This year two student groups coincidentally reached out to Bucks Beautiful with a planting project agenda.
Seventh graders in the PEN Program at Holicong Middle School held fundraisers that raised $255 toward planting trees in Buckingham. The Central Bucks East High School Key Club offered volunteers to plant trees.
Bucks Beautiful provided a matching grant, which doubled the student funds and labor, plus coordinated the native plant material purchase and installation.
Bucks Beautiful Community Engagement Manager Jennifer Finelli contacted Buckingham Township to identify a suitable location. Between Buckingham Elementary and the Buckingham Township building stretches a peaceful wetlands oasis, however the area lacked definition and purpose. Invasive plants such as multiflora rose, oriental bittersweet and autumn olive were driving out native foliage, to the detriment of the creatures that make the wetlands their home.
Finelli partnered with the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) co-chair Jim Walter, who also serves as a Master Gardener and Master Watershed Steward. Walter removed the invasive plants prior to planting. He and Finelli, a Master Gardener as well, selected native plants appropriate for the site such as three varieties of summersweet shrubs, a dozen perennial swamp milkweed. Two sweetbay magnolia trees were chosen for their ability to thrive in the wet environment, and one redbud tree, which will have an early season pink bloom in the spring.
The township donated surplus from its native plant sale, which consisted of irises, cardinal flowers, asters, wild bergamot, woodland phlox and beardtongue. These were interspersed with the milkweed. Also provided by the township was compost that was created from residents recycling leaves and Christmas trees.
Additional recruits for the June 5 planting included Master Watershed Stewards Laura Mein and Matt Braud, plus Braud’s wife, Lisa. Together they own Hollow House Farms in Furlong, which offers fresh eggs, honey and range free products. The CB East Key Club supplied 11 students who toiled in the soil for two hours after school. Their efforts are beneficial in preserving the environment.
The team effort beautifies the area while also providing a sustainable habitat for pollinating insects, birds and small animals across the seasons. Individuals can expect to see many more Monarch butterflies, bumble bees, honey bees, green bees, hummingbirds, gold finches, chickadees and cardinals when they walk the soft wood-chipped path. They can even relax on a bench in the gazebo to enjoy the peaceful setting.
Bucks Beautiful has been providing Community Grants since 1991 to encourage nonprofit organizations, schools, garden clubs and local municipalities to host public garden or tree plantings. The grant award is a 50/50 cash match up to a maximum of $5,000 per year. Funds may be used for the purchase of annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs, trees, mulch and garden related materials. The use of native plant materials is encouraged whenever possible.
Request an application by emailing info@bucksbeautiful.org. Applications may be submitted at any time, however the deadline for fall is Aug. 31 and for spring is March 31.
Donations, community partnerships and our growing membership program allow us to coordinate events, projects and educational programs to continue enhancing Bucks County. To become a member, or contribute to our cause, please visit www.bucksbeautiful.org or call 215-340-3639.
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