Birchwood Neighborhood Association Meeting

Birchwood Elementary School     May 24, 2010     6:30-8:00 pm

Board Members in attendance:

Adrienne Battis, Pres.   John Coleman, V P.      Linda Long, Treas.      Dan Welch                              

Barb Campbell, Sec.    Becky Schlotterback            Andrew Davis

Welcome: Adrienne Battis, President, welcomed neighbors to the meeting.  Recognition was given to Little Caesar’s for donated pizzas.

Announcements: 

Picnic:  Adrienne Battis announced that the Annual Birchwood Neighborhood Picnic would be held on Sunday, August 1^st, from 4-6pm.  There will be food, games and neighborhood news.  Hamburgers and veggie burgers will be provided.  People are welcome to bring side dishes if they wish.  More information will be sent out by e-mail closer to the picnic date. 

Newsletter:  The Birchwood Newsletter is printed and is available in letterboxes around the neighborhood. 

Faith Lutheran Community Garden:  Andrew Davis announced that Faith Lutheran Church on McLeod and Northwest will be creating a community garden with raised-beds.  Neighbors who are interested in garden space should contact Sharon Swanson, pastor at Faith Lutheran. 

Urban Gardens

Dan Welch presented information supporting the development of urban gardens in Birchwood Neighborhood.  Our neighborhood’s large lots make it ideal for preserving of green space and creating garden opportunities for the residents.  Dan introduced several local groups that support the development of urban gardens:

1. Bellingham Food Bank:  Max Morange, Bellingham Food Bank manager, explained the various ways that the Food Bank uses local farming to support its clients.  The Food Bank has a 3-acre farm that produces food for the Food Bank.  It has also created raised bed-gardens for low-income families.  Small Potatoes is an organization that uses volunteers to glean local produce for the Food Bank.  If you have produce to be gleaned or would like to volunteer, contact Max Morange at the Food Bank.
2. B.U.G.S.  The Bellingham Urban Garden Syndicate started 6 month ago.  They are promoting urban food production by providing resources and education.  Various landowners have allowed this group to develop 9 garden plots.  Go to their website at www.bellinghamurbangardens.org to find out more about the group and classes they offer.
3. Homestead Habitats: This landscape design group, located on Cedarwood Ave. offers consultation, installation and education for an ecological approach to landscaping.  They were very active in the design of the Birchwood School garden. 
4. Whatcom School Garden Collective:  There are 11 schools that are members of this collective.  The member schools have access to a garden educator who will help them get the garden activities integrated into the school curriculum.    Shuksan Middle School garden stared in March 2010 and had a work party on April 17^th.  They have received a $5000 grant for native plants, which will be planted soon.  Starbucks has also contributed funds and volunteer hours to the project.  Many students work in the garden as part of the service-learning program.    Birchwood Elementary School garden is in its second year.  They also had a native plant grant and funds from Starbucks.  Lowe’s has provided a $5000 grant that the school plans to use for a tool shed and covered learning center.  Future projects include showcase gardens and garden visits.  Volunteers are needed to continue watering and maintaining the garden this summer.  If you are interested in becoming a “garden angel”, contact Kelly Morgan at Birchwood Elementary, kmorgan@bham.wednet.edu.
5. Backyard Beans and Grains:  Krista Rome, BBGP Director, explained the value of using seed that are grown in our own region.   She is able to provide seed kits and technical assistance for gardeners and farmers who wish to develop and share local seeds.  You can contact her at gardenmentors@yahoo.com.

The next general BNA meeting will be Tuesday, September 28^th.