At a Glance
Soil and water sampling results were used to develop landscape management recommendations and to help inform the landscape design for the Flight 93 National Memorial.
Project Description
In 2010, the National Park Service (NPS) began construction of the Flight 93 National Memorial to honor the 40 passengers and crew members of Flight 93 for their act of heroism on 9/11. The memorial, which includes an Arrival Court and Visitors Center, a Memorial Plaza, and a Field of Honor, comprises more than 2,220 acres. The memorial site is located on a reclaimed surface mine, where years of coal mining have scarred the landscape and created profound challenges for revegetation. To help address these challenges, Biohabitats performed soil and water sampling and conducted an assessment of overall site conditions to inform the first phase of the memorial site’s construction. Forty-eight soil sampling locations were identified based upon the proposed landscape design plans. Soil samples were tested for soil fertility and associated horticultural parameters. Recommendations were subsequently developed for soil management and amendments necessary to assure proper survival and vigor of target plantings.