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Community Native Plant Project asks Colmar Manor for $5,000–$10,000 to sustain El Bosquecito restoration
Summary
Community Native Plant Project leaders outlined a year of volunteer work at El Bosquecito, quantified volunteer hours and in-kind contributions, and asked the council to set aside $5,000–$10,000 to sustain stewardship while a grant decision is pending.
At a Colmar Manor town meeting, Community Native Plant Project (CNPP) president Diane Beadle told the council the group has transformed an overgrown parcel known as El Bosquecito and asked the town to set aside $5,000–$10,000 to help sustain the work while a grant application is pending.
"In just one year there have been five volunteer sessions… We have had to date 60 unique volunteers on site, over half of them from Colmar Manor," Beadle said, citing 232 hours of on-site labor and an estimated labor value ‘‘already over $13,000.’’ She added CNPP and partners have contributed staff time and materials: ‘‘Joe's has donated over $2,200 in staff time… PG Parks has put in at least $1,200… CNPP has donated at least $4,750.’’
The mayor and council members praised the community participation and sought clarity about who owns the property. Beadle acknowledged the complication: El Bosquecito is not town-owned and that affects how grants can be used. She said CNPP has not previously led a project on nonmunicipal property, and that many grants pay for materials rather than paid labor, which leaves a funding gap for the people doing the work.
Beadle said CNPP has applied for outside grant funding and expects to know the outcome in July or August; if awarded, that funding would help sustain the site and allow CNPP to shift other contract funds for a demonstration planting along a sidewalk this spring.
Several council members and residents thanked CNPP volunteers and asked whether the organization can handle larger clearing tasks; Beadle said CNPP contracts for heavy work when needed but prioritizes volunteer-led stewardship and will not add new CNPP sites until they can support paid staff.
The council did not take a formal vote on funding at the meeting; the mayor said the request will be considered as part of upcoming budget discussions.
The project and CNPP’s request for a modest town allocation aim to cover tools, volunteer support and short-term staffing to keep momentum while grant outcomes are pending.
