News

From NYTimes by Stephen Satterfield 

“With the proliferation of Instagram accounts like Black Men With Gardens and Black Girls With Gardens, initiatives like Black Sanctuary Gardens, garden-centered podcasts like Black in the Garden and even a boom in Black-owned seed companies, this is a moment in which Black gardeners are turning — or returning — to traditions of sustenance, solidarity and sanctuary. They are finding a new sense of refuge in a traditional act of horticulture.”

“For many Black Americans, land has long been associated with displacement. But even a modest garden can offer a sense of belonging.”

“… a garden plot is a place. From the perspective of privilege, “place” may sound like an ordinary thing. But for displaced people, it can be transformational.”

From International Dark Sky website

Many songbirds like warblers, thrushes, and sparrows are nocturnal migrators. Without the light of the sun, these travelers use the moon and the stars to navigate during their long journeys, which can span thousands of miles and traverse continents. Artificial light at night (ALAN) can disrupt bird migration in a variety of ways, including disorienting birds from their routes and causing collisions with buildings, resulting in millions of bird fatalities each year.

Thanks to CB 3 District Manager Susan Stetzer and Council Member Chin’s office and thank you to Gale Brewer’s Office:

A Masked Young Raven (who volunteers in the Garden) and his parents AND a Masked State Senator Kavanagh!

Welcome Senator Kavanagh (he works on Housing in the State Senate – and is GOOD at it!)

And this young man who, seeing that one of the works of Juneteenth artist Dennis RedMoon Darkeem was defaced is attempting (every day) to replace it with another work of art). THANK YOU.

Colleen Corkery – Organizer of Halloween!

Bob Humber, Debra Jeffreys-Glass, Senator Kavanagh, K Webster, Bud Shalala

(Long Time Coalition and Garden Members) and our NY State Senator

The parent and child whisperer Jenifer Marcus:

“The Moth” Alisanne Vasko – Genius at all things Art and Children

Thank you Colleen, Allison, Marvin, Jen, Sean, Bud, Prince, Jennifer, Ted, Jim, Marie, Bob, K, Debra and many more for making this happen!!

The Neighborhood Stories project at the NYC Department of Records and Information Services Is Looking for Your Story

Good afternoon,

I’m writing to let you know about the Neighborhood Stories project at the NYC Department of Records and Information Services and to ask for your help in reaching out to the members of Sara D Roosevelt Park Community Coalition to invite them to participate.  Neighborhood Stories is?a storytelling initiative?that gathers oral history interviews with New York City community members and permanently preserves them in the collections of the Municipal Archives and Library. This inspiring project empowers the residents of your block to share their own rich historical narrative and personal insights on their lives and the communities that shaped them.

We hope you’ll share information on Neighborhood Stories at your meetings and in your communications.  I’ve included a brief announcement below, which can be used to spread the word.  Please let me know if you need any more information. Here is a link to the project website:?https://www.archives.nyc/neighborhoodstories.

Help Us Tell New York’s Neighborhood Stories 

The Neighborhood Stories project is an inspiring storytelling initiative by the NYC Department of Records & Information Services that aims to gather oral history-style interviews from New Yorkers across the five boroughs and permanently preserve them in the collections of the Municipal Archives.

Recording and preserving personal memories of life on our block is simple and accessible, thanks to a new virtual format. Whether you are a long time resident or have lived here for just a few years, you’re invited to include your own story in the archive.

Visit the Neighborhood Stories website to learn more and sign up to share your story: www.archives.nyc/neighborhoodstories.

Best regards,

Valerie and Elena

Valerie Warner

Marketing Consultant

Department of Records and Information Services

31 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007

T:? 212-788-8647 I vwarner@records.nyc.gov

Elena Abou Mrad

Neighborhood Stories Project Coordinator

The NYC Department of Records and Information Services

31 Chambers Street, Suite 305, New York, NY 10007
(646) 858-5276 | eaboumrad@records.nyc.gov

The Tale of the Peregrine falcon found recently in Sara Roosevelt Park at Broome Street. The falcon didn’t survive but it was such a powerful effort from all quarters trying to save him. (we hear that he was, likely, attacked by a Red Tail Hawk)

With thanks to Elizabeth, the Broome Street Park’s staff, Urban Park Rangers and Wild Bird Fund.

(warning: photo at the end may disturb)

From Elizabeth Hardwick, Bird Whisperer of Sara Roosevelt Park:

“Good morning, everyone!

To all who expressed interest in the fate of the recently found, and injured, Peregrine Falcon, here is his story:

After he was found on Broome St., and placed in a wire mesh shopping cart by the guys who found him, my neighbor Larry saw him and called me.  I came over, asked Larry to get a black cloth and large box, and as I was about to organize sending someone with him uptown in a taxi to the Wild Bird Fund on the Upper West Side, a Parks Dept. worker came out of the little building in the Park, saw the bird, and said that he worked in that building, and that it was a Communications Center for the Parks Dept., and that he would go and call the Urban Bird Park Rangers.  Who even knew there was such a group in the NYC Parks Dept.!

The worker left to call, and came back to tell those of us waiting with the bird that the UBPR’s would be there in about 30-40 minutes.  In fact, they showed up much quicker than that, and with a private car and large animal carrying case, which they used to transport the falcon.  There were 5 Rangers, and they could not have been nicer, although they were dressed up like police staff, and not in Parks uniforms.  They told us that any time we find a bird on Parks property that needs help, they will come and take a look and do whatever would be the next logical step, such as taking the bird to a care center, such as the Wild Bird Fund.

A day later I emailed up to the Wild Bird Fund to check on the status of the majestic patient, and this morning received the following email from them:”

******************

The Wild Bird Fund Animal Care Team:

Dear Elizabeth,

Unfortunately, the peregrine falcon you helped bring to us was unable to pull through. Upon intake, he had likely been injured by a natural predator and had sustained extremely severe injuries. The large wound on his neck/chest area revealed that his esophagus had been torn open, and intestinal contents were found in the esophagus. While we can sometimes repair esophageal tears with surgery, the damage was too extensive in this case. This bird was at great risk of infections and further complications from the attack; and would never be able to eat again, as his digestive tract was too damaged. On top of this, both of his legs were broken at the hock. Overall, he had a very poor prognosis for recovery. Because of this, we made the decision to humanely euthanize him and prevent further suffering.

I know this is not the outcome you were hoping for, but please know that by helping to bring him in to us, you saved him from a great deal of future suffering. In cases like this, the kindest and most humane thing we can do is allow the animal to pass in peace and without pain.

Sincerely,
The Wild Bird Fund Animal Care Team.

We do not charge for our services, but a donation would be appreciated. Your generous donations allow us to continue our important work. Please help WBF keep NYC wild.

******************

Peregrine falcons

Peregrine falcons have made a spectacular recover in the US after populations were decimated by pesticide poisoning in the mid-20th C.  They have been clocked at speeds of greater than 200 mph, and they are one of the most widespread birds in the world.  They can range in size from 13-24 inches in length, and have been reintroduced on the East Coast after extinction as mentioned.

The falcon that was found was an adult male, although young.  Keep your eyes up in the skies to see more of his kind flying in our neighborhood!

Communications Center for NYC Parks Dept on Broome Street:

Phone number for Communications Center for NYC Parks Dept: (646) 613-1200

OR call 311

—

Kind regards,

Elizabeth Hardwick, Architect
Giants in the Dirt