F I V E R I V E R S M E T R O P A R K S

1. F I V E R I V E R S M E T R O P A R K S The purpose of Five Rivers MetroParks is to protect natural areas, parks and river corridors, and to promote the conservation and use of these lands and waterways for the ongoing benefit of the people in the region.

2. Community Gardens: Growing a Conservation-Minded Community Land Re-use: Successes & Challenges

3. Five Rivers MetroParks Five Rivers MetroParks’ mission is to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.

4. Five Rivers MetroParks Park District Political subdivision of the State of Ohio Funding: Montgomery County property tax levy 19 facilities 15,000 acres 330 miles of recreation trails

5. Why MetroParks & Community Gardens? • Fit Mission, Vision & Purpose • Strengthen connections between people & nature • Foster healthy & active lifestyles • Build fellowship • Promote conservation, increase biodiversity • Food Security • Improve access to nutritious food • Cut grocery bills • Build community, meet neighbors • Increase neighborhood involvement • Build leadership • A response to local needs • Fit needs and desires of neighborhood: i.e. allotment, youth plots, fruit trees, herb gardens, raised beds

6. Food Justice/Food Access Chain Grocery Small Grocer Health Food School Community Garden

7. Montgomery Co Health 2011 National County Health Rankings Out of 88 counties, Montgomery Co: 68th for health outcomes 45th for health factors Ranks low in many health behaviors and social and economic factors

8. MetroParks Provides • Support to just over 60 area CGs • Consultation with new groups • Assistance with organization • Heavy metals soil test for proposed site • Assistance with site preparation • Educational materials & workshops • Occasional workshops • Assistance recruiting volunteers • Ongoing assistance as needed

9. Get Involved • Become a mentor • Master Gardener “hotline” • Teach one-time programs • Offer a series of programs • Assist gardeners • Consult with community gardeners • Work with planning groups • Donate time, tools or money

10. City Beets 2012

11. Mentoring

12. Classes & Programs – check www.metroparks.org

13. General Needs for Veggies & Fruit • Full Sun (6+ hrs/day) (part shade: lettuces, greens, pawpaw, gooseberries, currants) • Well-drained soil (at least 8” deep) • Good air circulation • Not too steep a slope • Access to Water • Accessible to YOU – and feels safe • Try to avoid planting in low-lying “frost pockets” • Avoid tree lawns & areas close to sidewalk • Maintain well rather than plant too much & maintain poorly

14. Healthy Practices • Build your Soil • Biodiversity & Diversity • Variety Selection – Look for Resistance & Tolerance • Organic, slow release fertilizers – pests follow the nitrogen! • Crop Rotation & Beneficials around the orchard • Reduce tillage & mowing • Maintain “permanent” ground covers • Mulch

15. “Lasagna” Beds

16. Raised & Accessible Beds

17. Container Gardening

18. Tilled Beds

19. Rainwater Harvesting

20. Gooseberries FRUIT: Natives & Cultivars Pawpaws Serviceberries Persimmons

21. Garden—Water—Earth Continuum

22. Protecting Ecological Integrity • Sustainable cultivation methods • Urban sprawl mitigation • Green space creation • Habitat gardening • Increase biodiversity • Reduce runoff • Foster personal connection to nature

23. Sustainable Cultivation Methods • Water efficient irrigation • Compost and other natural fertilizers • Lasagna gardening • Bio-intensive planting • Crop rotation • Cover cropping • Permaculture • Integrated pest management • Organic controls • Companion planting

24. Backyard Habitat

25. Increasing Biodiversity

26. Reducing Chemical Input and Runoff

27. Addressing Urban Sprawl

28. Creating Green Space

29. Resources – www.metroparks.org • Food Systems • Grow With Your Neighbors www.metroparks.org/gwyn • Youth Garden Club • City Beets www.metroparks.org/citybeets • Farm Life Blog • http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/farmlife • Food Atlas • http://maps.ers.usda.gov/FoodAtlas/ • Am. Community Gdng Assn • www.communitygarden.org • Ecological Integrity • Backyard Habitat • http://www.metroparks.org/GetEducated/NaturalLandscapes.aspx • Certification w/ National Wildlife Federation • http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create-a-Habitat.aspx • Monarch Watch • http://monarchwatch.org/waystations/ • Audubon at Home • http://athome.audubon.org/ • Sustainable Methods • Compost Kitchen • On-Farm Methods • http://www.metroparks.org/Parks/PossumCreek/SustainableFarm.aspx • Service Learning Volunteer Training • ATTRA • https://attra.ncat.org/