The late summer flowers arrive at Carnegie Park as they reach the final stages of the new Pitcher Park rainforest.
Thanks to a $ 2,500 community impact donation from Duxson Light, the Carnegie Boro Shade Commission will be able to move forward with the long-awaited rain garden by creating a 100-foot, 6-foot-wide border next to Pitcher Park. Memorial Skatepark.
“The purpose of a rain garden is to help the ski park maintain its integrity while absorbing excess water,” said Bob Podwood, a member of the Shad Tree Commission.
Carnegie Borough Administrator Denen Underwood received $ 1,200 in funding from the Pennsylvania American Water Company after reviewing rainwater flow near the park. Unfortunately, there was not enough money to complete the project.
According to Underwood, the lack of funding and the epidemic have hampered the project. Last year, to keep the industry afloat, the Ded Tree Commission created a virtual classroom to educate local elementary students about the critical ecological services and systems played in rainforests.
“I think it’s exciting to see a city organization that uses knowledge of environmental ecological services,” said Jean H. Kenny, an environmental educator at Cristostone State Park.
Underwood said the new rainwater garden drainage problem is a green solution and Carnegie elementary school students who plan to visit the garden will serve as a learning environment for both to learn about the ecology of their communities.
“The kids can see the green infrastructure at work,” Underwood said.
In addition to learning about rain garden mechanics, students will also have the opportunity to learn about Kenny’s heart – Pennsylvania plants, the importance of animals – and most importantly – pollen.
According to Kenny, pollen extends beyond reproductive honey. In Pennsylvania alone, there are many species of bees and wasps, beetles, ants, and the royal butterfly, Kenny’s personal favorite.
Underwood’s new rainforest features a variety of local plants that are sure to attract local pollen. As of July 18, 88 rainforests have been added to the rain garden, including Joe-P, Maryland Sena, Swamp Milk, Purple Confolor and Lance Leaf Corps.
Keene and Underwood both noticed that these plants were the king’s favorite food and shelter.
But “it’s not just about kings,” said Kenny.
Kings Kenny described it as “the umbrella species.” In order to protect them and their natural habitat, many other species of plants, animals, and insects are inadvertently exploited.
Kings and the plants needed to maintain them “provide shelter for many other pollen grains,” says Kenen.
Once emperors, other pollen and birds flocked to gardens and fields with local plants, Kenny explained – to live with more than a dozen species.
“The local plant is one of the best ways to help the garden,” says Kenny.
Two days after the second planting of the rain garden, Underwood said she began to notice some eager gob visitors.
“In a few days the pollen started to come,” Underwood said happily.
She saw many bees and butterflies hovering in the garden, the first sign that this rain garden would be successful.
“It’s good to see the pressure to provide natural habitat,” says Kenny.
In the coming months, the Shadi Tree Commission plans to complete the planting of native trees in the garden and complete the necessary charcoal and weeding.
But for Underwood, this rainforest is the beginning of good work in the Greater Pittsburgh region. Pitcher Park Rain Garden is one of 22 projects funded by the Duckson Light Community Impact, which Underwood is excited about for the future of the area.
“These are 22 different projects that could be caused by the Duckson light,” Underwood said.
Colin Hammond is a Tribune reviewer for Pittsburgh Media Partnership.