HPS/MAG Grant Program – 2023 Grant Recipients

The HPS/MAG Grant Program was started in 2009 and has awarded grants annually to individuals, community groups, schools and other organizations in the mid-Atlantic region who are working to promote horticulture and positive ecological impact.

One of our major goals has been to expand our grant program, as the number of applicants has increased each year. In 2023 we received 38 applications from varied organizations throughout the mid-Atlantic region and awarded grants to 19 of these applicants.  The Grant Committee employs a rigorous grading system to enable the committee to consistently evaluate each grant application and distribute grant funding for maximum benefit.  Each year, the committee reviews and refines our evaluation process in response to what we have learned during the grant cycle.

If you are interested in participating in the important and impactful work of the HPS/MAG Grant Committee, please contact  [email protected].

How You Can Help: Please consider a contribution to HPS/MAG to ensure that our grant program can continue to support worthy groups who need our help more than ever in these challenging times. To donate, visit our website.  HPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to which donations may be deducted to the extent permitted by the law.

2023 HPS/MAG Grant Recipients

The HPS/MAG Grant Committee is pleased to announce the 2023 grant awardees. Congratulations to all our grant recipients!

Ambler Arboretum of Temple University in Ambler, PA received $1000 for the Living Mulch Demonstration Trail to educate arboretum visitors and users about the ecological benefits and ornamental possibilities of using plants as living mulch.  The purpose of the living mulch demonstration trail is to provide homeowners, land managers and landscape architecture and horticulture students inspiration for replacing mulch with plants as groundcovers.

Appoquinimink High School and the Gloucester County Certified Gardeners in Middletown, DE received $812 to help populate a roughly quarter-acre site on the Appoquinimink High School campus with hardy, native trees, shrubs, and perennials using the Miyawaki MicroForest design. This concept was designed by Professor Miyawaki as the best method for quickly, effectively “reforesting” small spaces (i.e. under an acre) that promote a resilient, diverse, native ecosystem.  The AHS Miyawaki MicroForest would serve as an example of how to reduce runoff and soil erosion, filter runoff pollutants, lower emissions and fertilizer pollution while eliminating high-maintenance grass surface.

Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia, PA received $1018 to repair and replenish the riparian plantings in the Forested Wetland to increase the biodiversity and stop erosion within the buffer floodplain.  The project will focus on removing an expanding section of invasive monoculture within the floodplain section and replacing it with a selection of native plants appropriate to conditions present at the site. The project will also serve as a follow up to a wetland restoration project that was completed in 2011.

Bondsville Mill Park in Downingtown, PA received $744 to purchase plants for their newest garden area at the Bird Watch. This continues their mission of demonstrating the importance of native plants to birds as they have done in other gardens for pollinators.

Cape May Point Science Center in Cape May Point, NJ received $700 to help create a Pollinator Garden, in the inner courtyard of the former St. Mary's by the Sea Retreat House.  The garden will be used to educate the public on the use of native and host plants and their benefits to the myriad of pollinators that travel through this biodiverse region.

Colonial Canopy Trees in Plymouth Meeting, PA received $690 to enhance the local ecosystem as part of the Old Woods Restoration project at Harriet Wetherill Park in Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania.  Invasive species will be removed and native plants will be installed in an "old growth" forest fragment.

Ephrata High School Agriculture Department received $740 to support their Habitat Restoration project to improve the biodiversity in a hedgerow along the eastern property line of Ephrata High School.  The hedgerow is located on the boundary of the property overlooking the Cocalico Creek and is over 1000 feet in total. Amur honeysuckle, English ivy, and tree of heaven have taken over the area which is limiting the diversity of insects that can use the space for food and habitat. As ecologist and entomologist Doug Tallamy asserts, "All plants are not created equal, particularly in their ability to support wildlife".

Friends of Monmouth County Park System, Inc. in Lincroft, NJ received $950 to help to build a native wetland Bio-Basin garden adjacent to the Environmental Center's parking lot on the eastern side where a retention basin has been constructed. This project will create habitat for local birds, mammals and amphibians, while also showcasing these plant selections to all park-goers in a very accessible location.

Friends of White Clay Creek State Park in Newark, DE received $750 to create a Pollinator Garden to replace the invasive plants around the Chambers House Nature Center.

Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens in Devon, PA received $1000 to create a garden focused on providing food and habitat for seed-eating birds. This garden will provide habitat for native pollinator species and transform an area with little ecological or aesthetic value into a hub for wildlife and insects.

John J. Tyler Arboretum in Media, PA received $1,000 to help fund the Tyler Pond Rejuvenation project to enhance the existing landscape surrounding the pond by planting sweeps of perennials and shrubs.

Kennett Library in Kennett Square, PA received $650 to help establish a Meadowito Rain Garden at the Kennett YMCA to create a restorative habitat of herbaceous natives and shrubs to provide food and shelter for birds, insects and other invertebrates and sequester carbon and draw water when experiencing heavy rain events.

Mount Olive United Methodist Church in Randallstown, MD received $900 to expand their Shared Harvest Cooperative Garden at Mount Olive to increase the produce grown and distributed to pantry neighbors who come to our Loaves and Fishes Pantry four days a week for food assistance.

Nicholas Newlin Foundation in Glen Mills, PA received $500 for their new conservation-based planting area, the Bluebird Waystation, located adjacent to an existing meadow lined with bluebird nest boxes.  The Bluebird Waystation aims to promote healthy monarch populations in the park while also supporting other native pollinator and wildlife species.

Riverbend Environmental Education Center in Gladwyne, PA received $715 to provide funding to help reduce the area of mown grass in their preserve by creating intentional circular areas of native wildflowers on a sunny hillside while addressing erosion concerns. These demonstration wildflower gardens and pollination stations will benefit wildlife and create educational opportunities to learn about the benefits of different native plants and the importance of pollinators.

The SILO (Serving, Inspiring and Loving Others) organization in Oxford, PA received $532 to help complete the Growing Together Community Garden.  The garden focuses on environmental education, neighborhood ecosystems, food production and food sharing and is one of last steps of turning a neglected piece of land into a source of inspiration, community healing and education.

Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford, NJ received $790 to help purchase and plant native pollinator plants under the power lines area that runs through the Cedar Run property. This area is maintained by the electric utility company, in order to keep larger plants from growing to heights that may interfere with the lines. Our goal is to maintain website his area as a pollinator habitat, referred to at Cedar Run as the "Pollinator Path," with the plantings of native flowering shrubs and wildflowers.

Wyck Association in Philadelphia, PA received $1000 to create a small, sensory children's garden for ages 4-12 with a focus on pollinator-friendly ornamental plants that extend the bloom season on-site.  This Children's Garden project aims to create an interactive and sensory garden space for children 4-12 to play and explore ornamental plants through the 5 senses with a focus on texture, scent, and color.

Wyncote Audubon Society in Abbington, PA received $1000 to help establish the Twining Valley Park Native Plant Demo Garden.  Wyncote Audubon in conjunction with Upper Dublin's Bird Town program will use this garden to educate homeowners and the municipality on how to restore habitat in their areas.

For a list of prior grant winners, click here.

Questions or comments? Please contact [email protected]. If your organization is interested in applying for a HPS/MAG grant, detailed information and timelines can be found on our website.