Hats Off to Claudia West!

The Delaware Nursery & Landscape Association 2013 Landscape Award was recently presented to our Ecological Sales Manager, Claudia West. This honor is made in recognition of excellence in the design, plant selection, and installation of an outstanding landscape. The landscape being recognized is The Hunt at Louviers, a City of Newark stormwater retrofit project focused on improving water quality.  When asked some of the highlights associated with the project, Claudia replied, "The project was largely spearheaded by City of Newark Stormwater Program Coordinator, Kelley Dinsmore. She was wonderful to work with as were all of the other entities involved. It is an honor to be recognized by DNLA and I very much share this award with The City of Newark, Duffield Associates, and CGC Geoservices." The Hunt at Louviers stormwater project was supported by generous funding from DNR's Community Water Quality Improvement Grant. Additional funding secured by the White Clay Wild & Scenic Program supported public outreach, coordination of volunteers, and plant layout and installation oversight. By re-grading, removing invasive species, and retrofitting the existing basin, water quality will improve, native vegetation with be restored, and pollinators and insects will have a place to feed and find shelter. Over 100 hard-working and dedicated community volunteers from Bank of America, Dupont's Clear into the Future program, students from the University of Delaware, Pennoni Associates, Trail Spinners, The Nature Conservancy, and the PA Mater Naturalist program joined forces to install 28,000 Landscape Plugs™ and broadcast 20 lbs of a custom seed mix, supplied by Ernst Conservation Seed, over 37,860 square feet. Planted last year on Earth Day, the project is well on its way with 100% plant cover. Moving forward, Brandywine Nurseries will keep this planting on track by removing invasive species and tending to this beautiful green space. Congratulations to all involved in planning and planting The Hunt at Louviers, well done!