Out with the Old. In with the New.
This past November, the Shea Garden behind O’Connor Hall on St. Joseph’s University, New York’s Long Island Campus was treated to a much-needed revitalization thanks to faculty and students representing the Sustainability Committee and the Department of Biology. Led by professors Francis Antonawich, Ph.D. and Konstantine Rountos, Ph.D. on Nov. 5, students — both current and former — cleared out weeds and replaced them with native plants donated to the University by the Long Island Native Plants Initiative (LINPI). Over 25 faculty, staff and students participated in the event.
The afternoon’s effort was supported by a number of SJNY faculty, students and staff.
Established in 2011, the LINPI seeks to make local genotype plant material available, which is better adapted to Long Island’s unique environmental and cultural conditions. The organization is partnering with 10 Suffolk County community groups to create native pollinator gardens, one of which will be located at St. Joseph’s University.
The goal of the initiative is to preserve biodiversity in the area, aligning directly with SJNY’s own environmental awareness and sustainability efforts.
Once Professor Rountos recognized the opportunity, Kelly Cortes, director of grants and foundation for the office of Institutional Advancement at SJNY, applied for the grant.
“We were thrilled that LINPI was inspired by the vision and passion in our application,” Cortes said. “We are grateful that they were open to exploring opportunities to collaborate through donation of plants and speaking at educational events on campus.”
She continued, “Our students, faculty and staff will benefit from their support and commitment to native plants and ecological stewardship. We truly appreciate their commitment to expanding native plant knowledge and supporting efforts like ours across Long Island. SJNY looks forward to our continued collaboration to make our gardens as native as possible!”
The grant was a collaborative effort between the University’s faculty, Institutional Advancement and facilities departments.
According to Professor Rountos, native plants help to enrich the environment by providing a food source and habitat for local animals, attracting insects and local birds as they prepare to migrate. Educational signage will be placed throughout the gardens in order for the public to learn more about Long Island native plants and their impact on the surrounding area. The plan is to plant more natives into the gardens each year.
Alumnus Daniel Antonawich ’19 along with his family volunteered and donated supplies to assist with gardening.
Volunteers not only consisted of students and faculty but family as well. Alumnus Daniel Antonawich ’19, the son of Professor Antonawich, stopped by with his family to a lend a hand, donating bags of mulch to help with the revitalization of the garden.
“I feel well connected to the University. I got a lot out of coming here and the opportunities it provided, so it’s always nice to give back,” Daniel shared.
A Visit from the Long Island Native Plants Initiative
On Dec. 1, St. Joseph’s University hosted its 5th Annual Fall Seminar in honor of Dr. Rana and the Biology Club Day (recognized as Nov. 19th in the Town of Brookhaven). This year’s seminar featured guest speakers Greg Lowenthal and Mary Pigliacelli from the Long Island Native Plant Initiative. Held in the Shea Conference Center (adjacent to the Shea Garden) the presentation titled, Gardening with Natives introduced students, faculty and staff to the ecological value of incorporating native plants into home gardens, campus spaces and community landscapes.
Lowenthal began the session by explaining native plants’ impact on an ecosystem. He walked the audience through how native plants improve the soil quality, need for irrigation and provide food for the pollinators while also discussing the problems the gardeners currently face.
He also stated that because native plants are naturally suited to the Long Island climate this makes them tougher and more sustainable than alternatives.
On the other hand, Pigliacelli enlightened students, staff and faculty on how to plan and maintain a garden. She gave tips on picking plants by looking at the sun, the soil drainage and the care the plants will need over time.
Some examples of native plants mentioned included the butterfly milkweed, bluestem, New England aster and seaside goldenrod. Each plant demonstrated how native species support biodiversity while adding color, texture and seasonal interest to the landscape.
Throughout the seminar, Lowenthal and Pigliacelli dispelled misconceptions that native plants are difficult to manage or less visually appealing. Audience members asked questions about invasive species, garden design and how to transition from traditional landscaping to more sustainable native plantings.
The revitalization of the Shea Garden is only phase one, with plans for more natives to be planted in the future.
The seminar underscored how simple, informed choices in gardening can strengthen local ecosystems. Lowenthal and Pigliacelli encouraged attendees to consider incorporating native species into future projects and to view planting as an accessible way to support Long Island’s natural habitats.
