Willow Waterhole MusicFEST to Host WCG Amphibian and Wetland Ecosystem Education
HOUSTON — Amphibian and wetland ecosystem education for children and adults of all ages can be found at The Westbury Community Garden (WCG) booth 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday October 28th at the Willow Waterhole. This year marks the 7th annual Willow Waterhole MusicFEST where local businesses, charities and other organizations come out to support the community and celebrate the rich arts, music, and culture found in this South West Houston neighborhood.
Westbury Community Garden members will disperse educational information on the history of Houston’s wetlands, current preservation efforts to minimize flooding which helps the creatures like frogs in our shared ecosystems all seeking more balance.
You’ll see the WCG members dressed up as frogs and live frogs at various stages of their life cycle, safely on display for observation and learning.
Residents who want to know what they can do to help restore more balanced ecosystems in their yards can learn how to do just that at the WCG MusicFEST booth. Debbie Gordon, WCG President says, “Vegetable gardens are like people. None of us exist in a vacuum. If you’re focusing on pollinators to help your garden grow are you also considering slowing the flow of water with sponge landscapes and water gardens on your property? At the WCG we are, and we plan to help residents make ecosystems around their home more resilient by providing them with facts on restoring wetland areas to reduce flooding and support endangered species.”
The garden is actively seeking grant and private funding to further develop the organization’s property and programs so that it may reach more citizens of various backgrounds. The development of bi-level sit/stand gardens is crucial for expanding access to community partners with mobility challenges as well as the costly development of bioswales and native wetland areas for youth education initiatives. These are just a few of the most recent projects on the table.
If you are interested in learning more about getting involved in program expansion through fundraising or volunteerism, please email WCG President, Debbie Gordon at president@westburycommunitygarden.org and/or call (832) 792-5701 to book an appointment.
About Westbury Community Garden
Westbury Community Garden is one of the largest community gardens in the Houston metro area, with 62 organic allotment gardens and 77 gardener members. The site includes an outdoor learning pavilion where seasonal gardening classes are held, as well as numerous native flower garden insectaries, public orchards, compost production, rain catchment, public art, an apiary, and a naturalized pocket prairie. Together, gardeners grow about 21,000 lbs. of organic produce for themselves and their families each year. Additionally, two acres are shared with Plant It Forward Farms, an urban agriculture training program for new American refugee farmers. The farmers grow fresh produce for restaurants, farmers’ markets, and their CSA subscriptions. The community garden is a gathering place for many neighborhood events and is a welcoming green space for the community. https://westburycommunitygarden.org
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