Green Jay Landscape Design

Green Jay Landscape Design

(914) 560-6570

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Earth Day is officially April 22nd, but Fairfield County, CT is celebrating all month long! We’ve compiled a calendar of local events, ranging from kid-friendly activities to community clean ups to virtual expert panels. If you know of any additional Fairfield County Earth Month events we should add to the list, let us know!

Conservation Norwalk: A Present Day History | Virtual Panel

Thursday April 15, 2021 | 5:30 PM

“This panel discussion will include guest presenters from Norwalk’s leading conservation organizations including the Norwalk Land Trust, Norwalk River Valley Trail, Norwalk River Watershed Association, Norwalk Tree Alliance and Oak Hills Park Nature Advisory Committee. Discover each organization’s history in preserving land and open space in Norwalk, as well as their past, current, and future endeavors. The discussion will conclude with a Q & A moderated by Norwalk Historical Society Executive Director, Diane Jellerette.”

Registration is required, sign up & more info here.

Spring Trail Fix with Darien Land Trust

Sunday April 18th 2021 | 11 AM – 1 PM

Selleck’s and Dunlap Woods

3 Parklands Dr Darien, CT

Bring gloves and whatever tools you have (rake, fork, wheelbarrow) for an annual trail repair & clean up in Darien. Learn more here.

Out with the Bad: In with the Native | Virtual Panel

Monday April 19th 2021 | 7-9 PM

Hosted by Wakeman Town Farm and Westport Pollinator Pathways, this workshop will delve into editing non-beneficial or invasive plants out of your garden and replacing them with highly ecologically beneficial native plants. Plant it and the pollinators will come! Read about the event here and register here.

Designing Biodiversity at McKeon Farm: Meadows and Hedgerows as Opportunities for Pollinators 

Thursday April 22nd 2021 | 7 PM – 8:30 PM

Ridgefield Library 472 Main Street Ridgefield , CT

“For the past year, the Ridgefield Conservation Commission has worked in close collaboration with landscape designer Evan Abramson, Principal of Landscape Interactions, to transform McKeon Farm in Ridgefield, CT into a regional biodiversity hotspot for pollinator species. Join Abramson, Pollinator Systems Designer, and Ridgefield Conservation Commissioner, Kitsey Snow for an in-depth exploration of the landscape design process at McKeon Farm.

Gardeners, farmers, landscape designers, conservation organizations, and local governments all play a vital role in strengthening, expanding and enhancing regional biodiversity, ecological health, and climate change resilience. On conservation properties, residential landscapes, farms, roadsides, schools, and solar projects, functionally diverse native pollinator habitats can serve as building blocks for linking intact natural areas across a fragmented landscape.

But what to plant, when to mow, where to focus on first and how to measure the results? Abramson of Landscape Interactions will present on methods and practices that lead to successful pollinator projects.”

Program description from Ridgefield Public Library. Event limited to 150 people, register on their site.

Earth Day Trivia Night at Earthplace

April 22nd 2021 | 5 PM – 7 PM

Spend the evening at Earthplace’s outdoor amphitheater to test your nature knowledge in trivia! Come with your team and compete against other teams! Entry fee is $40/team. More about the event & registration.

Earth Day 2021: Spring Into Nature | Darien Nature Center

Saturday April 24th 2021 | 10 AM – 3 PM

120 Brookside Road, Darien, CT

Darien Nature Center is hosting an environmental fair with local organizations and activities to inspire sustainable living.  Kid-friendly activities include art projects, animal encounters, a children’s story walk, building a bird feeder, planting herbs and a puppet show!

The event is outdoors, at Cherry Lawn Park, and requires advanced ticket purchase.  $50 per vehicle. No walk-ins. More info here. 

Live Like Luke Beach Clean Up At Tod’s Point

Saturday April 24th 2021 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Second annual Live Like Luke Beach Cleanup will take place on Saturday. Bring your own mask, gloves, and bucket, and make sure to register for a timeslot. The event honors Luke Meyers, an environmentalist and GHS student who lost his battle to cancer in 2019. Sponosred by Greenwich Green & Clean.

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Green Jay Landscape Design

914.560.6570

Happy Earth Month! We’ve compiled a list of fabulous community Earth Day events taking place across Westchester County, NY and Dutchess County, NY. Events range from family-friendly kid events, to community clean ups & plantings, to tips and resources for healthy yards and sustainable living. Let us know what you plan on attending!

Community Pollinator Planting & Clean Up Day

Saturday April 17, 2021 | 9 – 11 AM

Volunteers will visit five locations in different towns of lower Westchester to help clean up and beautify the space with pollinator plantings! See the list of participating towns and locations below. All locations will be active from 9 -11 am.

Rye Town – Crawford Park

Rye Brook – Village Hall

City of Rye – Rye Town Park

Port Chester – Train Station

Mamaroneck – Station Plaza

More information here.

A meadow at Old Field Preserve.

Bedford Audubon Bird Walk at Oldfield Preserve

Saturday April 17th 2021 |8-9:30 AM

Old Field Preserve, Waccabuc, NY 

Bedford Audubon in partnership with Lewisboro Land Trust will be hosting a bird observation walk in a rare shrubland habitat. Over 100 species of birds have been observed on-site, and the walk will focus on identifying early migrating songbirds. Free admission. Space is limited and registration is required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713.

Green Ossining’s 10th Annual Earth Day Festival

Saturday April 17 – 25th 2021

Throughout Ossining – see calendar of events. 

This year’s festivities run throughout a week, allowing the festival to accommodate numerous events of different scales, to ensure safety and social distance. Events include community-wide cleanup, a petting zoo, events at local farms, healthy eating & cooking classes, hands-on kids’ activities, art & artisanal goods sale, New York farm beer tastings, composting classes, tree plantings in parks, and live music events. Register for specific events on their website.

Signs of Spring Educational Hike

Sunday April 18th 2021 | 2-4 PM

Onatru Farm Park | 99 Elmwood Rd, South Salem, NY

Naturalist Taro Letaka will lead a moderate hike through the Onatru Reservation, teaching us the signs of spring from ephemerals to migrating birds. Registration is limited to 30 attendees. Secure your spot here.

Virtual Panel: The Ecological Value and Sustainability of Yards

Wednesday April 21st 2021 | 6-7 PM

Hosted by Amanda Bayley of PLAN it WILD, this community conversation will delve into how residential yards can be part of the climate change solution. Expert panelists include:

  • Peter Groffman Ph.D., Professor, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, Environmental Science Initiative.
  • Midge Iorio, Executive Director, Bedford 2030.
  • Peter McCartt, Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability, Westchester County.
  • Andy Reinmann Ph.D., Assistant Professor, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center.

Virtual admission is free with RSVP and valid email address. To register and learn more about the PLAN it WILD mission, please visit www.PLANitWILD.com/news or facebook.com/PLANitWILD.

Cranberry Lake Clean Up

Friday April 23rd 2021 | 10 AM – 1 PM

Cranberry Lake Preserve, West Harrison, NY

Westchester Parks Foundation and Westchester County Parks are hosting a cleanup event at Cranberry Lake as part of the Pitch In for Parks Initiative. Volunteers will help rake, weed and remove trash. All tools will be provided but please arrive with a face mask! More info here.

Walking the Trail Workshops

Saturday April 24th 2021 | 10 AM – 4 PM

World Peace Sanctuary | 26 Benton Road, Wassiac, NY

Michael Gulbrandsen, a “Listener of Nature’s Whispers,” guides us on two meditative Earth Day nature walks. The day begins at 10 AM with a Morning Tranquility Walk – a wellness walk focusing on how to immerse yourself in nature and receive all of its healing benefits. After lunch, the Afternoon Fairy Walk starts at 1:30 pm – a perfect activity for kiddos, as they will be picking locations for fairy houses! The day culminates in Nature’s Sound Circle – a music circle to celebrate the sounds of nature! Suggested donation for each walk is $20. See below for full details.

Weinberg Nature Center Earth Day Celebrations

Saturday April 24th 2021 | 9 AM – 6 PM

455 Mamaroneck Rd, Scarsdale, NY

The Weinberg Nature Center Earth Day event will feature three programs:

  • 9-11 AM Rise & Shine! At Weinberg Nature Center: Led by Weinberg’s Director and Village Naturalist, Same Weinstock, and Marua Mandrano, a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator, the morning program will discuss spring bird migrations, observations of local wildlife, and making a camp fire!
  • 1-2:30 PM Spring Mindfulness: Tuning Your Observations and Enjoying New Leaves: Rob Lieblin, outdoor and environmental educator, will lead the group in ecology activities to help us better observe, appreciate and identify with nature.
  • 4-5:30 PM Reconnecting with Our Planet: Cindy Olsen, certified Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guide and founder of Cindy By Nature, will speak about how humans have historically moved against and away from nature.  She will explore how to reconnect with the planet during a nature walk packed with engaging discovery activities. 

In between events, attendees can visit with the farm animals, engage with instructors, or picnic on the grounds! Cost of admission: $45 for the day. More info here.

How To Start a Community Garden | FCWC Student Steering Committee | Virtual Presentation

Saturday April 24th 2021 |12 PM – 1 PM

A presentation by the Federated Conservationists of Westchester County Student Steering Committee.  This program explores how community gardens can mitigate habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity and pollinators, and promote healthy soil conservation. Join the presentation here.

Mount Kisco Earth Day Celebration

Saturday April 24th 2021 |11 AM – 2 PM

Mount Kisco Village Hall

Mount Kisco’s Earth Day event features keynote speaker Nigel Sizer, a local resident and Chief Global Alliance Officer of the Rainforest Alliance. The event will include live music from 12-2 and feature many local environmental organizations including Mt. Kisco Pollinator Pathways, Healthy Yards, Sustainable Westchester and more! Learn more on the Facebook Event Page.

Healthy Yards / Bedford 2030 Earth Day Celebration 

Sunday May 2nd 2021 | 12 PM – 4 PM

Bedford Hills Train Station, Bedford, NY

Bedford 2030’s annual Earth Day event is back! Highlights include a plant swap & plant sale, composting tutorials, compost for sale (made from Bedford food scraps!!), activities for kids, live music and more!!

Know of an Earth Day event taking place in New York that should be on our list? Let us know, we’d love to promote it!

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Green Jay Landscape Design

914-560-6570

It’s been a busy start to 2021, planning and designing a slew of ecological landscapes and slotting construction dates for the spring and summer. After a year stuck at home, it’s no surprise that the home improvement industry is booming, particularly for those in landscaping. It seems the pandemic has shed new light on the value of serenity at home – safe outdoor spaces to relax, reconnect with nature, and recreate with family. We’ve compiled some recent Landscape Design Plans and Proposals from projects in Westchester County as examples. If you are considering renovating your landscape in 2021, contact us to schedule your consultation.

Certified Wildlife Habitat & Pollinator Pathway in New Rochelle 

Jay titled this project, ReWilding for the Love of Nature and the Advancement of Civilization, and the design goals are no less ambitious! This New Rochelle property needs “editing” of plants that lack ecological and ornamental value (like the English Ivy that got a little too comfortable).  In lieu, we selected a range of native shrubs, perennials and ground covers that will create a cohesive habitat on the property. As with all of our organic properties, success starts with the soil.  For this project, we plan to construct berms for some plantings, and enhance all planting areas with organic compost and soil amendments. Redirecting stormwater pipes will also improve growing conditions. 

An excerpt from the design proposal:  

No one knows better than you how proximity to nature enriches your life. The Earth nourishes and provides. Through mindful, caring rehabilitation of your existing landscape, we will create a vibrantly verdant eco-scape which will encourage and invite a tremendous biodiversity of life into the landscape, from the soil food web (which is the basis for all biological life) to the leaves of the treetop canopy.

To support, promote, and nurture nature, we will disturb the land with purpose and good intentions. The soil base will be improved, enhanced and amended by the addition of premium quality compost, engineered soil, biochar and bio stimulants, etc. Topsoil will used for terraforming a low berm retained with stone to elevate tree and shrub roots above the existing root mass.

The existing PVC pipes which discharge onto the lawn will be diverted to a sub grade Flow Well (NDS) to allow for infiltration and ground water recharge. This also contributes to and supplements the irrigation system for ease of maintenance.

Natural Stone Masonry & Pollinator Habitat Design in Hastings on Hudson, NY

This client desired a more conducive play area for their family.  We proposed some minor grading of the rear lawn, using a rip rap boulder retaining wall to support the new elevation.  An organic eco-blend lawn will be installed to form a lush play space. Sweeping native plant garden beds will disguise the new wall, and natural stone steps will allow you to explore the woodland garden below. A natural bluestone garden path guides you from the front yard landscape to backyard playscape. 

Excerpts from the design proposal:

We intend to create a naturally beautiful, peaceful landscape which will increase your enjoyment of your home and outdoor space. Installation of a sustainable organic lawn will compliment your large patio. The landscape planting will create a relaxed, colorful composition providing color, fragrance and interest through the seasons. An essential benefit of ecologically based design will establish a healthy biological ecosystem to attract beneficial wildlife. Birds and pollinators will happily inhabit your flowering native perennial flowers and fruiting shrubs. 

Shambala: Lakeside Paradise in Peekskill, NY

We will create a beautiful, natural landscape which will flow from the upper hillside to the lakefront in a gentle sweep of vibrant colors, varied shapes and textures. A dramatic progression of bloom will accompany the seasons of your life, caressing the breeze with sweet flowering fragrance. The diversity and variety of predominately native plants will thrive in your newly invigorated landscape, bringing together all creatures of land & sky to find sanctuary and refuge in the loving arms of your inviting hillside habitat, secure in the generous bounty propitiously provided.

Can you picture it? Sounds heavenly.  Unfortunately, there is much remediation work to be done before the lovely landscape install. From the Letter of Intent for Ecological Restoration 

The land surface has suffered significant erosion, scouring and loss of sediment along slope and lakeshore due to stormwater impacts and lack of adequate vegetative cover. Restoration, soil stabilization, stormwater management and bio habitat will be achieved by restoring the property to the original, life sustaining soil conditions without significant change in the grade of the slope.

The scope of work includes:

  • Removal of exotic, invasive weed species
  • Amending and refurbishing with engineered soil (80% mineral based, 20% high grade organic compost)
  • Soil stabilization via bioengineering with vegetated swale terraforming
  • Strategic placement of natural stone boulders (partially submerged for retention)
  • Biodegradable Jutte netting, mulch and straw blankets to be employed during mass planting of predominately native plants selected for adaption to mesic environment. 

Pollinator Pathways is spreading with incredibly encouraging speed and enthusiasm throughout New England.  The organization’s mission is to promote pollinator-friendly landscapes throughout geographic areas, to help connect habitats and bridge the gap of development and habitat destruction.  Connecticut is leading the way with many local divisions in Fairfield County, especially in Darien, CT.  Through these grassroots efforts, we’ve been able to connect with new, like-minded clients to help bring their Pollinator Pathway landscape to fruition.  We’ve gathered our favorite Pollinator Pathway Darien landscapes, designed and installed by Green Jay Landscape Design, to help inspire—and hopefully motivate—you to do the same in your landscape! 

Bird & pollinator designed habitat landscape in Darien, CT.

Bird and Pollinator Sanctuary in Darien, CT

This bird-loving client wanted to devote the entire landscape to a bird sanctuary.  Of course, to attract birds, you must supply what birds eat: berries, caterpillars, and other insects. The best way to achieve a buffet for birds is to plant native – these plants are hosts for pollinators and insects and are an important part of the ecological food chain in many respects.

We designed numerous native pollinator gardens for the different microclimates throughout the property.  A cascading water feature also attracts birds to bathe in and drink from.

Designing a Bird Sanctuary: Part One: Site Development & Stormwater

Designing a Bird Sanctuary: Part Two: Layout, Planting & Masonry

In-progress shot of the fall installation of this terraced permaculture pollinator habitat.

Terraced Permaculture Front Yard Garden in Darien, CT

This front yard permaculture garden was too fun to design! Permaculture emphasizes making land more productive while respecting natural ecological systems.  This garden employs fruit-producing trees and shrubs, and as a result needed a fair share of pollinator-attracting perennials for any of the plants to produce berries! We had a blast designing with a mix of native and non-natives to “stack functions” and create habitat for pollinators.  A Pollinator Pathway property no doubt!

Learn more about the project on our previous blog: 

Front Yard Permaculture Landscape w Garden Terraces & Chicken Enclosure

We are BIG fans of the grassroots organization Pollinator Pathways – a nonprofit promoting pollinator-friendly, organic land stewardship, in a coordinated effort across geographic regions, to create a network of essential habitats.  We are also beyond amazed at how quickly this organization is gaining traction and spreading the word. What started as a localized in Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT has spread to include much of Connecticut and New York, as well as Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Oregon! We’ve designed many pollinator gardens along this Pollinator Pathway, including many in our homebase of Rye, NY.  Below we’ve compiled our Rye Pollinator Pathways projects, we hope it inspires and motivates you to do the same on your property! 

Healthy Yard Tour at the Secret Garden of Celestial Happiness

Last summer, GJL hosted Bedford 2030’s Healthy Yard Tour at Jay’s home in Rye, NY.  This masterpiece garden is a Certified Wildlife Habitat and part of Rye’s Pollinator Pathways. See photos from the tour here.

Photo of Jay’s front yard pollinator garden in late summer. Rye, NY.

Read more about the evolution of Jay’s home landscape habitat on our previous blogs:

Wildlife Habitat Certification at Home  in Rye, NY

Secret Garden of Celestial Happiness: Design & Installation

Wild Garden Waterscape: Portfolio Photos

Outdoor Classroom: Designing Pollinator Pathways in Rye, NY

This Landscape Design Master Plan was our Top Landscape Design of 2019. The client was a garden enthusiast with a large family.  He wanted to create a space for his children to be with nature, to notice and appreciate its intricacies.  We designed several native plant pollinator gardens across different site conditions: the sunny poolside pollinator garden; the native woodland walk pollinator garden; the practical rain garden that attracts pollinator and birds. This property boasts immense habitat value and most certainly qualifies for Pollinator Pathways Rye.

Learn more about the project: Designing an Ecological Playscape in Rye, NY

Full Sun Pollinator Border Garden 

Right on the border of Harrison and Rye, NY this stunning property involved landscape grading, an organic lawn installation, and adding a number of new native plant gardens. Pictured is the terraced border garden composed of native shrubs, ornamental grasses and long-blooming, pollinator-attracting perennials for full sun.  

Learn more about the project on our previous blogs:

Backyard Grading, Organic Lawn Installation & Terrace Garden

[VIDEO] Terraforming, Organic Lawn Installation & Terrace Pollinator Garden

Pollinator Pathways Recommended Reading 

If you enjoyed these projects, catch up on our past blogs about pollinator garden design & Pollinator Pathways!

The Truth About Pollinator Pathways and Organics

Uniting the Buzz: The Case for Pollinator Pathways in Westchester County and Fairfield County

They say it takes a village to raise a child.  The same is true for impacting community-wide responsible land stewardship!  That’s why we are proud to announce our latest partners in ecological landscaping. This 2021 season we will be collaborating with local experts in organic plant health care, organic garden maintenance and vegetable garden installations.  Learn about our new partners below!

Compost Werks

We’ve been proponents of Compost Werks products from the beginning.  Their Instant Compost Tea is an amazing way to naturally boost the diversity of soil microbes in your garden.  Soil microbes are KEY to making nutrients available in your organic garden.

A range of organic gardening products by Compost Werks.

Learn more about cultivating healthy soil microbial communities on our pervious blog. Our friends at Compost Werk will be performing Organic Plant Health Care for all of Green Jay’s holistic maintenance clients.

An autonomous lawn mower by Rolling Lawns.

Compost Werks has all partnered with Rolling Lawns to deploy their robotic, autonomous lawn mowers. Yes you read that right! These mowers stay on-site and mulch-mow your lawn every day. It doesn’t get much easier than that!  We could not be more thrilled about this partnership! 

A garden designed and maintained by Sweet Clover Designs.

Sweet Clover Designs

Max Apton of Sweet Clover Designs has a rich background in responsible land stewardship.  He worked for years as the Vegetable Field Manager at the famous Stone Barn’s Center for Food & Agriculture and studied landscape design at NYBG.

Max Upton of Sweet Clover Designs

His new firm, Sweet Clover Designs, will be assisting with Ecological Garden Maintenance at Green Jay. We are excited to work with Max and his team! 

A vegetable garden designed, installed & maintained by Homefront Farmers.

Homefront Farmers 

We have long admired Homefront Farmers’ work: beautiful and tidy organic vegetable gardens of any scale.  They design, install and maintain veggie gardens that are completely customizable and catered to what you want to grow and eat! It’s never been easier to eat healthy and sustainably. We are overjoyed to announce our partnership with Homefront Farmers for all future vegetable garden projects. They are simply the best in the business! 

Photo by Environmental Irrigation Systems.

Environmental Irrigation Systems

In 2021, we are continuing to work with Tom Zahn of Environmental Irrigation Systems for all of our irrigation needs. Tom is a master in drip irrigation systems that are organized into customized zones based on each garden’s moisture requirements. Smart irrigation systems allow the irrigation to adapt based on current weather conditions to minimize water waste during storm events and increase irrigation during drought periods.

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Green Jay Landscape Design

914-560-6570