Butterworth Park Native Pollinator Garden

Conservation

Grant for Butterworth Pollinator Garden

The Butterworth Park Pollinator Garden officially opened on June 12th 2023. A brief ceremony was attended by four members of the Township Committee, the Township Administrator, members of the EC, and some township residents.

The garden provides critical habitat to insect pollinators facing severe population decline. It contains a wide variety of native perennial herbaceous plants that will bloom at different times of the year:

  • Amsonia hubrichtii (Hubricht's bluestar)
  • Anemone candensis (Canada anemone)
  • Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed)
  • Hypericum prolificum (Shrubby St. John's Wort)
  • Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot)
  • Penstemon digitalus (Foxglove Beardtongue)
  • Rudbeckia fulgida (Blackeyed Susan)
  • Symphyotrichum novae angliae (New England Aster)
  • Solidago speciosa (Showy Goldenrod)
  • Zizia aurea (Golden Alexander)

The Butterworth Pollinator Garden also includes a short path, a bat-house on a 10-foot post, and informational signage for visitors to the garden.

2023 EC Annual Report v1
2023 EC Annual Report v1

The garden is the brainchild of Morris Township resident and Environmental Commission member, Charlie Schachter. He spent two-and-a-half years planning and developing the garden, which was fully funded by a $1,000 grant from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions.

Charlie hopes to continue expanding the garden with the help of the Friends of Butterworth Garden, a neighborhood volunteer group pledged to maintaining the garden.

Park can be found at 35 Lynnfield Drive at the below location.

2023 EC Annual Report v12