SMILE is going for the Gold!
Sep 26th, 2009 by PK
Your neighbors at the last board meeting voted to go for the Gold with a Backyard Habitat Certification. This is great news and a great opportunity for SMILE. Your neighbors from the Sustainable Sellwood Committee, have been discussing an opportunity like this for quite some time. We’re very fortunate to have Gaylen Beatty as a neighbor. She’s the certification program director though Three Rivers Land Conservancy, and is helping guide your community through the process. In addition, Joel Bader, an Americorps participant, has chosen SMILE Station as his Citizen Action Project. They’re both part of a growing contingent of Sustainable Sellwood friends, advocates and volunteers. For those interested in certifying their own home, being involved is a great opportunity to learn what will work at your home too!
In short, they made a well detailed presentation with goals to be accomplished in multiple phases. The three included within this presentation would earn us a Gold Backyard Habitat Certification. The overall goal is to pull invasive and non-native plants and replace them with native plants that promote ecosystem development for birds, bats, insects and all kinds of creatures. I’ll try to post the presentation on the Sustainable Sellwood website which can be viewed at: http://sustainable.sellwood.org/.
SMILE Station, for those new to the neighborhood, is one of the ways SMILE earns money to put on local events such as Sundae in the Park, concerts, etc…and it’s the neighborhood association headquarters. SMILE Station, originally a firehouse, was built in 1926. In 1959, the Old Engine 20 building began its second career as a clubhouse for the Boys and Girls Club. When that group vacated, your neighbors purchased it from the city and together renovated it for us to use. After construction, Eileen Fitzsimons, through grants, getting dirty and getting together with friends replanted the grounds with the many natives we have now!
In addition to the new plantings, the addition of a bioswale to disconnect some downspouts will be a welcomed improvement. Overtime, we’re anticipating bike racks, shelters, benches and a much more welcoming event space for your community gatherings. Just like SMILE owned, Oaks Pioneer Church, the prices are reasonable and the location couldn’t be any better!
There’s a work party scheduled for October 27th and 28th. There’s lots of work to do…but we have hired some help from a crew of AmeriCorps participants which will be onsite. In addition to the work party, there will be information and discussions about how to go through the certification process. We’re working on food for participants and families are encouraged to join us in getting dirty and making your Station more Sustainable. Please join us!
Cheers,
PK