(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Are you tired of mowing, watering, and fertilizing your lawn in the spring, only to watch it shrivel up in the summer? Have you lost an ash tree? Would you like to see more flowers, birds, and butterflies?

The Sourland Conservancy has created an easy and inexpensive way for area residents to create an oasis of native habitat in their own yards. They call it the Biodiversity Tree Kit. In addition to providing critical food and shelter for pollinators, this little garden will help reduce flooding, filter air and water, sequester carbon, and more! 

Each kit contains one Black Oak tree (Quercus velutina), two Carolina Rose bushes (Rosa carolina), deer protection (one tree tube, one support stake, three zip ties and one bird net), and a new perennial bed design. This design was created by Pensive Weeds, a full service floral and landscape company located in Pennington, NJ. Conservancy members will also receive three Little bluestem plants (Schizachyrium scoparium). These plants are ideal for replacing mowed lawn in a sunny, well-drained spot. To help new gardeners, the Conservancy also filmed a short instructional video that illustrates an easy way to transform your lawn in a few simple steps.

Robert Aluck and Eric Williams, the Conservancy’s Stewardship Director and Coordinator respectively, suggest using cardboard and woodchips to make space for native plants. “Over time these plants create more shade, sequester carbon, reduce pollution, reduce flooding, and attract bees, butterflies, and birds to your property,” says Eric. The plants shown in the video are all included in the kit.

Black oaks play an important role in our Sourland ecosystem by supporting the life cycles of hundreds of native insects.

Biodiversity tree kits are available for $30.00 each online through October 14th, while supplies last. Visit www.sourland.org to purchase or donate a kit. Pick up day is October 15th, 2022 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm at the Sourland Conservancy office 83 Princeton Avenue, Hopewell, NJ 08525. 

The Sourland Conservancy advocates for policy and legal change, to communicate its mission, and to provide education on these subjects.

They reach out to officials in all branches of government and to members of the public. They often partner with other civic groups and work to galvanize members and supporters to take action on issues that benefit the environment, renewable energy, stewardship, living sustainably, historical and cultural values, and other important aspects of the Sourlands Region.