On April 3, communities came together at Johnston Park in Wilmington to bring new life to a growing community space. Led by Kerry Wilson, Habitat and Outreach Manager for Delaware Nature Society, and supported by community partners, the next phase of the 1,300-foot rain garden project took root with an incredible day of planting.
This project was also driven by strong community efforts. Carla Davis, a community leader with Northeast Rising, helped bring neighbors together and support the planting. Northeast Rising is a grassroots community group focused on empowering residents and addressing local issues through collective action. Her vision to restore and steward this space for the neighborhood is now becoming a reality.
With the help of dedicated volunteers and partners, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than 800 native plants were planted in newly constructed beds within a bio-retention basin. This space was designed to manage stormwater while creating habitat for pollinators, insects, and other wildlife. Deep-rooted native plants will improve soil health, absorb excess water, reduce runoff, and help prevent erosion.
Throughout the event, participants learned how to install native plants, what makes a plant native, and why these species are so important for healthy ecosystems. They also gained practical knowledge about maintaining green spaces and how to care for them over time.
The rain garden now features, and will continue to incorporate through future plantings, a diverse mix of native species, including Anaphalis margaritacea, Aquilegia canadensis, Asclepias tuberosa, Aster oblongifolius ‘October Skies’, Echinacea ‘Pow Wow White’, Echinacea purpurea ‘Rubinstern’, Eupatorium ‘Baby Joe’, Heuchera americana, Juncus effusus, Liatris microcephala, Lupinus perennis, Monarda punctata, Oenothera fruticosa, Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’, Solidago nemoralis, Solidago caesia, Liatris spicata, Carex pensylvanica, and Zizia aurea.
This project is ongoing, with more improvements to come. Delaware Nature Society offers workshops for those interested in learning more about native plants and garden maintenance, helping to support healthier, more resilient green spaces across our communities.
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