Elias Estabrook
URI Internship Year:
2016
Elias graduated from Yale College in May 2016, with a B.A. in Political Science and an interdisciplinary concentration on Environmental Politics and Development. For his senior research, Elias traveled to the Cameroonian rainforest to learn about payment for environmental services (PES) and the challenges of rural development. Before beginning as a Greenspace intern, he was a planting crew co-leader for high school students in URI's Greenskills program, 2015-2016. He will be continuing his focus on community-based projects when he starts his next job at Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven.
Group
Yow Street Plant Brigade (Formerly: Young Street Plant Brigade)
Lower State - High School In The Community
Greenspace Log
| Date | Category | Photos | Group | Summary | |
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08/06/2016 |
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We completed the second of two work sessions in Stella's front yard, remediating for lead contamination. We covered all gaps in the landscape fabric with new fabric, finished the cobbestone edge between cobblestone and mulch sections of yard, added more mulch, and spread more peastone gravel. We also planted more than a dozen perennials to add some green to the yard. The children watered all perennials in the curb strip and the Torres family's new crabapple tree. |
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08/05/2016 |
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For our final work session of the season, we cleaned up the small yet vibrant, triangular garden at the intersection of Rock and Grace. We removed weeds, trimmed the prolific Boston Ivy, raked away as many dead leaves as possible, and spread mulch along the edges of the bed and in the curbstrip. |
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08/04/2016 |
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During our final work session of the season, we touched up the perennial beds that we planted this summer. We added pine mulch to all the beds, dug and laid cobblestone edges around three beds, and generously watered all the perennials and the oak tree. A few kids accompanied their counselor, Anita, in pruning suckers and dead branches from two lovely magnolia trees beside the rear entrance. |
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08/04/2016 |
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During our fifth week of work on the Urban Oasis, we planted dozens of native plants to fill areas of topsoil that were prepared in previous weeks. We spread mulch around all the plants and filled all gaps. This created one continuous corridor of plants! With a new watering system, we used a long hose and buckets to water all the new plants and established plants. |
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08/04/2016 |
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Carlos and I, with help from a landscaper hired by the Club, planted 7 yucca plants to fill spaces in the perennial beds we created this season. |
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08/03/2016 |
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A small cohort of regular group members gathered at the Park entrance today for a final day of stewardship. We used our new 20 gallon watering cart to water all the perennial beds and the new serviceberry tree. We spread about 1 cubic yard of mulch over thinning patches in the perennial beds at the entrance. |
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08/02/2016 |
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We completed the first of two work session in Stella's front yard, completing lead remediation. We added landscape fabric along the base of the house and poured peastone gravel on top. While the adults worked in the yard, the younger kids used the hose and watering cans to water the perennials in the curb strip. |
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07/30/2016 |
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Yow Street Plant Brigade (Formerly: Young Street Plant Brigade) |
This was the last work session of our long, successful season! We focused our efforts on touching up last year's lead remediation at 25 Whittlesey by planting some replacement perennials and laying a new layer of mulch. We also laid the rest of the cobblestones for the right-hand edging in the front yard at 32 Whittlesey, where we remediated for lead the previous Saturday. Finally, we planted three cat mint at the base of one of the new crabapple trees from this season. |
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07/30/2016 |
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After much anticipation, we finally put a street tree in the ground! In the midday heat, we worked hard to plant a beautiful Purple Prince crabapple in the curb strip in front of 1528 Ella T. Grasso. |
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07/28/2016 |
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We moved our work to the Columbus Ave side of the Club this week to beautify the area around the flagpole and veteran's memorial. While Anite, the group supervisor, trimmed back weeds, the kids removed turf, planted perennials, and spread mulch to form a circular bed around the memorial plaque. A team of kids watered all the perennials in the rear and front of the club. |
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07/28/2016 |
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We continued our work to prepare the entire stretch of fenceline area for native plants, as part of the Urban Oasis. As in past weeks, this involved removing turf, laying landscape fabric along the base of the fence, and filling in three cubic yards (a lot!) of topsoil. We also spread mulch around the Oasis plants that were planted last week. Lastly, a team of youth came around to water all the plants, in the Oasis and Greenspace areas. |
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07/27/2016 |
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We continued removing landscape fabric and spreading mulch to serve as ground cover. This was our last work day of the season, and we celebrated with lunch at the Grove! |
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07/27/2016 |
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With help from ten student volunteers from the Explo summer program at Yale, we completed a major clean-up of the "219 Garden" along Warren St. and the DOT property. We raked leaves, swept away trash, removed weeds, and trimmed existing shrubs. |
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07/23/2016 |
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Yow Street Plant Brigade (Formerly: Young Street Plant Brigade) |
We completed major lead remediation in the Rufus household's front yard! We removed turf and approximately 3 inches of existing soil, poured in new topsoil, created a cobblestone edge, planted perennials and shrubs, and covered these beds with pea stone gravel. |
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07/21/2016 |
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We held our third work session at the Urban Oasis this week. Common Ground students and neighborhood volunteers spread many wheelbarrows of topsoil in the five-foot-wide strip along the fence line, before planting dozens of native plants. A team carried buckets over to water the new plants, as well as the existing Greenspace perennials. |
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07/21/2016 |
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We continued our beautification of the Minor Street side of the Club facility this week by adding mulch to the new perennial beds from week one as well as planting perennials around the new oak tree and in a nearby open pit in the sidewalk. The more experienced 9-10 year olds taught their beginner peers how to properly plant perennials. A team of kids watered all the perennials and the tree. |
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07/20/2016 |
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We focused all our efforts on the raised bed of Zelkova trees at the center of the median. In order to lay woodchips on the raised bed, we first tore up the existing landscape fabric and raked the soil flat. Christina hopes that the area will eventually serve as a picnic area for socializing. |
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07/20/2016 |
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This was our final work session in the park with the full group. We planted a variety of perennials throughout the beds along the access road, including some plants nurtured and donated by Nan, our group co-leader. Some group members continued to trim away at shrubs surrounding several benches along the pond. We also watered the new tree and all our perennials. |
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07/19/2016 |
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We planted five more perennials around Stella's large oak tree, filled patches in her curb strip lawn with grass seed, and spread new layers of mulch on all the gardens. The kids led the watering of all perennials. |
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07/16/2016 |
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Yow Street Plant Brigade (Formerly: Young Street Plant Brigade) |
We planted the second of two 'Purple Prince' crabapple trees in the curb strip in front of 32 Whittlesey Ave. During the second hour, several adults focused on pruning two of the yew shrubs in the front yard and removing two other yews from the ground entirely. |
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07/15/2016 |
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We completed our intensive maintenance on the Median Island garden this week. We finished trimming shrubs, sweeping soil and raking leaves, and laying a fresh layer of mulch across the whole bed. |
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07/15/2016 |
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We completed our intensive maintenance on the Median Island garden this week. We finished trimming shrubs, sweeping soil and raking leaves, and laying a fresh layer of mulch across the whole bed. |
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07/14/2016 |
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We continued our preparation of the ground along the fence line for Urban Oasis plantings. This was the Common Ground students' second week, and they worked swiftly with some Newhallville youth in three teams. Meanwhile, some of the regular volunteers from the neighborhood watered all the Greenspace perennials. |
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07/14/2016 |
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On this scorching hot afternoon, a group of 9-10 year olds persevered in planting a young pin oak tree in the curb strip along Minor Street. We completed all steps of the tree-planting process, including pruning branches and spreading mulch at the tree's base. |
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07/13/2016 |
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With a new crew of high school volunteers, we flexed a lot of muscle to dig into the heavy, rocky soil at the Crown St end of the median island. We planted three 'knockout' rose bushes and 5 cat mint perennials in newly laid topsoil. We disposed of the old soil and spread mulch on the new flower beds. |
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07/13/2016 |
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Inspired by one group member's idea to plant a tree this season, we finally put an attractive Serviceberry in the ground this week. While most of us focused on the tree for the first hour, other group members continued trimming shrubs, weeding, spreading woodchips, and watering. |
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07/12/2016 |
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We spent part of the evening infront of the Torres household to plant fourteen perennials around an existing crabapple tree in the curb strip. We spent the other half of the evening prepping the soil and laying a grass-seed-and-compost mix. |
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07/09/2016 |
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Yow Street Plant Brigade (Formerly: Young Street Plant Brigade) |
We planted the first of two 'Purple Prince' crabapple trees in the curb strip in front of 32 Whittlesey Ave. Many neighbors, who had not yet participated this summer, joined in! |
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07/09/2016 |
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This week we followed up on our previous perennial planting around Stella's oak tree. We planted 11 perennials, watered everything, and spread mulch to on these new beds. |
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07/08/2016 |
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We continued weeding, trimming shrubs, and raking leaves at the Median Island garden. Our work was cut short when heavy rain showers started after an hour. |
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07/07/2016 |
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During our first week of work at the Club this summer, a handful of the 11-14 Boys participated in some planting next to the rear staircase on Minor Street. We removed the turf, filled in soil and new compost, planted perennials and 2 yucca plants, and spread mulch over these new beds. |
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07/06/2016 |
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This was the group's first work day this season! We planted two 'knockout' rose bushes and four cat mint perennials next to an existing mass of rose bushes. We also spread mulch on all the areas that were recently mowed. |
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07/06/2016 |
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With the Parks entrance road completed, we planted a new bed of perennials closer to Bowen Field, on the right side of the road. Some group members continued the work of pruning trees and shrubs, as well as watering all our plants. |
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07/01/2016 |
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We continued our stewardship at the Median Island garden. We almost finished removing the majority of the accumulated leaves, and transported them by wheelbarrow to spots along the East Rock Park trail. |
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06/30/2016 |
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Today was our first work session on the Urban Oasis area of the "Learning Corridor" site. Our seven student employees from Common Ground High School removed invasive plants along the fenceline, tagged plants to be kept, and began removing turf at far end of the park, near the intersection of Starr and Shelton. Meanwhile, children from the neighborhood continued to plant perennials in the existing Greenspace beds. |
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06/29/2016 |
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We planted perennials in the existing beds facing Fournier Street. After, we spread a lot of pine mulch across all the perennial beds. We also continued pruning trees and shrubs as well as clearing brush. As always, we watered all the perennials. |
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06/28/2016 |
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Following our planning meeting, we got right to work! We removed grass and planted five perennials around the base of the large oak tree in curb strip in front of 1516 Ella T. Grasso Blvd, Stella's house. We spread mulch and laid a line of bricks as edging between the perennial bed and an area of grass. |
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06/28/2016 |
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We convened a planning meeting for the group's first season in action. Stella, the group leader, hosted us on her porch. We had everyone speak about their aspirations for the project, after I (Elias) explained the organization and the parameters of the Community Greenspace program. |
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06/25/2016 |
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Yow Street Plant Brigade (Formerly: Young Street Plant Brigade) |
We dedicated our work session to maintaining the plantings and ground cover in front of 42 Young St. and 36 Young St. We spread new grass seed in the curb strip and in the front yard of 36 Young St, where the group did lead remediation a few years ago. Some new youth volunteers from the neighborhood helped to remove turf, spread the seed, and water these areas. |
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06/24/2016 |
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We continued weeding, raking leaves, and trimming shrubs in the Median Island garden at the East Rock Park entrance. |
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06/23/2016 |
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We continued planting perennials to fill in gaps in the circular beds around the trees at the center of the park. We also added some perennials to the triangular bed at the corner of Shelton and Hazel, as well as some ornamental grass alongside the Canal Trail pillars on Hazel St. A team of youth watered all the perennials. Finally, several men pruned the lower branches off the center trees. |
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06/22/2016 |
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We continued our stewardship of the park entrance area this week by weeding, pruning, and laying woodchips as well as purchased pine mulch. We also planted some azalea and mountain laurel shrubs. |
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06/18/2016 |
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Yow Street Plant Brigade (Formerly: Young Street Plant Brigade) |
A few group members began the afternoon by prepping the soil in the Osborn St. curb strip and then spreading grass seed. Later, we transitioned to planting perennials around the red box on the corner of Young and Osborn, as well as planting more shade-loving perennials in the shady, raised bed along the cemetery fence. |
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06/16/2016 |
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In my absence, Doreen gathered neighborhood volunteers to water the perennial beds and socialize. |
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06/11/2016 |
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Yow Street Plant Brigade (Formerly: Young Street Plant Brigade) |
We planted some perennials in the shaded perennial bed along the cemetery, and then planted cat mint around the street trees on Osborn St. that did not yet have plants around them. We also took soil samples for a lead test from one front yard on Young Street. |
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06/10/2016 |
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We moved our work to the playground and median island next to Rice Field this week. Betty and some of the children picked up trash, weeded, and laid mulch in a small perennial bed at the playground entrance. Kenya and some the other children raked leaves and picked up trash on one end of the Median Island garden. |
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06/09/2016 |
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We focused on filling gaps in the perennial plants around the trees at the center of the park. A team of children planted variegated liriope and daylillies to be consistent with the existing selection of plants. As always, a team of older youth and children watered all the perennials in the Greenspace. |
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06/08/2016 |
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Our first day of work at the park this season! We unloaded one ton of pine mulch for the gardens, added a layer of woodchips to walking paths and the stone-bench gathering area, and planted some perennials that Nan brought from Pardee Rose Garden. |
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06/04/2016 |
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Yow Street Plant Brigade (Formerly: Young Street Plant Brigade) |
With a big turnout from the community this Saturday, we planted perennials throughout the group's existing streetscape beds, on the corner of Young St. and Osborn St. as well as along the cemetery fence. A few group members also moved and spread mulch on these beds. |
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06/03/2016 |
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We focused on the "219 Garden" along Warren Ave. this week. We picked up trash, pruned the existing shrubs, and laid new mulch around the whole bed. |
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06/02/2016 |
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With great turnout from the community, we planted a handful of perennials next to the pillars on Hazel Street and watered all the existing Greenspace plantings. We added a brick edge around these beds and spread mulch around our new plantings. |
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06/01/2016 |
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We convened a pizza dinner in the yard of Bill and Nan's house. Everyone had an opportunity to catch up with one another, and the new URI interns, Elias and Peter (working at the Urban Oasis component of Beaver Ponds Park), introduced themselves. The group members contributed their ideas to a list of goals for the summer. |
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05/28/2016 |
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Yow Street Plant Brigade (Formerly: Young Street Plant Brigade) |
On our first work session of the season, we spread two cubic yards (a lot!) of mulch at the base of the street trees along Osborn St side of the cemetery. We also pruned some of the lower branches on these trees. Finally, we planted six perennials in the large, colorful raised bed at the corner of Osborn and Whalley. |
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05/27/2016 |
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I met with Betty, the group leader, and her daughter, Kenya, to tour their group's three primary perennial beds: 219 Garden, Grace and Rock Garden, and the Median Island. We talked with residents outside their homes and passed out flyers. |
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05/26/2016 |
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Led by Doreen, a group leader, we provided snacks and games equipment for neighbors and users of the canal trail. Doreen and I spoke with interested neighbors about participating in Greenspace activities this summer. Led by Aaron, our other group leader, a few volunteers picked up trash throughout the park. |
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05/25/2016 |
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Yow Street Plant Brigade (Formerly: Young Street Plant Brigade) |
The two group leaders, Susan and Chris, met with me, the community forester intern, to tour the neighborhood and set goals for the season. |