Growing Community Gardens
in Memory of Sunia
Sunia Baker-Breningstall was a lover of nature—especially birds, insects, snakes, and all manner of creatures whom she befriended in her mother's garden, The Sunny Bug Farmette. She would often sit quietly for hours, sketchbook in hand, observing and drawing what she saw. The Farmette is located in Observatory Park in Denver, and is a historically preserved half-acre that has been lovingly transformed into multiple gardens that feed people and wildlife alike. There are raised beds for food cultivation, a wild meadow, a small orchard, crevice gardens and lots of pollinator-friendly perennials, including mostly native and xeric regionally adapted species.
"Sunny Bug" was one of Sunia's nicknames, a perfect reflection of her spirit. Both Sunia and her mother, Donna Baker-Breningstall, have been instrumental in community garden projects for many years, including establishing a pollinator garden at Denver Academy, where Sunia attended high school. Donna is a long-time Colorado Master Gardener whose urban oasis produces bushels of food for community food pantries while creating an abundance of native plant habitat for pollinators. She is a former Board Member of Sprout City Farm and a current Board Member of Slow Food Denver, as well as a supporter of Grow Local, and many other worthy causes.
Donna's philanthropy in memory of her wonderfully kind and creative daughter has taken root in helping to expand PPAN's Habitat Grants Program in 2024 and 2025. We are thrilled to be partnering with her to honor Sunia's gentle, generous spirit by enabling new public pollinator garden projects to thrive.
Sunia passed away in 2020 at the age of 28. Through the Sunny Bug Garden Habitat Grant, her careful attention to the wellbeing of the smallest creatures and her generous spirit will continue to inspire visitors who may never have known her. Please come explore some of the projects funded in Sunia’s memory.
Sunny Bug Grantees
Montessori Children's House of Denver (MCHD)
With these funds MCHD will transform 8,800 square feet of land into a thriving pollinator habitat. Serving students aged 1 to 12, this habitat will offer an interactive learning space to teach students about biodiversity, environmental stewardship, and the critical role of pollinators in our ecosystem.
FrontLine Farming
FrontLine Farming will use these funds to expand its pollinator habitat at Majestic View Farm in Arvada, CO, doubling their dedicated pollinator area, and supporting four beehives as well as providing essential habitat for native pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This project aligns with FrontLine Farming’s mission of food justice, community education, and ecological stewardship.
Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership (SCRGP)
This project will enhance SCRGP’s existing pollinator garden in Commerce City, CO, a traditionally underserved part of the Denver Metro area with minimal greenspace. The garden is located at a site previously used as a construction dumping ground and has since been converted into a recreational trail and open space area. Increased biodiversity at the site will benefit the surrounding ecosystem and the human communities who use the space, providing unique opportunities for youth and adults to learn about the importance of pollinators and take part in the creation of pollinator habitat.