Brooklyn Centre National Wildlife Community

Art House, Butterflies, And Brooklyn Centre Naturalists Create A Beautiful Habitat.

Last Saturday, September 22, 2012 Brooklyn Centre held their fourth annual strategic planning meeting. Someone mentioned that I should post the Old Brooklyn News articles to our blog. Each month, I pen an article letting Brooklyn Centre and Old Brooklyn residents know what BCN and our partners are doing to create natural habitats for birds and butterflies.

Little did I know how satisfying rereading these articles would be. I hope you enjoy reading them too.

 

Beautiful Butterflies fluttering by Brooklyn Centre and Old Brooklyn today and tomorrow

Butterflies add beauty to wildlife gardens, but their usefulness in pollinating flowers is an added benefit which both gardeners and flowers will greatly appreciate. To attract butterflies, a gardener needs to incorporate plants which will serve a butterfly through all of its life stages as well as give it a place to sun itself and “puddle” in the garden. These insects need: places to lay eggs, food plants for their larvae (caterpillars), places to form chrysalides, and nectar sources (for adult butterflies).

Thanks to the generous support of a Neighborhood Connections grant and the sweat equity of a group of Brooklyn Centre Naturalists volunteers, there now is a beautiful example of a butterfly garden on the Art House premises. It shows how easy it is to add a place for butterflies to a garden.

Dozens of native plants were planted in Art House’s dooryard, and bees and butterflies began to visit even before all the planting was finished. Tired and hungry volunteers brainstormed on “next steps” and how to showcase the garden throughout the year.

Sharing food around a table is a great way for our community to share ideas, knowledge and figure out ways to transform conversation into action. Saturday, August 27th, was a prime example of how this process works. Everyone left with their stomachs satisfied, their brains fed and a plan of action to continue implementing the “seeds” planted by Neighborhood Connections, Art House and Brooklyn Centre Naturalists.

Their next steps will involve the side yard at Art House where they will be “curbing herbs”, planting a dye garden, and planning afternoon teas to share tips on custom teas, medicinal herbs, natural dying techniques and much more.

On September 24th, Brooklyn Centre Naturalists efforts to “green” the area will continue when the volunteers move down Denison Avenue to the “36th St. Commons” where volunteers will install a Monarch Butterfly Way Station to continue attracting butterflies to the area. That day they will also plant trees to support “Acres for Atmosphere”.

Both of these projects were brought to BCN by Metroparks Zoo employees who are making the project on W. 36th St. possible. Next month’s article will talk about their support, involvement, and how everything came together through collaboration.

The Art House butterfly garden is open for viewing any day. Anyone who would also like to include a tour of Art House at the same time should call to make an appointment during office hours Tuesday thru Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Brooklyn Centre Naturalists are still collecting “backyard habitats” in their effort to become a National Wildlife Community. Anyone who would like to become a wildlife habitat, volunteer for the

“36th St. Commons” project, or obtain more information about butterfly gardens should contact bcnaturalists@gmail.com or call Gloria at 261-351-0254.

This article originally appeared in the September 2011 of OLD BROOKLYN NEWS.

BROOKLYN CENTRE NATURALISTS ACTION PLAN FOR 2012-2013

We just got this from Tom Romito. Yesterday was our annual planning meeting, at the Carnegie Library at the corner of Pearl and Mapledale. Today, Tom has the results ready, and here they are, this is what we will be doing:

BROOKLYN CENTRE NATURALISTS ACTION PLAN FOR 2012-2013

Summary of Points Needed to Certify as a Wildlife Habitat Community

· Need 350 points to certify.

· Have 230 points as of September 22, 2012.

· Need 150 points specific to habitats.

· Need 75 points from homes certified as Wildlife Habitats.

· Have 54 points from businesses certified as Wildlife Habitats.

· Have 5 points from Art House.

· Have 10 bonus points from member habitats.

· Have 120 points from member habitats.

· Have 51 points from houses.

· Need to get 24 houses by May 2013 (Bicentennial and BCN’s five-year anniversary).

What We Did to Get 51 Points from Houses (from 2008-present)

· Found people in 44109 who were dedicated to BCN. 

· Got a grant that underwrote some people to get certified. 

· Used our influence to convince others to get certified. 

· All BCN members were team players. 

· Networked with partners (agencies, block clubs, businesses, residents, etc.). 

· Promoted the neighborhood as a green community. 

· Found out about who had knowledge and what adds value to the community. 

What We Could Do to Get 24 More Points from Houses

· Identify more partners and send them an e-mail blast promoting the certification campaign.

· Focus on Garden Tour homes that are not certified.

· Make personal contacts.

· Offer gift certificates to people as an incentive to certify.

· Promote an “Adopt a Repo” idea through the Community Development Corporation.

· Approach churches and ask pastors to carry our message to their congregations.

· Approach day-care centers with our message.

· Put PSAs on RTA busses and kiosks around the community.

· Talk up the campaign at MetroHealth, Lutheran Hospital.

· Put a monthly article in the “Old Brooklyn News” offering gift certificates to new houses.

· Approach the Old Brooklyn “Buzz” group.

· Develop a script for BCN members to take our message to partners and audiences.

· Develop and distribute a flyer that focuses on certification.

Prioritization of Possible Action Items

· Send an e-mail blast to partners.

· Develop a flyer.

· Develop a fact sheet.

· Reach Garden Tour homes.

· Talk to the “Buzz” group about the “Adopt a Repo” idea.

· Submit articles to “Old Brooklyn News.”

· Make personal contacts.

BCN ACTION PLAN FOR 2012-2013

Objective: To certify 24 houses by May 2013.

ITEM	ACTION STEPS	WHO	WHEN
E-mail blast.	Pass lists of partners to Tim. Consolidate lists of partners. Send e-mail blast to partners encouraging them to certify their properties.	BCN members Tim Tim	Starting Sep-22
Flyer	Construct a flyer promoting certification. Send flyer to Art House.	Gloria Gloria	Starting Sep-22
Fact sheet	List talking points for BCN members to use when talking to partners.	BCN members	End of Sep 22 meeting
Garden Tour homes	Contact residents on Garden Tour who are not certified.	Gloria and Greg	Starting Oct 1
Buzz	Attend next Buzz meeting to talk about certifications and “Adopt a Repo” idea.	Greg	In October
Article in “Old Brooklyn News”	Submit article on gift certificates for new houses that certify	Gloria	September 25
Personal contacts	Use fact sheet when talking to personal contacts.	All BCN members	Starting Sep 23

CERTIFICATION FACT SHEET

Purpose: To guide your comments when talking to partners about certifying their properties.

How: Pick the most appropriate facts to talk about for the audience you are addressing. Remember that you may only have about 1-3 minutes to reach your audience!

1. Brooklyn Centre/Old Brooklyn is a Cleveland Park Neighborhood.

2. We’re on a migratory bird path. Birds need green space during migration to rest and refuel before continuing their journey.

3. Big creek is the third largest tributary of the Cuyahoga River.

4. Your water bill will go down if you certify your property because native plants use less water than grass.

5. Certification will increase your property value because it improves the appearance of your property, naturally filters and cools the air, and deadens surrounding sounds.

6. By certifying your property, you get a certificate. For a nominal additional fee, you can also get a sign to put on your property designating it as a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

7. The certification will stay with your property forever.

8. BCN did several projects for Art House.

9. BCN constructed rock and wildflower gardens on two empty lots in Brooklyn Centre.

Herb and Dye Garden One Step Closer To Reality

Last fall, we walked away from an overgrown area full of knotweed dreaming of the Herb and Dye Garden we envisioned for this space.

                                          

Saturday April 14th a group of energetic, hardworking Baldwin Wallace students descended on Art House.  They were ready to tackle the side lot that didn’t look anything like the Herb and Dye Garden that Brooklyn Naturalists spokesperson Gloria Ferris described.  They looked around and saw Amy Craft, Executive Director of Art House, nodding her head “yes” and saw the other BCN volunteers walking towards the area with determined looks on their faces.

These BW students were ready to work and had come with the intention of helping make a dream become reality.  From the looks of things, it was going to take a lot of elbow grease and some decision making as to how to tackle the Japanese Knotweed that had taken over a garden delineated by sandstone. Dave Boyce and his crew worked tirelessly on chopping down that stubborn knotweed.

Another crew followed Tim Ferris and began pruning the overgrown honeysuckle on a chain link fence while still others began pruning tees that had sprouted where the honeysuckle wasn’t.  Ken Wohlgemuth brought his chain saw which made short work of the trees, but then the challenge was the great piles of branches in the lot.

The trailer was full and  their time in Brooklyn Centre drawing to a close, the BW students came up with a plan to at least control the remaining branches until another day. 

 

Discussing the Knotweed dilemma over pizza, our BW crew 

felt they had conquered it for now, but we would have to constantly look out for the sprouts because the twining underground root system led to the source on another property. After much praise and many “thank yous”, the BC Naturalists watched as they drove out of sight. 

Imagine our surprise on Monday when the branches were gone and our garden was ready to become reality. Just like magic, we were ready for the next step. Actually, Dave and his crew had arrived on Sunday to take the trailer away and saw that we had much more work to do.  They set to work and finished the job. 

                                                                              

 

In May, we will be setting the stones in place, building pillars, and planting the herb and dye garden which will surround an open air studio which some day will have tables and chairs where we can create art or where we can sit and enjoy nature in a beautiful garden filled with sights, sounds, and smells.

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.

SRO For ReImagining Cleveland CSU Forum

Yesterday was an amazing day in Cleveland.  My guess would be that over 200 people gathered in the Roberta Steinbacher Atrium at CSU to hear Clevelanders and local experts share their stories of ReImagining Cleveland projects and the future of the program.  The evening started off with a few words from the new president and CEO of NPI, Inc. Joel Ratner. To me, it is comforting to know that Joel is leading the group of dedicated people at NPI. Joel continues his avid support of grassroots activities which he fostered in his role as Neighborhood Connections executive Director.  Next up, was Daryl Rush, Director of Community Development for the City of Cleveland.  It was good to hear his thoughts and comments on the quality of the projects, his praise the community leaders committed to improving their communities of choice and his ideas on how these kinds of projects will be funded to continue this very important mission to enhance the assets of our community.

These men were followed by some of the recipients of grants who related their experiences during the implementation of their projects. Justin Husher of Old Husher Farm related how the grant he received helped him make a life long dream of being a farmer come true. Now, if he can achieve some of the things he needs to make his dream a success—more than a lease of the land he farms and a west Side Market Co-Op his goal will be complete. Darren and Johanna Hamm of our own Brooklyn Centre Community Orchard project gave a great “tag team” presentation of how a group of dedicated volunteers transformed neglected, vandalized vacant lots into a beautiful orchard on a ridge overlooking Brookside Valley,complete  sitting benches, a winding path and a white picket fence.  Mansfield Frazier of Chateau Hough related how the vineyard created by his vision and the dedicated efforts of volunteers will grow into a viable source of business opportunities, jobs, and pride for his neighborhood.  Their were others but these three hit a chord with me and the members of their audience.  The spontaneous applause when The Hamms posted the slide of the orchard’s arbor said it all.

Brooklyn Centre Naturalists were truly honored to be part of this celebration of all we Clevelanders did in 2010 to make our city great!   

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.

Court Community Service Workers An Added Plus For Our Projects

I am exhausted.  Keeping up with Mel and his ten court community service workers was a bit much for this sixty year old woman, but she did.   Our day started when I received an 8:30 am call from Mel who informed me that he would be at the work site  with ten workers by 9:15 am.  They arrived promptly and stood ready and willing to receive instruction. I told them what we wanted to accomplish today.   They grabbed tools,  paired off into groups of two or threeand began whittling away at the seven tasks we needed to complete by lunch. Me, I stood by and watched as these young men tackled a few problems and continued on with their work. One problem they had was an edger that would not work. One young man picked up a flat edge shovel and began to cut the sod between the sidewalk and the tree lawn. Another one backed him up by coming along with a garden rake pulling the cut sod away from the grass.  A third guy scooped it up with a shovel, placed in the wheelbarrow and later, emptied the load where we needed some fill.

It was a hot, hot day with no breeze so Mel told the guys it was time to break for lunch.  They still needed to use the weed whacker on the tufts of grass throughout the lot.  He told me that he would call when they were ready to begin work at the West 39th Street garden.  Thirty sixth street is definitely a work in progress. It gave me great joy to see their eyes widen with surprise as the debarked from the van.  This time, they grabbed their tools of choice with no hesitation and they attacked the weeds with vigor.  These jobs were going to take a bit more finesse because we were working around the plantings.

As they worked, a small boy stopped at the edge of the path that would take his Grandmother, father, and him through the heart of the garden. I told him to come on in. As they passed by, his grandmother told me that this was the little boy’s favorite place and he liked to bring his lunch there to eat as he watched the birds and butterflies.  She told me that now, he would make them stand still and wait for a butterfly to fly by before they could continue.  The guys heard her say this, and they began to watch for one, too. When the wished for butterfly appeared, the little boy clapped his hands along with ten grown men. When they left, our crew again bent to their work.  We finished up at 2:30 pm,  and Mel and the guys took off to their garage to return the tools, clean he van, and get prepared for tomorrow’s job.

I just have to say that I am incredibly thankful for these community service workers. They have been a welcome addition to our corp of  volunteers.  The ability to have them work during the week preparing sites by digging paths, picking up trash, and pulling weeds makes it easier for our other volunteers on Saturdays.

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

BCN ReImagining Cleveland Project on Channel 3 NEWS at 6 or 7

JUNE 4, 2010

Tom Beres of Channel 3 News interviewed Brooklyn Centre Naturalists today at our 39th Street site for a ReImagining Cleveland spot to be aired Friday at 6 or 7 pm.  Tim, Joe, Dave, and I were there to talk to Tom and receive a delivery of leaf humus from Kurtz Brothers. ParkWorks ordered the delivery earlier in the week to be delivered Friday at 3 pm.  At noon, Bobbie Reichtell from NPI called me to ask me if we would be available for an interview. My answer, of course, was "Sure!" I told her about the scheduled delivery,  and she was thrilled. Funny how things fall into place.

We will be spreading leaf  humus  or “sweet peat” as it is commonly called, this afternoon and tomorrow so if you "have shovel will rake" tools or even if you don't, stop by and help us beat the rain. We usually have extra tools, or you can spell someone who has tools and help us get this done ASAP.

Next week on Saturday June 12 we will begin planting the first of the native plants on the site.

Also, if anyone has hosta that need thinning or cranesbill (wild) geraniums, we will take all contributions.

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.