WAYNESBORO, Pa. — In August, as part of its annual board retreat and meeting — which included the first on-site visit for three new board members — Trident Enterprises spent time giving back to the community through a hands-on project at Buttonwood Nature Center formerly The Institute.
Board members and staff worked alongside Buttonwood’s team to construct a garden enclosure for “heeling trees” — young trees temporarily planted to preserve their health before being transplanted. The project, completed in just three hours, was a highlight of the week and a chance for both organizations to connect beyond the boardroom.
“The mission of Buttonwood Nature Center is to guide the people of the Cumberland Valley region to become stewards of their natural and cultural worlds, and this new native plant nursery enclosure supports that mission directly as we put stewardship into action,” said Tracy Holliday, executive director of Buttonwood Nature Center. “We enjoyed a morning of cheerful camaraderie and shared purpose with the Trident Enterprises team. Working side by side not only contributed a useful amenity to our campus but also strengthened a partnership built on shared values. Buttonwood is truly a community nature center — created for and supported by our community.”
For Trident, the project represented an important extension of the retreat experience.
“Partnerships like this matter,” said Linda Sheehan, CEO of Trident Enterprises. “It was important to me that our board retreat not only include traditional board work, but also meaningful engagement in the community. Buttonwood is such a beautiful space with an inspiring mission, and this experience gave us a chance to contribute in a tangible way while strengthening a connection we know will continue to grow.”
The new space will play an important role in preserving young trees before they are transplanted as well as cultivating native plants for use across Buttonwood’s 40-acre property. Interpretive signage will help visitors learn why native plants matter: they provide food and habitat for wildlife, improve biodiversity, require little maintenance, and are beautifully adapted to the local climate. The materials for the enclosure were donated, adding to the project’s long-term impact.
Buttonwood Nature Center has been a cornerstone of cultural and environmental education in the region since 1990. After relocating from its longtime home at Renfrew Museum and Park, Buttonwood purchased its Washington Township property in 2021 with support from the Nora Roberts Foundation. The site officially opened to the public in June 2025 and now serves as both an educational hub and a community gathering place, with expanded programming for students, families, and lifelong learners.
