Sunday, August 24: Plant Walk at the Naval Cemetery Landscape in Brooklyn

Natural Historians,

Please join us for our second summer event, Plant Walk at the Naval Cemetery Landscape in Brooklyn with Avvah Rossi on Sunday, August 24 at 2 PM.

RESERVATIONS: This event is FREE! However, reservations are required in order to attend! Please RSVP by sending an email to [metropolitannaturalhistory@gmail.com](mailto:metropolitannaturalhistory@gmail.com). NB: Facebook and Meetup ''attendance" will NOT be considered as a reservation.

WHAT TO BRING: This is a BYOB (Bring Your Own Binoculars) or BYOL (bring your own Loupe) space. These are optional, not required. With many levels of perspective and focus, there is a lot of life to observe on site! Water is also recommended.

LOCATION: The event will take place at the Naval Cemetery Landscape in Brooklyn. Once your reservation is confirmed, details on the meeting point will be emailed to you.

EVENT DESCRIPTION: The Naval Cemetery Landscape is a contemplative memorial meadow and native plant, pollinator and bird habitat that supports over 100 native plant species. During this event, Avvah Rossi, the Director of Horticulture, will touch on the history of this landscape and focus on the horticulture and botany of some of its flora and their ecological connections. Before or after this event, speak to our gardeners and learn about the Naval Cemetery Landscape and Brooklyn Greenway Initiative's work here and along the Greenway, and what goes into maintaining their beauty and accessibility for everyone. The Naval Cemetery Landscape is fully operated, made open as a public space and able to provide space for programs like this solely by Brooklyn Greenway Initiative through the generosity of supporters. Brooklyn Greenway Initiative advocates for safe, green bike and pedestrian (and wildlife!) paths across the NYC area, and the Naval Cemetery Landscape showcases the impact that well designed and well managed greenspaces have on human wellness and biodiversity. Learn more at brooklyngreenway.org or @navalcemeterylandscape and @bkgreenway.

Avvah Rossi is the Director of Horticulture at the Naval Cemetery Landscape. She is a horticulturist and ISA-certified arborist and has experience from many American botanical gardens, public parks and historic gardens. Avvah works at the Naval Cemetery Landscape with staff to help maintain the plantings and space and support visitors' engagement with their biodiversity, ecology and history. She also works on Brooklyn Greenway Initiative's stewardship and greening projects along the greenway. Previously she has curated and cared for botanic collections including a Balkans Rare and Endemic Plant Collection and managed a cut flower garden and a minifarm/vegetable garden and orchards, planning and overseeing over 7500 pounds in annual yield for the local food bank. She completed California Naturalist training and enjoys learning about and working with plant communities and local, native flora with an interest in applying this in effective horticultural management of multifarious public spaces. She has a belief that a foundation of plant science and research-based approaches can help any level of gardener or visitor to gardens.

HEALTH & SAFETY: We expect all attendees to follow NYC Coronavirus Guidelines.

NB: A photographer will be taking photos of this event for our website. If you attend this event and do not wish to have your photo posted to our website, PLEASE let us know in your reservation and we will accommodate.

NB: By attending this event, you agree that The Metropolitan Society of Natural Historians, Inc., its officers, its event organizers and leaders are in no way responsible for any injuries, illness or property damage that occur during or as a result of this event or travel to and from the event location.

We hope to see you there!

The Officers of the MSNH