05/29/2026
Volunteer Highlight!!!!
While working on their Animal Habitats badge, Girl Scout Troop 1185 researched food sources for animals and started to learn about how native plants are food sources for animals and invasive species are crowding them out. Their troop leader reached out to the park and asked if there was an area the troop could remove invasives and plant natives.
On a cold, wet March they meet park staff at Rockford Park to tackle the task of removing invasive plants growing both on and around Forgotten Pavilion, a structure with a brick patio and tall trees. The girls along with their adults, started meeting regularly to remove invasives like: Lesser celandine, English ivy, multiflora rose, daffodils and privet. Loose bricks were removed and the beds around the pavilion raked and cleared, while preserving leaf mulch as much as possible. The Troop removed more than a dozen large yard waste bags and three bags of litter, along with accumulating the huge piles of plant debris.
Working with John Chaney, a park maintenance staff member with native plant knowledge, the troop selected native plants appropriate for the site. They held a lemonade stand to supplement their cookie money to purchase native plants for the site. In addition, they also received in-kind donations and advice from New Moon Nursery, Josie's Native Plants, Watercrest Farms, and Backyard Wildlife Native Plants.
The troop has said one of the best parts of this work was meeting the community members who shared stories about how the pavilion has changed over the years and how they appreciated seeing young girls out "making the world a better place”. Another bonus was that the girls got to pet many friendly dogs while educating their owners about their work with hopes of inspiring them to plant natives in their yard.
Alapocas Run and Wilmington State Parks greatly appreciates Troop 1185's dedicated assistance in the stewardship of our parklands.
