CGC Updates: Fall 2022
Temperatures may have dropped and gardens put to bed, but we at the CGC have been busy! Here are some highlights of what we’ve done in the last three months:
Fall Native Plant Sale
In September, we held our second annual Fall Native Plant Sale…this time using all plants we propagated here on CGC grounds as part of our budding ReRooted native plant propagation program! We love knowing our plants are now dispersed throughout our community in private yards, community gardens, and habitat restoration sites. We learned a lot throughout the process and are excited to get started on next year’s inventory.
Flavors of the Community Garden
After a COVID-induced hiatus, our annual Flavors of the Community Garden returned in September. Community gardeners from throughout our network gathered together to share dishes from the garden and enjoy one another’s company. Mother Nature cooperated with beautiful weather, and it was wonderful to see everyone together!
Walnut Woods of Evanston Grand Opening
On October 22—along with Cincinnati Parks, Walnut Hills High School, and the Evanston Community Council—we celebrated the grand opening of Walnut Woods of Evanston, now an official Cincinnati Park (with signage and everything!). Volunteers gathered to plant trees, celebrate the project’s history, and recognize key individuals who have made the site’s transformation possible. The continuing transformation of Walnut Woods from a neglected lot to a proper urban park is proof that when we come together, we really can make a difference!
Compost Pro
Throughout October, our Sustainability & Ecology Education Coordinator, Mary Dudley, led Compost Pro (formerly Master Composter). Participants learned about everything from large-scale commercial composting to residential options and worm bins to Johnson-Su bioreactors to Bokashi. It’s truly inspiring to see interest in—and knowledge about!—composting building in our region.
The Green Cincinnati Plan
The Green Cincinnati Plan (GCP), due to be updated in 2023, lays out how the city is doing its part to address climate change. The CGC hosted many of the GCP’s Focus Area Meetings this fall. The meetings gave CGC staff an opportunity to provide valuable input, especially around growing food, food waste and the natural environment. We’ve also been inviting members of the Cincinnati City Council here to tour our grounds and to learn more about what the CGC can do to help Cincinnati reach its climate goals.
Our New 7-12 EcosySTEM Field Study
We have a new field trip for our 7-12 students! Here’s Mary Dudley, our Sustainability & Ecology Education Coordinator, talking through the station on biodiversity:
Classes
The last few months have included classes on everything from bird-watching to mushroom cultivation and cooking to terrarium making. We also wrapped up a long summer run of free HUB Garden classes taught by our Community Gardens Coordinator, Kymisha. She’s already planning for next year!
Our Annual Appeal
It’s that time of year again…our annual fundraising drive! All of the programming we do—including what’s above and what we did over the summer—is made possible by donations from people just like you. If you’re able, would you support us with an end-of-year gift? Thank you!