The Highland Park Native Plant Sanctuary (NPS) is a three-acre open space dedicated to the propagation and protection of native plants. It is open to the public from dawn until dusk and visitors can enjoy nature in flowering meadows and shady woodlands along the banks of the Raritan River.
As a riparian buffer zone, the Native Plant Sanctuary helps to protect the Raritan River from pollution carried by stormwater runoff. It also provides stream bank stabilization, shade for aquatic life along the riverbank, and habitat for wildlife. As an open space rich in plants and wildlife, it offers a refreshing change from the stresses of modern life. The sanctuary is maintained by volunteers and provides a hands-on experience for those interested in learning ways to improve our local environment. It also provides examples of many local species of plants, many of which can be grown in suburban gardens, too.
Come and enjoy the spring ephemeral flowers that are beginning to bloom in the Sanctuary. This group of native plants are short-lived, relatively small flowers that bloom in forested areas in early spring. They take advantage of the sunlight streaming to the forest floor before the trees have leafed. These flowers feed newly emerged queen bumble bees who are hungry after the long winter, as well as some smaller native bees.
Please take photos of the flowers, but refrain from picking flowers or disturbing the plants. Many ephemerals only produce one flower and do not transplant well.
Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis
Visit us at the Native Plant Society of Highland Park booth at the Spring Fling Street Fair on Sunday, May 4.
Walk-and-talk tour of the Sanctuary Saturday, May 10, starting at 12 PM.
While conventional gardening and landscaping seek to achieve a certain look, stewardship here at the Highland Park Native Plant Sanctuary seeks to promote ecological resilience and biodiversity.
We use no chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. Last year’s flower stalks, fallen leaves, twigs and branches are left on the ground to provide shelter for insects and small animals and nourishment for organisms that turn plant matter into rich soil.
We make space for planting native plants by removing invasive species. Native plants sustain a microbiota that helps other plants absorb water and nutrients. Webs of soil microorganisms allow trees to communicate with each other through their roots and improve soil quality. Native plants also attract native insects, which native birds depend on to feed their nestlings. Thus a system of mutually dependent lifeforms begins to emerge on what, for about 300 years, was mostly lifeless, disturbed land.
Our stewards protect the sanctuary and its plant communities, but try not to intervene too much. All living things want to grow and thrive. Given time, they generally can figure out on their own how to maximize their nourishment and protect themselves from predators. As stewards here, we try to be patient, paying attention to the emerging ecosystem and looking for clues to teach us what we can do to help. This type of land management is less expensive, less time consuming, less polluting and more ecologically friendly than conventional landscape care.
To learn about volunteer opportunities, email highlandparknativeplants@gmail.com.
We have begun creating the memorial area in memory of Mary Denver. To learn more about Mary and her work, go to our history page.
A few invasive Norway maples have been topped, leaving the trees as snags. While this level of disruption isn’t part of our usual stewardship methods, it allows a rare opportunity for more dramatic and short-term improvement. Leaving a tree as a snag (vs just a stump) is better for forest health and becomes habitat for birds, pollinators, and other insects.
We now have an area to place a memorial bench and plaque and will keep everyone updated as the project moves forward. The new areas will be filled with native plants through the seasons. Please be on the lookout for volunteer days.
Supporters and Partnerships
Contact highlandparknativeplants@gmail.com to get more information on the volunteer opportunities