Middletown Hosts Butterfly Garden Planting Event At Poricy Park

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The Middletown Green Team recently hosted a volunteer planting event to finish up the new butterfly garden at the Poricy Park Nature Center, which is at 345 Oak Hill Rd.

According to the group, the new garden will not only benefit its visitors, such as bees, butterflies and birds, but also the environment as these pollinator species are a vital part of the ecosystem and the health of local plant life.

The township was able to fund the garden through a $1,500 grant from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) received in 2020.

Three local organizations were involved in the completion of the garden– Poricy Park Conservancy, who added funding to the project, Oasis TLC, who will be maintaining the garden going forward and the Middletown NJ Green Team for adding much-needed volunteer labor.

The mission of the Green Team is to advise the township committee on ways to improve municipal operations with “green” initiatives which are economically and environmentally sound through research and evaluation.

The team is comprised of employees and volunteers who meet to focus on completing actions required for 'Sustainable Jersey' certification, as well as other volunteer initiatives to promote environmental sustainability in the community. Members of the Green Team are appointed by the mayor.

To express interest in joining the Green Team, contact the township clerk’s office by calling 732- 615-2015 for assistance or complete the form online to apply for a board vacancy.