A collective effort to improve our environment for people and nature.
PLANTING WITH THE US FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE
Thanks to a grant from the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge there is a native "Pocket Refuge" at the Community Grove at Catherine Strong Splash Park in Delray Beach. The 200 native wildflowers and grasses were planted by the Youth Tree Team, USFWS staff, and CG volunteers. Park Ranger David Vela led the US Fish and Wildlife Service project that adds pollinator plants to urban settings such as schools, places of worship, and public parks. Carolyn Pendleton-Parker (CG Board member and landscape architect) laid out the plants with the teens and gave them an overview about design concepts and her profession. Thank you for a strong team effort on a sweltering summer day.
RESIDENTIAL TREES ADDED TO THE SET
The Youth Tree Team planted 10 fruit and native trees in residential yards in The Set this month. Homeowners received avocado, mango, starfruit, gumbo limbo and Bahama strongbark planted by the teens. The NW/SW neighborhood, known as The Set, has a much lower tree canopy coverage (16%) than the city average (23%). The trees planted by the teens will be cleaning and cooling the air, reducing flooding, and providing food for years to come. The trees were funded by the Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors Foundation and were planted as part of Thrive's "Front Porch Project".
YTT WORKIN' HARD FOR THE MONEY
Ford, Prince and Aiyana are working hard maintaining and planting trees, learning about urban forestry, staying hydrated, and working as a team. The teens are getting their first work experience and spending quality time outdoors while improving our community. They are planting trees in residential yards, weeding mulch beds, working in the urban orchards and going on green team building experiences. Their work is concentrated in neighborhoods that have the lowest tree canopy in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach. They work Monday through Thursday 8AM - 1PM for 10 weeks over the summer. This program was made possible by a Great Ideas Initiative Grant from the Children's Services Council Palm Beach County.
COMMUNITY TREE CHAMPION TO THE RESCUE
As part of the Impact 100 Grant, Dondre McCrary moves into his role as the Community Tree Champion. Dondre is leading the Youth Tree Team, organizing residential tree planting in low tree canopy neighborhoods, visiting leaders of urban forestry around the country, and getting equipped with a new work truck. Be sure to follow Dre's journey this year as he learns from the best in the country and brings it back to Palm Beach County. His first trip is to visit Trees Atlanta, where they have a Youth Tree Team of 28 teens and plant more than 6,000 trees a year! Stay tuned for an awesome year ahead.
MEET A TREE
“The avocado and Bahama strong bark trees’ planted in my yard, symbolize my belated Earth Day 2020 contribution. The positive energy from the crew of Community Greening, motivated me to appreciate and nurture the trees planted by my Bahamian descendants.
Marla, Delray Beach resident, with "Adderly" the Bahama Strongbark
PARTNER APPRECIATION
We appreciate the long-term support we have received from Publix Super Market Charities. From the very beginning, they have recognized our efforts to improve food security by planting urban orchards in food deserts. We now have three urban orchards that are free to pick for the community. They are the Community Grove at Catherine Strong Park in Delray Beach; the Urban Orchard at Sara Sims Park in Boynton Beach; and the Food Forest at Henrietta Bridge Farm in West Palm Beach. They have also engaged hundreds of their employees on Publix Serves Day to clean up parks and plant trees. Thank you Publix Super Markets for always being there and supporting our community.
1. Follow this link https://bit.ly/2ynOz05
2. Make a $25 donation
3. Receive a dedication certificate via email
GET A FREE TREE!
DID YOU KNOW?
Mangos originated in the Indo-Burma region and are indigenous to India and Southeast Asia.
Mangos have been cultivated in India for more than 4000 years.
Beginning in the 16th century, mangos were gradually distributed around the world, reaching the Americas in the 18th century.
The first recorded introduction into Florida was Cape Sable in 1833.
Grafted trees will begin to bear 3 to 5 years after planting.
In Florida, average yields of 4 to 6 bushels (220 to 330 lbs; 100 to 150 kg) can be expected from mature trees.
Fruits of most varieties mature from May to September, with greatest production in June and July.
The period of development from flowering to fruit maturity is 100 to 150 days.
There are many mango varieties available in south Florida and many are appropriate for small and large home landscapes.
Source: University of Florida IFAS Extension
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