The Conservancy recently received a Growing Greener Plus grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to expand and restore habitat at the Preserve at Harriton, in partnership with the Friends of Harriton Preserve (FHP) and Lower Merion Township (LMT). The Preserve at Harriton is an 8.9-acre parcel within Harriton Park in Bryn Mawr. The Preserve contains woodlands and two streams, including a section of Mill Creek. The Harriton Association maintains the buildings and upper section of Harriton Park while LMT works with the FHP to maintain the 8.9-acre Preserve. Invasive plants like multiflora rose and Japanese knotweed occupy large, spreading sections of the Preserve. Most local pollinators cannot eat multiflora rose or Japanese knotweed, so the populations of pollinators – and other important organisms – at the Preserve are lower than they could be.

We plan to cut back the patches of multiflora rose and Japanese knotweed regularly for two growing seasons to counter their spread. The cuttings will weaken the plants, creating room to plant new native plants, like the successful efforts at the Cynwyd Heritage Trail. Weakened plants are easier to cut back than established ones, so volunteers can handle more of the maintenance in the future. After two growing seasons of cutting, we will replant the area with a diverse mix of native plants to restore the woodlands and expand the riparian buffer. 

The plantings will create ecological benefits at the Preserve and serve as an example for other streamside properties. We are excited to get started and will share updates as the plans develop.