2009
Bronx Green-Up Events and Grant Information

BRONX GREEN-UP UPDATES
The numbers are in: Bronx Green-Up conducted 476 activities and events in 2008, reaching nearly 7,500 people representing more than 88 gardens, greening groups, and community organizations. We want to thank all of you who partnered with us to make this possible, especially the volunteers who contributed more than 1,000 hours assisting us last year.

BGU WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

Crazy for Composting
Are you passionate about composting but want more from your bin? This Q&A session provides the practical tips, advice, and encouragement you need to take composting to the next level, whether you are just starting out or have been digging in for years. RSVP required: Send an e-mail to bronxgreenup@nybg.org or call 718.817.8543. Community garden members who attend this Bronx Green-Up workshop and are registered with GreenThumb will be eligible to apply for spring delivery of free compost from GreenThumb. For eligibility requirements or more information, visit www.greenthumbnyc.org  or call 212.788.8078.

Thursday, February 12 ・ 6:30-8:30 p.m. ・ The New York Botanical Garden ・ Watson Education Building, Room 302

Grow More Vegetables Certificate Program
Applications due February 2

Do you wish to grow more food in your community garden? This certificate is designed to equip you with the best organic techniques for growing vegetables safely and effectively. The program consists of six courses, both classroom and hands-on garden instruction. For an application and more details, contact Sara Katz at 718.817.8038 or bronxgreenup@nybg.org 

6 Thursdays, February 19-March 26 ・ 6-8:30 p.m. ・ The New York Botanical Garden

Fruit Tree Pruning

Learn the proper methods of pruning fruit-bearing trees and shrubs with techniques that will increase the size and quality of your fruit. We will practice pruning peach, apple, and pear trees; fig and blackberry bushes; and grapevines.

Saturday, March 7 ・ 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. ・ Taqwa Community Farm ・ West 164th Street and Ogden Avenue

Master Composter Certificate Program, Applications due February 20

This comprehensive “train-the-trainer” course is designed to promote the practice of composting in home and community gardens. The program consists of six Tuesday evening classes, two Saturday field trips, and 30 hours of volunteer outreach service in compost education and promotion. For an application and course details, contact Bronx Green-Up at 718.817.8543 or bronxgreenup@nybg.org  or visit www.nyccompost.org/program/master.html 

6 Tuesdays, March 31- May 12 (no class on April 14) and 2 Saturdays in April ・ 6-9 p.m. ・ The New York Botanical Garden

COMMUNITY & GARDENING EVENTS

Not-for-Profit Incorporation Workshop

Learn the essentials of not-for-profit incorporation and 501(c)(3) tax exemption with a panel of experts from the private bar and Legal Aid Society. This professional development workshop, a program of Bronx Council on the Arts’ Cultural Venture Fund, is free and open to the public. The workshop is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and co-sponsored by the Bronx Council on the Arts, State Senator José M. Serrano, and CheckSpring Bank. RSVP required to Eric Rivera at erivera.nys@gmail.com or 212.828.5829.

Thursday, February 5 ・ Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College ・ 450 Grand Concourse, at East 149th Street

Community Garden Registration for GreenThumb Gardens

The garden settlement requires that community garden groups re-register and sign new licenses with GreenThumb every two years. Only registered garden groups in good standing (not in violation) are eligible to receive GreenThumb services during the season. This includes all workshops and giveaways of plant materials, lumber, soil, and tools. Gardens from all boroughs and jurisdictions can register at any one of the sessions, which will cover the full span of GreenThumb services, programs, and requirements. If you have questions pertaining to the garden registration session or the current status of your garden, contact Dyanne Norris at 212.442.0155 or dyanne.norris@parks.nyc.gov .

Saturday, February 7 ・ 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. ・ Mulally Community Center/SCAN Gymnasium ・ 40 East 164th Street, between Gerard and River Avenues

15th Annual Bronx Parks Speak Up: Parks, Environment, and Politics

The Bronx Parks Speak Up gives its attendees the chance to learn about government and non-government resources and participate in face-to-face discussions with city and local elected and appointed officials. It is also an excellent opportunity to network with others active in the Bronx environmental movement. Presentations: Working with Community Boards; Green Jobs Workshops: Starting Seeds, Grant Writing, Building Alliances, and Morrisania Tree Project. For more information e-mail bxspeakup@hotmail.com ; to sign up to table e-mail speakuptabling@hotmail.com.

Saturday, February 28 ● Registration, refreshments, and networking is at 11:30 a.m.; the event runs 12:30- 5 p.m. ● Lehman College, Faculty Dining Room ● 250 Bedford Park Boulevard

RESOURCES, GRANT INFORMATION, & JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Capacity Fund, Applications due February 2

Partnerships for Parks’ Capacity Fund provides grants to groups working in parks across the five boroughs of New York City, supporting projects that help build a community group’s capacity to care for its local park. Grants range from $250 to $5,000 and support new groups seeking funds for start-up costs, as well as established organizations taking on new projects. For more information, contact Kate Louis at 212.227.3626 or kate.louis@parks.nyc.gov  or download applications from www.partnershipsforparks.org/resources/grants.html


Love Your (NYC) Block Contest, Applications due February 15

Mayor Bloomberg and Citizens Committee for New York City invite your volunteer-led neighborhood group to apply for a $1,000 cash award to transform the public spaces on your block. Twelve groups from across the five boroughs will be selected as finalists, and each

will receive a $1,000 grant to beautify their block. The group that demonstrates the most impressive transformation will win an additional $3,000 to be used toward future block improvements. The groups will be supported by services from multiple City agencies, including the Mayor’s Office and its Community Affairs Unit and the departments of Transportation, Sanitation, and Parks. For more information, visit www.citizensnyc.org  or contact Saleen Shah at 212. 989.0909 or sshah@citizensnyc.org .

2009 Project Orange Thumb Application, Applications due February 17

Gardens and/or gardening projects geared toward community involvement, neighborhood beautification, sustainable agriculture and/or horticultural education are eligible for this grant. Community garden groups as well as schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities are all encouraged to apply. Twenty grants will be awarded within the United States and Canada. Each selected project will receive up to $1,500 in Fiskars garden tools and up to $800 in gardening-related materials (i.e. green goods). For more details and an application, visit www.fiskars.com/US/Garden/Project+Orange+Thumb/About/

Golden Apple & Golden Shovel Awards, Register by February 27

Schools in New York City can win prizes for documenting their model school recycling programs, waste prevention initiatives, or beautification projects. Completed projects are due April 30. For a contest brochure, contact the Bronx Compost Project at 718.817.8543 or bronxgreenup@nybg.org .

Young Community Volunteers Invited to Apply for Do Something Awards, Applications due March 1

The Do Something Awards, formerly the Brick Awards, are designed to provide recognition and funding for young community volunteers. In the 2009 program, five winners will receive a minimum of $10,000 in community grants and scholarships. (Only winners age 18 and under are eligible for a scholarship of $5,000 and a $5,000 community grant; winners between the ages of 19 and 25 will receive their entire award in the form of a community grant.) Of the five winners, one will be selected as the grand-prize winner and will receive a total of $100,000 in community grants, paid directly to the nonprofit of his or her choice. Visit http://www.dosomething.org/programs/awards  for complete program guidelines.

New York City Environmental Fund

The fund supports projects that foster restoration, care, and public enjoyment of and education about the natural resources of New York City. It funds general environmental education programs and encourages community involvement. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, with average awards of $15,000. For application deadlines and more information, call 212.483.7667.