From the Educational Alliance:
An American Kestral was caught on camera by Colleen Corkery neighbor and M’Finda Kalunga volunteer.
Katie Leung from the WildLife Unit of the Parks Department ”
“…these feature an American kestrel. I think you’re also lucky to see a kestrel with its meal in talon!”
Colleen wrote, ”
Here are pics…when it was on the lookout..with its catch and snack: a finch!”
Thank you to Bud Shalala MK Garden’s Critter Committee founder for letting us know about the photos!
Ted and Jose get the turtles ready for their winter vacation home.
From the Stanton Task Force:
Students from the Interior Design program at Pratt Institute offered their fresh thinking and design skills to our community vision for the Stanton Building in SDR Park.
Brief presentations by these Fall 2020 students of their designs for the Stanton Building were followed by a dialogue with community members. For more detailed views of their work: Stanton Task Force Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/StantonBldg/
To Stanton Street Pratt Students: We thank you for showing up in this time of hardships around the world. Our neighborhood, our representatives, Pratt professor Keena Suh and all of you in her classes continue to show us what it means to be a community that is not bounded by self-interest or ‘ownership’ or state or country but bound together with shared work and caring and our future.
“What matters is the countless small deeds of unknown people who lay the basis for the significant events that enter history. They’re the ones who have done things in the past they’re the ones who will have to do it in the future.” Howard Zinn
We live on Lanape land and give our thanks.
‘If you’ve come here to help me, you’re wasting your time. But if you have come here because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.’ -Lilla Watson, Australian Aboriginal Elder
Parks needs volunteers like never before. And they need a budget to ensure a steady effort to keep parks, clean, functional, bird and plant habitats and safe – integrating model climate mitigation efforts, recreation, play, quiet contemplation, walks, sports, gardening, community gathering, bird watching, habitat restoration, and more.
“Even as pandemic-induced restrictions have lifted, neighborhood parks have allowed life to unfold in ways that still aren’t feasible in cramped apartments. They’ve always served as communal backyards, but now they’re the best gym in town, host get-togethers that would’ve happened in bars and reception halls, and serve as a respite for those working from home or the unemployed. …”
New Yorkers Step in to Keep City Parks From Turning Into ‘Junkyards’
“Because of the pandemic, the parks system cut $84 million from its budget, which paid for 1,700 seasonal workers that typically care for our parks each summer…”
“…the budget cuts have forced a maintenance hierarchy for city parks, with playgrounds and barbecue spots at the top…Up to 500 Parks Department sites might go an entire week without a visit from a parks worker, making volunteers the last line of defense for spaces like Pelham Parkway.”
“…But without city funds, our parks could permanently deteriorate at a time when they’ve proved essential. “Volunteers don’t replace staff — they just don’t,” said Heather Lubov, executive director of the City Parks Foundation.”
From the Wildlife Unit of NYC Parks:
“…the next season of raptor nest monitoring and scouting is almost here. If you would like to join us for the 2021 season, please let us know with a reply and r
eturn the attached waiver signed, either scanned or photographed.
As a note, great-horned owls and bald eagles may currently be in their courting phase. Keep an eye out for them until we provide you with further details, including the online training webinar.”
We look forward to hearing back from you.
Cheers,
Katie Leung (she/her)
Associate Wildlife Biologist®
Field Technician
C 646.832.6534
NYC Parks
Wildlife Unit
1234 Fifth Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10029
Thank you Joseph and Davis Fox for removing ice and snow on the paths in the M’Finda Garden!
And for moving donated supplies to weather proof areas.
And thank you to the Boy Scouts and Scoutmaster Troop 150 for advocating for young people to help out.
It will make getting to through the garden for our year round gardeners far safer!
Richard Santangelo, Yamina, Freeman, and Lily worked hard cleaning up and were able to plant seeds! Looking forward to this Bird Garden in the spring!
Besides their importance as creative voices in the LES, young artists of color are underrepresented in the arts sector as a whole. Peer circles of support combined with opportunities to share work and learn from others can be a critical factor in moving their professional development forward.
Fellows will each receive a $500 stipend, meetings and exchange with established arts professionals of color, and a supportive circle for sharing artistic works-in-progress and career challenges. Fellows will have the opportunity to share their work publicly through a culminating group event.
The program will meet for 16 weeks by Zoom, Monday evenings in spring 2021, March 1 – June 14. Attendance to all sessions is required. We will accept 8 fellows into the program this spring.
Artists in any discipline may apply.
If you have questions about the application, please contact Imani Vieira – imani@fabnyc.org
All proposals must be received before midnight on Saturday, January 9th.
