Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
When I go outside in the morning these days, I try to listen for a little more bird activity. Any additional chirps are most welcome at this time of year, especially given our unending winter. This reminds me of a most interesting observation by Timothy Tilghman last year. His phone is equipped with the Merlin Bird ID app, which identifies bird calls. Leaving his phone on for ten minutes or so in various parts of the garden, he has discovered that birds are most diverse near the Ruin Garden, which is surrounded by many towering native trees: red oaks, tulips, black birch, hickories, cherries, and sassafras. Which goes to show that native plant advocates have the right idea—we would do well to keep planting more natives.
When I go outside in the morning these days, I try to listen for a little more bird activity. Any additional chirps are most welcome at this time of year, especially given our unending winter. This reminds me of a most interesting observation by Timothy Tilghman last year. His phone is equipped with the Merlin Bird ID app, which identifies bird calls. Leaving his phone on for ten minutes or so in various parts of the garden, he has discovered that birds are most diverse near the Ruin Garden, which is surrounded by many towering native trees: red oaks, tulips, black birch, hickories, cherries, and sassafras. Which goes to show that native plant advocates have the right idea—we would do well to keep planting more natives.
A juvenile yellow-bellied sapsucker
Untermyer Gardens is pleased to welcome a stellar addition to our staff, Laurel Rimmer. As Garden Programs Coordinator, Laurel will manage our classes, workshops, concerts, tours, special events, and the like. After holding a similar position at Wave Hill for 28 years, she became the Program and Marketing Director at Stonecrop Gardens, a part-time position. To our great good fortune, Laurel will devote the rest of her work week to Untermyer Gardens. She takes over from Trish Lindemann, who brought our programming to new heights. Luckily for us, Trish will continue to lead our weekly garden class.
Our first cohort of high school interns has reported for duty. Working on Saturdays and supervised by Liz Dreeben and John Jacono, they are at the very beginning of their horticultural experience. Their current focus is on starting seeds indoors for plants that will ultimately populate the vegetable garden once they’ve matured: cabbage, fennel, kale, and more. Participating in our Youth Horticultural Training Initiative has been a life-altering experience for 80 interns over the years, and we hope our new recruits will be similarly inspired.
Spring is coming and with it a great need for volunteers. It goes without saying that we could not achieve as much as we do without the help of so many people who love Untermyer Gardens. Our volunteers help greet people on weekends, act as docents for tours and school groups, and check in ticket buyers at concerts and other special events. We have scheduled a Volunteer Kickoff for interested volunteers on Saturday, April 11, at 1:00 p.m. Please join us! Click the link to RSVP, or email Volunteer Coordinator Maura May.
Just as we get cranked up for spring, I am reminded that our Untermyer project is built on passion. Visitors often comment on the palpable sense of energy they see in our workers, in both the garden and the office. Yes, there are challenges at times, but I am reminded of a thoughtful mentor who told me, “We do not struggle in our mission.” Now fifteen years in the running, the Conservancy is still forging new ground, making new discoveries, and figuring out how we can do better. Onward!
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns
President
Stephen F. Byrns
President
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