​Students Team Up With Bucks Beautiful To Enhance Buckingham Wetlands

BUCKINGHAM, PA — New trees are now taking root at a peaceful Buckingham Township wetlands oasis thanks to a partnership between two local schools, Buckingham Township and Bucks Beautiful.

Seventh graders in the PEN Program at Holicong Middle School donated $255 towards the new plantings while the Central Bucks East High School Key Club provided volunteers on planting day.

Bucks Beautiful chipped in by providing a matching grant, which doubled the student funds and labor, and coordinated the native plant material purchase and installation.

After arranging the funding and the volunteer help, Bucks Beautiful's community engagement manager Jennifer Finelli reached out to 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," said Finelli. "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."

Central Bucks East High School Key Club provided volunteers to plant trees.

In preparation for the planting, Buckingham Township Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) co-chair Jim Walter, who also serves as a Master Gardener and Master Watershed Steward, removed the invasive plants at the site.

He and Jennifer (a Master Gardener herself) then selected native plants appropriate for the site including 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 and one Redbud tree was selected. It will have an early season pink bloom in the spring.

The township also donated surplus from its native plant sale, which included 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.

Also helping with the planting were 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 C.B. East Key Club supplied 11 hard working students who worked in the soil for two hours after school to complete the planting.

Seventh graders in the PEN Program at Holicong Middle School donated $255 towards the new plantings

"The team effort beautifies the area while also providing a sustainable habitat for our pollinating insects, birds and small animals across the seasons," said Finelli. "Expect to see many more Monarch butterflies, bumble bees, honey bees, green bees, hummingbirds, gold finches, chickadees and cardinals when you walk 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 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. Please request an application by emailing info@bucksbeautiful.org. Applications may be submitted at any time however the deadline for fall is August 31 and for spring is March 31.

To become a member of Bucks Beautiful or contribute to the cause, visit www.bucksbeautiful.org or call 215-340-3639.