St. Philip’s Church Installs Native Plants with CBT Grant

By Ann O'Malley

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis was awarded a Chesapeake Bay Trust Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grant to complete its project of replenishing native plants in an existing conservation landscape at the corner of Bestgate and Severn Grove Roads in Annapolis, on the church’s property.

The project was designed to reduce stormwater pollution, encourage pollinators, such as birds, bees and butterflies, and serve as food and habitat for wildlife.

The native planting day was held on October 23 with volunteers from St. Philip’s Church, Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. A total of 515 native plants were installed. Other partners in this project included Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy and Congregation Kol Shalom.

Chesapeake Bay Trust’s mission is to engage and empower diverse groups to take actions that enrich natural resources and local communities of the Chesapeake Bay region.

St. Philip’s Church, located at the corner of Bestgate and Severn Grove Roads, has been part of the growing city of Annapolis since the 19th century. The parish is a vibrant, active and engaged community. This year, St. Philip’s is celebrating its 151st anniversary.