Benning Service Center

About the Program
The Benning Service Center program is operated by Exelon Corporation in Washington, D.C. The site is on the grounds of a working facility located on the east bank of the Anacostia River, which is part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This site contains five acres of wetlands adjacent to the river, along with over 3.5 acres of landscaped gardens that have been planted with native species to support pollinators and other wildlife. As part of the program, the team is involved in a number of community engagement and awareness projects, including the addition of signage to inform visitors about the importance of local ecosystems.

Practices and Impacts

• The landscaped gardens on-site have been planted with a variety of species, including host plants for butterfly species and flowering nectar sources. The plants are monitored frequently to assess health, with management changes made or plants replaced as needed to maintain the quality of the gardens. Pollinators, including bees and butterflies, as well as birds are observed using the gardens, which are marked with signs to provide information to visitors about the project and its purpose.
• The team uses the iNaturalist application for employees to use to record observations as they walk along the river trail. During Pollinator week and Earth Day, the team works to educate employees about tree planting and the importance of pollinators.