<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Downtown Greens]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our mission is to enhance the well-being of our community, by connecting people with nature through education and the preservation of greenspaces.]]></description><link>https://www.downtowngreens.org/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 21:22:02 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.downtowngreens.org/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Sprouting Seeds, Sprouting Knowledge: Why We Love Garden Sprouts]]></title><description><![CDATA[The excitement in a Garden Sprouts class is contagious. Tiny hands gently brush aside the soil as a preschooler discovers the first green shoot pushing through the ground. What was once a seed has become something real—something they planted, watered, and cared for themselves. Moments like these are what Garden Sprouts is all about. Through our partnership with Fredericksburg City Schools, Downtown Greens provides 270 hours of hands-on garden education to preschool students in Head Start and...]]></description><link>https://www.downtowngreens.org/post/sprouting-seeds-sprouting-knowledge-why-we-love-garden-sprouts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a7f4e20204f6d08e07e0daf</guid><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 17:24:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d0c722_850040e66f4441d785177e18079f248b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>admin235318</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[August Conservation Corner]]></title><description><![CDATA[This month has brought some much-needed rainstorms, but despite the rainfall, the vernal pools and puddles haven't lasted. They disappear almost as quickly as they form, draining back into an already too-low water table. Meanwhile, the Land Management team has been busy (and admittedly a bit distracted!) tending the conservation plant nursery. A few buckets filled with clay-rich soil have been sitting nearby, receiving little attention beyond their monthly Mosquito Dunk. To our surprise,...]]></description><link>https://www.downtowngreens.org/post/august-conservation-corner</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a7f4517204f6d08e07df8d3</guid><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 17:13:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d0c722_17235ff74e8f4f24b990f11dc0417384~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_863,h_703,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>admin235318</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Message from Acting Executive Director, Christie Hoerneman]]></title><description><![CDATA[As August brings us closer to a new school year, there's so much happening at Downtown Greens, and I'm excited to share a few updates with you. Thank you for being part of this incredible community and for helping make our work possible. One of our biggest priorities has been the search for our next Executive Director. We've received some wonderful applications, and it's encouraging to see so many talented individuals interested in leading Downtown Greens into its next chapter. The position...]]></description><link>https://www.downtowngreens.org/post/a-message-from-acting-executive-director-christie-hoerneman</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a7f3a24a7a7d1a936d202b6</guid><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:15:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d0c722_2c97c5661ab34e8fbe5089940d6826cd~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>admin235318</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Slimy Little Weirdo]]></title><description><![CDATA[While many of our local slugs love to nibble on our baby garden plants, the Leopard Slug, ‘Limax maximus’ has its own diet.  They are detritivores, eating decaying plant matter as well as other slugs, making them a gardener’s friend! While the European native Leopard Slug is considered an invasive species to the US, we can’t help but be fascinated by its amazing habits!  Consider its mating habits, if you haven’t already.  These slugs are not only hermaphroditic, with each partner walking...]]></description><link>https://www.downtowngreens.org/post/slimy-little-weirdo</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a7f305f204f6d08e07dcfb4</guid><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:18:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d0c722_b011df0fd127499e8e0f8d84bcf842eb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_367,h_238,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>admin235318</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>