WEST CHESTER, PA — On Earth Day, Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe, alongside local environmental advocates, took the first steps toward creating a pollinator garden outside the Chester County Justice Center. The initiative aims to enhance biodiversity by introducing more than 400 native perennials, trees, and shrubs to an urban environment.
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together members of the County’s Go Green Committee, Keep Chester County Beautiful, and the West Chester Green Team, highlighting a collective commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
“We are pleased to set aside County-owned land right in the heart of downtown West Chester that will bolster native bee and butterfly populations and promote a more resilient, sustainable, and vibrant natural environment,” the Commissioners said in a joint statement.
The project, stemming from a proposal by the West Chester Green Team, dovetails with Chester County’s Climate Action Plan, which emphasizes sustainable landscaping practices in public spaces. Rachael Griffith, the County’s Sustainability Director, emphasized the educational component of the initiative. “The finished garden will have signage so anyone passing by the Justice Center can learn about the plants in the garden, the pollinators they attract, and the importance of providing habitat for pollinating species, even within urban areas,” she said.
Landscape architect Chris Pugliese, Vice President of the West Chester Green Team, also noted the garden’s significance. “The collaboration between the West Chester Green Team and Chester County on the Justice Center garden is a wonderful opportunity to transform a barren lawn into a dynamic pollinator garden. We could not ask for a more prominent location than the Justice Center to create such a garden,” he said.
The new garden is slated for planting in early May, with volunteers invited to assist on Saturday, May 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Justice Center. Community members will have the chance to contribute to mulching and planting efforts as part of the county’s broader drive to engage the public in sustainability efforts.
Volunteers can sign up for Keep Chester County Beautiful Pollinator Garden Planting.
This initiative symbolizes Chester County’s progressive approach to environmental sustainability, utilizing collaborative efforts to create greener, healthier spaces. With the pollinator garden set to bloom, the county aims to inspire similar projects across the community, reinforcing the importance of conservation and education for the benefit of future generations.
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