The 41st annual Making Brooklyn Bloom conference celebrates the Garden’s year-long focus on urban trees. By improving air quality and reducing stormwater runoff, giving us shade on sunny days, and providing wildlife habitat, trees play an undeniable role in mitigating climate change.
The day’s workshops, tours, and keynote address will inspire the equity, advocacy, and care needed to lead us into a more forested future. Visitors will have the opportunity to network with NYC greening organizations in the Palm House.
Arrive early—spots for workshops and the keynote address fill quickly. Garden admission is free for attendees. Walk ups also welcome! Note: Admission does not guarantee space in Making Brooklyn Bloom events. Keynote and workshop registration begins at 10 a.m. in the Palm House, first come, first served. You must be present to register. Email [email protected] by February 21, 2023 to request ASL interpretation. Visit bbg.org/accessibility for more information. “Can urban greening projects address historic injustices, respond to community aspirations, and draw on traditional ecological knowledge? The recent convergence of climate change, racial reckoning, and economic inequities have awakened many to a new era in which urban forests are seen as a central solution. Yet, we need a new framework to help us avoid the pitfalls of both communities without trees and trees without communities.” Register on arrival to secure a spot in the morning and afternoon programs of your choosing. Arrive early to get your first choices, space permitting. Due to limited availability, you must be present to receive a workshop ticket at registration. Workshops repeat at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. There is a different talk in the morning and the afternoon. ASL interpretation will be available for all talks. Emily Nobel Maxwell, The Nature Conservancy
Dr. Vivek Shandas, Professor of Climate Adaptation, Portland State University
Rowan Blaik, Vice President of Horticulture, Brooklyn Botanic Garden Each workshop runs twice, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. & 3–4 p.m. Lily Pool Room Classroom 123 Classroom 236 Classroom 238 Classroom 125 Join an indoor or outdoor tour with one of our Garden Guides. Garden Guide Jennifer Napoli Garden Guide Katherine Patton Garden Guide Kathryn Hodges Garden Guide Kit Schneider Click or tap below for full-size map. Morning Workshops, Talks & Tours: You may choose one morning and one afternoon workshop, space permitting. See descriptions above. Look for signage in classrooms and the Palm House and on the Conservatory Terrace for areas to sit, eat your lunch, and chat with fellow attendees. Snacks and lunches are also available for purchase in the Palm House. Wilbur A. Levin Keynote Address
Tapping The Power Of Trees: How The Urban Forest Will Save Cities
Wilbur A. Levin Keynote Address
Deeply Rooted: Traditional Knowledge, Equity, and a New Era in Urban Forestry
Dr. Vivek Shandas, Professor of Climate Adaptation, Portland State University
Workshops, Talks & Tours
Auditorium Talks
Speak for the Trees: 30x35
What is the state of the urban forest in New York City? How can community groups and property owners work with government to expand our local urban forest for the benefit of all? Achieving at least 30% tree canopy cover in NYC by 2035 means increasing equity, building community, adapting to extreme weather, and reducing temperatures in the most heat vulnerable neighborhoods. Learn about the NYC Urban Forest Agenda and how you can get involved.
Deeply Rooted: Traditional Knowledge, Equity, and a New Era in Urban Forestry
In the Wilbur A. Levin Keynote Address, Shandas addresses the question, Can urban greening projects address historic injustices, respond to community aspirations, and draw on traditional ecological knowledge?
Protecting the Health of the Urban Forest
One frequent visitor question is: How does BBG care for and protect its trees? Hear from a plant and tree expert whose work is dedicated to monitoring and guarding the Garden’s arboreal treasures. Learn lessons you can take back to the treasured trees in your life.
Classroom Workshops
Bees, Trees, and Beans: Stories of Vanilla’s Ecological Interdependence
Maya Marie S., Deep Routes
Vanilla has long been prized for its floral, sweet yet smoky smell and taste. But do you know about vanilla’s origins and the complex, interdependent relationships that make its existence possible? Learn vanilla’s botanical wonders while making vanilla extract and reflecting on our relationship with this beloved spice.
Beginning With a Seed
Joanne D’Auria, HortAbility
A great workshop for beginning gardeners! Learn the basics of seed types and life cycles. How do gardeners coax the most out of seeds and how does seed-starting compare to other forms of propagation? You’ll start some seeds for your garden or windowsill.Street Tree Stewardship—Lessons from the Greenest Block
Perri Edwards, Althea Joseph, Jaime Joyeaux, and Lauren Wilson, Preserving Lincoln’s Abundant Natural Treasures (P.L.A.N.T.s)
The gardeners of P.L.A.N.T.s—two-time winners of BBG’s Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest—will share their insights and expertise on the preservation our tree neighbors need. Learn street tree care basics and how to use a love of trees to organize, motivate, and inspire connections on your block. What Does Racial Equity Have to Do with Street Trees?
Brandon Otis and Suzy Myers Jackson, Brooklyn Urban Gardeners
Caring for trees can be a liberating act of service and learning. The legacy of redlining means less tree canopy and more pavement in historically Black neighborhoods, which has negative financial, environmental, and health impacts for residents. Get inspired to advocate for more trees in your neighborhood and beyond.Worm Composting at Home
Teddy Tedesco, NYC Compost Project Hosted by BBG
Compost happens—even in your tiny apartment! Learn how to harness the power of red worms to convert your kitchen scraps into black gold, no matter where you live. Special Tours
Trees of Little Caribbean in the Conservatory
Visit the Entry House, Aquatic House, and Tropical Pavilion and learn more about native Caribbean trees like guava and allspice as well as plants from across the globe that have thrived there since colonization. This tour is 30 minutes.
Native Trees on the Garden Grounds
What makes a tree “native” to Brooklyn? Why are native trees, and the relationships all around them, so special?
Learn more while enjoying some early-spring surprises. Bonsai Museum
Inside a small form, bonsai embody a tree’s vast message of compassion and curiosity for nature. Explore Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s world-class Bonsai Collection, one of the largest on display outside Japan. This tour is 30 minutes.
In Your Own Backyard? Tour the Woodland Garden and Maple Grove
Two of BBG’s newest additions, Maple Grove and the Elizabeth Scholtz Woodland Garden are delightful and fully accessible outdoor classrooms full of trees and inspiration for urban gardeners looking to improve their own corner of Brooklyn. Site Map
Schedule
Register the day of the event to secure space for workshops and the keynote address.
Rotunda Activities
Auditorium
“Deeply Rooted: Traditional Knowledge, Equity, and a New Era in Urban Forestry” presented by Dr. Vivek Shandas, professor of climate adaptation, Portland State University
Questions? Contact [email protected] or call 718-623-7250.
Accommodation can be made for visitors in wheelchairs or with limited mobility. If you need additional accessibility accommodation, please contact us at [email protected] by February 21.
Support
Brooklyn Botanic Garden gratefully acknowledges support for its Community Greening programs from Brooklyn Community Foundation, the Family of Wilbur A. Levin, National Grid, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the NYS Assembly and NYS Senate, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the NYC Department of Sanitation, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and the NYC Council.
Leadership Support, Community Greening Programs
Major Sponsor, Community Greening Programs
