Willistown Conservation Trust Among 'Green' Grant Recipients

Willistown Conservation Trust will benefit from a grant designed to facilitate the growth of forests.

TogetherGreen—a joint initiative from National Audubon Society and Toyota—announced recently it would donate $20,519 to promote Early Successional Scrub Habitat, "a stage of growth when woody shrubs, small trees, grasses and wildflowers are transitioning into a forest habitat."

According to the TogetherGreen website, the grant will fund a multi-site model for the habitat spread across WTC's Rushton Woods and Ashbridge preserves, and Ridley Creek State Park:

Hands-on activities will include the removal of invasive plants, the planting of native shrubs (selected to compete with invasives and provide the structure and food sources needed by migrant and nesting birds), the mowing of grassland plots to make room for more native species, and fencing plots for deer protection. Bird surveys and banding will be additional and critical components of monitoring the demonstration areas and engaging the community at several educational workshops.

The TogetherGreen program, which funds one-year projects designed to improve and preserve the environment, doled out more than $1 million in 41 grants in 2012. For more information, visit togethergreen.org.