MARIENVILLE, Pa. – Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Patrick McDonnell visited the Marienville Area Library rain garden today to tout the significance of the state-funded project.
(Pictured above: PA DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell with State Representative Donna Oberlander and Library Director Jacklyn McLaughlin. Photos by Kyle Yates Photography.)
The secretary was joined by Growing Greener project partners from the Northwest Commission, Friends of the Marienville Area Library, and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for the visit.
“It’s invigorating to see Growing Greener funds being used in the most significant ways, to protect our natural resources and to educate our youth,” said Secretary McDonnell “I applaud the significant efforts of Jackie and the Friends of Marienville Area Library, and the partners, for the hard work and vision to see this project through.”
The Marienville Area Library was approved for a $7,225 Growing Greener grant to create an approximate 850 square foot garden to manage runoff from their new impervious building. The garden is intended to serve as a future reading space, children’s educational programming area, adult educational programming area, as well as beautification of the library facility. Library Director Jacklyn McLaughlin worked with local and state officials to obtain support for the Growing Greener Grant.
The Marienville Area Library Rain Garden is now among the 132 community gardens that the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy currently supports and maintains through thousands of volunteers and sponsorships. The Conservancy helped the library design the look of the garden and select native plant materials and provided gardening expertise.
The Friends of the Marienville Area Library (FOMAL) were integrally involved in applying for the Growing Greener Grant, tiered planning of educational programming for the garden and library expansion. They donated $3000 to complete the Storm Water Management Plan and the associated permit.
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