Preview Details On Eco Tour Sites
Below are preview details on the 8 sites in the 2011 Tredyffrin Back Yard Eco Tour.
Remember: Saturday, July 16th (rain or shine), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Purchase the tour “badge” and get maps and directions starting 9:45 a.m. at Tredyffrin Township Library parking lot, 582 Upper Gulph Rd., Strafford/Wayne. The cost is $10 per adult, with children under 18 free.
To see and study on the tour:
Penn Medicine at Valley Forge has graciously opened their new campus, and will provide guided tours of their green roof to Eco Tour participants. The Penn Medicine Erdman Center was built on a property surrounded by wetlands, a floodplain, wooded areas and steep slopes. In order to minimize impacts on this sensitive area, the property designers incorporated various environmetally-friendly features including rain gardens, protection of existing floodplains, and a green roof.- Learn from property owners who have recently implemented geothermal heating and cooling which provides incredibly green energy. Stop by for a newsletter about geothermal energy and bring your questions.
- Learn how a landscape which 5 years ago was grass with a few trees and shrubs is now certified by the Nat’l Wildlife Federation as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat that has hosted 101 species of birds and 22 species of butterflies and moths.
See many varieties of native perennial flowers and vines, native trees, native shrubs and native grasses. The property has a meadow, a bat house, bird houses, and a small pond. - Think you don’t have space for a vegetable garden? This organic vegetable garden is actually 7 mini-gardens planted with various vegetables, herbs and berry bushes. See how you can grow vegetables and herbs in the same beds as your flowers. Have a deer problem? Deer here are controlled by motion-detector sprinklers.
- See another dense vegetable garden on raised beds and get up close to a honeybee hive. Learn how you can attract native bees to your own property with very little effort and reap the benefits these gentle pollinators provide.
- Learn how a property owner turned a problem with a lawn that flooded after heavy storms into a beautiful rain garden with a dozen moisture-loving shrubs and perennials. Enjoy walking paths along densely planted shade and sunny gardens on this Nat’l Wildlife Federation-certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat.
- Would you like to prevent stormwater problems? Rain gardens, flower gardens and other landscape designs can help capture and infiltrate rain water – such a beautiful way to lessen stormwater problems. You’ll learn the benefits of capturing rain runoff by landscaping your property with native plants, shrubs and trees.
- Witness the simplicity of composting yard and kitchen refuse. Learn how layering greens and browns in a durable recycled plastic bin can provide rich dark humus throughout the year and drastically reduce the garbage we send to the landfill.
- Experience a 4-acre soothing, natural retreat that invites visitors to appreciate all that it has to offer. Rather than acres of turf grass you will enjoy seeing the large pond and meadows (including walking paths). Its owners have spent several decades designing and maintaining their private refuge – all by themselves.
Although not required, pre-registering for the Eco Tour helps us print the right number of educational handouts. Click HERE to pre-register for the tour.
Plus, here is a flyer you can download or forward to friends.
This is a non-political event, and everyone is welcome.
