Page 18 - ACEC/PA – 2024 Diamond Awards Program

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Project Name: Pollinator Habitat Pilot Project
Firm: McCormick Taylor, Inc.
Owner: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Key Partners:  TRC Companies, Inc.; RETTEW Associates, Inc.; Ernst
Conservation Seeds; Roundstone Native Seed, LLC; Mid-Atlantic
Property Maintenance, LLC; The U Company, LLC; EcoGreen Lawn
Care; Forget-Me-Not Landscaping
Pollinators and their habitat are rapidly declining. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
believes that “responsibility matters,” aiming to become America’s First Sustainable
Superhighway by 2040. With over 500 miles of vegetated roadsides, the PA Turnpike saw
an opportunity to make a difference in declining pollinator populations by establishing
pollinator habitats. The PA Turnpike developed the Pollinator Habitat Pilot Project to test
different seed mixes, rates and management practices before incorporating pollinator
habitat into their roadway network.
McCormick Taylor worked with the PA Turnpike to develop a site assessment methodology,
research best practices, develop an experimental design to test various seed mixes
and management practices, develop site plans, and design and implement a monitoring
program. Monitoring included identifying undesirable vegetation and desirable seed mix
vegetation, pollinating insects, providing recommendations for undesirable vegetation
management, and assessing yearly progress. Driven by results of the pilot project,
pollinator habitat policy and guidance will be developed.
Category E | Environmental