Events

On Saturday, December 2 at 1:00 PM the Brooklyn Community of our Wild Ones NY Metro/Long Island Chapter will be holding a family-oriented ‘Seed Ball’ making afternoon at the Bush Terminal Park, in Sunset Park, Brooklyn with the goal of increasing biodiversity at the park in two areas - one coastal, and one wooded. The wooded area is on infill with a lack of native species.

Learn about cold stratification, the importance of native plants, and how seed balls can be a fun and effective means of re-introducing native plants in our neighborhoods.

Seed balls will be created using locally collected native seed such as Evening Primrose, Frost Aster, Boneset, Bottlebrush Grass, White Avens, White Wood Aster, Smooth Aster, Bluestem Goldenrod, Woodbine/Virgin’s Bower, White Snakeroot, and Gray Birch. Attendees may also take home some seed balls that can either be tossed into neglected areas or one’s own garden.
The event is hosted by Wild Ones Brooklyn Community Leader Rachel Goldstein and featuring seed collector Patrick Over, in conjunction with Robin Kilmer from the PS 516K PTA.

Patrick Over is a seed collector from Greenbelt Native Plant Center, a native plant nursery run by the New York City Parks Department. In the seven years he has worked there, he has developed a passion for the flora and ecology of New York City. He strives to share with others what he has learned from New York's more than human world.

Rachel holds a horticulture certificate from NYBG and a Native Plant U certificate from SUNY Westchester, has worked as a volunteer at Greenbelt in Staten Isl., the Lady Bird Johnson Demonstration Garden at SUNY Westchester, and in her own native plantings in Kensington Brooklyn.

Organizing with Rachel will be Robin Kilmer, a parent, PTA member, and Wild Ones member who will involve students from the local school, PS 516 K. She has completed horticulture certificate coursework at BBG. Also a volunteer at Greenbelt, she grows native plants in containers behind her building in Sunset Park, and has also led neighborhood spotted lanternfly smooshing expeditions.

This will be a fun and educational afternoon. Don’t miss it!

NOTE: Do not navigate to Bush Terminal Park, as the main entrance is under construction. Instead navigate to https://maps.app.goo.gl/VDVgmxLdxJcbn4Lz7 . Park there, and walk along the path behind the chain link fence. Walk 0.3 miles to the bathroom facility in the park, past the athletic fields. Tables will be set up near the bathroom facility.