A new RCMG project brings a natural green space to the Old Rondo neighborhood and creates access to nature, wellness opportunities, and environmental education opportunities
7/03/2024
About this Project
The Pilgrim Baptist Church Community Garden project used the Miyawaki Method (learn more in the "Making of a Mini-Forest" documentary trailer by Angelina Lee) to establish a home for 20-native species. The Mini Forest/Greenscreen was planted along the northeast corner of Pilgrim’s Community Garden at 732 W. Central Ave. St. Paul. On a Friday in early May 2024, the 5th grade science students from Maxfield Elementary School planted 150 tree seedlings. Later that weekend during a community planting day event, over 300 trees seedlings were planted. Following planting of the Mini-Forest and mulching, we enjoyed some food together, and then took a short stroll to the historic Rondo Plaza in recognition of and to root this greening project into - the local community.
The goal of Pilgrim's Community Garden project is to bring a natural green space to the Old Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul that will create access to nature, wellness opportunities, and environmental education opportunities for this community.
Each planting session starts with a welcome to the Garden, a brief introduction to the project of the day, and planting instructions. We end the work days “Thanking” all our partners who are come together to make the project happen,
It’s important to the team this project with young people from the community and form long-lasting relationships with this forest. These students benefit from the experience of the volunteers in the RCMG organization, who teach them how to care for the garden and forest. This is an opportunity to nurture a relationship between future mini forest and the elementary students three blocks away. Another important part of this project is the connection with the U of M Engineer Students Without Borders. They added a rainwater catchments system from new gutters on the garden shed, constructed new composting area, accessible pathways and six raised garden boxes.
Comments from the Community
Hello Green-screen Volunteers!
On a cold rainy May 4th Saturday, I'm writing to echo Nate and Melvin's words of thanks for coming out and helping us reestablish a native plant community at Pilgrim’s Community Garden. I am looking forward to seeing the green-screen build the soil, cool the immediate area, support pollination at the community garden, be beautiful, and more, as it grows.
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A special thanks to the MN Department of Natural Resources for financial, technical, planning, volunteer, and moral support for Pilgrim’s Green-screen, and for documenting the event with pictures, video, and a conservation.
Thanks also to Great River Greening for providing the tools, facilitating soil prep and mulching, volunteer support, and for ongoing watering support. Thanks to Ramsey County Master Gardeners and many others for showing up in force in the early morning rain!
Thanks to everyone who had a part in the early planning stages of this project. And of course, a big thanks to Pilgrim’s Community Garden for hosting the green-screen. (Hannah Lewis, author of the Mini-Forest Revolution book.)
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We had two wonderful days of planting the Green-Screen and creating an educational and community space at Pilgrim’s Garden. It is a great example of what is possible. As Nate described, "We did some wonderful work together & hopefully with documenting the good things going, we can inspire more community partners to work together to our city, state, country, world & make this rock out in space a better place live."
Thank you, all!! This was an incredible pro-active step for environmental and social justice!! Let's keep the momentum flowing and growing. Peace. (Melvin Giles)
Project Summary: Pilgrim Baptist Church Community Garden
Project Lead(s): Nate Galloway
Many thanks to: Jo Sullivan, Mary McCarron & Sarah Hilger & (interns) Allison Keiter, Steve Senty & Myriam Katty
Collaborators: Pilgrim Baptist Church, MN-Department of Natural Resources, Renewing the Countryside, Great River Greening, Urban Farm and Garden Alliance, Ramsey County Master Gardeners, Maxfield Elementary School and the U of M Engineer Students Without Borders.
Project Focus: This project supports the Climate Responsiveness priority of the Master Gardener Volunteer Program: Demonstrate and promote ways to create and maintain resilient landscapes that mitigate and adapt to our changing climate.
Advice: Find some good partners to work with!
Nate Galloway
RCMG volunteer
Pilgrim Baptist Church Community Garden