Nature's Best Hope Is You!
A Local Community Action Project
led by Main Line Unitarian Church
From March through May 2025, MLUC focuses on easing the biodiversity crisis through local action, celebrating the interconnected web of life. This three-month project aims to educate, empower, and enrich, exploring how simple steps can create a richer, more vibrant environment.
Members, friends, and interfaith community collaborators of MLUC (listed below), in conjunction with sponsors Homegrown National Park, Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light, and Darby Creek Valley Association, embark upon a regional project to help restore natural habitat and biodiversity.
Programs are free, unless otherwise noted, and open to all.
Members, friends, and interfaith community collaborators of MLUC (listed below), in conjunction with sponsors Homegrown National Park, Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light, and Darby Creek Valley Association, embark upon a regional project to help restore natural habitat and biodiversity.
Programs are free, unless otherwise noted, and open to all.
COMMUNITY READ
Nature’s Best Hope by Douglas W. Tallamy
Local professor and renowned author Douglas W. Tallamy outlines his vision for a grassroots approach to conservation. His message: each of us can make a difference, together.
Half-price books are on sale in the MLUC Atrium after Sunday services, while supplies last. Books are also available online, in bookstores, and in libraries.
Half-price books are on sale in the MLUC Atrium after Sunday services, while supplies last. Books are also available online, in bookstores, and in libraries.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, April 24, 9 a.m. to Noon
Schuylkill Nature Center
Volunteer to assist with moving and tagging native trees delivered to the Schuylkill Nature Center, an important step on their way to cool off and green up neighborhoods in Philadelphia. PA Plants Native! is a program of Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. To date, PA Plants Native has distributed more than 150,000 trees across the state.
Schuylkill Nature Center
Volunteer to assist with moving and tagging native trees delivered to the Schuylkill Nature Center, an important step on their way to cool off and green up neighborhoods in Philadelphia. PA Plants Native! is a program of Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. To date, PA Plants Native has distributed more than 150,000 trees across the state.
Saturday, April 26
1–5 p.m.
FREE
Join a fun-filled gathering for nature-lovers of all ages—featuring gardening experts, native plant sales, family activities, and environmental education in a festive atmosphere. Discover what sustainable gardening is—and what role you can play to make a positive difference. Enjoy short demonstrations, talks, music, exercises for gardeners, plant-based bites, art, and activities celebrating our planet and pathways to a greener future.
1–5 p.m.
FREE
Join a fun-filled gathering for nature-lovers of all ages—featuring gardening experts, native plant sales, family activities, and environmental education in a festive atmosphere. Discover what sustainable gardening is—and what role you can play to make a positive difference. Enjoy short demonstrations, talks, music, exercises for gardeners, plant-based bites, art, and activities celebrating our planet and pathways to a greener future.
Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Exact location, parking details to come.
Join us and the Darby Creek Valley Association on the Darby Trail in Havertown, where we will help out the local biodiversity by removing invasive plants that crowd out pollinator and insect-friendly plants, and adding some young native trees to benefit the environment! This project is suitable for adults and families with teens. There are 20 volunteer slots available. SIGN UP
Exact location, parking details to come.
Join us and the Darby Creek Valley Association on the Darby Trail in Havertown, where we will help out the local biodiversity by removing invasive plants that crowd out pollinator and insect-friendly plants, and adding some young native trees to benefit the environment! This project is suitable for adults and families with teens. There are 20 volunteer slots available. SIGN UP
Saturday, May 10, 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden (1829 East County Line Road, Villanova, PA)
$15 per person | Payable as cash or check on the day of tour
Limited Spots Available | Pre-Registration Required
REGISTER
Join us on a private tour with Samantha Nestory, Stoneleigh Engagement Manager, as we learn about the benefits of key insect groups, how to identify them, and how you can attract them to your yard.
Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden (1829 East County Line Road, Villanova, PA)
$15 per person | Payable as cash or check on the day of tour
Limited Spots Available | Pre-Registration Required
REGISTER
Join us on a private tour with Samantha Nestory, Stoneleigh Engagement Manager, as we learn about the benefits of key insect groups, how to identify them, and how you can attract them to your yard.
Family Friendly
Saturday, May 24, 9–11 a.m.
Exact location and parking details to follow
Come out for a satisfying morning cleaning up a section of Philadelphia’s Cobbs Creek Park at this family-friendly activity. 25 volunteer slots available (children with adults welcome). SIGN UP
Exact location and parking details to follow
Come out for a satisfying morning cleaning up a section of Philadelphia’s Cobbs Creek Park at this family-friendly activity. 25 volunteer slots available (children with adults welcome). SIGN UP
Past Events & Digital Resources
Lecture Lunch: My Little Corner of the Homegrown National Park
with Mike Piccioni
Wednesday, March 12
11:45 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Mike Piccioni, member of the Biodiversity Project at MLUC, shared a personal story: his ongoing efforts to create a more wildlife and pollinator friendly yard. He shared some tips on how to create a native plant rain garden.
11:45 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Mike Piccioni, member of the Biodiversity Project at MLUC, shared a personal story: his ongoing efforts to create a more wildlife and pollinator friendly yard. He shared some tips on how to create a native plant rain garden.
with garden designer Michelle Detwiler
Sunday, March 16
11:30 a.m–1 p.m.
Native-garden designer and wildlife advocate Michelle Detwiler offered practical advice on making your outdoor space safe and welcoming for birds, fireflies, moths, and other wildlife, explaining how communities can support bird migration and pollinator survival across neighborhoods through the Pollinator Pathway. This presentation is available on YouTube.
11:30 a.m–1 p.m.
Native-garden designer and wildlife advocate Michelle Detwiler offered practical advice on making your outdoor space safe and welcoming for birds, fireflies, moths, and other wildlife, explaining how communities can support bird migration and pollinator survival across neighborhoods through the Pollinator Pathway. This presentation is available on YouTube.
Sunday, March 23
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
This program featured a short video with Douglas Tallamy about the Homegrown National Park program, and an open discussion about the related MLUC All-Church Read: Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard. This presentation is available on YouTube.
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
This program featured a short video with Douglas Tallamy about the Homegrown National Park program, and an open discussion about the related MLUC All-Church Read: Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard. This presentation is available on YouTube.
Community Partners
We can make a difference to our environment, but we cannot do this alone! Our Interfaith Biodiversity Project partners include the United Church of Christ at Valley Forge, Wayne; Saint Peter’s Church in the Great Valley, Malvern; Wayne Presbyterian Church; Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ardmore; Beth Am Israel, Penn Valley; Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El, Wynnewood; Saint David’s Episcopal Church, Wayne; Providence Friends Meeting, Media; Ardmore Presbyterian Church; Saint Mary’s Episcopal, Ardmore; Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County; and The Quadrangle (Senior Living).
Are you affiliated with a faith community that would be interested in connecting with others to share resources and work together for a healthier environment? Contact us.
Are you affiliated with a faith community that would be interested in connecting with others to share resources and work together for a healthier environment? Contact us.
Other Resources and Events in Our Community
Other local organizations are also holding events focused on biodiversity during March–May 2025. Click below for additional resources and event information.
Have an Idea or a Question?
Email us environmentaljustice@mluc.org.
Read the Press Release
Co-Sponsors
