Recovering Nanderwhere with the Little Garden Club of Rye

For decades, Nanderwhere Pond at the Rye Nature Center has been the perfect place to take in migrating birds, catch a glimpse of a turtle, and relax to the sounds of spring peepers. For more investigative citizen scientists, the dock access to the pond provided opportunities to sample water quality, observe the activity of invertebrates, and analyze the effects of flash flooding. But like many places, Hurricane Ida hit Nanderwhere particularly hard. The observation dock was upended and broken, and the erosive force of flooding washed away the healthy plants that were growing on the shoreline.

Damage to the educational platform from Hurricane Ida

The damage and loss of habitat and educational access inspired the Little Garden Club of Rye’s President, Jean Taplett, and member Mary Julian to spring into action. The Club worked with FRNC’s conservation and development staff to scope out a project to completely revitalize Nanderwhere’s native vegetation and repair the access dock. A “Restoration Initiative Grant” proposal was submitted to the Garden Club of America in November 2022, and a $10,000 award was announced in early 2023. LGCR then matched the GCA’s grant to completely fund the pond’s transformation.

“All my children have caught frogs and counted dragonflies at Nanderwhere Pond,” reminisced Ms. Julian, who is a board member at FRNC as well as a member of LGCR. “When our club saw the damage from Ida, we knew this was a project that fit perfectly with the ideals of Garden Club of America. We knew we could make an impact.”

LGCR has a history of stewardship when it comes to the Nature Center. When Edith Read founded the Center in the late fifties, local garden club members acted to create trails on the grounds. The Native Plant Garden located near the entrance to the main building has been lovingly cared for and maintained by the LGCR for decades.

LGCR members clearing the pond of debris and removing invasive plants

“Our members are true gardeners, and are not afraid to get their hands dirty,” Ms. Julian continued. “When I asked for help clearing Nanderwhere’s banks of invasives and debris, LGCR came out in full force to rake, pull, and plant.”

Using a design by local landscape architect Chris Cohan, LGCR worked throughout the spring to restore the area with native flowers and plants while a contractor completed the new dock. More native trees and shrubs will be planted in the fall and educational signage will be added to complete the visitor experience.

“My children learned around this pond, and it made me so happy to see a young family sit nearby while we worked,” remarked Rosario Benevides-Gallagher, incoming president of the garden club. “Nanderwhere is a very special part of the Nature Center; we are just thrilled to restore this beautiful spot for our community.”