CHESTER SPRINGS, PA — Montgomery School students recently took part in the creation and installation of a 2,200-square-foot rain garden designed to protect Pickering Creek, a tributary of the Schuylkill River, from stormwater runoff and pollution. Funded in part by a $20,000 grant through the Schuylkill River Restoration Fund, with support from Constellation Energy, Aqua Pennsylvania, and the Delaware River Basin Commission, the project underscores the School’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, environmental education, and community partnership.
The new rain garden acts as a natural filtration system, capturing and cleaning stormwater before it reaches the creek. Montgomery’s 60-acre campus slopes toward Pickering Creek, and prior to this project, rainwater carried debris and pollutants, such as oil, grease, and fertilizers, into the waterway. The garden’s specially selected native shrubs and trees now slow and filter runoff, reducing erosion along the creek bank, improving water quality, and helping recharge groundwater.
“This project not only benefits the local ecosystem but also creates hands-on learning opportunities for our students,” said Jay Kulkarni, Montgomery’s 7th & 8th Grade Science Teacher, Science Department Chair, and Sustainability Coordinator, who led the project in collaboration with GreenWeaver Landscaping. “Our students were involved in preparing the site and planting seedlings, allowing them to see first-hand how their work impacts water quality and supports the health of our watershed.”
The rain garden initiative was inspired by growing community concern over increased flooding and erosion along Pickering Creek. Collaborators Glenn Wenger of the West Pikeland Township Environmental Advisory Council and Victoria Laubach of Green Valleys Watershed Association were instrumental in shaping the project and identifying its potential to both restore the creek’s health and serve as a model for student-led conservation.
Montgomery School’s emphasis on outdoor learning made the campus a natural home for such a project. The School already maintains a wildflower meadow and pollinator garden, an active beekeeping program, and a riparian buffer of 125 native trees planted in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Keystone Ten Million Trees Partnership. The rain garden builds on this foundation, serving as a living classroom for environmental science and stewardship.
“Environmental responsibility is part of who we are,” said Tom McManus, Head of School. “Our students don’t just learn about sustainability, they live it. The rain garden will stand as a reminder of what’s possible when education, community, and care for the planet come together.”
Montgomery School’s campus has been home to generations of learners since 1989. With a long-term commitment to maintaining its 60-acre property, the School has implemented land use restrictions to prevent overdevelopment and preserve natural habitats. By integrating the rain garden into the curriculum, Montgomery ensures its continued protection while inspiring future leaders in environmental sustainability.
Montgomery School will host a ribbon cutting for the project on Thursday, October 23 at 10:00 AM on campus.
Attendees will include:
- Tom McManus, Head of School
- Jay Kulkarni, Middle School Science Teacher, Science Department Chair, and Sustainability Coordinator
- Carolyn Blair, Director of Operations
About Montgomery School:
Montgomery School ignites each child’s love of learning and fosters their individual talents during the most formative years in order to prepare them for future success. To learn more about Montgomery School, please visit www.montgomeryschool.org.
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