Jax Green Daily
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Community Gardens of New York City.
Some of New York City's community gardens have been around nearly 30 years. They're stunningly verdant, in the midst of skyscrapers and sidewalks, with the sound of cars and sirens clanging around between the buildings. Within the gates of the gardens you're embraced by the misty, fragrant atmosphere of a forest, and can safely peer out between the bars at the buzzing jungle of the metropolis on the other side. The juxtaposition is enough to make you dizzy.
Both of these images are from Liz Christy Garden, one of the first projects of the Green Guerillas. The shiny building behind the greenery is brand new. The developers were planning to destroy the garden, but the Guerillas and gardeners resisted successfully.
Some of New York City's community gardens have been around nearly 30 years. They're stunningly verdant, in the midst of skyscrapers and sidewalks, with the sound of cars and sirens clanging around between the buildings. Within the gates of the gardens you're embraced by the misty, fragrant atmosphere of a forest, and can safely peer out between the bars at the buzzing jungle of the metropolis on the other side. The juxtaposition is enough to make you dizzy.
Both of these images are from Liz Christy Garden, one of the first projects of the Green Guerillas. The shiny building behind the greenery is brand new. The developers were planning to destroy the garden, but the Guerillas and gardeners resisted successfully.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Next up: Shed! And....a greenhouse gas inventory!
Thanks again to everyone who helped out at our chaordic and sweaty but still lovely and successful Community Cubed Festival.
Next on our to-do list is one of the most exciting parts of the garden project: the sustainable, rainwater-catching, seedling starting, SHADE providing (aaaaah too good to be true!), event hosting shed! This small structure will be made of as much reclaimed and recycled material as possible, and will make a lot of our work in the garden easier and more comfortable. I'm not kidding about the shade thing. It's downright brutal up there in the hot sun right now. The shed will also give us secure storage capacity for seeds, tools, records and books; space to keep sensitive seedlings out of the wind and sun, and out of the cold in winter.
How can you help? Quite simply: stay tuned for info about work days, and find us some 2x6 pieces of wood, 10 feet or longer. That's your scavenger hunt list. Go!
In other news, Jacksonville is getting closer to starting a comprehensive baseline greenhouse gas inventory, using the best software available, licensed by ICLEI.
I can't divulge many more details yet, but we seem to be past the point of scheduling meetings to discuss scheduling more meetings, and down to the point of getting the funds to license the software, pick up a used filing cabinet, sit an intern down in front of a phone and get. it. done!
Next on our to-do list is one of the most exciting parts of the garden project: the sustainable, rainwater-catching, seedling starting, SHADE providing (aaaaah too good to be true!), event hosting shed! This small structure will be made of as much reclaimed and recycled material as possible, and will make a lot of our work in the garden easier and more comfortable. I'm not kidding about the shade thing. It's downright brutal up there in the hot sun right now. The shed will also give us secure storage capacity for seeds, tools, records and books; space to keep sensitive seedlings out of the wind and sun, and out of the cold in winter.
How can you help? Quite simply: stay tuned for info about work days, and find us some 2x6 pieces of wood, 10 feet or longer. That's your scavenger hunt list. Go!
In other news, Jacksonville is getting closer to starting a comprehensive baseline greenhouse gas inventory, using the best software available, licensed by ICLEI.
I can't divulge many more details yet, but we seem to be past the point of scheduling meetings to discuss scheduling more meetings, and down to the point of getting the funds to license the software, pick up a used filing cabinet, sit an intern down in front of a phone and get. it. done!
Stop Planting Grass?!?!
I recently came across some interesting ideas.
Stop planting grass in your lawns and plant some local wildlife 'cause we're in a drought. (Xeriscaping)
Wouldn't it be great to see green roofs downtown? You know, right next to those solar panels that run buildings or supply enegry for our new forms of transit.
On a side note, someone should start a restaurant in Jacksonville that serves local produce straight from their roof top garden.
Stop planting grass in your lawns and plant some local wildlife 'cause we're in a drought. (Xeriscaping)
Wouldn't it be great to see green roofs downtown? You know, right next to those solar panels that run buildings or supply enegry for our new forms of transit.
On a side note, someone should start a restaurant in Jacksonville that serves local produce straight from their roof top garden.
