WHAT
WHERE
WHEN
WHY
HOW
WHO
Update - We'll be doing our last gasp planting the last week in November. If you are in the area, please stop by and say hello.
WHAT
We
are looking to raise about $10,000 to cover the cost of plants
for the native plant garden. If everyone who reads this were to
buy one $8.00 plant, that would go a long way towards blanketing
the garden in wildflowers! Please forward this link to friends,
family, and colleagues who might be interested in contributing.
Your donations will help to bring the beauty of native plant species
to one of the most unique and historic public spaces in New York
City!
The garden itself features plants that historically grew wild
in lower Manhattan, including wildflowers, ferns, shrubs and grasses
that thrive in both shade and full sun. The garden's design draws
inspiration from our regional plant communities. Consideration
was given to ecological relationships (e.g., attracting birds,
bees, and butterflies), seasonality, textures, and winter interest.
If you want to know exactly what we are putting in the ground,
click here to see photos of all the
species that will be used.
Want
to know more? Listen to Marielle's garden overview, soon to be
featured on CENYC's Greenmarket website.
[back
to top]
WHERE
Located
in lower Manhattan's Union Square Park, the garden lies at the
intersection of East 15th Street and Union Square West. It is
the only greenspace along this stretch of sidewalk, nestled between
a playground and dog run. More
photographs of the garden on flickr.
We'll be buying plants from several local nurseries, including
Greenbelt Native Plant Nursery in Staten Island, Fort Pond Native
Plant Nursery in Montauk and Edge of the Woods Nursery in Fogelsville,
PA.
When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it,
it's your world for the moment. I want to give that world to
someone else. Most people in the city rush around so,
they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see
it whether they want to or not.
- Georgia O'Keeffe
[back to top]
WHEN
The
garden is open to the public all year long. There will be two
planting sessions - October/November 2007 for shrubs and vines
and April/May 2008 for the herbaceous plants. If you are interested
in volunteering to help plant, please send an email to info {AT}
drosera-x {DOT} com
The garden's official ribbon cutting ceremony will be during NYC
Wildflower Week in May 2008. Stay in touch for more information
about that upcoming event!
[back to top]
WHY
o
Support local wildlife.
Create habitat havens for birds, bees, butterflies
and other critters. Not only are native plants critical sources
of food and lodging for wildlife, in some cases they are essential
to their very existence. Did you know that most of our bird species
feed their young exclusively insects? And overwhelmingly, these
bugs are supported by the tender leaves of native plants. That
white oak supports scores of caterpillars (tasty treats for fledlings),
while the lilac supports less than ten. The native plant garden
is thus an important ecological oasis.
o
Celebrate the natural heritage of the Big Apple.
The NYC landscape includes about 25,000 acres of natural
area, which harbor the city's true treasures: freshwater wetlands,
salt marshes, beaches, and meadows. Most of this open space is
temperate forest, filled with majestic trees, wildflowers, and
ferns. Just as we value tropical rainforests in far away locales,
we should celebrate - and protect - the nature that surrounds
us.
o
Encourage nature education in our public schools. We
are working with students and faculty at Washington Irving High
School to get kids outside and engaged. Numerous studies show
how exposure to nature is beneficial, especially to children.
Read more about the WIHS students learning about native plants
in an
article from The Villager.
o
Support the farmers at Union Square Greenmarket. By
displaying the beauty of our local flora year-round, the garden
supports the farmers at Union Square Greenmarket who grow and
sell certified native plants. Passers-by are already asking where
they can purchase flowers they see in the garden - eventually
all of the species will be available through the Union Square
Greenmarket farmers. This new initiative makes local flora readily
available to New Yorkers for the first time ever!
[back to top]
HOW
This
one-of-a-kind native plant garden is self-financed so we need
donations from people like you to make the garden lush, lively,
and welcoming to wildlife. 100% of all donations go toward making
the garden beautiful! It's through the generous donations of the
community that the garden will survive and thrive. (Please note
that donations are not tax deductible).
Partner organizations have helped the garden take shape and come
alive; these include organizations such as: NYC Parks Green Thumb
and Green Apple Corps, Union Square Partnership, Union Square
Greenmarket, Washington Irving High School, and individuals, especially
Marni Horwitz
of Alive Structures.
[back to top]
WHO
|
Conceived
and designed by Mariellé Anzelone, who for six years was
the official Plant Ecologist to New York City . As a botanist
and urban ecologist she designs native plant landscapes
for greenroofs and gardens and provides ecological assessments
of natural areas for public and private clients.
Marielle is active in local plant conservation issues and
serves on various advisory boards. She is currently organizing
the first ever NYC Wildflower Week in May 2008 for the
Torrey Botanical Society.
For more about urban ecology, native flora, and invasive
plants, visit her
website, Drosera. Please
send questions or comments to info {AT} drosera-x {DOT}
com
[back to top]
|
Photo by Graham Morrison |
