Audubon Pennsylvania, the state office of the National Audubon Society, andBartramian Audubon Society(a local Audubon Society chapter) will be hosting a public planting of an educational demonstrationgarden at theMoraine State Parkoffice on October 4.

Designed by a landscaping Master’s Degree student atSlippery Rock University, the garden will feature numerous tree, shrub, flower, and grass species that are native to the Butler Countyarea that offer beneficial qualities to birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.

The garden planting will be part ofAudubon’sTogetherGreen program, which focuses on environmentally-centered volunteer opportunities throughout the United States. TheMoraine State Park project is one of six volunteer days Audubon has planned throughout the Commonwealth.

Annually, more than 1.2 million people visit Moraine State Park (one of Pennsylvania’s 85Important Bird Areas), and manyof these visitors stop at the park office to obtain boat/canoe launch permits, fishing permits, and general information. As a place ofsignificant foot traffic, the park office lawn offers great potential for public viewing of the demonstration garden.

According toAudubon intern, Erin Jolly: “The garden will be a key tool in displaying information about native plant species and their benefits toPennsylvania wildlife. People will be able to actually see a variety of plants in person, read detailed information on them, and willhopefully plant those same species in their own gardens or yards. Native plant gardens are not only aesthetically pleasing, but alsoprevent the spread of invasive species and provide food and habitat for birds and other wildlife.”

While the project will continue to expand over the next year, the upcoming October 4th date will focus on a plot in the parkoffice’s front lawn that is approximately 225 square feet in area. Any and all volunteer help is encouraged, and no prior gardeningexperience is required. Audubon and Moraine State Park staff will supply the necessary tools including gloves, shovels, etc.

TogetherGreen t-shirts and lunch will be available to the first 25 garden volunteers who register. To register, call or send email to BartramianAudubon Society president Kathie Goodblood at 814-432-4496 orbhns@csonline.net.

For more information please contact Sarah Sargent at 814-232-3300 or send email to:ssargent@audubon.org.

9/26/2008