scouting America.
He said the group planted seeds with different bloom times so there would always be a plant in bloom from which pollinators like bees could feed.
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“It was really amazing to see everyone come together and work as a team. They all had great attitudes and got an incredible amount of work done in just one day,” Orr said.
He thanked those who helped him with the project, including the city; South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks; Brown County Conservation District; and business sponsors.
Two others earn Eagle Scout honors
Two other Aberdeen Eagle Scouts finished their projects last year.
Eli Bruns’ project included building a sandbox with a sheetmetal roof children can play in at Thresherman’s Park in Andover.
He said he chose the project after discussing it with his scoutmaster, Bryan Rau. Bruns said that when he was young he enjoyed going to the annual James Valley Threshing Show with his great-grandfather. He said he wanted to create something kids could use.
“I like going to see how it’s been in use since it’s been completed,” Bruns said, who finished the project in August 2024.
Mykah Hjermstad also completed his Eagle Scout project last year. Rau said Hjermstad built four waist-high plant holders that allow people who can’t kneel or bend over to grow plants like tomatoes. He said about 20 scouts helped build the wooden 2-by-5-foot planters.
All three scouts are members of Troop 188 in Aberdeen. Rau is the scoutmaster.
