Southern Maryland Audubon has received a significant grant from National Audubon to establish a native plant learning garden at the newly opened Lexington Manor Passive Park Community Gardens in Lexington Park, MD. This initiative aims to engage the local community in building, planting, and maintaining the garden while promoting education on the benefits of native plants.
The grant will support various workshops and educational events, showcasing how native plants can be incorporated into personal gardens, schools, and workplaces. These activities are designed to involve the Lexington Park community actively and foster a deeper understanding of the importance of native plants in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
The native plant garden will serve a dual purpose by attracting pollinators to the adjacent vegetable garden, enhancing crop health and yield. This feature underscores the ecological benefits of native plants in promoting biodiversity and supporting agricultural activities.
The "Audubon in Action" grant will enable the community to start constructing the native garden beds this summer, with planting scheduled for the fall. Fall is considered the optimal time for planting native species, ensuring their establishment and growth.
In addition to the native plant garden, Southern Maryland Audubon has installed three Eastern Bluebird nest boxes near the community garden. These boxes were donated and will be monitored to encourage and support the local bluebird population.
Southern Maryland Audubon extends its gratitude to St. Mary's County Recreation & Parks for their support in creating the community native plant garden, the nest boxes, and maintaining the thriving vegetable garden. The collaboration between various partners and the local community has been instrumental in bringing the Lexington Manor Passive Park Community Gardens to fruition.
"We are excited to work with the Lexington Park community and our partners who have worked tirelessly over the past several years to make this project a reality," said a press release from Southern Maryland Audubon. "Southern Maryland Audubon is proud to join this dedicated community of gardeners."
This project highlights the importance of community involvement in environmental conservation and education. By engaging residents in hands-on activities and providing educational resources, Southern Maryland Audubon aims to foster a sense of stewardship and appreciation for native plants and local wildlife.
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