Welcome to New Orleans' newest community garden in Algiers! Valerie Lorio is organizing a community garden with great neighborhood support on Maumus Street. A fence is already in place and a "green shed" is being built on site with recycled, reclaimed wood. Dropping by with a load of leaves to feed the established composting area is neighbor, Curtis Price. This garden is through a program with Growing Home, part of the Lot Next Door Program sponsored by NORA.

The hatch-out of the noxious caterpillar is eminent as the eggs are swelling with the warming weather. According to the Mosquito Control Board they will be more troublesome than last year. The caterpillars must be fully hatched before spraying can take place. It is not too late to sign up for spraying.

Schoolyard gardens are sprouting in two new locations. Children at Andrew Wilson and Langston Hughes Schools will soon be enjoying the benefits of working in an outdoor classroom. The gardens were installed with help from Conoco Phillips employees and students from Tufts University. The new gardens are part of Parkway Partners successful Schoolyard Sow and Grow Program.

Becky and Berengher Brechtel pose by a plaque honoring their son, Barry Brechtel. The Brechtel family set up a memorial fund in his honor to help with restoration of the Brechtel Park lagoon. Becky & Berengher attended Tree Troopers training in 2009 and have helped to unite the "Friends of Brechtel Park" in caring for the park's trees.

2010 Tree Troopers Training is slated for June in New Orleans east.