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Native Return, LLC is working as a dual consultant for the Township of
Whitemarsh and the Colonial School District, in a cooperative effort to
address a long standing problem affecting both entities, which own
adjacent flood-prone land in Montgomery County. The township and the
school district are cooperating in this endeavor with the hope that the
restoration will build a healthy environmental bridge and alliance
between the two.
The riparian and stormwater management area is located on school
district property, next to one of its playing fields, and on adjoining
township property, commonly referred to as McCarthy Park. The stream has
been prone to severe flooding for many years, affecting large numbers of
nearby residents, filling basements with polluted water.
Invasive species, including multiflora rose, oriental bittersweet, and
tartarian honeysuckle, was removed from the school's two acres, and this
portion – much of which had no tree cover – was reforested with over 380
native trees and shrubs suited to the site’s wet conditions. The
vegetation will help improve water quality by slowing the movement of
the water flowing through the area. Slowing the speed of runoff allows
stormwater more time to penetrate into the ground and recharge the water
table, and also to filter out sediments and other pollutants before the
water reaches the stream. The riparian buffer BMP will increase
infiltration and at the same time provide healthy habitat for the many
important wildlife species that depend on having wet site conditions.
The root structures of the native plants are much deeper and denser than
those of turf grass, so they are much more effective in preventing
erosion. To view a list of vegetation planted for this project, click
here.
Native Return will monitor the site in future years to ensure that
proper maintenance protocols are followed, including invasive plant
control, repair of protective fencing, and proper mowing regimens in
open meadow areas until tree cover is complete.
Additionally, the school district and the township plan to integrate
interpretive signage along the pedestrian and bike trail that runs
alongside the entire project area. It will describe the joint efforts
and the environmental benefits possible as a result of the TreeVitalize
Project. There have also been numerous press releases and articles in
the school's and township's publications highlighting the project and
describing the environmental benefits. The school held a televised Arbor
Day ceremony at the site, during which Native Return spoke about the
project.
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