HOWELL — Volunteers with the Howell Green Team recently cleared an overgrown site and made upgrades to an area that provides wildlife habitat.
The Easy Street Community Wildlife Habitat is a joint project of the Howell Environmental Commission, the Howell Shade Tree Commission and the Howell Green Team, according to Lisa Doud, a volunteer and Green Team member.
Doud said the project site on Easy Street is in an existing municipal open space area.
“Over a number of years the site was underused and had become overgrown with a variety of invasive plants,” Doud said.
According to Doud, the Green Team recently received a $2,000 grant from
PSEG/Sustainable Jersey to incorporate a pollinator garden at the Easy Street site.
According to the website gardeningknowhow.com, “a pollinator garden is one that attracts bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds or other beneficial creatures that transfer pollen from flower to flower, or in some cases, within flowers.”
Volunteers with the Environmental Commission and the Shade Tree Commission removed invasive plants from the site on May 14, Doud said, and “are collaborating on an ongoing revitalization effort to plant native trees, plants and shrubs to benefit local wildlife and establish beneficial ecosystems.
“Working together with the Howell Department of Public Works, township officials and community volunteers, we are working on converting the Howell open space area into a
community wildlife habitat and moving forward toward receiving certification from the National Wildlife Federation.
“Our plans are to continue the next phase of native plantings to fully restore ecosystems
that will provide adequate supplies of food, cover and nesting areas for birds,” Doud explained. “Moving forward, we will continue to plant and maintain additional native plants,
trees and shrubs.”
The Shade Tree Commission is seeking community volunteers to plant and mulch trees and shrubs, and to create a walking path.
The National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat program partners with cities, towns, counties and neighborhoods to create healthier, greener and more wildlife-friendly ecosystems.
Community wildlife habitats are planned to include gardens and landscaping with wildlife in mind and to promote the use of native trees and plants, help to reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides and chemicals, and integrate wildlife-friendly practices into sustainability plans and park master plans.
Municipalities can earn community-wide certification by working toward certification of individual properties, including homes, parks, schools, businesses and other areas in the community as certified wildlife habitats.
Efforts may include engaging community members in habitat restoration projects and providing resources like native plant lists.