Earth Day is a reminder of how important it is to make sure we are vigilant in keeping our planet as clean as possible. While we don’t have the power to make global changes as small groups of individuals, we can work together to make an impact in our local communities. Led by members of the Mercer County Parks Commission Stewardship Department, our First Bank team of volunteers spent Earth Day afternoon picking up litter and plucking invasive plants at John A. Roebling Memorial Park in Trenton. The team was also taught how to identify different invasive plant species and the harm they do to our local ecosystems.
Roebling Park contains the northernmost freshwater tidal marsh on the Delaware River, Abbott Marshland. Tidal marshes, like the 3,000-acre Abbott Marshlands, contain valuable habitat for many rare species like River Otter, American eel, Bald Eagle, and many species of wading birds. Keeping this area clean of litter and free of invasive species is critical to the balance of life within.
The weather was cooperative as First Bank volunteers worked together to remove trash from the Spring Lake perimeter and identify and weed out invasive plants at the guidance of a MCPC steward. Our team was rewarded with glimpses of wildlife that live in these parks as they helped to make the creatures’ world a little cleaner on Earth Day.
Fun fact – the grounds around Spring Lake used to be an amusement park! Opened in 1907, Capital Park had a roller-coaster, carousel, scenic railway, among the other rides. There was a dancehall with bands playing along the midway. You can see remnants of this historical amusement park such as the grand staircase as you enter the parking lot and log flume chutes and other concrete structures along the lakeside path.
First Bank employees have lots of opportunities throughout the year to volunteer with non-profit organizations. If you are interested in becoming part of our team, please click to see our current job postings!