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NYC Parks staff managing the leaf mulch project in Washington Square Park, Nov 2021

Washington Square Park – Nov 30, 2021

Leave the leaves is a rallying cry and campaign to land managers to let nature’s mulch, fallen leaves, do the work of insulating the soil, providing habitat for ground dwelling and feeding animals, and returning nutrients to the soil. In Washington Square Park, leaves that fall on lawns are collected, mechanically clipped, and reallocated throughout

Tow tuliptrees with fall foliage of yellows and oranges, growing in a mounded grassy area,, Nov 15, 2021, Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park – Nov 16, 2021

Our lead photo is of the two tuliptrees in the park. The picture was taken on November 15, 2021 and shows the trees slightly post-peak foliage. Although there are still green leaves, some of the colored leaves are dried but persisting on the trees. We are monitoring the tree on the right year-round as part

person sitting beneath a tuliptree and reading a book, washington square park, fall 2021

Washington Square Park – Nov 2 2021

As always, we’ve got “feather and foliage” news. On October 16th, we hosted a Birdtober 2021 count. The group observed 21 species including yellow-bellied sapsucker, flicker, ruby-crowned kinglet, various thrushes and sparrows, towhee, and palm warbler. Thank you to the folks who participated in this collabirdtive event. The park is still full of birds. We

A white board A list of bird species observed and heard at the Naval Cemetery Landscape in May 2021

Conducting Fieldwork with Children

At the 11th Enhancing Fieldwork Learning Showcase, Georgia spoke about Explore Birds, an environmental education program, as a pathway for children to learn basic field methods. Field work is perceived as happening in the realm of adults but children can conduct field work. Environmental education programs area perfect vehicle to introduce observation skills and various