Towamencin Township Native Habitat Restoration Project

Welcome to the Towamencin Environmental Advisory Council (EAC)  Native Habitat Restoration Project!

This page is your hub for updates, information, and progress reports on one of our township’s most exciting environmental initiatives.

The Issue

The designated no-mow area at the municipal building was overrun with Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense), an aggressive and highly invasive weed. This plant is not just unsightly — it’s ecologically destructive. An infestation this size can spread up to 100 million seeds annually, carried by the wind to properties throughout the township. Towamencin municipal law prohibits allowing this noxious weed to remain unmanaged on public lands.

What we are Doing

We are restoring the native habitat using methods modeled after the ecological process of succession.

Phase 1 – Invasive Species Removal (2025)

We began with 3 applications of environmentally responsible herbicides to eliminate 90–95% of the Canada Thistle population.  Why are we using herbicides? While we strongly support natural solutions for smaller and less invaded areas, full eradication of invasives is crucial — native plants cannot take root while invasives dominate the soil and the ecosystem, and hand weeding or other methodologies are only feasible for small areas. For the restoration areas in Towamencin the methods, including the chosen agents, timing, and amounts, were carefully evaluated for risk vs. benefit and endorsed by ecologists and specialists at the Penn State Master Gardeners, Morris Arboretum, Perkiomen Watershed Association, the EPA or others. The methods we employed maximize ecological benefit and minimize risks to non-target species.  Weeds, Inc., a licensed professional company that has installed meadows for some of these organizations and has a well-earned positive reputation, was Towamencin’s choice for this task.

Phase 2 – Seeding Native Grasses (Fall 2025)

In November, we overseeded the area with a custom mix of native grasses, including:

58%     Little Bluestem            Schizachyrium scoparium

4%      Indiangrass                    Soghastrum nutans

15%      Virginia Wild Rye         Elymus virginicus

5%      Deertongue                   Panicum clandestrinum

5%      Bottle Brush Grass       Elymus hystrix

2%      Autumn Bentgrass        Argostis perennans

6%      Purpletop                      Tridens flavus

5%      Broomsedge                 Andropogon Virginicus

These grasses:

• Grow 2–5 feet tall
  
  
• Improve soil health through deep root systems
  
  
• Absorb stormwater and prevent erosion
  
  
• Outcompete thistle once established
  
  
• Provide food and shelter for wildlifd

These grasses should germinate quickly and begin establishing in spring 2026.

Phase 3 – Wildflowers & Native Trees (Fall of 2026)

Once the thistle has been controlled and the soil improved:

• We’ll mow a perimeter strip to thin out the grasses and make space for wildflowers.
  
  
• We’ll then overseed the area with a diverse native wildflower mix, offering seasonal color and increased habitat diversity.
• At the same time, we’ll plant native tree species in the interior, providing:
  
  • Shade
    A showcase of native flora
  • Expanded habitat for birds and other wildlife
    
    
  • Long-term support for wildlife including pollinators and birds

Phase 4 – Community Access & Enhancements (2026 and beyond)

With the habitat restored, we’ll work on adding walking paths and low-impact amenities, such as:

• Benches
  
  
• Birdhouses
  
  
• Interpretive signage
  
  This will create a peaceful, educational space where residents can engage with nature and learn about the value of native ecosystems.

Why It Matters

By replacing invasive species with resilient native plants, we’ll be:

• Enhancing biodiversity
  
  
• Improving stormwater management
  
  
• Restoring soil health
  
  
• Creating habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife
  
  
• Building a lasting environmental legacy for Towamencin

A Model for the Township

This project is more than a single restoration effort — it’s a proof of concept.

We’re starting with the no-mow area in front of the Towamencin Municipal Building, where results will be highly visible to the community. This central location allows us to showcase the power of native habitat restoration while also carefully tracking what works and what doesn’t.

Our ultimate goal is to apply the lessons and methods learned here to other public spaces across Towamencin that suffer from invasive overgrowth. With each successful project, we’ll continue building a healthier, more resilient environment for generations to come.

Stay tuned for project updates, volunteer opportunities, and progress photos as we work together to transform this space into a thriving native habitat!