Brooklyn Centre National Wildlife Community

“Who Are The Brooklyn Centre Naturalists & What do They Do

 

Recently someone asked me this question and I decided that maybe it was time to sit down and write a post that would explain. I also decided to add Why we are who we are and why we do what we do.

Who We Are

In 2007, a group of neighbors and business owners who had the common belief that gardening is a way to foster community and create bonds between neighbors formed Brooklyn Centre Naturalists. The trading of plants in a community builds connections that are not easily broken. As BCN continued to meet, we discovered that another bond held us together- the belief that the health of a community depends on the health of its environment. With that thought in mind, our connection to the National Wildlife Foundation became clear. One of our members researched what it takes to become a registered National Wildlife Community, and the group decided that the designation was achievable. A community Wildlife Habitat is a designated area that promotes and fosters the vigor and diversity of native birds and animals by providing the four basic elements throughtout the community tha all wildlife need: food, water, cover, and places to raise young-in individual backyards, on school grounds, and in public areas such as parks, community gardens, places of worship, and businesses. We have been registered since the fall of 2008, and we are now working to become a certified habitat.

What We Do

The projects we undertake in Brooklyn Centre promote, benefit, and achieve one or more of the goals of our organization. We have seven goals that we focus on in our efforts to achieve a bond between or built environment and the rich natural assets we have in Brooklyn Centre. Our goals are:

To develop public workshops.

To establish educational programs with local schools and community groups.

To promote the used of Ohio Native Species plants for gardens and landscapes.

To eradicate invasive plant species.

To maintain and promote a local resource library.

To implement organic gardening principles.

To preserve our community's unique ecosystem.

We fund these projects with grants, various fundraising efforts, and private funding.

Why We Do IT

Our mission is to educate and involve the community in creating a wildlife and people-friendly habitat in an urban setting.

Mini-Symposium “Landscaping Trends For homeowners” A Hit

On Tuesday, March 22 The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo hosted the Friends of Big Creek/Brooklyn Centre Naturalists “Putting the “U” in Urban Watershed Stewardship” Mini-Symposium. This year’s theme in the series was “Low Maintenance, Low Impact Landscaping Trends for Homeowners”.

Victoria Mills, Director of the Doan Brook Watershed Partnership kicked off the evening with a compelling presentation of the perils of not pursuing sustainable landscaping. Her facts and figures were to the point. Her use of local, real-life practitioners of sustainable practices to explain how individuals can positively impact their environment was enlightened and gave added incentive to our attendees to implement her suggestions. Ms. Mills condensed a wide range of concepts into a brief time slot and did a bang up job. She gave a perfect introduction to the rest of the program.

                                                                          

The dynamic pair of Kevin and Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells followed with a presentation chronicling their real-life experience of incorporating an alternative landscape in the design of their home. Kevin, the Director of Sustainable Design at CityArchitecture and Kyle, the Manager of Watershed Programs with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District created a unique environment and home by incorporating the principles and values of their respective professions. Kyle stressed the importance of connecting our relationship with our waterways to the daily impact our choices and actions have on the quality of our streams, rivers, and lakes. Kevin then walked us through the planning, implementation, and finished product that tied storm-water management to their use of alternative landscaping in their design. We were fortunate that this couple was comfortable with having their private residence on display. It was particularly stirring and effective to have a real-life example and demonstration of best practices—local folks that walk the walk.

                                                                    

Although all of the presentations had the added value of power point enhancement, the most beautiful to watch unfold was “The How and Why of Native Plants”. Garrett Ormiston, Stewardship Specialist in the Natural Areas Division of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History explained the difference between invasive, exotic, and native plants, and then, went on to exemplify how native plants can enhance and/or replace a landscape of exotic plants. Mr. Ormiston’s skill as a speaker and his extensive knowledge of native plants added a rich dimension to his segment of the program.

          Ordinarily, it would be a disadvantage to end a program with the most abstract and conceptual topic, but Jonathan Hull, co-founder of The Green Triangle was more than equal to the task. The content of his presentation and his method of delivery kept the audience engaged to the very end. His ability to explain an abstract concept backing up the idea with examples of application was ingenious. When the slide exemplifying an herb spiral appeared on the screen exemplifying form and function, an audible gasp escaped from the audience.

All of the speakers did a great job with the brief time slot each had and left us hungering for more. The presenters were gracious enough to allow us to post their presentations to www.friendsofbigcreek.org. Although you will get a taste of what the speakers presented, I suggest that when you see any one of our presenters listed as a speaker in NEO attend the event. You will be energized to take action and embrace the future.

BURPEE SEEDS GRANT OPPORTUNITY “I Can Grow” Community Gardens For Youth

WOW! I sent this out as an email about an hour ago.  I thought I proofread it, but apparently the weekend is catching up to me and I really did a poor job of it. .  I have tried to do better here on the blog.  Please share this opportunity far and wide. 

I am printing this email I received from Planter Ace (John Jenkins) about a grant opportunity sponsored by Burpee Seeds for anyone who works with young people and community Gardens.

If anyone knows of someone who should receive the info please pass it on.  The more people who see this the more likely that our young people in Cleveland will benefit from a grant.

Subject: youth/community garden grant opportunity

Grant opportunity from Burpee Home Gardens; visit the website listed below for more details about eligibility and to download an application.  Applications are due December 3, 2010:
'I Can Grow' Youth Garden Award Program
Youth and community garden programs across the U.S. can benefit from the new Burpee Home Gardens "I Can Grow" Youth Garden Award. Applications are being considered now, and the award will sponsor and support urban school and community gardens in cities across the country in 2011.
Who should apply?
   * Schools and youth educators
   * Community centers or organizations
   * Youth groups
What the Youth Garden Award includes:
   * Up to 500 vegetable and herb plants* (Quantity of plants is dependent upon size of garden and need)
   * $2,500 for program supplies
   * On-site assistance for initial garden layout and installation
   * Installation day event publicity coordination
   * Five gallons of Daniels? Plant Food (a sustainable fertilizer)
   * Flip? video camera to document garden progress

Established or start-up programs that demonstrate well-developed and staffed plans for a youth-centered educational program are encouraged to fill out the appropriate forms found at http://www.burpeehomegardens.com/ICanGrow/_YouthGardenAward.aspx
Applications must be postmarked no later than Friday, December 3, 2010. Award status will be determined in January 2011.

Brooklyn Centre Naturalists Kid Program takes field trip to Cleveland's Rockefeller Park Greenhouse.

On Saturday, July 10th, the Brooklyn Centre Naturalist Kids Program, "Nature through Art, Music and More", will take their first field trip to the City of Cleveland's Rockefeller Park Greenhouse.

The first plans for the City Greenhouse were presented in 1902. Three years later the first units were completed on a portion of the 270 acres donated to the City by John D. Rockefeller. The Greenhouse was initially used solely for growing the plants used to landscape City parks and gardens. While city beautification is still one of our goals, the Greenhouse and grounds have since evolved into a Botanical garden with specialty plant collections, seasonal floral displays, and theme gardens. Special features include the Japanese Garden which was developed during the 1960s. This picturesque garden recreates a Japanese courtyard with its bamboo hut, gently running water basin, and pond. Of special interest is the Dawn Redwood tree located across from the running water basin. The tree was grown from one of six seeds brought from Japan. The Betty Ott Talking Garden uses tape-recorded descriptions to guide sight-impaired visitors. Plants here are chosen for their appeal to all the senses. A raised bed invites visitors to touch and smell the plants, and signs give information in both Roman and Braille type. This is one of only a few such special-interest gardens in the country.

We're sure that everyone on this field trip will find something amazing at the greenhouse.  For more information about our Kids Saturday morning nature programs, call Gloria at 216-351-0254

Thank You!! Thank You! Thank You!

There are a lot of people to thank for yesterday's VERY successful work day on our ReImagining Cleveland project.  There were many people behind the scenes as well as on site who made the day a very prosperous one for our neighborhood.  I say prosperous because to see the talent, the cooperation, the sense of community, and the smiles made us all feel wealthy, or prosperous, while doing some very hard work was inspirational to me and others.

A mere thank you doesn't seem quite enough, but it it what we have.  Thank you!

Each and every one of you deserves a thank you—those of you who were there digging trenches, hauling sand and gravel, pouring concrete, clearing brush, and attending to our "oil spill" discovered below a trash pile.

As always, there were people behind the scenes who helped make our day so successful, and we would like to thank them as well.

• Maria Dimengo who contacted Angela Lowrey from CWRU who coordinated our "college day of service" group of Case Western Reserve students.
• Donn Hecklemoser who worked with Lynn at Community Service to get us Melvin and his work crew of eight
• Barbara Hermes of West Creek Preservationists and Paul Fabek, Baldwin Wallace intern, who got us the BW crew who worked at Brooklyn Memorial to prepare gardens for the summer.
• Pastor Pam and her "church ladies" who provided bagels, pastries, and lunch to some of our crew.
• Greg Cznadel, Ann Kuula, and Christine Stuckey who ran our weekly neighborhood kids' program so the rest of us could work on the vacant lot sites.
• Sherry Perry, owner of "The Ugly Broad" and her bartender Scottie who opened her bar to our volunteers for restroom concerns and allowed Katie Ferris to use her grill so our volunteers could have a hot lunch.  

An now, on to "on the scene" people:

• Joe Mestnik who coordinated the WHOLE project and was on site at West 36th street.
• Dave Boyce who oversaw the work crews at West 39th Street.
• Georgia Althar who coordinated the garden clean-up at Brooklyn Methodist.

And last, but not least, every one of you who volunteered on an incredibly beautiful April day in Cleveland.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Gloria Ferris and Sharon Martyn

Co-chairs

Brooklyn Centre Naturalists 

P.S.--Angela, Paul, and, Donn--if you would pass this LONG thank you on to everyone in your volunteer corps, we would appreciate it.  

I See Reusable “Trick or Treat” Bags In Halloween’s future

Technorati Tags: Halloween,reuse,recycle,trick or treat bags,Seventh Generation

I saw this suggestion today at the Seventh generation website and thought it apropos to repost it here.

At trick or treat time, convert canvas shopping bags or old pillowcases into goody bags. Kids can have a monstrously good time decorating them beforehand.

This Saturday, we will be transforming ordinary canvas bags into reusable “trick or treat” bags at Brooklyn Memorial United Methodist Church at 2607 Archwood Avenue.  Each week area children “explore nature thru art and music” led by Brooklyn Centre Naturalist instructors.   The program begins at 10:30 am and includes a lunch for all participants  provided by some very nice church ladies. We will be out of there at 12:30 pm with a sturdy, reusable “trick or treat” bag ready for next week’s  festivities.

The church will be holding a Halloween Party for the neighborhood children from 3 to 5 p.m. on October 31st. Games, goodies, music and fun will be the order of the day. Costumes are welcome.  BCN will be manning a craft table and showing anyone who wants to how to make a spooky spider.  

There were other ideas for promoting a reusable and recyclable Halloween on this article. Check it out!

Brooklyn Centre Naturalists Meeting on June 13th

Dear Brooklyn Centre Naturalist--

Here are the details for our regularly scheduled meeting for June. NOTE THE SLIGHT TIME CHANGE.

WHEN: Saturday, June 13th, 2:30 to 4:00

WHERE: Cleveland Public Library-Brooklyn Branch, 3706 Pearl Road

WHY: Lots of Good Ideas and Opportunities Await Us. "Strategic Doing" helps us achieve our goals.

Can't make this one? Our July meeting will be Saturday July 11th, same place same time. Mark your calendars. Hope to see you Saturday.

Gloria and Sharon, Brooklyn Centre Naturalists--

--your neighbors in a natural habitat-aware park neighborhood, where everything comes together

"other blogs & websites," in the sidebar

Please notice that we have a new "other blogs & websites" set of links in the sidebar. One link even includes a UserID and a Password to enable you to use the BCNWC version of LibraryThing. We also link to our local list of books that Laura has provided, and she tells me it may be possible to make that into an interactive listing, too.

Enjoy. If there's anything else you'd like to see, comment and let us know.

from Crime Watch to Frog Watch

The vernal pool frog talk last week took the dialogue from crime watch to frog watch. The one thing that stuck in my mind was that our legislation concerning real-estate development (the newer additions to our built heritage) seems to be at odds with common-sense principles pertaining to our natural heritage.

This should give us something to work on--an educational mission to our elected, appointed, and hired public servants.

Brooklyn Centre National Wildlife Community is now among the REGISTERED Community Wildlife Habitat Sites

Sharon told me to be on the lookout for the posting of the Brooklyn Centre National Wildlife Community registration, and it is now on the www.nwf.org website at http://www.nwf.org/community/cwhsites.cfm#brooklyncentre. I believe that Sharon and Gloria told me this is the first registration in the country of an urban area. Here's the copy:

Brooklyn Centre, OH

• Registered: November, 2008
• Population: 12,400
• Located in the city of Cleveland

Brooklyn Centre is an older, inner-city neighborhood with good public access to Major Cuyahoga Metro Parks and other green spaces. A dense population of old-growth trees line the residential streets. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is located within the neighborhood, and has helped make residents aware of protecting wildlife and habitat. The annual Brooklyn Centre Garden Tour calls the neighborhood “a small town in the heart of a big city”.