Sacred Grounds – Wilmington: Checking in on a Faith-Based Approach to Conservation

With the exciting news that National Wildlife Federation received two grants to expand our Sacred Grounds program in the Delaware River Watershed, we recently returned to gardens planted in partnership with faith communities during our pilot project in Wilmington, DE from 2021-2023 to check in.

Sacred Grounds is a National Wildlife Federation program that strives to engage diverse faith communities in building healthier habitats and neighborhoods by installing wildlife habitats in partnership with faith-based groups, engaging the broader community in the process, and supporting participants in connecting environmental stewardship to their faith practice.

Through workshops, technical assistance, volunteer opportunities, and other convenings, the program assists houses of worship in planning and planting native plant gardens to improve the health of wildlife, habitats, and people.

While NWF has thriving Sacred Grounds programs in the Washington, D.C., metro area as well as the Great Lakes region, the program was new to Delaware. NWF partnered with the Delaware Nature Society (our state affiliate), the Delaware Center for Horticulture, and Delaware Interfaith Power & Light to bring the program to the watershed in 2021.

Now, after a successful pilot project, we are excited to expand the program throughout the state of Delaware as well as Philadelphia, thanks to our funders at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Energize Delaware.

Highlighting our Community Partners

As we return to the 21 gardens planted during 2022 and 2023, we want to highlight a few projects and partners who are helping bring healthy green spaces to Wilmington, DE.

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Before planting their Sacred Grounds garden in 2022, this area on Westminster Presbyterian’s property was largely unused. Now, it holds a thriving garden with native golden ragwort and bluestar blooming in the spring. Inspired by their Sacred Grounds garden, the community installed a labyrinth next to the garden in fall 2024 to fully transform the corner into a meditative space.

Dickerson Education Center

Dickerson Education Center’s Sacred Grounds space was dreamed up and stewarded by the late Caren Turner, the community champion of the Sacred Grounds Wilmington project’s first round, a member of the New Pentecostal Holy Church of America and community organizer with Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware. It is also regularly embellished by community members with seasonal decor to complement the native flowers that support local pollinators.

Grace United Methodist Church

Almost three years after planting, Grace United’s Sacred Grounds garden spaces feature healthy native plants that support the local ecosystem. Not only have the bluestar and swamp milkweed bloomed this spring and summer, but their native sundrops that were present before the project have also been given space to flourish through this project.

Ezion Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church

Ezion Mt Carmel’s Sacred Grounds garden sits in the courtyard in the middle of their building as an oasis for community members who would like to access nature. Their green team has been committed to stewarding this site on Saturday mornings to support the growth of native plant species, such as purple coneflower, foxglove beardtongue, and blue mistflower.

Hanover Presbyterian

Hanover Presbyterian is a great example of a small space providing bloom interest throughout the growing season. From spring to fall, tickseed, wild bergamot, scarlet beebalm, black-eyed Susan, and even an additional goldenrod donated from a community member has flowered this year.

Get Involved: Grow Native Plants!

The National Wildlife Federation and partners are currently in the recruitment and application phase of the Sacred Grounds Delaware River Watershed project! We are seeking new faith-based partners in Delaware and Philadelphia interested in receiving a native pollinator garden or participating in the Sacred Grounds Network.

Want to get your faith-based organization involved? Fill out our interest form!

Interested in starting your own native plant garden? The National Wildlife Federation’s plant finder tool is a one-stop-shop for researching which plants are native to your area, helping you narrow down your planting goals, and purchasing plants.

Learn more about the Sacred Grounds program on our website.