Newtown Township in Delaware County recently set a goal to use at least 80 percent native plants in new plantings on properties it owns or controls, and to move as quickly as possible to achieve that goal.

In a resolution passed on March 9, 2020 the Newtown Board of Supervisors noted that native plants provide many critical benefits, from protecting water quality, to contributing to climate-resiliency, to restoring the ecological balance and biodiversity.  With this effort, "Gardening with Nature in Mind," members of the Newtown Township Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) will focus on the importance of native plants to maintaining watershed health in a changing climate and will educate and empower residents to transition at least half of Township private properties to at least 20 percent native plants.

As part of "Gardening with Nature in Mind," the Newtown EAC will be inviting the public to visit a native plant pop-up garden, to be located at the Newtown Township Administration Building this fall. There visitors can gather information and ideas on how to turn a sterile lawn of turf grass into an oasis that sustains wildlife, observing a wide assortment of native perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees. 

"Support and leadership from Audubon Pennsylvania, spearheaded by Valerie Peckham, has been instrumental in the passage of our Newtown Township Native Plant Resolution, and we look forward to continuing to work together on our fall Pop Up Garden to help residents add Pocket Meadows for birds, pollinators and wildlife to their backyards." said Janet Krevenas, EAC member.

This project is being led by the Newtown Township EAC in partnership with the Valley Forge Audubon Society. Funds to support the initiative are being provided through a grant from Audubon Pennsylvania and a Coleman and Susan Burke Foundation grant awarded to Valley Forge Audubon in November 2019 by National Audubon Society.

Learn more about proclamations, resolutions, and ordinances (PROs).