JESSIE LAUREL BENJAMIN

Habitat Restoration and Riparian Buffer Consultant

1062 Glen Hall Rd
Kennett Square, PA 19348
484-887-8612 Voice
484-883-3870 Mobile
Email: jessie@taprootnativedesign.com

Professional Experience

1987 – Present
Taproot Native Design, LLC — Founder and Principal

• Ecological Restoration Services
• Design and installation of Meadows, Riparian Forest Buffers, Hedgerows and Woodland Restorations
• Municipal Consulting Services
• Review Riparian Forest Buffer, Open Space and Landscape Plans submitted to municipalities for subdivision approval
• Ecological Landscape Design Services
• Provide Ecological Landscape Designs Services for Nature Centers, Parks, Schools, Churches and Homeowners

August 2001 - Present
Stroud Water Research Center — Riparian Forest Buffer Consultant

• Identify and Enroll Landowners for Cost Share Incentive Programs
• Create strategic alliances with NRCS, Berks County Conservation District, New Castle County Conservation District, Brandywine Conservancy, Natural Lands Trust, Berks Conservancy, White Clay Creek Wild & Scenic Management Committee, Delaware Riverkeepers, Northkill Watershed Association and the Red Clay Creek Watershed Association.
• Provide Public Education
• Host and present Riparian Buffer Workshops for landowners to provide scientific, technical and cost share incentive information
• Generate Riparian Forest Buffer Management Plans
• Provide Technical Support

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Education

• Bachelor of Arts - New England College, Henniker, NH
• Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT
• Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, Media, PA
• Certificate of Ornamental Horticulture, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
• Clock House School of Garden Design, Denmans, England
• Natural Landscapes By Design, The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI
• Restoration Planning, Society for Ecological Restoration, Austin, TX
• Wetland Plant Identification, National Conservation Training Center, WV

Public Service

• Planning Commission Member, London Grove Township
• White Clay Watershed Wild and Scenic Management and Open Space Committee
• Sustainable Business Network Building Block Coordinator
• Steering Committee, Millersville Native Plant Conference
• Earth Charter Committee and Follow-up Conference Leader
• Elk Creek Watershed Board of Directors
• Co-founder of Sustainable Design Forum
• Co-founder of Upstream Festival at Stroud Water Research Center
• Literacy Program Tutor
• Tutor After School Program

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Affiliations

• Society of Ecological Restoration
• Philadelphia Botanical Club
• Orion Grassroots Network
• Sustainable Design Forum
• Sustainable Business Network
• Pennsylvania Wildlands Recovery Project
• Wildlands Project
• Bioneers
• The Nature Conservancy
• Brandywine Valley Association
• Delaware Nature Society