A lot has been going on this spring. Mayor, William Portman proclaimed May as "Garden for Wildlife" month. Pat Richter hosted a get-together for the Red Bank Patchwork community. We helped students at the Primary School plant a pollinator garden. The Westside Garden had a Grand Opening. Red Bank had its second annual Garden Tour. And the Red Bank Council approved an ordinance promoting the use of native plants.
Garden for Wildlife Month Proclamation, May 28, 2026
On May 28, 2026, Red Bank Mayor, William Portman signed a Proclamation designating May as "Garden for Wildlife Month" in the Borough of Red Bank. The proclamation "encourages residents to participate, including certifying and maintaining their properties as a Certified Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation and participating in Patchwork for Wildlife". Patchwork for Wildlife's support was acknowledged in the May 28 Borough of Red Bank Municipal Council meeting minutes:
"Mary Warner [Red Bank Patchwork for Wildlife leader] expressed strong support for the proposed [Native Plant] ordinance [see below] and the Mayor’s proclamation, noting that Red Bank is making significant progress in environmental stewardship. She highlighted ongoing efforts to obtain [N]ational [W]ildlife [C]ommunity [C]ertification through partnerships among the Environmental Commission, Patchwork for Wildlife volunteers, and community members. Ms. Warner stated that the initiative aims to create an acre of new wildlife habitat throughout the Borough and noted that the ordinance would help expand those efforts by encouraging participation from the development and business community. She also offered informational materials for interested residents."
Patchwork Certificate Holder Event, May 31, 2026
Pat Richter hosted a Patchwork for Wildlife Community event at her home. It was a lovely event with an outstanding healthy menu of treats and drinks, all prepared by Pat. The social gathering gave our certificate homeowners an opportunity to meet each other and share notes. Three Master Gardeners, Jon Gibbons (founder and developer of Patchwork for Wildlife processes), Ann Goldman, and Patty Whyte were the “Ask a Master Gardener” panel. There was a table of valuable reference material, and fun raffle drawings for prizes.
Native Pollinator Garden at Red Bank Primary School, June 4, 2026
Michael-Paul Raspanti arranged to have a native plant garden added to one of the raised beds in the Red Bank Primary School’s amazing beds of vegetables and flowers. Michael-Paul instructed the students—and they were highly enthusiastic gardeners! Participating: Nurse, Cathy Reardon; Principal, Maria Iozzi; Teacher, Iris Gonzalez; Instructional Assistant, Gail Child; Red Bank Patchwork for Wildlife leader, Mary Warner; Supervisor, Dena Russo; and students! After enjoying the planting experience and their new garden, Mary Warner read them a fun story about a little girl and her pet tree, Trees Make Perfect Pets by Paul Czajak.
Westside Garden Grand Opening, June 7, 2026
Patchwork for Wildlife team members and supporters were excited to have Mayor Billy Portman open the rehabilitated and expanded Westside Garden (at the west end of West Westside Street) with words of support for native plants and their value to wildlife and humans. This followed Mayor Portman’s Garden for Wildlife Proclamation, which was delivered at the Red Bank Council meeting on May 8.
In attendance at the ribbon cutting were Council Members Nancy Blackwood and Ben Forest, supporters Joanne Mutshinski (Native Plant Society of New Jersey), Oscar Salinas (Parks and Recreation), and Patchwork for Wildlife Red Bank team members, Mary Warner, Pat Richter, Anne Davis, Chris Cornell, and Sue Devine. Also in attendance were Jon Gibbons, Founder of Patchwork for Wildlife™ and Candide’s Garden, and garden designer Laura Deykerhoff, owner of Native Haven Gardens.
A year ago, this garden received a $500 grant from the Native Plant Society of New Jersey (NPSNJ) which was used to clean up and provide more native plants to the garden which had been neglected for several years. This year more cleanup, expansion and planting was done.
The focus of this garden will be to encourage children to learn about native plants, to learn to plant their own, to engage in related craft projects, storytime, and other children’s activities. Patchwork team member Patty Whyte, and NPSNJ's Joanne Mutschinski led the our first opportunity to pilot this with some local children. We are hoping to start with a monthly “children’s event”.
Many thanks go to the town of Red Bank Department of Public Works, who are watering while new plants are growing their roots, and for the replacement of the falling-down fence behind the garden.
Red Bank Garden Tour, June 7, 2026
Patchwork for Wildlife partnered with Red Bank’s Parks and Recreation for the 2nd Annual Garden Tour, Sunday, June 7, 2026. The Borough of Red Bank Parks and Recreation invited gardeners and garden lovers alike to take part in the 2nd Annual Garden Tour. This community-wide interactive tour offered two ways to participate in one shared event: residents could register their gardens to be featured as tour stops, and visitors could register to enjoy a self-guided afternoon exploring beautiful gardens throughout Red Bank.
Native Plants Ordinance Approved for Red Bank, June 11, 2026
Red Bank Council approved new land‑use standards promoting the use of native plants and prohibiting invasive species in major development applications. Discussion of the ordinance acknowledged that native plantings support wildlife, enhance ecosystem health, and require less maintenance than non-native species. The ordinance applies to major site plan and subdivision applications, while exempting existing residential properties and certain other uses and includes a waiver process for unique circumstances. It utilizes native plant lists maintained by recognized organizations and complements New Jersey’s Invasive Species Management Act.
Red Bank Patchwork in the News
redbankgreen published an article that included a nice summary of some of the activities that we reported above.
See Red Bank: New Rules, New Garden Help Native Plant Efforts Bloom
Sponsored by
Jon Gibbons, Founder
Initiative led by the Red Bank Animal Welfare Committee with support from the Environmental Commission and the Red Bank Mayor's Office.
Contact: redbankpatchwork@gmail.com