Learn about gardening with hardy and beautiful heather as you join members of the Northeast Heather Society while tending The Fells Heather Bed on Saturday, May 12 at 9:30 am. Bring lightweight hedge trimmers (if you have them), dress in layers and wear gloves. Free to all. Advance registration requested. Meets at the Heather Bed, beyond the Rock Garden. The Fells is located on the eastern shore of Lake Sunapee at 456 Route 103A in Newbury, NH.
Seed Your Future is a national initiative to promote horticulture as a vital, viable and exciting career path for the nation’s youth. It envisions a world where every U.S. student knows the meaning and importance of horticulture. It wants the next generation of leaders in this invaluable field poised to fill the wealth of job opportunities available to them.
There has been a decline in interest in plants and in pursuing careers in horticulture. This has caused many challenges including: low appreciation for how plants impact the world; declining college, university and certification program enrollment in horticulture; and plant blindness (the inability to see or notice the plants in one’s own environment, leading to the inability to recognize the importance of plants in the biosphere and in human affairs). Another challenge is negative stereotypes about careers working with plants. Check out a few of the alarming statistics:
The average U.S. citizen can identify more than 1,000 brands and logos, but fewer than 10 local plants.
Most schools stop teaching plant-based concepts in the third grade.
ZERO middle-schoolers in focus groups across the country said they have heard the word “horticulture.”
Only 61% of the average 57,600 annual job openings in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources or the environment are filled due to lack of qualified candidates – causing a severe workforce gap. Seed Your Future’s goals:
Awareness – Create a favorable perception of horticulture and increase awareness of careers working with plants among youth and youth influencers.
Education – Engage and excite youth about horticulture and careers working with plants.
Workforce Development – Increase the skilled workforce in horticulture and develop a strong pipeline of future talent.
Partnerships – Cultivate and strengthen partnerships and collaborations to advance our mission; and to diversify and broaden the base of volunteers, advocates and supporters.
Resource Development – Diversify funding sources and increase financial supporters to ensure sustainability of the movement.
For information on how to get involved, visit http://seedyourfuture.org.
In the U.S., window strikes are estimated to kill up to 1 billion birds annually, and window strikes are one of the leading causes of death for migratory birds. During the day, birds see the natural habitat mirrored in the glass and fly directly into the window, causing injury, and, in 50 % or more of the cases, death. At night, especially during spring and fall migration, lights in and around buildings can confuse birds, leading to collisions or exhaustion as the birds circle the structure.
To reduce this threat, several cities in North America, including Boston, Chicago, and Toronto, have taken steps to reduce light from tall buildings during migratory bird season. In Boston’s case, this effort comes through the Lights Out Boston! program, on which the Massachusetts Audubon Society partnered with Mayor Tom Menino’s administration. Mass Audubon is hoping to revive their partnership with the City to expand the program. Though programs like Lights Out Boston! are an important step in protecting birds, they are voluntary.
As such, Mass Audubon has endorsed the Federal Bird-safe Buildings Act of 2017 (S.1920/H.R.2542, filed by Senator Booker [D-NJ] and Representative Quigley [D-IL]). This proposed legislation would require all new federal renovations or construction to incorporate bird-safe characteristics like reduced glass surfaces and shielding of outdoor lights. Under this bill, any glass that is used would have to be fritted, screened, shaded, or UV-reflective, qualities proven to reduce bird collisions.
More locally, Mass Audubon submitted comments to the City of Boston on the planned renovation project at One Post Office Square. Boston is located along a major migratory bird pathway, and these migrants utilize small urban parks, including Post Office Square, as ‘stopover’ or resting habitat during migration. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird Project, 91 bird species have been observed at the site. A glass-clad building in such close proximity to a well-known bird habitat presents a clear hazard to birds. On top of this, it is important to avoid large, uninterrupted areas of reflective glass in close proximity to landscape features, since birds may be attracted to the plantings and unable to distinguish the glass reflections. Mass Audubon encouraged the Boston Planning and Development Agency to consider building façade and landscaping designs that minimize bird collision hazards.
Read more at http://blogs.massaudubon.org.
Officially incorporated as an independent non-profit organization in 1997, COGdesign provides pro-bono landscape design to underserved communities to promote physical and mental health and make eastern Massachusetts more beautiful. Below are descriptions of the 10 projects that COGdesign has accepted for the Fall 2017-Spring 2018 Project Season. If you would like to volunteer for one or more projects, please email Jean at JKrasnow9@gmail.com and/or info@cogdesign.org to get more information. If you have already filled the out application or have volunteered in the past, you do not need to do so again.
Boston Collegiate Charter School
215 Sydney Street, North Dorchester
Boston Collegiate has been in this location since 2010 and would like to create a welcoming attractive park-like space for families and the community in the lot adjacent to the school. The school is in a former piano factory. Over the years they have tried some planting but did not have much luck. They have decided they need a plan and some guidance! Over 200 students and 50 teachers enter the school daily and, as the school is a one-minute walk from the JFK/UMASS red line stop, many people walk by every day. The director of family and community development will lead this project: students and families are eager.
Doyle Playground
Fairmount Greenway/Southwest Boston CDC
11 Fairmount Ave, Hyde Park
Hyde Park residents have identified redevelopment of the blighted Doyle Playground (a vacant lot for over 15 years now littered with glass and weeds) as a priority. The residents have suggested a gathering place, natural playground, access to Neponset River, and a path connecting to other nearby parks along the Fairmount Greenway ( a recent awardee of the Blossom Fund of the Boston Committee of the GCA). Hyde Park is a high need area: in Hyde Park 41% of residents earn less than $35,000: in the area around Doyle Park per capita income is under $21,000. Lovely public space would be welcome and well used.
Egleston Square Main Street
3134 Washington Street, Roxbury
The lot is owned by Clear Channel and houses a huge billboard dating to the time of the elevated Orange Line on Washington. The community has a $1/yr lease to maintain it as open space for the community. A Friends Group has formed to develop an ongoing plan for the space. The Peace Garden (created in the 1960’s) is at the heart of Egleston Square and is walking distance from three schools. Frequently used as a community gathering space, it needs a thoughtful plan for public use. The Friends Group does clean up and would head up the planning process for a new design for the space.
Fenway Victory Garden
1200 Boylston Street, Boston, MA
The main entrance to the Victory Gardens includes a large area designated by the Boston Parks Department as the Victory Garden Committee to plant and garden. The area is seen by hundreds of visitors each year as well as the hundreds of community gardeners. They have asked for plants that are drought tolerant and unappealing to the many rabbits that live in the gardens. Fenway Garden Society members will maintain the area.
GreenRoots Food Justice and Urban Agriculture Expansion Efforts
Chelsea
From their application GreenRoots needs COGdesign “to help our organization expand its work with low income families to grow their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs locally and inexpensively and to connect neighbors to forge greater social bonds and improve quality of life”. GreenRoots has a commitment from a food service company to build a sizable greenhouse: the design and planning for the greenhouse is also part of the application.
Grove Hall Main Streets
320 Blue Hill Avenue, Roxbury
The city has several vacant lots along Blue Hill Avenue. The Grove Hall Main Streets organization would like to see one of them developed for commuters and residents as a food court: retail and space for seating and eating. In this project everything is up for grabs- creativity welcomed!
Haley House
497 and 503 Columbus Avenue (Green space in front of affordable housing), South End
Haley House was the first homeless service provider to create permanent, affordable housing in Boston. Currently, Haley House housing programs include more than 100 units of housing. The Columbus Avenue buildings have 24 single room units. For several years, residents have invested time and energy to try to develop the plots and will certainly help once there is a new design. The applicants would like the residents to be part of the planning. We agree!
Hoops and Homework
12 A Interfaith Terrace, Framingham
Hoops and Homework is an after school and summer program at a Section 8 housing complex in Framingham. Residents have the lowest income in Framingham with a median family income of $29,162. There are 160 rental units in the complex. The program raised funds and a local contractor has installed a basketball court at cost. The next phase is to create park and gathering space in the wooded area behind the court. Residents are also interested in raised bed gardening.
Paige Academy
28 Highland Avenue, Roxbury
From the application, “the goal is to create a beautiful, native-plant rainwater garden behind Paige Academy to mitigate rainwater runoff and erosion. The land is an historical asset to the community and serves a both part of Paige Academy campus and an Urban Wild and community walking path.” Paige Academy is located near John Eliot Square, a mixed income area of Roxbury and has served the community for 47 years. The new space would create an improved footpath for the community and an outdoor teaching classroom for the school.
Gore Street Community Garden
6-8 Gore Street, Mission Hill
The City of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development has offered this vacant lot on Mission Hill for community use. The DND has accepted the proposal for a community garden. The application lists several goals: “we wish to preserve neighborhood open space, create a place for education about growing and maintaining fruit trees, offer wheelchair accessibility for gardening, create raised beds for residents, and learn about rain harvesting and composting”. This project has a unique timeline. The city needs a rough design quickly and then will wait to see a full design, plant list, and more later in the winter. Median income on Mission Hill is $35,000: there is lots of community energy for a community garden and the possible educational options that could develop.
The Friends of the Public Garden are recruiting volunteers to become tour guides for their 2018 season, which runs weekdays May through September. If you’re passionate about the trees, plantings, sculpture, and history in the Boston Public Garden, please attend one their upcoming information sessions and learn more about becoming a volunteer guide for the tour program, Untold Stories of the Public Garden:
Wednesday, November 29 at 11am
Thursday, December 14 at 12 noon
Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 3pm
Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 12 noon
Training is provided and begins in February.
RSVP to attend one of these sessions by calling 617-723-8144 or emailing tours@friendsofthepublicgarden.org.
On Monday, December 4, from 7 – 9, join the Charlesgate Alliance to talk about DCR Charlesgate Park. This second meeting will take place at 91 Bay State Road, Common Lounge on the first floor, and will include discussions of improvements to DCR Charlesgate Park. The event is sponsored by Charlesgate Alliance, DCR Massachusetts, and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy.
Pastor Ingo R. Dutzmann and his parish will again host our Club for wreath making on the lower level of The First Lutheran Church of Boston, 299 Berkeley Street (on the corner of Berkeley and Marlborough Streets). We are very, very grateful. Please note that a core group will set up the space on Sunday, December 3 (anyone who can lend a hand is welcome – email info@bostonflora.com for set up times) and we will be ready to work first thing Monday morning – Monday participation by as many of you as possible is critical to our success. The hours are as follows:
Monday, Dec. 4 – 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (decorating)
Tuesday, Dec. 5 – 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (decorating and delivery)
Wednesday, Dec. 6- 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (decorating, delivery)
Thursday, Dec. 7- 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (decorating, delivery, clean up)
Please come to the side door on Berkeley Street. We’ll post a sign. Coffee and baked goods will be available each morning, and catered lunches will be delivered all four days. Dried materials and fresh greens can be delivered to the Church no earlier than Monday, December 4. Please have all decorations “cleaned down” – branches cut down, dead leaves removed – so we can contain the mess we inevitably make. Delicate materials can be laid flat in sweater boxes or gently stacked in cardboard containers. We are going to need as many dried items as we can collect, and we especially want interesting fresh evergreen boughs and holly.
Bring clippers and scissors if you have them, labeled with masking tape for ease of identification. Aprons are also a good idea. Dress comfortably! We need everyone’s help, whether you decorate, deliver, organize, make telephone calls confirming delivery, or sweep. Contact Francine Crawford at 617-859-8865 (info@bostonflora.com) or Margaret Pokorny at 617-536-2920 (MPok384@gmail.com) if you have specific questions, and contact Catherine Bordon at 617-480-8792 (catherinebordon@comcast.net) if you can take a two hour delivery shift. Otherwise, we’ll see you on Monday. If you still plan to order wreaths, send the order forms along as soon as you can, or order online at www.gardenclubbackbay.org. Please try to come for as many hours as possible, on as many days as you can spare – we need you, and you’ll have a great time. Thank you.
Come join Love Your Block on Thursday, November 16 from 6 – 8 at the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building, 2300 Washington Street in Boston as they celebrate Bostonians who are re-vitalizing community spaces for positive change.
This semi-formal awards ceremony recognizes award winners in these categories: The Community Garden Award, The Vacant Lot Revitalization Award, The Public Stewardship Award, Public Art Beautification Award and the 2017 Partnership Award. Past Love Your Block Mini-Grant winners will also be honored.
Be prepared to enjoy an amazing networking opportunity hosted by Mayor Walsh’s Office of Civic Engagement. Free food & drinks!
For more information on the Love your Block Initiative and Civic Engagement Ceremony, please visit http://boston.gov/loveyourblock
Once again Mass Audubon is seeking photos that highlight people in nature and the beauty of Massachusetts wildlife and landscapes. “We can’t wait to see what you have in store for us this year! Find everything you need to know about how and what to enter at http://www.massaudubon.org/news-events/photo-contest/enter-the-contest. For those who have entered before, we have updated the submission guidelines along with the prizes.” Happy snapping.
Ginkgo trees evolved before the dinosaurs, survived three mass extinctions, and one species is still living today. The Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History staff are researching how the cells of leaves on ginkgos have changed over time, and whether we can use them to learn about the ancient atmosphere of the Earth. We want to create a record of how the atmosphere has changed through time by calculating the ratio of two different types of leaf cell (stomatal and epidermal) for many leaves, from the present and the geological past. It is important for us to understand what effect climate change might have on life on our planet in the long term.
One way we can understand the effect of climate change is to look at the geological past – millions of years ago – and the fossil record, to see what happened to organisms during periods of time in Earth history when there were similar changes in the atmosphere and climate. If we want to build an accurate picture of these past changes, we need to know what the atmosphere was like back then.
Our planet’s atmosphere is composed of many different gasses, one of which is carbon-dioxide (CO2). Through extensive research we now know that CO2 concentration in the atmosphere has a very important influence on Earth’s climate. There are several ways researchers try to reconstruct past climates; we call these climate proxies. One proxy for CO2 concentration comes from plants, and is known as stomatal index. This is a measure of the number of gas-exchange holes on the surface of a leaf, relative to the number of normal cells. Count cells of modern and fossil leaves and help them track climate change over millions of years. You will count oval-shaped stomata in highly magnified images of both fossilized and living ginkgo leaves. Learn how to do it at https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/laurasoul/fossil-atmospheres
