Happening Habitat

"Infeelsive"

"Infeelsive" - a poem by Amanda Mercado @k@ Amy

Only three month till the big cold

I have not yet to be fold 

one cool and clammy day

sitting there as the time went away

The wind blew harder and faster as two big hands came toward me 

"Let me be" I cried 

"If only they can understand my feelings

I've been brought here from another land far off of 940 Garrision Ave

"Why are you pulling on my leaves?"

I fought the game of tug and war with all my pollen

but that wasn't enough

As I lay on the ground I spot another set of hands digging up a hole in my spot

and placing a new plant there

"Why had they replaced me? 

What did I do wrong?

Was i not pretty enough?"

As thoughts ran through my stem and leaves I spotted the same thing happening to other plants in the land

It finally stopped

I looked at the plants that have been pulled out and they looked just like me

"Why have we only been pulled out?" 

A new plant replied to me saying "Because you are invasive...

and we are native"

 

ACTION grows a green thumb!!!!

In late October, ACTION was introduced to Marielle Anzelone; a botanist from NYC who is the President of Drosera. Marielle gave us an introduction to native and invasive plant life and how to differentiate from the two. Her knowledge on wildlife gardens helped us to replenish our own garden here at The Point. First we identified the invasive species in our garden, and went to work on removing them. Once we rescued the garden from its enemies, we introduced it to five new friends. These new species were chosen because they varied in seasonal blooming, and the wildlife they attracted. First we planted the Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). Wild Columbine is a wild flower that blooms in the spring and attracts hummingbirds for pollination. Second we planted the Mistflower (Eupatorium coelestinum), which is also a wild flower. Unlike the Wild Columbine, the Mistflower blooms in the fall. Next we planted Northern Sea Oats (Chasmathium latifolium), which is a type of grass. In the fall, Northern sea Oats change color, usually to red and is pollinated by the wind. Following this was the Blue-stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia), which is a wildflower that blooms in the fall and is pollinated by butterflies. However, the seeds are dispersed by the wind. Finally we planted the Labrador Violet (Viola labradorica), which is also a wildflower. However, this flower blooms in the spring.
Next in our agenda is to watch our beautiful garden grow, and care for it with some good ol’ tender love and care.

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Mistflower (Eupatorium coelestinum)

Northern Sea Oats (Chasmathium latifolium)

Blue-stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia)

Labrador Violet (Viola labradorica)

To learn more about Marielle's work click here