Happy to report that most of the plantings at Ricky Park Wetland made it through the fall and winter since our group installed this in Upper Macungie Township in August 2019.  We are starting to grow with the marsh marigolds blooming with bright yellow flowers. There are dozens of schooling fish in the wetland now, abundant snails and the plants are taking off. IN the evening the frogs are singing but they are staying well hidden during the day.

Sue Tantsits from Edge of the Woods Native Plants stopped by yesterday and we carefully inspected the plantings. We confirmed that the following plants are growing: Iris, Pickerel Weed, Red Minarda, Marsh Marigold, Cardinal Flower, Rush (in water and going strong), Tussock Sedge, Swamp Milkweed, sensitive fern, blue lobelia (on land), aster, red chokeberry (going strong), mint, side oates grama grass, red lobelia (in water), red twig dogwood, switch grass, grass leaf goldenrod, winterberry holly, spice bush, monkey flower and others. The button bush wasn't budding yet but green under the bark so we think they are OK.

WE did see some local varieties of weeds including Chick weed, jewel weed, dandelion, grass, daisy flea bane and others. These are providing a nice ground cover and for the most part o not seem to be bothering the natives we planted.

We did receive matching funds from Upper Macungie Township to install electrical service and pay for consumed power. The fountain, pump and hose has been received and we now wait for the electrician to install the power once he is able given current Covid-19 restrictions. The fountain and pump will help to control the algae growth during the summer while providing an aesthetically attractive fountain! The fountain and pump will only run about 8 hours per day.