Are you passionate about nature and eager to make a positive environmental impact?
Here’s an opportunity to roll up your sleeves and volunteer for a rewarding project that blends ecology and community spirit.
You get to plant native perennial plants behind the Berkeley Springs Depot at the nature based stormwater control area.
It’s happening Saturdays September 14 and September 21 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am and Thursdays September 12 and September 19 from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
The plants you will be planting are native perennial, landscape-plugs that will be planted on hugel beds that were created from local topsoil and compost.
What’s a hugel bed you might ask?
(Don’t let the abbreviation and acronym posers pull the hugel over your eyes.)
Hugel is short for hügelkultur bed – pronounced “hoo-gul-kulture.”
It’s a raised garden bed made from organic materials and wood that’s built from the bottom up.
The word hügelkultur is German for hill culture or mound culture.
“We are transforming the former rail yard into a thriving habitat by planting native perennial plants,” said Rebecca MacLeod, one of the organizers of the hugel planting. “This nature-based stormwater control area is designed to naturally remediate soil and improve local ecosystems. Your efforts will help enhance soil health, support native wildlife, and contribute to sustainable stormwater management.”
If you want to join in, you might want to bring along gardening trowels and garden gloves.
“Let’s come together to nurture our environment and create a beautiful, functional space at the Berkeley Springs Depot,” MacLeod said. “Your participation will make a significant difference in preserving and enhancing our local natural resources.”
(For more information, you can contact Rebecca MacLeod at pendle35@gmail.com.)