Sustainable Homeowners Associations — Forest and Meadow Stewardship
Definition
Forests and meadows are crucial for sustaining wildlife, preventing erosion, preserving water quality, sequestering carbon, and much more. While naturalized areas don't need as much care as a garden, they still require proper stewardship to maintain their health and effectiveness.
Grants and Funding
Unfortunately very little funding is available for ongoing stewardship of existing landscapes and native planting projects. PA Master Watershed Stewards may be able to help by providing volunteer time, particularly if someone with this training lives in your neighborhood!
PA Native Plant Society is offering $500 grants to individuals/groups who will plant native PA plants. Must be a PANPS member.
Partner Organizations
- Natural Lands
- PA DCNR
- Landscapers that specialize in native plants and landscape restoration and stewardship. PA DCNR maintains a list for our area.
- Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards
Education and Resources
- Natural Lands' Land For Life Guide
- Section on Native Plant Material starts on page 172.
- Section on Native Trees and Shrubs for Landscaping and Wildlife starts on page 191.
- Penn State Extension Woodland Stewardship: Management Practices for Landowners self-paced series
- DCNR's Landscaping with native plants page provides types of plants, tips, benefits, and other resources to help someone get started.
- Journeywork is a local organization that will provide homeowners with assistance/workshops on native plant installation plans. They also help facilitate discussions and put on events.
- Penn State Extension Forest Management
- Woodland Health Checklist from Penn State Extension