As the weather warms up and the sun is bright, it is no surprise that everyone is itching to get outside. With more students looking for outdoor activities, the Bucknell Greenway is the perfect place to enjoy the sun and forage a deeper connection to nature.
The Bucknell Greenway isn’t just a scenic path; it’s a place brimming with potential for ecological restoration. With a focus on native plantings of trees and pollinator gardens, the Greenway can become a haven for wildlife, a model for sustainable practices, and an educational resource for the Bucknell community.
With the development of the greenway underway, there are many visions of what should be displayed. Professor Martine explains that his vision for the Greenway is clear: more trees. The ideal scenario involves planting a diverse selection of native trees. These plantings could include oaks, hickories, and pines, all regionally suited, and would provide shade, attract wildlife, and establish a multi-layered forest ecosystem. “You can sort of just create some shade and some places out there would be where people would want to hang out. So plant a tree and put a bench” expands Professor Martine on ways that the public could benefit from these plantings and the possibilities of plantings near the
This vision extends beyond trees. Pollinator gardens would be bursting with native wildflowers, shrubs, and perennials which would attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, while also supporting the life cycle of these crucial insects. Professor Martine explains that “it would also be neat to plant plants that are the hosts for things like caterpillars that turn into butterflies” and then follows up with a common example, milkweeds. By creating this support for the life cycle of these insects, the greenway’s pollinator gardens would act as a habitat for the insects while benefiting the world around us.
The key to the greenway’s success lies in the hard work and collaboration of various clubs and organizations on campus. Student clubs such as the botany and biology clubs have already expressed interest in helping while also working on gardens around campus. By adopting sections of the Greenway, these groups can ensure the long-term health of the plantings through regular maintenance and weeding. These must be also maintained during the summer months as they are crucial to ensuring these gorgeous gardens are watered and maintained.
The Bucknell Greenway has the potential to be more than just a scenic path. By embracing native plantings, fostering community involvement, and promoting environmental education, the Greenway can become a flourishing example of ecological restoration, leaving a lasting positive impact on the Bucknell campus.
Clip of interview: https://mediaspace.bucknell.edu/media/Clip+of+Interview+with+Professor+Martine/1_6lx6ohoj
Resources:
- “The Bucknell Farm.” Bucknell University, www.bucknell.edu/life-bucknell/sustainability/bucknell-farm. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.
- Granados, Xochitl ‘25. Bucknell Greenway, 10 August 2023. Independent Study.
- Martin, Laura J. Wild by Design: The Rise of Ecological Restoration. Harvard University Press, 2022.
- Thames, Brooke. “Traverse a New Trail.” Bucknell Magazine, 1 July 2022, magazine.bucknell.edu/issue/summer-2022/traverse-a-new-trail/.