Watershed Greening
Green spaces. We all love them and we all and need them. These natural areas don’t just benefit people looking for a peaceful moment in nature. They’re also essential for wildlife.
Green spaces help keep our water clean, offer opportunities to connect and explore nature, and provide safe wildlife habitat for birds, insects, and other animals. What makes these special places green is….plants! Plants – especially native plants.
Native plants play a vital role in creating healthy habitats, cleaner waters, and stronger communities. They are:
- Deep rooted, helping filter water and absorb excess stormwater to reduce flooding
- Locally adapted, meaning they thrive without the need for harmful pesticides and fertilizers.
- A natural food and shelter source for wildlife, supporting songbirds, pollinators, and everything in between.
By planting and protecting native species, we are supporting vibrant ecosystems and ensuring that our green spaces are staying healthy and resilient for generations to come.
Native Habitat Gardens and Trees
Chester, PA community member with a free native plant.
PDE is working with communities throughout the watershed, including in Wilmington, DE, Philadelphia and Chester, PA and Camden, NJ to grow and install native plants.
Camden, NJ community members planting trees
Outdoor Classrooms
Students exploring at an outdoor classroom in Wilmington, DE.
PDE creates outdoor classrooms to activate park spaces, facilitate learning, and create a greater connection to local green spaces.
Rain Gardens
If there is one thing Americans love, it’s a lush, green lawn. But what if your backyard has a soggy patch that floods because of rain? Experts agree the best thing to do is plant a rain garden or, in some cases, even a wetland garden.
PDE helps install rain gardens to capture and cleanse rainwater running off hard surfaces, like driveways, parking lots, and roofs. These plants not only remove pollutants from the water but also allow for absorption, storage, and the slow release of water back into the atmosphere and groundwater. Please click here to download our brochure explaining the benefits of rain gardens.
Please contact John at jharrod@delawareestuary.org to explore how PDE can work with your community to create healthy habitats, clean waters and strong communities.