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WELCOME!
In this July edition of Word on the Street: The Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia intervenes on behalf of Farm 51, learn lessons about the Eastwick community with Amy Laura, help save the UCHS garden, and John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge gets a new refuge manager. Please share this information with your neighbors and friends!
NEWS
Public Interest Law Center intervenes on behalf of Farm 51
 | | Photo from http://farm51.wordpress.com/ |
The Law Center is intervening on behalf of Southwest Philadelphia's Farm 51 in a sheriff's sale action that could have adverse consequences for the lush community resource.
For the past six years, Farm 51 has been a community resource and educational farmstand under the City Harvest Grower's Alliance Program of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Andrew Olsen and Neal Santos have converted 5105 and 5103 Chester Avenue from trash strewn lots to lush edible green space, and they have produced and distributed well over 6,000 pounds of produce to the immediate neighborhood.
On behalf of Mr. Olsen and Mr. Santos, the Law Center filed the intervention in the sheriff's sale action pending for 5103 Chester Avenue, a parcel that makes up half of Southwest Philadelphia's Farm 51, as it would adversely affect the farm. If the postponement is granted, Mr. Olsen and Mr. Santos will use the additional time to work with municipal officials and the community at large to craft a solution to preserve the property of Farm 51.
Lessons from Eastwick
The saga of Urban Renewal in one of Philadelphia's oldest multi-cultural neighborhoods, Eastwick, still continues. In her article for the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review, Vol. 49, Amy Laura Cahn eloquently presents the history, circumstances and current status of this communities struggle in the face of environmental injustice and political power.
"UCHS Garden is Sacred"
University City High School has been sold. The only thing is...what's gonna happen to the garden? Many community residents, teachers, students and volunteers helped to make that a special space. There is a campaign right now to help save this garden. Click to read the sentiments of Martin Galvin, a former teacher at UCHS.
New Refuge Manager at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
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Photo from http://usfwsnortheast.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/in-to-the-wilderness-we-go/
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The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced that Lamar Gore will be the new Refuge Manager at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. The refuge was established in 1972 for the purpose of preserving, restoring, and developing the natural area known as Tinicum Marsh, to promote environmental education, and to afford visitors an opportunity to study wildlife in its natural habitat.
Lamar started working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) at North Attleboro National Fish Hatchery in Eastern Massachusetts, as a Biological Technician in 1991. In 1992, he worked as a Biological Technician at the Montpelier Office of Fishery Assistance and the Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Resources Office in Essex Junction, Vermont. In 1995, started work at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), focusing on habitat selection in grassland birds, as a graduate SCEP. In 1998, he moved to Back Bay NWR as assistant biologist for several years, then moved to a regional position as assistant regional biologist with Hal Laskowski, located at Prime Hook NWR. In 2003, he moved to the Division of Migratory Birds in the Northeast Regional Office, working on migratory bird conservation in the Northeast Region. In 2006, moved to the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), as an assistant refuge supervisor. For a year during this time, he also acted as Chief of the Office of Diversity and Civil Rights in the Northeast Regional Office.
FESTIVAL FUN
Opportunities
GREENER PARTNERS: Now Hiring A Farm Educator
Greener Partners is a non-profit organization that operates two farms and an urban hub. Our mission is to strengthen people's connection to food, where it comes from, how it's grown, and how to incorporate it into a healthy lifestyle.
Greener Partners' farm-to-school program, the Farm Explorer™, is a living mobile farm that connects people to food from seed to plate. The Farm Explorer reaches communities throughout the Philadelphia region with sustainably grown produce and food education.
Farm Explorer™ is a 24 ft. custom-built trailer equipped with garden beds and a mobile kitchen. Our experienced farm educators lead groups in hands-on curriculum about gardening and ecology, seasonal eating, and how to prepare simple farm-fresh recipes. The majority of our outreach efforts focus on low-income communities that do not have access to our farms, though the Farm Explorer™ also visits camps, farmers markets, festivals, and other community events.
Greener Partners is seeking a flexible, committed, and motivated individual who can assist our Education team in successfully executing Farm Explorer programming.
Responsibilities:
- Drive the Farm Explorer™ (a F-350 Ford truck with a 24 ft trailer) to programming sites throughout the Philadelphia region
- Lead grower for Farm Explorer garden beds and aintain a robust succession of plants to be used for programming
- Assist Greener Partners' educators in implementing Farm Explorer™ programming (occasional Saturday programming)
- Schedule and maintain the calendar for Farm Explorer visits (school outings, camp visits, events, etc.)
- Collect data and maintain accurate records of each site visit
- Complete regular inventory of all supplies and maintain supply levels
Qualifications:
- Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or willingness to obtain
- Farming / gardening experience
- Experience working with youth and leading groups
- Well-organized and able to work flexible hours
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and as a team member
- Commitment to Greener Partners' mission
Annual salary: $29,000 plus benefits; 40hrs/wk FT/Exempt
Start date: July 28, 2014
Please email your resume to Helen.Nadel@greenerpartners.org
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