Giving back is a high priority at Walden. We are passionate about improving the environment and enhancing the well-being of the communities in which we live and work; therefore, Walden strives to devote volunteer time to make contributions to the community. Each year, to commemorate Walden’s formation on May 19, 1995, Walden takes a day away from work to perform a day of service to give back to the community.
Walden was delighted to spend time at the Sisters of Saint Joseph facility in Brentwood for Walden Volunteer Day 2021. Walden staff gathered on Friday, June 18, 2021, to volunteer with the Sisters and the Long Island Native Plant Initiative (LINPI) at the 212-acre Brentwood campus to assist with groundwork and help plant native plant species as part of their restoration practices. To make the Brentwood grounds more sustainable, the facility replaced lawns with rain gardens, native grass meadows, and native plants.
Walden staff separated into three groups and headed out to the fields to help with the guidance of staff and LINPI volunteers. Our scientists and engineers were happy to get out in the field, of course! Two of the groups worked in the LINPI at the Founder’s Plot. The Walden team removed leftover vegetation and debris to free up the established plants within the designated area. Lifeless vegetation from the prior year was removed to facilitate growth of new plants. The other Walden team helped the Sisters in the Native Meadow by planting tall warm season grasses, pollinator flowers and other native species. Walden staff was excited to get out and help restore!
The Sisters of Saint Joseph engage in diversified gardening and agriculture practices on campus as part of their mission. They work with Suffolk County to preserve land and return it to the community. The LINPI Founder’s Plot is located at the ministry. Walden was able to help support their mission to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems functions including landscaping and habitat restoration.
If you are from a not-for profit and looking for a group of volunteers, please contact Walden Environmental Engineering to discuss further. We are always looking for the next local organization that can benefit from our time and expertise whenever possible.