A collaboration between the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council and Wild About Atlantic Highlands non-profit group aiming to continue the natural beautification of the borough resulted in a standing room only crowd at the Art Councils gallery on First Avenue Saturday to view Sarah Galloway’s Wild in the Garden State film. Guests also received tips, information and seed for sowing milk pods that continue to save the endangered Monarch butterfly population.
Galloway’s awarding winning film produced by herself and her husband Dave Cumins at their own home in Wanamassa, depicted how homeowners can replace typical suburban lawns into native plant gardens for unusual landscaping and natural attractions for a variety of wildlife from bees and birds to small mammals also necessary in the natural life of plants.
Galloway showed what happened after she and Cumins moved from a New York city apartment to the Jersey shore and a 130-foot span of lawn. The video they produced included her expertise as a video producer for the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and blended with Cumins’ expertise as a retired architect in showing how to create an eco-friendly garden.
In a question and answer period that followed the showing and light refreshments, the couple also gave further information on the variety of sources available for both information and native plants to create gardens in any ground surface in any area. She recommended sand-loving plants for this area because of the natural existence of sandy soil in the area, but also cited sources for pre-planned and native pollinator gardens. Local resident Ken Grasso donated scores of envelopes and directions for cold-stratifying milk pod seeds for spring planting.
Native plants are those that have evolved over thousands of years and adapt to the conditions in a particular area as well as to the other plants and animals around them. Many of the plants are necessary for the migratory bird population that passes through the area, and all native plants thrive in their specific local climate and soil, as well as their defense against disease, harmful insects and other pests. Native plants are easier to care for as a general rule, since they require less water and fertilizer and show no need for pesticides, as well as providing the food, shelter and nesting sites necessary to ensure a healthy bird population.
Proiceeds from the day’s event will go toward the Wild in Atlantic Highlands “A Garden State exhibition and programs beginning in March 2023.
The Atlantic Highlands Arts Council (AHAC) is designed to enable visitors to experience classes, workshops and exhibitions and programs that highlight the diversity of talents, abilities and needs in the local community, strengthening the community through the arts. It is a 501 3 c nonprofit organization that uses arts to transform and enrich communities and to develop and execute events and art related activities.
The program was made possible in part by funds from Monmouth Arts, a partner of the NJ State Council on the Arts, the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, and Wild about Atlantic Highlands.
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