Community Spotlight: Downingtown Restore Our Roots
November 2025
A group of dedicated volunteers in Downingtown Borough is working steadily to restore the community's natural landscapes and deepen its connection to nature. Restore Our Roots is a grassroots, volunteer-led organization focused on restoring native habitat, planting riparian buffers, and beautifying Borough parks through hands-on stewardship, environmental education, and community engagement.
The team has a diverse environmental background and expertise and shares a common purpose: to promote ecological literacy and reestablish the Borough's connection to its natural roots. Their approach combines education, outreach, and action, creating opportunities for residents to learn about native plants and participate in local restoration projects.
Recent projects include planting a Native Pollinator Garden at Johnsontown Park, a stream restoration effort in Kerr Park, and ongoing work at Copeland Run and other sites, and green spaces throughout the Borough. The group offers garden tours and presentations that showcase how to incorporate native landscape practices into home gardens, while its blog and newsletter provide practical tips for sustainable, nature-oriented living. The group's volunteer events, like the Tree Care Mornings at Beaver Creek Elementary and participation in Bondsville Mill Park's Paw Paw Festival, bring neighbors together to care for trees, plant pollinator gardens, and improve our waterways and green spaces. 
Restore Our Roots partners with local and national organizations and businesses, including the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), Downingtown Friends, Downingtown Public Works, and various committees to strengthen local conservation efforts and expand their outreach and support. By partnering with NWF, Restore Our Roots is helping Downingtown become a certified Community Wildlife Habitat, joining a national network of eco-friendly towns.
Residents can get involved by volunteering, attending events, or supporting their efforts by donating to Restore Our Roots.
Learn more or sign up to volunteer at www.restoreourroots.org, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.