Timed perfectly on October 5 before the recent rain, TTF along with the Abington School District, partners, and over 60 volunteers completed the second phase of buffer planting along East Baeder Creek.The creek’s eastern branch, one of our creek’s headwaters, begins on the campus of Abington Jr. High School. We planted more than 300 native trees, shrubs, and grasses! Volunteers also removed invasive plants and applied “No Dumping – Drains to Creek” markers to campus storm drains.
Last year, a 16,000 square foot buffer and over 500 native tree, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers were planted during phase one. Read about that planting here.
This project will improve water quality in Baeder Creek, reduce runoff and pollutants as well as downstream flooding, improve habitat for wildlife, and beautify our watershed. Learn more about riparian buffers here.
TTF would like to extend special thanks to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection & Aqua Pennsylvania for this TreeVitalize Watershed grant. Special thanks to our amazing partners, the Abington EAC and Briar Bush Nature Center, as well as our amazing host, the Abington School District and students.
We couldn’t have done this planting without expert guidance from Nancy Minich and her incredible staff at NAM Planning & Design, LLC. Plants were provided by Collins Nursery. Thanks to Dottie Baumgarten of Sustainable Choices for bringing her enviroscape and providing watershed education during the day.
Thanks to our volunteers who came from far and wide! Also, thanks to Abington’s service learning program, Green Thumbs, Science, and H2O Clubs. We’d also like to recognize students Michael and Elizabeth Le from Abington for amazing commitment.
More pictures to come!
