Nature Walk Boston

I'm lazy/Nature Walk Brooklyn/Manhattan!

2009-07-08T22:47:00.004-05:00

And P.S., I blame it on the continuous rain.

Planters to make sidewalk.

2009-05-28T20:40:00.002-05:00

Taken in New York City. Going back there this weekend. I will spend all my time in Brooklyn, which is fine by me.

Repotting Sunflowers.

2009-05-26T22:16:00.005-05:00

See the reason I don't write more, is well, I ain't so good at it. And when I try to write it takes almost two weeks to come up with something marginally decent(i.e. - Amanda and I went canoeing TWO weeks ago this Friday...and NOTHING from me). It will come...maybe. So for now, I demonstrate in images.

Post Script - Amanda and her beaux Jon are on a roadtrip and blogging about it at: http://southwardbound.tumblr.com/

Awesome.

2009-05-25T21:27:00.003-05:00

My downstairs neighbor and I are in the midst of making a container garden at our apartment building. Here is a tomato plant we are going to try and grow upside down.
Sorry for the crappy image; better images to follow.

SNL, Christopher Walken and googly eyes

2009-05-24T21:50:00.002-05:00

Um, I think they just did this skit to hear Christopher Walken say, "googly."

NY Times: On Lead Contamination in Soil.

2009-05-17T13:12:00.003-05:00

Here is an article which talks about lead contamination and what to do if you plan on growing plants(for both food and flowers). Getting soil tested is a good idea! For those of you in New York, the Parks and Recreation will test it for free. In Mass it's about $9.

For more information in Mass go here.

Best Bus Stop Ever

2009-05-15T20:28:00.002-05:00

It almost makes it okay to wait for the bus.
On Western Avenue and Richardson Street in Brighton, MA

The Beefy, Cheesy Glory Edition

2009-05-15T20:17:00.003-05:00

I've always thought glory tasted beefy and cheesy. Thank god someone finally said it.
Taken in Porter Square in Cambridge, MA.

Trash Day.

2009-05-10T20:25:00.002-05:00

...Was Thursday, but as previously noted, I'm a procrastinator.

Other uses for Trees and Shoes

2009-05-10T19:57:00.002-05:00

Both on Highland Street in Somerville, MA.

I'm a little teapot/Antithetical elephant.

2009-04-20T21:07:00.004-05:00

For those wondering: the elephant was on Summer street in between School Street and Central Street in Somerville. This picture is on Central Street between Summer and Highland. Just walk around, it'll be good for you.

Yeah, it was totally an elephant.

2009-04-18T16:09:00.001-05:00

Face plant.

2009-04-16T21:59:00.003-05:00

Spring is Sprunging.

2009-04-13T20:37:00.005-05:00

Yep, I post nothing. That's cause I am a procrastinator...just ask Turbo Tax, and my father,(whose hour long rant on how not doing your taxes ahead of time is unpatriotic). But at least that means it's April, and trees are flowering and there are buds a'buddin', and despite the chilly weather it's going to be warm and the sun is going to be setting later and later.
So I leave you with picture of Rosa the cat and some herbs I planted.

Changing our Cities.

2009-03-29T07:23:00.002-05:00

There's an article in the NY Times today about how we should use our economic nosedive to reinvent our cities. Using the examples of FDR and the Works Projects Administration, and also Eisenhower's interstate highway program(Eisenhower's is somewhat ironic), creates an overview of what has, and what could be done to enrich our urban lives. You can find it here.

change.org widget

2009-03-22T18:37:00.001-05:00

Overgrown in Somerville

2009-03-05T22:15:00.007-05:00

So the image that is the current header is the same plant as above. What it is, still don't know, and it's in a lot of my pictures. Any ideas?(Answer: Rhododendron) It's an effing hardy plant, and lasts all winter. It's nice to see green in the winter. What attracted me was not so much the the color, but how much there is of it. This plant looks pretty healthy, but I know that pruning keeps a plant healthy, and is the best way to go(for us and the plants), but sometimes I can't help but relish in something that's overgrown. During my critiques in art school people always made the comments about how nature will finally take over. And yeah, if we don't implode(or explode?) the world with a nuclear bomb, nature will take over. That's kind of obvious. And yes, it did annoy me, making that oh so hackneyed observation that nature will "regain" power. But at the same time I love when I see plants that have gone crazy and have almost extended their welcome into our walking spaces, and into our visual bank of what nature should look like in a city. So here are a few more pictures for you. And if you'll pardon, the layout's not very nice, but deal(I ain't in art school no more). Have a good weekend.

Duct taped tree in Somerville

2009-03-05T22:09:00.002-05:00

Wasn't it becoming warmer?

2009-03-03T23:09:00.003-05:00

I saw the trees budding two weeks ago. It really needs to be spring, can someone get on that?

Bad Geranium Juju.

2009-03-03T20:56:00.003-05:00

I think the phrase, "third times the charm," is just a thing people say so they can see you screw up for yet another time. And it's not even the third, it's the fourth. The fourth time something bad has happened to a geranium I have owned. But this time, it just died.
My bad Geranium history:
1. A caterpillar's munched on it(which was pretty cool though)
2. It's gone crashing to the ground(thanks, cat)
3. It's been stolen!(damn Somerville hooligans),
4. and then evil cat tormented it to a bitter end(mostly by lying in it while I was at work or asleep, and maybe, possibly peeing in it occasionally).

I re-potted a piece that survived, but I should have know better! And now it's pathetically lingering on my kitchen table until I have enough gumption to get rid of it.

Bon Voyage sweet geranium! Until the next time one of your kind is unlucky enough to become my plant.

"Little boxes made of ticky-tacky and they all look the same."

2009-02-08T22:13:00.003-05:00

Tiny Sidewalk.

2009-02-08T22:06:00.001-05:00

On Walnut St, Somerville, MA.

Oldies, but goodies.

2008-12-06T01:42:00.004-05:00

Both in Somerville, MA(my most coveted place).

A Bountiful Harvest. My first History of Farming post.

2008-11-23T18:45:00.005-05:00

Something I have been thinking about starting was regular posts on The History of Farming. The early 20th century American farm, seems like a good, but also a weird place to start. In a time when local/organic/urban farms are on the rise, and agribusiness is still a big factor in how food is produced, it seems real fitting. But, yes, people, for thousands of years have cultivated plants for food. And maybe, if I become dedicated enough, I will someday learn more about that.
But, as an American, and a photographer this seems like the place to begin. While in art school, learning the great masters of photography, the Farm Security Administration photographers were a huge part of my education. Walker Evans, Dorthea Lange and Gordon Parks are like gods to me. In a time when farming is a hot topic(for both the health of humans, and of the earth) it seems fitting to return to the time right before agribusiness, subsidies and genetically modified were words we used when we spoke about food. To a time, when we grew things so people could eat, and the people who grew them were paid for what they grew. It seemed simple enough...but it's not anymore. So while trying to find books on farming at the Somerville Library, I came across a book called, Bountiful Harvest. A collection of photographs compiled by Leslie A. Loveless; the photographer is Pete Wettach, who lived in Iowa and worked(among many things) as an FSA worker. Born in New Jersey, he longed to be a farmer, and moved to Iowa. His farming dream failed, but he ended up working to help the ones whose profession he longed for. He helped farmers displaced by the Great Depression, to purchase farmland. During that time he photographed. He knew these people, and was able to document them for about four decades. He shows us, not only the hardships of the Great Depression, but the farms that survived, but the many different facets of a farm life and community.
... maybe there needs to be a new class of FSA photographers, but we could substitute the word farm, for food. We could document people who grow healthy food, in ecological ways and to those who are teaching future generations to appreciate growing and preparing food.
what do you all say?

photograph by Pete Wettach

Nature Walk 11/16/08

2008-11-18T20:49:00.015-05:00

View Larger Map

I walk this route a few times a week, and I tried to look at trees, plants, et al. that I haven't.
On an entirely different note, My head keeps chanting, "yes, we can."
It's a good mantra for artists too.

Michael Pollan for Secretary of Agriculture

2008-11-18T11:39:00.002-05:00

Go here, and you can sign a petition to ask Barack Obama to make Michael Pollan his Secretary of Agriculture. Even if he wouldn't do it, I think it's a pretty great message to send to President Elect Obama.

Only you can prevent...Wildfires?

2008-11-16T10:23:00.002-05:00

As I was forcing my eyes to remain open while watching the TV show Bones on my computer, the obligatory commercial breaks every ten minutes or so, this time featured our friend, Smokey Bear. After he chastised a smoker who throws his cigarette so carelessly in clearly extremely dry brush, Smokey says, "Only you can prevent Wildfires." A change(which was done in 2002, go me for just now becoming aware) which substituted the word forest for wild. Even with the word change, after I see one of those commercials I automatically envision myself carrying a bucket of water with me, everywhere and always. Yet, again, we see fires jumping from roof to roof, pushed by Santa Ana winds in California, and they suspect arson.
So where's the power in the name change? Is forest to far away for us to care? Does wild imply a recklessness that could come from the middle of a forest right to out doorstep? Apparently adults were not convinced that we were, or could be responsible for devastating fires, so the word wildfires was supplanted. Smokey still leaves me afraid for our forests, or wilds, but what's even more frightening is a counter that on the website showing how many of acres have burned this year... we've passed 5 Billion. Maybe they should have commercials of Smokey ripping potential wild/forest fire starters limb from limb to get the point across a little clearer.

For more info go to SmokeyBear.com

Nature Walk Portland, ME

2008-11-16T09:41:00.004-05:00

Last weekend, I went to Portland, ME to see a cousin I haven't seen for about 6 years. I arrived at 8 AM and didn't leave until 5, so there was lots of time to walk around. We were in Downtown Portland for most of my visit. One of my favorite moments was finding a giant Copper Beech Tree in the front of this beautiful(and also a little intimidating) Episcopal Church. We did so much walking, I really don't remember exactly where these were taken. But enjoy anyhow.

Greyhound Depot in Portland, ME

2008-11-10T20:11:00.001-05:00

Nature Walking for Reals.

2008-11-03T22:13:00.004-05:00

View Larger Map

Okay, so I finally did it! I made a virtual nature walk!!! It's the first one, so it is still has a lot of work that needs doing, but it is pretty exciting. So yeah, glad I finally did this, because it's not become winter or anything...

ENJOY!

The Garden of Eatin': A Short History of America's Garden

2008-11-01T23:34:00.001-05:00

Terrific video for the Sarah Vowell and Michael Pollan fans alike.

Friends.

2008-11-01T23:28:00.001-05:00

Ugly Overload.

2008-10-23T06:13:00.003-05:00

So for those of you who have heard of Cute Overload, here is its counterpart, Ugly Overload. They blog about the animals that get less press because well they ain't that cute.
I learned last night while listening to the Living on Earth Podcast that 1 in 4 mammals are endangered, and 1 in 2 primates are. For more info go the Red List.

UPDATE: There was some really shoddy English before; I've corrected that. Pays to proof read!

Redressing with Pigeons

2008-10-22T19:01:00.004-05:00

I've been trying to figure out what I want to do with this blog. It started as a school project, and now, oh shit, I care about it. Or at least I care about what's in it. Which is why i put a video of pigeons on my blog, to convince you of my sincerity. There is so much I need to know from our food systems to farming to carbon capture. I want this to be a space where I can learn, and share with others. I invite people to add comments and start a discourse. And also let me know how this thing sucks, and ways you might want to improve it.

A Plant's Life

2008-10-22T18:09:00.003-05:00

This was sent to me by dear friend Katie. It's from the Telegraph about a plant in a cafe that is hooked up to detectors and what the plants feelings gets "translated" into text.
Pretty cool.

I heart PBS.

2008-10-22T06:09:00.003-05:00

Last night, there was a really good Frontline concerning Global Warming. It talks a lot about where we are still getting our electricity(pretty much coal) and the measures taken, or not to start using renewable sources. Frontline did a really good job I think in explaining some of the more difficult aspects fom Clean Coal(we've all heard Obama and McCain use that phrase)to just how we are still the most polluting industrial nation when it comes to automobiles. It's pretty great, AND! you can watch it from the website.

Clump o' Plants

2008-10-13T20:44:00.001-05:00

Re: High-Fructose Corn Syrup Ad 2

2008-10-11T16:02:00.001-05:00

This is a response ad to the high fructose corn syrup ones I just posted about.
I think this one is a little more accurate, and it's funnier.

NY Times Magazine: Food Issue

2008-10-11T15:51:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow the NY TIMES will devote it's magazine to the new food culture happening in America. There is also a pretty sweet picture of an exploding corn on the cover. It's reminded my of all those awesome commercials promoting High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Nature Walk Manhattan

2008-10-07T20:27:00.007-05:00

You betcha, it's Manhattan! It's not all a concrete jungle.

New Links.

2008-10-06T20:52:00.005-05:00

Title kind of says it all, but yes, there are new links to look at.
I have been way into Living on Earth radio, which is made in Somerville!
Also, Orion Magazine is pretty great (it's only been a few weeks, but I am in love). There is a book compiled of essay from the magazine called, The Future of Nature, which so far has been really informative, at times, disheartening, but altogether amazing.
The Charles River Conservancy, Drumlin Farm and The Growing Center have all been places that I've volunteered at, and really respect what they are doing for the community.

Okay that's it. Check out the sites! Please leave more in the links(not that I expect many people to be reading this...)
Thanks, Andrea for all the new sites to look at!

Vines, in Union Sq

2008-10-06T20:01:00.001-05:00

Feminism, Sustainablity AND Dessert. word.

2008-10-06T11:26:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow night Feminism and Dessert at the Center for New Words, will host a talk about Urban Sustainabilty. Laura from the Riles Institute and Jolie from reVision Farm. It starts at 7pm.

Weeping Willow in Somerville, MA

2008-09-12T06:14:00.003-05:00

Bushwacked! In the good way...

2008-09-10T21:48:00.001-05:00

Morning Glories in the AM

2008-09-09T20:37:00.002-05:00

I see these every morning as I walk/most of the time run, to the bus stop. It's funny to think that this little flower holds hallucinogenic powers. And it's legal!
And speaking of hallucinogens, there is an article on Salvia in the NY Times.

Garden Cycles

2008-08-29T20:38:00.003-05:00

Bless parties! Without them, I would not have been told about this great project done by three great women. Garden Cycles, which was a bicycle tour of urban gardens and farms from D.C. to Montreal and back! I am totally hooked to this website, and this project. They documented this wonderful trip(you can see the trailer on there website) and view/read all the great places they went too.

Plant Database

2008-07-29T06:05:00.003-05:00

I added this to the Links list, but I wanted to shine a little more spotlight on The United States Department of Agriculture's and the Natural Resources Conservation Service have a Plant Database! There is a plant of the week, you can figure out what species are growing in your state and much more. It's pretty fabulous. So much information on these great internets (yes, all of them.)

Makeshift garden near Inman Square in Cambridge, MA

2008-07-28T22:26:00.004-05:00

So lovely.

Queen Anne's Lace.

2008-07-28T20:19:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite local singers in Somerville, Rose Polanzani has a song called, "Queen Anne's Lace," and it wasn't until recently this plant was pointed out to me by a friend. Now I pretty much see it everywhere, and always get the song in my head when I do(which is fine with me!).
It's Latin name, Daucus Carota was brought from Europe to America probably in the 1700's. This invasive species is apt for growing in open spaces, which includes city spaces! It's a biennial that's got a little more than a month of blooming time left, so observe while you can!

Environmental Bond Bill.

2008-07-26T13:02:00.002-05:00

Help Pass the Environmental Bond Bill by contacting your local Representatives today!
Last day before the Legislature goes home for the summer is July, 31st. This bill will help give more funding to, "protecting open spaces, ensuring water quality, maintaining our parks"(Coalition for the Environmental Bond).
For more information go here.
To figure out who your elected officials are, go here.
To see a picture of an Ulmus minor tree in Denmark, go here!

Plants in Cambridge Naturals.

2008-07-16T20:25:00.002-05:00

I felt a little smarmy taking this picture. I really need to remove the sound from my camera...huh, how funny you can just turn off the sound. Beat that Leica!

Sign orphaned, raised by Tree.

2008-07-14T22:00:00.002-05:00

Word.

2008-07-13T18:26:00.002-05:00

Greenwash

2008-07-09T21:10:00.001-05:00

Greenwash is a term to describe how companies can deceive consumers into thinking their products are better for the environment, when in fact they are not. Greenwash of the Week is a great duo that helps remove the wool.

Green Houston website.

2008-07-07T20:53:00.002-05:00

My beautiful hometown of Houston, Texas unveiled it's new website on what citizens can do to be more environmental.

Yes, Halliburton can still go to hell, but I love this city.

I don't think even Boston has something this comprehensive.

Tree hanging out of a window in NYC.

2008-06-30T21:58:00.004-05:00

Doesn't get any better than that!

Guerilla Gardening!

2008-06-30T20:13:00.004-05:00

Boston Handmade , a great fair full of artists with all handmade goodies, was in Union Square this weekend. And that is where I found this awesome piece of art. Madelyn Macedo(I tried to find a link to her, not much luck) made these little seed bombs(as she calls them!)out of clay and seeds. Be a revolutionary with the power of flowers! She suggests throwing them in "desolate and neglected areas" and wait for pretty flowers to arrive.

Madelyn Macedo's art can be found here.

Little gardens - For $7.

2008-04-10T06:01:00.002-05:00

Trees.

2008-04-07T21:34:00.002-05:00

Little plants, and growing soil.

2008-04-07T19:41:00.017-05:00

For a mere $1, you too can be the owner of a starter pot from Target. Buzzy Seeds has a slew of seeds. Looking on their website, you can even grow grass in little square shaped pots. I must say that I got pretty excited picking out petunias, oregano and sunflowers(my favorite) from the dollar bin a Target. I am hoping I can parlay these little seedlings into a window box come spring(if it does.)

The most interesting part for me was growing the soil. Yes, I got to grow soil! The dirt is compacted into these little pellets and when I poured water on them, they expanded. It was really fun to watch.

The asylum flower has already started to sprout, so I am hopeful.

Thanks to Leslie K. Brown for the tip on the dollar plants!

Growing Flowers in Ceramic Eggs.

2008-03-16T14:11:00.003-05:00

So my roommate and I are trying to grow Snap Dragons and Impatiens in these little ceramic eggs. Egg Plants! It reminds me of those shrunken dinosaurs you put into water and they enlarge, or mixing baking soda and vinegar in the paper mache volcano everyone made for some science project. As I carefully hit away the ceramic on the top and applied a generous amount of water, my roommate and I stood in somewhat skeptical awe, we thought, "will something really grow out of this?"
My sister's herbs made by Chia Pet didn't fair so well. I fear that this kind of gimmicky stuff rarely yields anything to write home about(however, blogging about it, different story). These little "grow your owns" seem to take the reality out of gardening. Even if gardening means growing herbs in old coke bottles(my method). It further implores the idea that gardening is not feasible in a city, or city dwelling cannot be integrated with nature.
But who can say, maybe we will yield a bounty of snap dragons and impatiens!

Gore Accepts Nobel Prize

2007-12-10T19:11:00.001-05:00

Today, Al Gore accepted the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work to combat Global Warming. Gore's speech was another plea that we realize the damage we have done, and continue to do, and finally decide to become active.

An excerpt from his speech:

"But unlike most other forms of pollution, CO2 is invisible, tasteless, and odorless — which has helped keep the truth about what it is doing to our climate out of sight and out of mind. Moreover, the catastrophe now threatening us is unprecedented — and we often confuse the unprecedented with the improbable.

We also find it hard to imagine making the massive changes that are now necessary to solve the crisis. And when large truths are genuinely inconvenient, whole societies can, at least for a time, ignore them. Yet as George Orwell reminds us: “Sooner or later a false belief bumps up against solid reality, usually on a battlefield.”

For more information here are some good websites:

EPA on Climate Change
Step It Up 2007
Bill McKibben
Natural Resources Defense Council
Al Gore
Stop Global Warming

Drawing from New Ideas.

2007-12-09T09:24:00.000-05:00

The New York Times did an animation on the advancements in Alternative Energy over the past year. It's pretty awesome.

Also, here is a video explaining how engineers and scientist are trying to figure out how to harness wave energy. One of the engineers described it as, "it's kind of like the shaking flashlight, except a little more complicated."

Ode to Eric Carle.

2007-11-18T13:35:00.000-05:00

So at my semi-new apartment building, in the warmer months, people had placed their geraniums outside. Since I have one I thought I'd leave it downstairs, and let it hang out with some of it's own. However, as the weather turned colder, it had to come back inside.
Yesterday as I was watering it I saw some rather large holes it the leaves...

"It's infested!!!" My mind reeled, thinking of the closest place to go get insect spray. As I began furiously ripping the holy leaves, there it was...the very hungry caterpillar. The culprit had been hanging around living in it's own Garden of Eden. Well my Eden really. See exhibit A.

I screamed and bolted into the kitchen. The starkness of it's buggy exterior frightened me. My roommate poked her head out to see what the commotion was all about and I told her, well more screamed, "THERE IS A CATERPILLAR IN MY PLANT!"

"Oh," she said, "is that all?"

Well...yes...and no. The caterpillar chose a potted plant. A transportable bit of land and flora stuffed in a container made of terracotta. How do you explain to a caterpillar that this isn't really part of nature? Your instincts, a gift of evolution, have failed you because this, this is my plant! So with enough food for a week and a "good luck" I sent it packing.
However... I had placed the plant outside so that it might grow more, you know, cause it's outside. The gated mulch outside of my apartment building had a better nature vibe than my window sill. So I wanted it exposed to "nature" and that is what I got.

Godspeed caterpillar. How you make it to the flying stage of your development.

...And It's Back!

2007-11-06T21:31:00.000-05:00

Oh dear adoring public! I know it's been a while, but my unplanned hiatus has been restful and I am now ready to start this thing back up again. Even without the prodding from a weekly crit.

So this 'first' post is dedicated to marketing Grounding Work, a symposium at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, which was created by teacher/friend/mentor and fellow artist Margot Kelley.

This is a two day symposium, "exploring the intersection of art and environmental concerns." So clear your calendars and register for what promises to be an environmentally enlightening weekend!

Other People's Green Pictures.

2007-05-22T07:37:00.000-05:00

This is a photograph by a fellow photographer/friend Abigail Grenon, of a car wash in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

hmm...i love flickr. Also, one of my links is a blog called Urban Nature Group, and a lot the pictures are pretty yummy.

Slate: On Gardening in Iran

2007-05-22T06:46:00.000-05:00

Here is an article by Constance Casey about Gardening in Iran. Casey interweaves the current political tensions between Iran and America with tidbits of the tour she took called, Gardens Illustrated.

The same snowmelt that waters the elderly plane tree is used [at the main nuclear facility in Natanz for] cooling.

Through all of the tension and cultural differences that face Americans and Iranians alike, Casey reiterates that information, while allowing us to relate to their desire of enjoying green spaces.(Granted, their public gardens seem to put ours to shame.)

In Iranian cities, as the sun goes down, families and groups of friends come out to parks and gardens carrying carpets. There are wooden platforms where you can unroll a rug and sit or recline in the shade, listening to the water and drinking tea.

Allston near Harvard Avenue

2007-05-12T21:22:00.000-05:00

yes, that is right, this little green entryway is in the heartland of all things grungy and sticky.

it's really out of place, but i think that makes it even better.

100,000 more trees

2007-05-04T16:51:00.000-05:00

I am a little late on this news, but since it is going to take 13 years to finalize, I don't feel so bad.

Last Saturday, Mayor Menino announced that the city of Boston is going to recieve 100,000 more street trees over the next 13 years.

AND!

"As part of the initiative, the mayor will also announce a new partnership with the US Forest Service that designates Boston as an urban experimental forest -- one of three such sites in the country -- where scientists and arborists will conduct research to document the effects of trees on people and the environment."

- Jenna Russell on Boston.com

One of the reasons for this intiative, along with cooler temperatures and cleaner air is, improved psychological affects urban trees have on humans. They are even investigating to see if increasing street trees decreases crime rates. wow.

The article also featured a pretty awesome breakdown of trees in specific areas of Boston:

A few more trees in Allston/Brighton

2007-04-28T16:22:00.000-05:00

Downtown Boston

2007-04-21T18:28:00.000-05:00

Trees next to The Barking Crab

2007-04-21T18:23:00.000-05:00

DoubleTree Hotel

2007-04-21T17:37:00.000-05:00

My parents were in town this weekend, and they were staying at the DoubleTree. I don't know if the name inspires the plants that are in here, but they have quite a few.

Kenmore Square

2007-04-19T14:34:00.000-05:00

This is a little floral display outside Pizzeria Uno in Kenmore Square. Ironically they keep the light on during the day as well.

To landscape more like nature.

2007-04-07T16:56:00.000-05:00

MSN did an article with the aid of professional landscape designers on what they consider landscaping sins. What struck me to be very strange about this article is the many times, "nature," was used. One of the no-no's was the marching flowers (flowers in a row) because they don't look "natural" because that's not "in" right now.

"Now we plant in mass groupings, more like nature does," says Donovan. "Bunched together, in a bouquet effect, that attracts the eye."

However, Sin # 4 is about having too much.

The upshot? "They'll get this hodgepodge effect," says Donovan, who sees it often. But using lots of colors all over the place "produces chaos," she says. "That's too busy for the eye. It's like wearing too much jewelry." And often all of the color don't complement the home -- one of landscaping's chief goals.

It seems strange to glean elements of nature for some parts, but not for others. It's okay to feign the idea of nature, as long as it is trimmed regularly.

Being green and caffeinated.

2007-04-06T16:37:00.000-05:00

Starbucks, in association with Global Green USA, has created an interactive website called Planet Green Game. In this website you choose a character, and also a mode of transportation. The idea is to go to different areas and accomplish challenges to make the city more environmentally friendly. Through these tasks you begin to learn multiple steps that anyone can take in order to decrease greenhouse gases. The website also gives you examples in real life of what cities are doing in order to "be more green."

Also, in the bookmark they have inserted wildflower seeds in paper so you can make your own little green space.

Washington Street in South Boston

2007-03-31T17:51:00.000-05:00

Green Buildings

2007-03-19T10:06:00.000-05:00

There was an interesting article in the past issue of The Dig about new green building codes in Boston.

“If LEED is successful, it will become obsolete. It will become code. It will become practice. There will be no alternative to green.”

- Barbra Batshalom, founder of Green Roundtable

Apparently, Boston is making larger strides in green zoning than any other city to date.

“You go to other places where anything goes, and you do see building there, but—and this is my own cultural perspective—you see incredible sprawl, massive waste and kind of a placeless character of things. At times it feels like we are competing with North Carolina for biotech and stuff. But you know what—they can tear down a forest and throw up some factory, but people don’t want to be there,” he says. “The challenge for Boston is that the quality of the urban environment is very important.”

- John Dalzell, Sr. architect at the Boston Redevelopment Authority

Gravity defying dirt

2007-03-15T20:22:00.000-05:00

Trees in Allston

2007-03-15T17:41:00.000-05:00

The street tree species chosen for planting by the City of Boston are rarely native to New England. They are chosen in large part because they tolerate the car exhaust, street toxics, and other stresses of the urban environment well. However, even these hardy urban tree species often have a lifespan of only a few years in the Heart of the City because the conditions for growth are poor.

- The Database of the Greenspaces and Neighborhoods in the heart of Boston.

Rolling Bridge Park

2007-03-04T12:40:00.000-05:00

I happened on this area last year while working on a project, and I found it very fascinating. It's one of the "must see" spots along The Boston Harborwalk on the Fort Point Channel. Depending on where you sit, you can have either a view of the Gillette World Shaving headquarters, the freeway and commuter rail, or where the MBTA houses Redline trains not in use. Rolling Bridge Park was desgined by the Central Artery/Tunnel Project and the Mass Turnpike Authority as mitigation for disruptions during construction.

Rolling Bridge Park has the second highest amount of open space in The Boston Harborwalk tour. I appreciate that the MTA wants to increase open space around this very industrialized area, but it seems more to me like an odd testament of human accomplishments. To their credit, there really is no way to off set the cables, buildings, steel and concrete, that completely engulf this park. These trappings of industrialism make everything within the park seem unrealistic, and therefore, frivolous by design. The trees do not function as park trees; they function as street trees.
In a way, this is an industrializ-ed park. It's as if someone sat down, made of formula of what a park needs, and made it an overlty efficient open space. All the different park "staples" that were placed here do not function in a park capacity themselves, but of the idea of a park. It's like wanting to travel the world, but going to Disneyland's "It's a Small World" instead.

For more photos, you can go to my Flickr account.

2007-02-24T12:09:00.000-05:00

It always seems kind of absurd to see a tree poking out of its alotted 4 X 4 foot square on the sidewalk. It is by no means a natural occurrence, but it would be a greater detriment to humans if it did not exist. Municipal agencies place plants around cities for both aesthetic and environmental purposes. So how does this plant life function within the context of nature? If a shade tree was transplanted from the city back into a forest, would it then become nature? Where is the point when nature stops being natural?

My use of the blog is to allow others to become apart of this project, so I urge you to leave comments expressing your viewpoint.