Utilities right of way. Native plants

Horsham Trail. Utilities right of way. Too much lawn, perhaps

Why don’t we turn all the utilities right of ways into oases for wildlife? Am I a dreamer? I hope not. Near my home there is a several miles long trail that runs under high voltage wires. When I walk there I see joggers and bikers, mothers pushing baby carriages and I see walkers, just like me. The surroundings are pleasant, just a tad artificial, not quite a nature area; although closer to a nature area than busy noisy streets.

A corn field next to the utilities right of way Horsham Trail

How much work and investment would it take to turn such areas into natural or semi natural ecosystems? Perhaps, with careful planning, they would be easier and cheaper to maintain if they were allowed to become more natural.

Restored native grasses at Pennypack Restoration Trust. An example of what could be done in other places

For instance, most of the lawns near the trail could be turned into wildflower meadows. The lawn closer to the trails could be allowed to support many broad leaved plants; accepting them as grass companions rather than seeing them as weeds. It would be helpful to replace the non-native trees already planted with native ones, which are considerably better at supporting wildlife.

"Unkempt" lawn with wildflowers which attract butterflies. Horsham trail

Some of these measures may be expensive at first but, ultimately, they would save money and upkeep time because native vegetation has evolved in that particular kind of soil and climate and is best suited for it. It also has co-evolved with the other members of the community. It supports more wildlife, including butterflies and birds, which add beauty in addition to contributing to the balance of nature. All and all it is a win-win situation.

List of articles