This year’s conference theme is inspired by BBG’s newly opened Shelby White and Leon Levy Water Garden. The Water Garden, which includes a pond, rock weir and forebay, brook, and riparian plantings, is a part of the ongoing, multifaceted Water Conservation Project. The first such project of its scale and complexity in North America, it promises to serve as a model for reducing dependence on freshwater and lessening combined sewer overflow. With a day of workshops, panel discussions, films, and more, “Connecting the Drops” will give special attention to water wisdom, interconnectedness, and citizen action. “Big solutions to a wide variety of 21st-century challenges—including drought and food scarcity—can be accomplished for small costs. They are solutions that are regenerative over the long haul, meaning they replete rather than deplete people, animals, plants, soil, and other natural resources. A look at this amazing toolbox of regenerative, profitable, and scalable solutions shows that nature still knows best.” Learn more about the workshops offered. Register the morning of the event to secure a spot in the workshop of your choosing. Arrive early to get your first choices. You may choose one morning and one afternoon workshop, space permitting. Bridge over Troubled Waters: Connecting with Our Local Waterways Examining the Plant-Water Connection Aquaponics 101 Celebrating Our Farming Traditions Conserving Water with Compost Facing Our Lead Legacy Farm the Rain Grow a Native Rainbow Garden Hydroponics DIY Tour the New Water Garden NYC as Ecosystem Rookie Seed Starting on the Go Aquaponics 101 Celebrating Our Farming Traditions Conserving Water with Compost Facing Our Lead Legacy Farm the Rain Grow a Native Rainbow Garden Hydroponics DIY Tour the New Water Garden Morning Workshops The final schedule will be listed at registration. You may choose one morning and one afternoon workshop, space permitting. Arrive early to get your first choices. Sandwiches, soups, and salads are available for purchase. Wilbur A. Levin Keynote Address The final schedule will be listed at registration. You may choose one morning and one afternoon workshop, space permitting. Arrive early to get your first choices. 36th Annual Making Brooklyn Bloom
Connecting the Drops
Wilbur A. Levin Keynote Address
Grassroots: Regenerative Solutions for a Changing World
Courtney White, Author and Environmental Activist
Workshops
Willis Elkins, Newtown Creek Alliance; Matt Malina, NYC H2O; Andrea Parker, Gowanus Canal Conservancy
For many of us it’s hard to remember that we live in what Walt Whitman called “the city of hurried and sparkling waters”—an archipelago, or chain of islands, located in one of the world’s largest natural harbors. Discover how these educators and environmentalists are turning urban stories of pollution into ones of regeneration and how you can join the folks making waves to protect our local water.
Emily Carter and Ashley Gagnay, BBG
Plants use water in complex ways. Take a closer look at this vital relationship and its connections to people. You’ll even make a small terrarium to take home!
Yemi Amu, Oko Farms
Want a salad with that responsibly raised tilapia? Aquaponics is a revolutionary, sustainable system for farming fish while recycling fish waste into plant food. Learn the basics from an accomplished urban aquaculturist currently growing fish, vegetables, and herbs in Bushwick.
Darryl Montgomery, Hancock Community Backyard Garden Park; Ijendu Obasi, GreenThumb
Whether planting a small bed or an urban farm, we bring history and vast experience to bear in every garden plot. By combining traditional knowledge with new online tools, let’s take the guesswork out of planning a bountiful vegetable garden this season.
Claudia Navas and Cuyler Remick, NYC Compost Project Hosted by BBG
The virtues of using compost are endless, but some are better known than others. Find out how compost helps us conserve and steward soil and water—vital tasks for urban gardeners!
Franziska Landes, Columbia University
Our inheritance of urban soil contamination can seem daunting, yet knowledge is power. Learn how researchers hope to engage gardeners as citizen scientists to test local soils and address this issue head-on.
Lenny Librizzi, GrowNYC
As much of the world struggles with drought, more New Yorkers are asking, Why do we let the rain slip through our fingers? Enjoy an introduction to rainwater harvesting and learn to make the most of this precious, free resource right where it falls.
Bella Ciabattoni, 2016 BBG Intern
Native plants sometimes get an unfair rap as being unsuitable for ornamental gardens. This colorful, pollinator-friendly, season-by-season garden plan will show you how to break that stereotype in a border or container garden.
Fabiana Cellini, NYC DOE—Environmental Study Center
Hydroponics is the process of growing plants in nutrient-rich water instead of soil. This workshop demystifies the process of starting your own simple indoor garden and shares ideas for using hydroponics in the classroom.
Katherine Patton, BBG Garden Guide
BBG’s groundbreaking Water Garden and ongoing Water Conservation Project, the first of its kind in North America, are really making a splash. Learn how they promise to serve as a beautiful model for reducing dependence on freshwater and lessening combined sewer overflow. Weather permitting.
Uli Lorimer, BBG
The splendors of the natural world exist at the edge of the city and even at our doorsteps. The curator of BBG’s historic Native Flora Garden illustrates ways urban gardeners can better appreciate and heal the natural ecological systems all around us.
Kate Abrams and Lana Guardo, 2016 BBG Interns
This workshop will help you start your plants off right, introducing you to choosing seed and preparing growing mediums. Plus, get instructions for making a simple, mobile cart that’s perfect for taking your seed-starting show on the road.
Yemi Amu, Oko Farms
Want a salad with that responsibly raised tilapia? Aquaponics is a revolutionary, sustainable system for farming fish while recycling fish waste into plant food. Learn the basics from an accomplished urban aquaculturist currently growing fish, vegetables, and herbs in Bushwick.
Darryl Montgomery, Hancock Community Backyard Garden Park; Ijendu Obasi, GreenThumb
Whether planting a small bed or an urban farm, we bring history and vast experience to bear in every garden plot. By combining traditional knowledge with new online tools, let’s take the guesswork out of planning a bountiful vegetable garden this season.
Claudia Navas and Cuyler Remick, NYC Compost Project Hosted by BBG
The virtues of using compost are endless, but some are better known than others. Find out how compost helps us conserve and steward soil and water—vital tasks for urban gardeners!
Franziska Landes, Columbia University
Our inheritance of urban soil contamination can seem daunting, yet knowledge is power. Learn how researchers hope to engage gardeners as citizen scientists to test local soils and address this issue head-on.
Lenny Librizzi, GrowNYC
As much of the world struggles with drought, more New Yorkers are asking, Why do we let the rain slip through our fingers? Enjoy an introduction to rainwater harvesting and learn to make the most of this precious, free resource right where it falls.
Bella Ciabattoni, 2016 BBG Intern
Native plants sometimes get an unfair rap as being unsuitable for ornamental gardens. This colorful, pollinator-friendly, season-by-season garden plan will show you how to break that stereotype in a border or container garden.
Fabiana Cellini, NYC DOE—Environmental Study Center
Hydroponics is the process of growing plants in nutrient-rich water instead of soil. This workshop demystifies the process of starting your own simple indoor garden and shares ideas for using hydroponics in the classroom.
Emily Sachar, BBG Garden Guide
BBG’s groundbreaking Water Garden and ongoing Water Conservation Project, the first of its kind in North America, are really making a splash. Learn how they promise to serve as a beautiful model for reducing dependence on freshwater and lessening combined sewer overflow. Weather permitting.Schedule
Registration and coffee in the Steinberg Visitor Center
Please note this year’s change of venue.
Register the day of the event to secure space for workshops and the keynote address.
Lunch at the Yellow Magnolia Canteen (Steinberg Visitor Center)
Bring Your Lunch Break-Out Sessions
Bring lunch to join the conversation and the action:
Activities
in the Auditorium
“Grassroots: Regenerative Solutions for a Changing World,” presented by Courtney White, Author and Environmental ActivistAfternoon Workshops
Pick up a spring gift bag as you leave!
Support
Leadership Support, Community Greening Programs
Major Sponsor, Community Greening Programs
Additional Support, Making Brooklyn Bloom
Making Brooklyn Bloom is part of Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Green Garden, Green City initiative.
Major Sponsor, Green Garden, Green City
