Landscaping

TREC has quickly established itself as part of Erie’s bluff ecosystem.  After the main building and the parking lot were constructed in 2005, thousands of native plants were brought in to beautify the TREC grounds.  Representing 60 species, these lovely plantings serve other purposes as well.  

Butterflies abounded in the park in 2005. Monarchs found two of TREC’s bright yellow fall-flowering plants particularly appealing:  Diervilla lonicera (bush honeysuckle) and Solidago speciosa (showy goldenrod). 

Ornamental grass does not necessarily mean native grass.  TREC’s plantings showcase six of the many beautiful grasses that are native to northwestern Pennsylvania:  Eragrostis (love grass), Ammophila breviligulata (beach grass), Panicum virgatum (switch grass), Andropogon/Schizachyrium (big blue stem and little blue stem), and Sorghastrum nutans (Indian grass).   Just by blowing gracefully in the lakeside breezes, these grasses have inspired many park visitors to add native plants to their own landscaping plans.

Flora attracts fauna.   Our native-species habitat attracts not only butterflies and other insects, but mammals as well.  Tommy, our favorite groundhog, has made a home under the wooden walkway.  He is rumored to be a distant cousin of Punxsutawney Phil.  Deer tracks are common in the parking lot islands, showing that TREC is part of a larger natural system.  Our strategic location connects Presque Isle’s unique habitats with the surrounding area.

Bringing the outside inside, so that we can study nature more fully, is the goal of TREC’s Natural History collection. 

Plants and insects have been the focus so far, but our facility allows for future expansion into other realms of natural study.  We are also developing databases of historical plant populations on Presque Isle.

Highlighting the beauty of native species in landscaping; contributing to and learning from the surrounding environment; offering educational resources and activities for all ages and study levels – these are a few TREC’s accomplishments outdoors.