November 14, 2025

"Observe" (stag sculpture) and "Endure" (bear sculpture) were created specifically for the City of Thornton... and for our native pollinator species! Small houses inside and on top of each sculpture invite insects to make their homes in public art. Nearby gardens have flowers and shrubs chosen to attract native pollinators.

The two sculptures were installed less than a year ago, and are already beginning to attract pollinators. This photo shows paper wasp nests inside a "house" on the stag's antlers.

Paper wasps are beneficial for plants and gardens - don't mistake them for aggressive yellowjackets!

• Paper wasps are not aggressive unless you try to remove their nest.
• Paper wasps do not try to eat your trash or picnic foods.
• Paper wasps are a gardener's friend! Their young eat tomato hornworms, tent caterpillars, and other destructive insects.

If you see these insect nests in a sculpture or in your garden, please leave them alone. You don't need a sculpture to attract beneficial insects - you can add insect nest sites to your garden, or allow dead tree branches and dry leaves to remain in your garden over the winter to keep pollinators safe from the cold.

Learn more at: https://www.thorntonco.gov/parks-recreation/parks-planning/horticulture