Seventh graders in PEN Program at Holicong Middle School with teacher Julie Mandes hold fundraising check used toward towards planting trees in Buckingham.
submitted by Bucks Beautiful
This past 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 which raised $255 towards planting trees in Buckingham. The Central Bucks East High School Key Club offered volunteers to plant trees.
We were thrilled to provide a matching grant which doubled the student funds and labor, plus coordinate the native plant material purchase and installation.
Our Community Engagement Manager, Jennifer Finelli, contacted Buckingham Township to identify a suitable location. We learned that 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.
Jen partnered with the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) co-chair Jim Walter, who also serves as a Master Gardener and Master Watershed Steward. Jim removed the invasive plants prior to planting. He and Jennifer (a Master Gardener as well), selected native plants appropriate for the site such as three varieties of summersweet shrubs and a dozen perennial swamp milkweed. Two sweetbay magnolia trees were chosen for their ability to thrive in the wet environment, as well as one redbud tree, which will have an early season pink bloom in the spring.
The Township donated surplus from their 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.
Seventh graders in PEN Program at Holicong Middle School with teacher Julie Mandes hold fundraising check used toward towards planting trees in Buckingham.
Additional recruits for the summer planting included Master Watershed Stewards Laura Mein and Matt Braud, plus Matt’s wife Lisa. Together they own Hollow House Farms in Furlong, which offers fresh eggs, honey and range free products.
The Central Bucks East Key Club supplied 11 hard working students who toiled in the soil for two hours after school. Their efforts were beneficial in preserving our environment.
The team effort beautified the area while also providing a sustainable habitat for our pollinating insects, birds and small animals across the seasons. Expect to see many more monarch butterflies, bumble bees, honey bees, green bees, hummingbirds, gold finches, chickadees and cardinals when you walk along the soft wood-chipped path. You 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 non-profit 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. We highly encourage the use of native plant materials whenever possible.
For more information about Bucks Beautiful, please visit www.bucksbeautiful.org or call 215-
340-3639. Thank you for helping us grow!