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DCNR Good Natured Pennsylvanians: Ashley Dohe, Easton

Ashley Dohe is an Environmental Advisory Council member in the city of Easton who has a passion for advocating for Pennsylvania’s native plants.

The council is making a draft amendment to the city’s plant ordinance to refine the city’s plant rules that classify some native species as weeds. Furthermore, invasive, non-native species would be listed in the ordinance to clearly define their harmfulness.

“The amendment to the ordinance helps to protect natives,” Dohe said, “and illustrates more clearly the definition of weeds and invasives. This groundwork will also support residents, and businesses that provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.”

It makes sense that she would be so interested in the biodiversity of her city. Dohe is avid outdoorswoman who can be found hiking in the mountains and walking the paths around Easton.

“I just love being in nature,” she says, “simply observing the flora and wildlife each season.” Her late husband, who served as the chair of the Environmental Advisory Council for a decade, became an inspiration. “I see now, with his sudden departure, he was passing the baton to me so to speak.”

For Dohe, being a steward of the earth is a calling that can’t be ignored. She has spent her life learning about plants and caring for the land; and because of that deeper understanding, she says she “feels it is part of my purpose to be a voice for them. Advocating for native plants is another aspect of my path of working with the Earth.”

So far, everyone seems to be responding positively to the amendment, including recent news coverage. On the state level, PennDOT has stated their support for pollinators and native plants by introducing a Pollinator Habitat Plan.

For Dohe, all this seems to indicate this is all happening at the right time for people to come together and work to create a more sustainable future. She says they “are planning to designate a native plant to represent the initiative, and incorporate natives in city planters, parks, and in new development.”

Easton’s city forester recently installed native plant gardens and a native micro-forest, and will be working with the council on more projects like rain gardens, riparian habitats, and creating a native plant registry for residents.

Once all that is established, Dohe plans to organize an Easton native plant garden tour.

Her fondness for natives seems to be never-ending, as she plans on holding seasonal native plant sales, offering plant walks, services for designing native plant permaculture gardens, and eventually having her own native plant nursery.

She will create a memorial garden in honor of her late husband, William Dohe, where she can be found teaching about native and medicinal plants. “I have him to thank for helping to plant the seed, and for giving me space to grow on the plant path.”

Conservation Tip: Plant To Improve Habitat For Birds, Pollinators

Know of a good natured Pennsylvanian who is passionate about outdoor recreation and/or conservation that we should feature? Contact DCNR by sending email to ra-resource@pa.gov to nominate someone.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog, Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

(Reprinted from the May 15 DCNR Resource newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

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Pollinator/Native Plant Resources

There are lots of resources available to help property owners landscape with native plants, and now is the best time to start planning for Spring projects. Here are just of a few of the resources available--

-- DCNR Landscaping With Native Plants

-- Game Commission: Common Beneficial Plants Found In Wildlife Habitat

-- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Native Plants For Wildlife Habitat And Conservation Landscaping

-- Chesapeake Bay Sustainable Landscape Professional Directory

-- Brandywine Conservancy: Forested Riparian Buffer Planting Guide

-- Audubon PA: Bird Habitat Recognition Program

-- National Audubon: Native Plants Database

-- Xerces Society For Invertebrate Conservation

-- Gardening For Butterflies: Penn State Extension

-- Planting For Pollinators: Penn State Extension

-- Center For Pollinator Research, Penn State

-- Pennsylvania Pollinator Protection Plan - Learn Why Pollinators Are At Risk In PA