Ursula Chanse is the Director of Bronx Green-Up and Community Horticulture and Project Director for NYC Compost Project hosted by The New York Botanical Garden. For more information about these programs and upcoming workshops and events, please visit Bronx Green-Up.
During the dry days of May, In Good Company, a collaboration of values-driven businesses spearheaded by Clif Bar & Company, brought together individuals from across the country and Canada to be put to work in the South Bronx. Two week-long service projects in early and late May took place at Brook Park, a thriving community garden bordered by schools and an accessible resource for learning and play in the urban outdoors.
In appreciation, Harry Bubbins, Director of Friends of Brook Park, had this to say:
“Thanks to the expertise and incredible support from the staff at Bronx Green-Up of The New York Botanical Garden and GrowNYC, along with the In Good Company consortium and all their company members and employees, we have entirely transformed our almost one-acre site here in the South Bronx. We are honored to continue to receive the support of Bronx Green-Up and the partnerships and resources they are able to leverage for community gardens like ours. Without them The Bronx would be a lot less green.”
Students performing abiotic water tests on a sample of water from the Bronx River
In early March, I posted a primer on the Garden’s Citizen Science program, focusing on the biotic water quality testing workshops offered to visiting students at NYBG’s own GreenSchool. Presented in partnership with the New York City Department of Education STEM Matters, Citizen Science workshops aim to educate children from all five boroughs about ongoing, “crowd-sourced” scientific research that is accessible to amateur scientists and laymen alike.
Over the course of the month of March, I had the pleasure of working with the students of P.S. / I.S. 87 Middle Village as they sorted leaf packs, bravely handled and identified macroinvertebrates, and ventured into the Thain Family Forest in order to perform site surveys. Under the guidance of science teacher Ms. Vivian Alforque, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders were all given the chance to participate in meaningful scientific research on the grounds of our historic institution.
Now, on to what I’m sure you’ve all been wondering: which macroinvertebrates did we find?
Monarch butterflies in action! (Photo Credit: Patricio Huerta)
Lucrecia Novoa is a Chilean-born artist and cultural educator who is physically as well as spiritually involved with her mask and puppet creations. With years of experience, Lucrecia dedicates herself to researching the historic inspirations for each puppet she creates in her Riverdale studio.
Lucrecia has joined NYBG during past exhibitions such as the Haunted Pumpkin Garden, when the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden was transformed into an enchanted land inhabited by magical creatures. For FRIDA KAHLO: Art, Garden, Life, she presents two giant monarch butterflies that introduce and welcome the exhibition.
Sunday happens to be the day that we show Dad how much we care, but NYBG’s starting things early with a Saturday night event! Tickets are still available for the Canciones de mi Padre (Songs of My Father) Concert on Saturday, June 20. This evening concert features The Villalobos Brothers and Humberto Flores, as well as Mexican soprano Gizel Xanath. La Casa Azul Taco Truck will be open, or you can enjoy the perfect Frida al Fresco evening by making a reservation at Hudson Garden Grill (final reservations at 5:45 p.m. unless otherwise noted) for a full-service dining experience in our newly opened restaurant. Each Frida al Fresco ticket includes a complimentary Modelo Especial draft cerveza or Jose Cuervo Tradicional margarita!
The Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden will have plenty of seasonal family activities, from Dig! Plant! Grow! to cooking demonstrations at the Whole Foods Market® Family Garden Kitchen. So, whenever you plan to start celebrating your Father’s Day Weekend, we’ll have something going to make it special.
Father’s Day weekend is just round the corner—and if you can’t get away with giving him another necktie, treat Dad to a festive evening out at the Garden! NYBG is thrilled to present the Canciones de mi Padre (Songs of my Father) Concert on June 20th. Artists in Residence The Villalobos Brothers and Humberto Flores will perform Linda Ronstadt’s landmark album of traditional Mexican folk songs—the top selling non-English album in American history. Other guest artists, including a full mariachi band and Gizel Xanath, will join the headliners for an evening of outdoor music. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the summer evening air with the whole family!
Doors to the Canciones de mi Padre event open at 6 p.m., and admission includes a drink ticket that you can redeem at the outdoor Cantina, Plaza Bar, or Pine Tree Café for a complimentary Modelo Especial draft cerveza or Jose Cuervo Tradicional margarita at any point during the evening. La Casa Azul Taco truck will be serving up a menu of fresh treats.
