#community-gardens

#community-gardens

Earlier this fall, a flock of birds descended upon New York City, flying through the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. The arrival of these birds, however, isn't literal. They came to the city in the form of murals, thanks to the National Audubon Society's Mural Project. Since its launch more than 10 years ago, the project has produced 142 total murals around New York, with the goal of centering the birds most vulnerable to extinction from climate change.

New York's community gardens have always been tiny pockets of magic-places where tomatoes, neighbors and the occasional rogue pigeon can peacefully coexist. Now they're bird sanctuaries of a more artistic kind, thanks to 21 freshly painted murals unveiled this week across gardens in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. The project, a collaboration between the National Audubon Society, , GreenThumb and Gitler &_____ Gallery , splashes 24 climate-threatened bird species (plus more than 30 native plants) across walls, sheds and fences citywide.

Empty lots became dumping grounds for abandoned cars, tires, drug waste, and heaps of trash. By 1995, the situation was dire. That year, while driving her daughter to school on Manhattan's Upper West Side, Midler noticed the dismal conditions in Fort Tryon Park. Disturbed by the neglect, she got a group of friends together to clean and restore the site. From their hands grew the seed of what would eventually become NYRP.

He set up camp, and as other followed suit, began to build a little community: Toward one corner of the 15,000-square foot lot, Gilbert erected a pickleball net he said he found near Wilshire Boulevard. Behind the net, where people volley from time to time, is a small garden of tomatoes, cannabis and onions that he tends to. There are at least two barbecues, one propane, one charcoal.

This incredible win-win for our community shows exactly why we should never give up, said Marte. Since the beginning of this fight almost a decade ago...