Environmental Advisory Council of Hellam Township

06/16/2026

☀️ The Horn Farm's Summer Solstice Market is this Saturday! Come out and enjoy free seeds, local artisan goods, and fresh harvests. You won't want to miss this! 🌱

06/02/2026

🐦 Tree branches and other natural yard wastes are often the perfect materials to assist critters in their survival. Before you get rid of it, think about keeping it somewhere out of the way to keep birds, rabbits and other wildlife safe! 🐢

A stack of trimmings by the back fence looks like a chore you haven't finished. To the animals in your yard, it looks like the safest structure on the property.

The interlocking branches create a maze that predators can't navigate. A Carolina wren can thread into the center and build a dome nest that no jay, crow, or cat can reach. A cottontail raises kits in a shallow depression at the base. A chipmunk caches seeds in the gaps between branches and soil. Toads bury into the damp bottom layer during summer heat.

The pile works from both directions — nesting habitat from the top down, hunting ground from the soil up. Ground beetles and wolf spiders patrol the underside at night. As the lower layers decompose, the pile slowly becomes the next layer of soil — feeding the trees that grew the branches.

🌿 How to make it work:

- Stack branches loosely — air gaps are what make the interior navigable for small animals and impassable for large ones
- Place it against a fence or at a back corner where it won't bother sightlines
- Larger branches on the bottom, smaller on top. The heavy base creates the sheltered ground-level spaces
- Add to it each season instead of hauling old material away — the aging layers at the bottom are the most biologically active
- A pile as small as four feet across is enough to attract the first tenants

The messiest corner of your yard is often the most occupied 🌿

05/27/2026

💛 Did you know that goldenrod is a highly underrated perennial? 🌿

The most useful native perennial you can grow in Pennsylvania supports more species of native bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects than almost any other flowering plant in the state. It blooms late in the season when most other perennials have finished, filling a critical gap in the garden calendar right when pollinators need late-season nectar most before winter arrives.

05/18/2026

🌳 Don't discount the importance of choosing the right plants 🌱 for your project! 🐛🐦

Once they escape into natural areas, they can crowd out native plants, disrupt wildlife habitat, and become a real headache for land managers and homeowners alike. That is why some shrubs are not just discouraged in Pennsylvania, but actually illegal to sell, grow, or distribute.

05/14/2026

🌲Consider what types of trees are illegal when choosing a species to plant! 🌳

As Pennsylvania continues to address these issues, knowing which trees raise concerns can help you make more informed choices. A quick look at what is restricted and why can go a long way in protecting both your yard and the surrounding environment.

05/06/2026

Gardening meets creativity 🌿🎨 Check out the Native Plant Sale this Saturday, May 9 for beautiful garden art, fun kids’ activities, and hands-on ways to support pollinators 🦋🐝 Perfect for the whole family!

05/05/2026

🐛 Did you know that your tree choices affect more than just your landscaping? 🌳 Native trees benefit a plethora of species, include caterpillars and chickadees. Choose wisely when you're planting! 🐦

The tree in your yard isn't just shade. It's the base of a food chain.

Nesting chickadees need a remarkable number of caterpillars to raise one clutch — far more than most people would guess. Native trees host those caterpillars. Most non-native ornamentals host very few. The difference between what you plant determines what can nest nearby.

🌿 Native trees ranked by how many caterpillar species they support:

- Oak — more caterpillar species than any other tree genus in North America. One mature oak supports more insect life than entire yards of non-native ornamentals

- Black cherry — the native cherry most people treat as a w**d tree. Its caterpillar load feeds more birds than most ornamental cherries planted in its place

- Willow — fast-growing, water-loving, and among the highest caterpillar hosts on the continent. Native willows outperform the common weeping willow hybrids by a wide margin

- Birch — white, river, and paper birch all rank in the top tier. The caterpillars feeding on birch foliage are primary food for warblers and chickadees during nesting season

- Poplar and cottonwood — the messy tree people complain about is one of the more important wildlife trees in the country. The cotton is a minor inconvenience. The ecological output is hard to replace

- Native maple — red maple and sugar maple, not the imported Norway maple that lines many suburban streets. Norway maple supports far fewer caterpillar species than its native counterparts

- Elm — American elm was the dominant street tree for good reason. Disease-resistant cultivars are returning and bringing the caterpillar community with them

- Hickory — slow-growing and long-lived. The nuts feed mammals. The foliage feeds caterpillars. The caterpillars feed birds. A complete food web in one tree

- Native pine — the evergreen people assume supports nothing because it doesn't flower. Pine-specialist caterpillars are important food for birds in winter and early spring when deciduous trees are bare

The tree you choose determines what can eat, nest, and raise young within reach of it 🌿

04/27/2026

🫛 Find great native and veggie plants at the annual Horn Farm Plant Sale!
Saturday, May 2, 9AM - 3PM 🥕

This season, create a beautiful, diverse, nourishing garden that will feed you, your family, your community, and help support the local ecosystem! From anise hyssop to zucchini, and everything in between – The Horn Farm Plant Sale is your one-stop-shop for organically grown vegetable, herb, flower...

04/20/2026

🌱 Ready to rethink your lawn?

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is helping residents turn traditional turf into thriving meadows and habitat. By converting even a small portion of your yard, you can:

🌼 Support pollinators, birds, and wildlife
💧 Improve water quality by reducing runoff
🪶 Increase biodiversity right at home
🚜 Cut down on mowing and maintenance

Through DCNR’s Lawn to Habitat Program, residents can access technical guidance, resources, and even free “Pocket Meadow Kits” (while supplies last!) to get started.

Small changes can make a big impact. Consider letting part of your lawn grow into something more.

🔗 Learn more and get started: https://www.pa.gov/services/dcnr/request-help-converting-your-lawn-to-a-meadow

04/13/2026

🐦Here are a few simple ways to help our birds make their amazing & difficult journey safely during spring migration! 🐦

Providing safe passage for night-migrating birds.