Garden Open House - September 27th

The Naval Cemetery Landscape (NCL) is unique as a cemetery and pollinator habitat, and also as a landscape built, maintained and operated solely by the non-profit Brooklyn Greenway Initiative. Donations support our work maintaining landscapes and advocating for the construction and maintenance of safe greenways. As a forerunner in urban meadow implementation, we have much to share on design, horticulture maintenance techniques, and programming and visitor engagement for a native urban meadow.

Join us on September 27 for presentations from our NCL advisory committee members including:

  • Site design considerations from Jeffrey Longhenry and others from the landscape architect firm Nelson Byrd Woltz’s installation team
  • Native bee species and habitat considerations from native bee expert Sarah Kornbluth of the American Museum of Natural History
  • Gardener-led presentations on wildlife observed at the NCL (over 79 species of birds observed in one year)
  • Presentation from the Director of Horticulture and Greenway stewardship about programming design and implementation for gardens to foster wildlife and increase visitors’ appreciation for biodiversity
  • Staff-led Fall Ecology and Microorganism walks

Two sessions at this event are approved by LA CES for 2.5 professional development hours. See Full Schedule below.

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Come see how a small native meadow managed with intention can have a big impact and learn how you might apply some of our techniques and knowledge in other landscapes and gardens.

There will be a social mixer on site at the NCL after the day’s programming for attendees to network and speak to colleagues in the field. Please note some presentations will be held at another location in the Navy Yard (a 15 minute walk from the Naval Cemetery Landscape) for necessary a/v hook ups and there will be an alternate presentation space available for the day in the Navy Yard in the event of rain.

Full Schedule:

Be advised that all events listed are subject to change.

Starting Location: Terrace Room (4th floor), Building 92, at 63 Flushing Avenue Brooklyn NY 11205

Please note: We’ll meet at this location in rain or shine. Come prepared and bring an umbrella or rain gear in the case of rain!

11:00-11:15 AM: Welcome by Hunter Armstrong, Executive Director, Brooklyn Greenway Initiative

11:15-11:45 AM: Welcome by Avvah Rossi, Director of Horticulture and Greenway Stewardship, Brooklyn Greenway Initiative

12:00-1:00 PM: Native Bee Exploration at NCL with bee expert Sarah Kornbluth, American Museum of Natural History (Terrace Room) – This session is approved by LA CES for 1 professional development hours.

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1:00-1:30 PM: Walk to NCL with a short stop at Hedgework installation and Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway plantings

1:30-2:00 PM: Bee presentation continued with Sarah Kornbluth – This session is approved by LA CES for 0.5 professional development hours.

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2:00-2:15 PM: Break

2:15-3:30 PM: Design at NCL Presentation with Jeffrey Longhenry, Understory Landscape Architecture, and Scott Demel, Marvel Architects (NCL) – This session is approved for 1 LA CES professional development hours.

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3:30-3:40 PM: Break

3:40-4:10 PM: Horticulture and Programming for an Urban Meadow and Memorial Landscape with Avvah Rossi, Director of Horticulture and Greenway Stewardship, Brooklyn Greenway Initiative

4:15-5:00 PM: Choose Your Own Gardener-Led Walks:

  • NCL Wildlife with Eric Thompson

  • Microorganisms at the NCL with Caroline Powell

  • Ask an NCL Gardener with Leah Retherford

5:00-7:00 PM: Mixer at NCL (drinks and light food)

About the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative built and maintains the Naval Cemetery Landscape (NCL) on the site of the former Naval Hospital Cemetery at the Brooklyn Navy Yard as a place for retreat and remembrance while honoring its rich layers of natural and cultural history. This site was designed as a native plant meadow and pollinator habitat, and many rare birds and insects can be seen here.

NCL’s primary function is as a quiet contemplative memorial landscape where Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI) showcases and champions the potential impact of Green in Greenways (cyclist and pedestrian corridors that ideally include separation from car lanes and green corridors of street trees, native plantings, or both) and provides public programming that enhances connections to nature. The landscape is a connector and place of respite and grounding for community members and users of the adjacent Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. We strive to limit disruptions to both visitors and land (as a cemetery) and to wildlife (as a native pollinator habitat) and our programs are aimed at building skill sets for urban visitors with an emphasis on nature education and mental wellness activities.

Special thanks to our Sponsor