SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Lane McMullin could have been outside Saturday morning enjoying the warm weather, but he wanted to learn more about how to care for the environment.
McMullin, 66, of Blythe Township, was one of about 80 people who attended a program titled “Woods in Your Backyard” at the Health and Wellness building at the Penn State Schuylkill.
“I want to convert my lawn to a pollinator garden,” he said, adding he wanted to contribute in a small way to helping out the environment.
Several presenters talked about how we can do our part to contribute to the betterment of the area. There was a cost to attend the event that started about 8:45 a.m. and ended about noon. The event was sponsored by several entities: The Forestry Committee of the Schuylkill Conservancy, a group of concerned residents, the Schuylkill Conservation District, Penn State Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners and Penn State Schuylkill, Jerry Bowman, a member of the forestry committee, said.
James Finley, who was the keynote speaker, is a forest resources professor at Penn State, University Park. He is also the co-author of “The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home.” He spoke about how “we can care for the land in a different way.”
Topics he talked about included trees and how to properly care for them and their importance. A handout provided at the event mentions that tree planting can be an asset to the environment by being a noise buffer, as well as being nice to look at and can lead to more wildlife in the area.
Howard Dry, a Penn State Extension Master Gardener, talked about how people can let their lawns “go into the natural state,” meaning not being mowed frequently so they can be absorbed back into nature. This would likely be most suited to those who have more than an acre of land, he said.
Jessica Simkulet, also a Penn State Extension Master Gardener, talked about the importance of pollinator plants.
The bees and other such creatures need to eat. For example, the monarch butterfly eats milkweed. Those pollinators like color, she said.
“My motto is the more color the better,” she said.
The lifespan of bees, monarch butterflies and hummingbirds was discussed. She said bees can lives a few weeks to months or longer.
“The average lifespan for a butterfly is one month,” Simkulet said.
Hummingbirds can live as long as five to nine years usually, she said.
Others speakers talked about topics important to them and the ecosystem. Those attending had the opportunity to ask questions.
Simkulet said even small changes can help the larger ecosystem.
“No garden it too small to help the pollinators,” she said.
Information about trees
• An average
large tree will absorb 48 pounds of carbon dioxide in a year
• By age 40, a large tree can absorb a ton of carbon dioxide
• One tree can provide oxygen for two people
• Tree roots filter harmful substances
• Shade provided by trees reduces the amount of radiant energy absorbed by buildings
• Trees cool the air around them by releasing water vapor
• Trees reduce and buffer the speed of wind against homes and buildings
• They provide beauty
Source: Penn State Cooperative Extension