photo provided Robert and Ella Gautheir, Phoenixville, work hard to do their part. Andrew Kreider, a member of KWS' Green Committee, enjoyed a Saturday that included learning about riparian buffers and how each small act can make a difference.

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On Saturday, October 10, 2009, parents, students and friends came out to Kimberton Waldorf School (KWS) to help plant hundreds of trees, shrubs and native grasses in an effort to increase on-site storm water infiltration, decrease non-point source pollution, shading the storm water to decrease the water temperature, and improve the habitat for birds and other terrestrial animals by providing food, nesting and places to hide from predators.

KWS received a grant from Tree Vitalize through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and National Resources and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to complete Phase II of the school's greening project. The grant allowed the restoration of riparian buffer along the French Creek. Last spring, the school was one of five organizations to receive funding, which launched Phase I of the project.

Just last week, KWS learned that they won the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 2009 Community Greening award. Evaluators from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society visited 80 nominate sites and selected KWS for this prestigious award.

"Through this project, there will also be an improvement of the appearance of the area with more diversity of native vegetation,"

explained Mary Hirsch, director of advancement at the school.

Community members helped plant trees, shrubs and plant plugs while learning more about riparian buffers, ecology, and the impact humans have on the environment.