Tree replanting events like this one at Tinicum Park is just one way Bucks Beautiful fulfills its mission (Laurie To).
Since its founding in 1991, Bucks Beautiful has been building partnerships to visually enhance the landscape of Bucks County.
Laurie To, communications director, talked to Access Network about the organization’s programs and how the community can get involved and help.
“Bucks Beautiful’s mission is to actively work to beautify the county through coordinated events, grassroots projects, educational programs and partnering with like-minded community organizations encouraging the development and enjoyment of public and private gardens throughout the county,” she said.
To explained that Bucks Beautiful provides community grants to encourage nonprofits, schools, garden clubs, homeowner associations and local municipalities to host public gardens or tree plantings in the county.
This includes plantings at hospitals, war memorials, public parks, gateway gardens, town centers and schools. The grant award is a 50/50 cash match up to a maximum of $5,000 a year.
Two of their biggest programs are RePlant Bucks and Bulbs for Bucks.
The goal of RePlant Bucks is the planting of 10,000 new trees throughout Bucks County. The initiative was started in 2018 and through partnerships with local nurseries and landscapers, the nonprofit has already installed 1,888 trees in 43 locations throughout the county.
The Bulbs for Bucks Program’s goal is to beautify spaces with the planting of daffodils which bloom in the spring. The program has expanded to include schools, so students get the chance to participate in the plantings.
To said that they recently partnered with Upper Makefield Township on a memorial butterfly garden in memory of those who lost their lives in the flash flooding on July 15, 2023.
Bucks Beautiful has also partnered with Buckingham Township and students from Central Bucks East High School to create a native pollinator space within the Buckingham wetlands.
Part of Bucks Beautiful’s mission, she added, is education so they also help sponsor lectures with other organizations and provide educational information through their newsletters and YouTube channel.
In addition, they host free plant swaps twice year. To explained that the swaps are open to anyone. You don’t have to be an expert, and a master gardener is available to identify plants before the swap.
On her favorite part of her work with Bucks Beautiful, To said she enjoys sponsoring school projects and even worked on one at her kids’ school, a memorial planting for a first grader who had tragically died.
How can the community get involved?
To said there are so many great ways to get involved with their mission. You can become a member or a sponsor or make a monetary donation.
Volunteers are also appreciated for their big fundraisers, the Spring Gala and Kitchen & Garden Tour.
For more information about Bucks Beautiful, visit bucksbeautiful.org.
