Welcome to the Green Media PA resource page, your gateway to the community-driven environmental initiatives transforming the Greater Media area. From enhancing biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices to fostering community engagement, these projects are designed to create a greener, more resilient future for all. Dive in to learn about the efforts shaping our local environment and discover how you can be part of the change!
Green Wagons
The Green Wagon initiative, a community-driven project run by Transition Town Greater Media, enhances our local ecosystems, promoting biodiversity and environmental sustainability in the Greater Media area. Through mobile "green wagons" filled with native plants, volunteers provide residents with free plants to cultivate at home, as well as raising awareness about the harm pesticides and herbicides inflict on our ecosystems. The initiative also includes the Habitat Helpers group, which organizes activities like creating raised garden beds, weeding parks, and planting trees. By enhancing green spaces and fostering community engagement, the Green Wagon initiative encourages environmental stewardship and a stronger connection to nature. To learn more about the Green Wagon initiative, visit: https://transitiontowngreatermedia.org/initiative/green-wagon-project/
Lucille's Garden:
Lucille's Garden at Tyler Arboretum, established in 1999 in honor of Lucille W. Hart, is not only a tribute to her love of nature but also a significant part of the Arboretum’s sustainability and green initiatives. The garden emphasizes the use of native plants, which are carefully selected to thrive in the local environment, promoting biodiversity and ecological balance. This focus on native species helps reduce the need for water, pesticides, and fertilizers, supporting the principles of sustainable gardening. Lucille’s Garden also serves as an educational space, teaching visitors about the importance of environmentally-friendly gardening practices and the role native plants play in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Through its design and plant choices, the garden exemplifies Tyler Arboretum’s commitment to sustainability, offering a model for green initiatives that conserve resources and enhance the local habitat. To learn more visit: https://tylerarboretum.org/lucilles-garden/
Media Tree Tenders:
The Media Tree Tenders initiative, launched in Fall 2022 and run by Transition Town Greater Media, enhances the tree canopy in Media Borough through volunteer-driven efforts. Trained by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Tree Tenders program, volunteers organize semi-annual tree plantings, select appropriate species, provide ongoing care, and help educate the community on the value of trees. In 2023, the Tree Lovers Collective was formed to preserve existing trees, advocate for their protection, and expand the canopy. Media Tree Tenders collaborate with local groups like the Media Borough Shade Tree Commission, Green Wagon Project, and Habitat Helpers to strengthen community involvement and promote sustainable practices. They support neighboring communities in establishing Tree Tenders programs and join with other local Tree Tenders in planting trees in towns without these programs. Together, these efforts contribute to a greener, healthier future for Media Borough. To learn more about the Media Tree Tenders initiative, visit: https://transitiontowngreatermedia.org/initiative/tree-tenders/
Mosquito Dunks:
Transition Town Greater Media’s Mosquito Dunks Program is an environmentally focused initiative designed to reduce mosquito populations and promote community health. This program utilizes biological larvicides containing Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (BTI), a naturally occurring bacterium that specifically targets mosquito larvae without posing harm to other wildlife or humans. By placing Mosquito Dunks in standing water sources, such as rain barrels and birdbaths, the program effectively prevents mosquito larvae from maturing into adult mosquitoes, which can carry and spread diseases. This eco-friendly solution provides long-lasting, sustainable mosquito control while supporting the community’s overall well-being and commitment to environmental stewardship. The Mosquito Dunks Program is helping to create healthier, safer living spaces while protecting the environment. To learn more about the mosquito dunks program, visit: https://transitiontowngreatermedia.org/why-natural-mosquito-control/
Pumpkin Composting Program:
Linvilla Orchards' annual Pumpkin Composting Program is a key part of their sustainability and green initiatives. Each year, after Halloween and the fall season, the orchard invites visitors to drop off their used pumpkins, corn stalks, and straw bales for composting. This effort helps divert organic waste from landfills, reducing overall waste and contributing to healthier soils. The compost produced is used to enrich the farm's fields, promoting sustainable farming practices by returning nutrients to the soil naturally. By participating in this program, Linvilla Orchards not only encourages community involvement in environmental stewardship but also provides an excellent example of how organic waste can be recycled into valuable resources, furthering their commitment to sustainability. To learn more visit: https://www.linvilla.com/pumpkinland/linvilla-orchards-pumpkin-composting-program
Local Food Composting Services:
The Local Food Group of Transition Town Greater Media aims to foster a vital and regenerative community through the promotion and support of local food systems. They created and continually maintain a Local Food Resource Guide that lists farms, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, farmers markets, restaurants, and retail stores supporting local food within a 15-mile radius of Media. The Guide is available at this link. Additionally, the group organizes Farm Tours to connect residents with local farmers and offer firsthand insights into sustainable farming practices. Local farms play a crucial role in preserving our environment, strengthening our economy, and enriching our community.
To reduce food waste, the Local Food Group collaborated with the Media Environmental Advisory Council on a curbside composting program. Launched with a pilot of 100 families, the program now serves all households in Media Borough, composting food scraps at Linvilla Orchards. Residents outside the borough can use services from Kitchen Harvest, Rot Star Compost, or Mother Compost for weekly pickups. Resources for at-home composting are also available. By turning waste into valuable compost, the initiative supports local agriculture and promotes a sustainable, circular economy. To learn more about the Local Food Composting Services, visit: https://transitiontowngreatermedia.org/initiative/composting/.
Media Solar:
Media Solar, a project initiated by Media Borough focuses on promoting the use of solar energy to reduce the community's carbon footprint and increase sustainability. The program encourages residents, businesses, and organizations to install solar panels by offering resources, incentives, and education about the benefits of solar power. Media has made strides in becoming a more energy-efficient town by supporting renewable energy solutions and exploring opportunities for solar installations on public buildings and other municipal properties. Through these efforts, Media aims to contribute to a greener environment, reduce energy costs, and set an example for other communities in adopting clean, renewable energy sources. To learn more visit: https://www.mediaborough.com/274/Media-Solar
The Free Store:
The Free Store, an initiative by Transition Town Greater Media, promotes sustainability, reduces waste, and fosters a culture of sharing and reuse. It provides a space where people can donate items they no longer need and take what they can use, free of charge. The store encourages recycling by redistributing goods like clothing, household items, books, and toys, helping to reduce landfill waste and support a circular economy. By offering access to items without cost, the store promotes sustainability, reduces consumerism, and lessens the environmental impact of new product production. It also builds community engagement, offering a place for neighbors to connect, support each other, and provide for those in need, making it an important resource for those facing financial challenges. To learn more about The Free Store, visit: https://transitiontowngreatermedia.org/initiative/freestore/
These initiatives are powerful examples of how our local community can come together to create lasting environmental change. From enhancing biodiversity through Green Wagons to reducing waste with The Free Store and composting programs, each project is not just improving the environment but also strengthening our community’s resilience and sustainability. Together, these efforts pave the way for a greener, healthier future for everyone.
We’re committed to expanding our resources and building a more sustainable community. If you know of any green initiatives or resources that should be added, please share them with us at info@LiveLoveMedia.com. Your input is invaluable in helping us continue to grow and make an even greater impact