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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2008
CONTACT
Leeann Lavin: 718-623-7289, leeannlavin@bbg.org
Kate Blumm: 718-623-7241, kateblumm@bbg.org
Deadline for Applications to Participate in the Annual Greenest Block in Brooklyn Contest is Monday, June 2
PHOTOS: 2007 Residential 1st Place Winner, MacDonough Street between Stuyvesant and Lewis Avenues in Bedford Stuyvesant; 2007 Commercial 1st Place Winner, Hoyt Street Between Atlantic Avenue and State Street (Photos courtesy Brooklyn Botanic Garden)
Brooklyn, NY—May 23, 2008—GreenBridge, the community environmental horticulture program of Brooklyn Botanic Garden, is counting down to this year's entry deadline on June 2, 2008 for its annual Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest. Residents and businesses who want to use the contest as a way to build greener communities are encouraged to submit applications to enter the contest by Monday's deadline.
The contest is a program of GreenBridge, in cooperation with the Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and sponsored by the Sovereign Endowment Fund at Independence Community Foundation. The yearly Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest is a lively competition among scores of Brooklynites committed to block beautification, building community, and making Brooklyn "green." GreenBridge's community outreach program is designed to share the knowledge and resources of Brooklyn Botanic Garden with the neighborhoods of the borough.
The 2008 contest is off to an exciting start with a record-breaker year for GreenBridge's annual Window Box Kit Sale. Each year, in early spring, GreenBridge provides affordable window box kits to those looking to get a head start on their green efforts. Tapping into a resurgence of interest in locally grown food and green lifestyle adjustments, GreenBridge offered a Salad Starter window box kit for the first time this year, featuring Brassica juncea 'Pizzo' mustard greens, Luctuca sativa 'Dark Lollo Rossa' loose-leaf lettuce, and edible Viola cornuta 'Penny All Season' violets, plus extra seeds for reseeding. An herb window box and two ornamental flower window boxes (one for sun and one for shade) were also offered, leading to a record-breaking year with nearly 500 window box sales tallied—reflecting the excitement of borough residents. The top seller was the sunny plant window box—which was purchased by over 200 Brooklynites!
Each year, residential and commercial blocks vie for the coveted Greenest Block in Brooklyn title. The contest encourages block associations and merchants associations to work together to beautify their blocks with window boxes, container plantings, storefront greenery, front gardens, street trees, and other greening activities. Participating in the contest is a fantastic way for blocks and neighborhoods to engage in community building and development—strengthening Brooklyn's neighborhoods and forging relationships among neighbors who might not have known each other's names before entering the contest. The contest has helped revive block associations and, in some cases, even inspired residents to create new organizations around common issues and interests. In many of the least-served neighborhoods where participation in the contest has continued to grow, this kind of community building plays a critical role not found anywhere else.
Through the Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest, community involvement has grown exponentially over the past ten years. "We encourage every block in the borough to consider entering the Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest, and take advantage of the opportunity to get to know your neighbors better, to strengthen your connection with nature, and to experience the wonder and fulfillment of creating beauty with plants while building robust community connections," said Robin Simmen, director of GreenBridge and a co-author of the soon to be released Community Gardening, BBG's newest All-Region Guide. "No matter who takes first place, every block that enters emerges with a 'win'—having beautified their block and strengthened community pride," Simmen added.
Marilyn Gelber, executive director of Independence Community Foundation, which manages the Sovereign Bank Endowment Fund, said, "We are delighted to continue our support for the Greenest Block in Brooklyn competition. Time has shown that this competition builds healthy communities and improves the quality of life for the entire borough. We are proud to provide financial support to Brooklyn Botanic Garden for this outstanding initiative and help make Brooklyn a greener, healthier, and happier place in which to live, work, and play. We anticipate that this year will be the biggest ever for the contest!"
"Sovereign is proud to continue its association with the Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest, an outstanding expression of community pride in our Brooklyn neighborhoods," said Terence Mitchell, Metro NY-NJ Division Community Banking President of Sovereign Bank.
Contest Information
The Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest entry deadline is June 2, 2008. Blocks will be judged based on a variety of criteria including: color and total visual effect, citizen participation, variety and suitability of plants, soil condition, use of mulch, street tree and tree bed care, and other horticultural practices. Judging begins on June 16 and continues through much of July, and winners will be announced by August. Every entering block is visited in the first round. All entrants receive a recognition certificate and free gift bags of fall bulbs at the recognition ceremony.
Entrants must be a block or merchants association, or civic or neighborhood organization, representing one residential block or a group of commercial blocks. For more information, the contest guidelines, or a copy of the Contest Entry Form for either a residential or commercial block, please call the GreenBridge office at 718-623-7250, or visit bbg.org/edu/greenbridge/greenestblock/ to download a Contest Entry Form. There is no cost to enter.
Free Brooklyn GreenBridge Workshops
Greenest Block in Brooklyn entrants can get an edge on the competition and learn how to have the greenest impact by signing up for Brooklyn GreenBridge's FREE workshops, offered year-round. Workshops focus on topics like street tree care, rain gardening, and composting, and are open to members of community gardens, block associations, and neighborhood community groups. Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance for these workshops. Call 718-623-7220 to register. Workshops are free, but space is limited. Upcoming workshops:
Edible Landscaping
Tuesday, June 3 | 6–8 p.m.
Edible landscaping is an eye-catching and practical way to make the most of limited urban garden space. Learn about the many edible species that flourish right here in Brooklyn, and plan a garden that will be attractive and tasty through spring, summer, and fall. Edible vines, ground covers, shrubs, trees, flowers, and plants that do well in containers will be covered. No charge, but registration is required.
Composting Indoors: Worm Bin Basics
Wednesday, June 11 | 6–8 p.m.
Worms will eat kitchen scraps and make them into compost for indoor and outdoor plants. As they do in the soil outside, worms indoors in a container will turn food scraps into nutrient-rich worm castings. Learn all about vermicomposting, or composting with worms, including how to make a home for these hungry red wiggler worms and how to maintain the worm bin. Participants will receive a copy of the book, Worms Eat My Garbage, by Mary Appelhof, and may purchase a $10 voucher for a pound of worms and a plastic worm bin. No charge, but registration is required.Make Compost with a Touch of Spanish
Wednesday, June 25 | 6–8 p.m.
This class addresses two audiences—English and Spanish speakers—and is translated in both languages simultaneously throughout the session. Learn the basics of composting in a complete, practical, and interactive way. No charge, but registration is required.
Brewing Compost Tea
Wednesday, July 9 | 6–7:30 p.m.
Compost tea not only inoculates plants against certain diseases by introducing an abundance and diversity of microorganisms, but also contains nutrients vital to plant health. Come learn more about how to make and apply this amazing brew to your garden, which can be used along with other organic gardening techniques. No charge, but registration is required.
Food Grows in Brooklyn
Thursday, July 10 | 6–8 p.m.
This workshop will explore the many faces of urban agriculture in Brooklyn—from culinary and medicinal herbs in window boxes to farms and creating sustainable food systems. Learn about the growing relationship between city dwellers and regional farmers. Celebrate the many benefits of greening your neighborhood while growing healthy food. No charge, but registration is required.
Other Resources
Brooklyn Compost Project
"Composting for a Greener and Cleaner Brooklyn" is the theme of this cooperative environmental program of BBG and the New York City Department of Sanitation. Please contact the Compost Help Line at 718-623-7290, or e-mail compost@bbg.org.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden's All-Region Guide, Community Gardening
Publication date: June 2008, 120 pages, $9.95 (10% discount if purchased from shop.bbg.org)
Whether readers are already members of a community garden or want to get involved in one, Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Community Gardening shows how these vibrant plots of land bring neighbors together and offer valuable lessons about cultivation and cooperation—as well as dynamic gardens and great food!