Meet Toni Gorkin, PA Master Naturalist Volunteer Spotlight
Toni Gorkin became a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist in November 2020 after seeing a small ad in her local news flier while looking for a way to connect her lifelong interest in nature with a growing passion for environmentally sustainable gardening.
That interest soon grew into Heart of Uwchlan, now in its sixth year at Uwchlan Township’s Baird Park. The project includes four pollinator gardens and has grown into a community effort focused on native plants, sustainable practices, and public education.
With support from Uwchlan Township, the Environmental Advisory Board, fellow PA Master Naturalists, Master Watershed Stewards, and many community volunteers, Heart of Uwchlan continues to grow. This past spring, the team gave away 1,000 seedlings, and this October they will host another Monsters, Masks & Milkweeds event to teach winter sowing and share their signature seed packets.
For Toni, though, Heart of Uwchlan is about more than gardens. It’s about bringing people together and creating lasting connections with nature. One of her most meaningful moments came in 2023, when the Uwchlan Township Board of Supervisors surprised her with the first annual Heart of Uwchlan Volunteer Award.
“It showed that we were creating something more meaningful than just gardens, that would continue to build ‘heart’ in our Township.”
Her experience with the PA Master Naturalist program has also had a lasting impact. Toni describes the program as “life changing,” and especially values the friendships, creativity, and generosity of fellow Master Naturalists.
“My HofU buddies, especially the PAMNs, are the core of my friendship and connectivity.”
Through Heart of Uwchlan, Toni continues to create spaces where people can learn about native plants, connect with their community, and develop their own appreciation for the natural world. 🌿💚