Blue Ridge Conservation Receives $1,000 Green Grant

To help install a native plant garden and trail at the  27-acre public garden known as Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, Blue Ridge Conservation has been awarded $1,000 as part of our 12th Annual Green Grants Program.

Blue Ridge Conservation’s mission is to educate the Lynchburg area public about the importance of being good stewards of the natural world.  Recent initiatives include partnerships with schools, government agencies, and community organizations to create gardens that teach the importance of planting native plants.

Blue Ridge Conservation plans a new native plant garden and trail to be located in the Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, the oldest municipal cemetery in Virginia.  Removing turf, which has no benefit to pollinators, is an important first step.  Grass will be replaced with native plants, shrubbery, perennials, and trees that will not only benefit water quality but also create wildlife habitat for birds and other small mammals and insects.

Funds awarded by Keep Virginia Beautiful will help install permanent signage that will provide information about the benefits of native plants for the local ecosystem and watershed.  Signage for Native Garden Trail includes a large sized sign with introduction to why planting Natives is important, and three medium-sized signs along the trail to educate trail visitors about adding a fresh water source to their gardens, providing protected areas for pollinators to nest, the importance of NOT spraying any chemicals.  There will also be twenty small-sized signs will identify the Natives planted along the way.

Old City Cemetery is one of the most visited places in Lynchburg, and it is anticipated that more events along the trail will be planned.

Thank you for the beauty and education the native plant garden and trail will provide for residents and visitors!