 A what now?
It's a tree! It's a moss! No, it's Tree Clubmoss....which is actually a fern ally. Confused yet? Let's break it down! Fern allies are a diverse group of seedless (reproduces through spores) plants that are not true ferns. Essentially, these little dudes are plants that, like ferns, spread by producing and releasing spores instead of seeds. But they aren't ferns. Or trees. Or moss. This perennial evergreen, aka 'Dendrolycopodium obscurum', stays under a foot tall and creeps along the ground, usually in forest areas. Paired with our native ferns this gives us some excellent greenery in the middle of winter! In the fall, this plant releases its spores from green, upright, tubular growths, or "clubs"! Sadly, due to...well...humans, this species of plant is considered endangered in many areas. So if you see some growing, leave it be! Fossils tell us that ancient tree clubmosses grew as much as 130 feet tall and 5 feet around long before the dinosaurs reigned. The spores released from this tiny spreader are so oily and water-resistant they have been used in many ways including powders to soothe chafed skin and protect wounds. Large quantities of the spores were also once used to coat pills to keep them from sticking together. In the early days of photography, the spores were used as flash powder. When ignited, the dry, flammable spores would explode in a brilliant flash of light. Janet Douberly is a brilliant flash of light at Downtown Greens. This article was originally published in the November 2023 edition of Front Porch Magazine. www.frontporchfredericksbueg.com
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 There is a Season
In the over 27 years Downtown Greens has been in existence, it has seen a LOT of changes. Not only within its gardens but also here in town. Homes have been built, dams have been brought down (with only some delay). Our population has grown, we’ve elected new mayors and city officials, new folks have become neighbors, and the river keeps flowing. A goose has become a star, the otters have come back, and our sweet river foxes have had many kits. But one thing that hasn’t changed in Fredericksburg in the past 27 years is its heart and overwhelming sense of welcome. The same could be said about Downtown Greens. So much has changed and yet our roots stay constant. This organization, which started as slightly less than 2 acres, can now boast a whopping 58.8 acres of greenspace being conserved and utilized for and by our community. We’ve had Downhome Balls, Fork It Over Festivals, Downtown Runarounds, block parties, free yard sales, concerts, and Backyard Soirées. We remember times when hand sanitizer meant rinsing the mud off with a garden hose. We struggled along with our community during covid and found ways to support each other until we came through on the other side. Laura Shepherd and Lisa Beaver carved Downtown Greens out of the clay loam, growing flowers, food, and friendships. Sarah Perry came with a sharp mind and an eagerness to watch us grow and took on the mantle of running and greatly expanding this once small community greenspace. And now we enter the next phase. Please welcome our new Executive Director and all round swell guy, Jim Schepmoes! Jim, a native Virginian, has over 20 years of experience working at nonprofits dedicated to preservation and to helping disadvantaged populations. He has a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master's degree from Kent State University. He and his wife, Rita, live on a small farm in King George County with Holly, their barky Beagle and numerous Wyandotte chickens. When asked what about joining the DTG team he was most excited for, Jim said "I am most excited about the expansion of educational opportunities at all levels that the new campus will provide to the community. We will be able to connect many more people with experiential greenspace education." And, of course, what DTG interview would be complete without some lightning round questions! Favorite flower: Cone flower Favorite vegetable: Squash Favorite insect: Dragonfly Favorite Virginia native plant: Cone flower Favorite movie: Citizen Kane In addition to having great taste in flowers and vegetables, Jim brings to the table years of experience, a dedication to the mission, and a fresh take that will help Downtown Greens grow and provide even more opportunities for our community! Please join the staff and Board of Directors in showing Jim a warm Fredericksburg welcome! We look forward to this community standing together as it has done all these years to support our mission, celebrate the gains, and continue to enjoy the greenspaces made possible by our combined efforts. With Jim’s guidance we cannot wait to see how much more we can do and how much further we can grow in the next 27 years. Janet Douberly is Media Manager at Downtown Greens.  There is a Season
In the over 27 years Downtown Greens has been in existence, it has seen a LOT of changes. Not only within its gardens but also here in town. Homes have been built, dams have been brought down (with only some delay). Our population has grown, we’ve elected new mayors and city officials, new folks have become neighbors, and the river keeps flowing. A goose has become a star, the otters have come back, and our sweet river foxes have had many kits. But one thing that hasn’t changed in Fredericksburg in the past 27 years is its heart and overwhelming sense of welcome. The same could be said about Downtown Greens. So much has changed and yet our roots stay constant. This organization, which started as slightly less than 2 acres, can now boast a whopping 58.8 acres of greenspace being conserved and utilized for and by our community. We’ve had Downhome Balls, Fork It Over Festivals, Downtown Runarounds, block parties, free yard sales, concerts, and Backyard Soirées. We remember times when hand sanitizer meant rinsing the mud off with a garden hose. We struggled along with our community during covid and found ways to support each other until we came through on the other side. Laura Shepherd and Lisa Beaver carved Downtown Greens out of the clay loam, growing flowers, food, and friendships. Sarah Perry came with a sharp mind and an eagerness to watch us grow and took on the mantle of running and greatly expanding this once small community greenspace. And now we enter the next phase. Please welcome our new Executive Director and all round swell guy, Jim Schepmoes! Jim, a native Virginian, has over 20 years of experience working at nonprofits dedicated to preservation and to helping disadvantaged populations. He has a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master's degree from Kent State University. He and his wife, Rita, live on a small farm in King George County with Holly, their barky Beagle and numerous Wyandotte chickens. When asked what about joining the DTG team he was most excited for, Jim said "I am most excited about the expansion of educational opportunities at all levels that the new campus will provide to the community. We will be able to connect many more people with experiential greenspace education." And, of course, what DTG interview would be complete without some lightning round questions! Favorite flower: Cone flower Favorite vegetable: Squash Favorite insect: Dragonfly Favorite Virginia native plant: Cone flower Favorite movie: Citizen Kane In addition to having great taste in flowers and vegetables, Jim brings to the table years of experience, a dedication to the mission, and a fresh take that will help Downtown Greens grow and provide even more opportunities for our community! Please join the staff and Board of Directors in showing Jim a warm Fredericksburg welcome! We look forward to this community standing together as it has done all these years to support our mission, celebrate the gains, and continue to enjoy the greenspaces made possible by our combined efforts. With Jim’s guidance we cannot wait to see how much more we can do and how much further we can grow in the next 27 years. Janet Douberly is Media Manager at Downtown Greens.  A what now?
It's a tree! It's a moss! No, it's Tree Clubmoss....which is actually a fern ally. Confused yet? Let's break it down! Fern allies are a diverse group of seedless (reproduces through spores) plants that are not true ferns. Essentially, these little dudes are plants that, like ferns, spread by producing and releasing spores instead of seeds. But they aren't ferns. Or trees. Or moss. This perennial evergreen, aka 'Dendrolycopodium obscurum', stays under a foot tall and creeps along the ground, usually in forest areas. Paired with our native ferns this gives us some excellent greenery in the middle of winter! In the fall, this plant releases its spores from green, upright, tubular growths, or "clubs"! Sadly, due to...well...humans, this species of plant is considered endangered in many areas. So if you see some growing, leave it be! Fossils tell us that ancient tree clubmosses grew as much as 130 feet tall and 5 feet around long before the dinosaurs reigned. The spores released from this tiny spreader are so oily and water-resistant they have been used in many ways including powders to soothe chafed skin and protect wounds. Large quantities of the spores were also once used to coat pills to keep them from sticking together. In the early days of photography, the spores were used as flash powder. When ignited, the dry, flammable spores would explode in a brilliant flash of light. Janet Douberly is a brilliant flash of light at Downtown Greens.  Gardening and Gaiety Under the Moon
If you have ever picked up a copy of The Farmer’s Almanac you may have noticed they talk about the Moon a lot more than you would expect for a gardening guide. That is because many folks who have been in the farming and gardening business follow the practice of letting the phase of the Moon determine how and when they plant their food and flowers! More than just a phase, this practice has been in use for ages and despite its mystical seeming nature, many modern farmers swear by the process as well. Part of the appeal is that it is a simple process and can give you the feeling of having some control over your crop yield which, as we all know, can be unpredictable at times. The basic idea behind gardening by the Moon is that the cycles of the Moon affect plant growth. Just as the Moon’s gravitational pull causes tides to rise and fall, it also affects moisture in the soil. In theory, seeds will absorb more water during the full Moon and the new Moon, when more moisture is pulled to the soil surface. This would cause seeds to swell, resulting in greater germination and better-established plants. While there is no hard scientific evidence proving this method works for the reasons listed, the gardeners that have been using this method for generations will tell you that the proof is in the pudding. (Or maybe it’s in the produce.) Those who follow this practice consider it best to plant certain types of plants during the waning of the Moon (when the Moon gets smaller) and other types during the waxing (when the Moon is filling back up). Practitioners of moon phase planting tend to plant their annual flowers and their fruits and vegetables that grow their food above ground (tomatoes, corn, watermelon, squash. etc) during the waxing of the moon. The waning of the moon is the time to plant flowering bulbs, biennial and perennial flowers, and vegetables that develop crops below ground (onions, potatoes, carrots, radishes, etc.) And while these methods of planting by moon phases haven’t been proven scientifically, we can tell you one thing for sure. This upcoming full Moon on Saturday, October 28th, will be the perfect time to plant your derriére in one of the seats at The Backyard Soirée! Join Downtown Greens for delicious food, drinks, and fun as we raise money for our community greenspace. The event includes live music, hors d'oeuvres by FoodE, fire-pits, the amazing Suzie Anker behind the bar, and so much more. On stage will be Harry Wilson, Eddie and the Peacemakers, Gaye Adegbalola, and Ladia. In addition to the cash bar, there will be a silent auction and Oddbox photo booth will be there to document all the fun. Enjoy a VIP package with friends that includes a private fire pit, smore's kit, and two free drink tickets per person for four people. Get your ticket today and help raise funds while having a blast under the light of the Hunter Moon! Event sponsorships available! Lock in your tickets by using the QR code in the picture above or by going to www.downtowngreens.org/backyard-soiree Janet Douberly is Media Manager at Downtown Greens.  Flora nor Fauna
Late summer and early fall are the best time in Virginia for lovers of the Giant Puffball! Giant Puffballs are mushrooms tend to be the mushroom that is most tempting to kick! If it didn’t want to be kicked, why does it look like a ball? If you see a giant puffball in the wild, wait before you kick! If the puffball is still white, it has not created its spores yet so kicking it will not help it reproduce (and won’t be as satisfying). If the puffball has turned brown go ahead and let that kick fly! A pure white giant puffball is actually a prime specimen to pick, not kick. Giant puffballs are huge, soft and edible! Often called the “tofu of mushrooms” because of its almost complete lack of flavor, giant puffballs can be sliced, diced, sauced, marinated, roasted, fried, and boiled for your eating satisfaction. Not only are they good eating (once heavily seasoned) but they are also an excellent source of potassium and many antioxidants! In fact some studies have shown that they also have antibacterial and antiviral properties. As with any foraging, do not eat any plant or fungus that you are not 100% sure of its identity. Giant Puffballs tend to look exactly as the name states. They have no visible gills, caps, or stems and tend to look like golf balls or volleyballs on the ground. Janet Douberly tends to look exactly as the name states at Downtown Greens.  Our Helpful Friends
Wasps again?!?! Yes. Wasps again. Hear me out… In the past month or so you may have noticed a bunch of wasps flying around in circles low to the ground for seemingly no reason. If so, you have probably witnessed the scoliid (sko-LEE-ud) wasp! For gardeners in the know, the sight of these wasps brings a sense of joy, or at least grim satisfaction. They know the scoliid wasp is a predator of many of the pests that drive us insane including May bugs, June beetles, and the awful and invasive Japanese beetle. While the adult wasps are usually only spotted when they are above ground drinking nectar from flowers (and also pollinating them in the process), they can also be seen flying low above the ground. They do this when they are hunting! The female wasps fly low “looking” for the grubs of the pests they love so much. Once one is located she digs down to find it and using her ovipositor (the stinger) she injects her eggs inside the grub. The eggs, once hatched, release the larvae of the wasp which then feeds on the grub from the inside, thus killing it and keeping it from eating our lawn, flowers, and gardens. And while the female can sting, she is not aggressive and will only sting if being mishandled. (Who among us doesn’t?) The males cannot sting and they spend most of their time eating nectar and chillin’. Janet Douberly runs PR for wasps at Downtown Greens. This article was originally published in the September 2023 edition of Front Porch Magazine. Check out the full edition by using the button below!  Growth and Possibilities
If you haven’t had the chance to join us on a tour of the land at 1360 Belman road, you’re missing out. Since Downtown Greens took ownership of some of the last undeveloped land in the city in 2021, a lot has changed. You would be struck by how much the trees have grown in the short time since volunteers planted more than 800 native saplings back in April. They went in as little bare root sticks, as big around as a pencil and have, in four short months, set roots, leafed out, and are nearly bursting from the tubes in which they were planted. The growth around this field serves as a reminder of the natural growth of the land purchase campaign itself. It’s the story that we all know by now, of a community who came together in a very big way for the benefit of the whole. More than 500 people who all saw the potential and necessity of saving this pristine land full of natural wetlands and agricultural fields. They chipped in over four short months to raise enough money to make it possible to purchase the land, plant trees, host university research classes, and lay the groundwork for all the young people who will be able to learn about sustainable agriculture there. And this was just the beginning! Phase two will start later this year with studies, master site plan renderings for the entire 56 acres and sketches of the built spaces like educational buildings as well as the natural spaces like wetland pathways. But before we can begin in earnest, we need to clear the remaining debt on the land. We only have $70,500 remaining before we own these acres outright! This seems like a huge number on its own. But considering that this community has raised over $2 million dollars in donations, grants, and more, this is a drop in the bucket. Eliminating this debt means that we’re free to build out the potential of the land and more quickly provide services back to our neighbors. The longer it takes us to pay off the debt, the more money we're spending in interest which isn't going toward our mission. If you want to help us cross the finish line and leave your mark on this soon-to-be preserved piece of Fredericksburg’s natural landscape - donate at Downtowngreens.org. Anything will help as we all come together in this last big push. All gifts of $10,000 and more will get your name (or a loved one’s name) on the gratitude rock that will be placed at the entrance of the property. In the meantime, we’re awaiting the approval of our comprehensive plan amendment request at City Council and the Planning Commission to allow us to move forward with a Conservation Easement. We are hoping to record the easement by the end of September. With an Easement in place this land will be preserved in perpetuity and will be available for the public to enjoy for decades to come. Check out what all the fuss is about and join us on our next walkaround tour of the land on Thursday, September 14 at 5pm. Email admin@downtowngreens.org to RSVP. Enjoy an hour-long tour around the property. Refreshing drinks provided. Corey Fillault is Office Coordinator at Downtown Greens This article was originally published in the September 2023 edition of Front Porch Magazine. Use link below to view whole publication.  Deceptively Beautiful
We’ve all seen the beautiful site a Butterfly Bush can be in the summer. With its conical purple flowers springing outward, attracting dozens of butterflies that flit around it quite quaintly, no one would ever think that this plant is causing a big problem! Butterfly Bush or ‘Buddleja davidii’ are an invasive species of deciduous shrubs that originate from central China. Growing up to 15’ tall, it blooms from mid-summer to early fall. Butterfly Bush is excellent at reproduction, giving it an advantage over our native flowering shrubs and crowding them out. Each flower spike on the plant releases over 40,000 seeds. These light weight seeds travel far by way of water or wind with a +80% germination rate! And while butterflies love all the nectar produced by the copious flowers, that nectar is only feeding the butterflies during one part of their life cycle. The Butterfly Bush does not play host to any of our native insects! Meaning our native butterflies cannot lay their eggs on it and the caterpillars cannot eat the plant. That’s not to say this shrub doesn’t play hosts to ANY insects. The hated and invasive stink bug loves these shrubs and uses them to host their larvae and spread their numbers. If you have a butterfly bush in your garden, consider replacing it with a beautiful native shrub, or at least a non-invasive variant, that will play a true host to our native butterflies Janet Douberly attracts dozens of butterflies at Downtown Greens. This article was originally published in the August 2023 edition of Front Porch Magazine. Use the button below to see the full edition.  Thank You and Farewell
Sarah Perry, our Executive Director for 10 years, is moving on! While we will miss her, we are grateful for the time, sweat, and tears she has put into our organization. We know she is going to do great things! We managed to grab her for a few minutes to ask her a few things about her time here… Proudest moment? The first Youth Farm Program Dinner. Watching the kids proudly making and serving food that they grew to their families still brings tears to my eyes. It was so rewarding. What goals did you achieve? I saw the potential of the space and the opportunity to engage with our community through youth programming and other programs. Favorite Programs DTG? Currently the Cocktail Workshop series. Past favorites are the rain barrel class with Friends of the Rappahannock, cheese workshop with DeLaura, the Ayurveda class, too many to name. Our programs are community driven. If you can dream it, you can do it. Hopes for the future of DTG? Too many to list but seeing the New Land fill its potential and become an even bigger benefit to the community is definitely one. Biggest Lesson Learned? Patience. Everything takes time. Now let’s hear a few words from the lady herself… It is with bittersweet feelings that I announce that I will be stepping down from my position as Executive Director of Downtown Greens in September of this year. Downtown Greens has always been much more than just a job for me, it has been my passion. The people and mission will remain a permanent and very cherished part of my life. It’s been such a joy to witness the positive effects of youth and adult programming thanks to our talented educators bringing people closer to nature and the food that they eat. At its base, though, the garden is a community space and respite, a forever-protected urban oasis for all to enjoy. One seven-year-old neighbor who I met when I first arrived on the job, reminisced, 10 years later, “I could never forget the one place where I always felt comfortable and free.” I am excited for the future of Downtown Greens. I will forever be grateful for the many volunteers who helped and the 520 donors who came together, even when many thought we couldn’t do it, to raise the capital needed to secure Downtown Greens’ new 56-acre parcel of land in the City of Fredericksburg. Saving the land from development was a forever accomplishment that will endure for generations to come. The newly acquired land creates a strong foundation into which the organization can grow its mission and vision. I believe deeply in this organization and its mission. I am confident that the next person who steps into this role will come in with fresh ideas and energy and will be able to take DTG to the next level. It was an honor to serve as executive director for the past 10 years. I’m proud of how far we’ve come and I’m excited to see what’s next. Thank you to the staff, board of directors-past and present, volunteers, donors, grantors, neighbors and children for support, guidance, company, fun and friendship. With Gratitude, Sarah Perry Janet Douberly is excited for the future at Downtown Greens. This article was originally published in the August 2023 edition of Front {porch Magazine. Use the button below to see the full edition. |
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