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Friends of Schmitz Park
In the great green forest
There was a plant salvage
And rain from the sky
And a picturesque...
...bough growing over with moss.
And there were three little ferns
And an urban disturbance
And sacks full of plants
And miraculous burlap
And a dear little fern
And a non-native worm
And the boots of a volunteer stuck in the mush
And a quiet old lady whispering “lush”
Goodbye forest; goodbye moss
Goodbye boughs growing over with moss
Goodbye twilight and rain from the sky
Goodbye ferns and the urban disturbance
Goodbye plants and burlap sacks
Goodbye shovels and volunteer huddles
Goodbye boots and goodbye stuck
Goodbye nobody, goodbye mush
And goodbye to the old lady whispering “lush”
Goodbye mushrooms – surreal like and strange
Goodbye rhizomes – the underground chains
Goodbye volunteer – riding a bicycle
Goodbye forest – now unto the tranquil
How do you come together and share a resource?
We are a small group of neighbors who are committed to the preservation and restoration of Schmitz Preserve Park, one of the few inner city remnant Old Growth forests. Virtually untouched by logging, Schmitz Park is an unexpected gem in our city’s system of green spaces. It is a peaceful and extraordinarily beautiful place where people go to become immersed in the biodiversity of the Pacific Northwest.
Unfortunately, this beauty is in serious danger of being lost. Invasive plant species like ivy and blackberry have taken hold in much of the park, excluding native plants, and forming a monoculture of themselves – an ecological dead zone. Much of the work we do is the restoration of areas invaded by these exotic plants in order to preserve this park for future generations to enjoy. The biggest component of ecological restoration is the community and education aspect. Through our restoration events and monthly work parties, our neighborhood comes together and gets to know one another. Perhaps most importantly of all, as part of the restoration movement, students and young people are provided the opportunity to study ecology and commune with our natural world.
How would your group use the award money?
Friends of Schmitz Park would be able to reestablish our website, which is crucial to the sustainability of our community organization. A website serves as a place for people to go and learn about our group and the biological aspects of Schmitz Park. It enables us to post information about current restoration projects, ways for community members to get involved, as well as provide a directory for the various organization we work with, like the Green Seattle Partnership.
We would also be able to fund Earthcorps to conduct a scientific survey of the park. This would enable us to assess the biodiversity of Schmitz Park and map out priority areas that are threatened by invasive plant species. This would greatly enhance our ability to understand the progress we have made, the current challenges facing us.
Any additional award money would help us fund our current sites undergoing restoration, enabling us to order mulch, trees, shrubs and trail building materials.
Stephen E. Moore
I read this poem/story to my children so many times that it is stuck firmly (and forever) in part of my brain. I didn’t need the sidebar to tell me that this verse was based on Margaret Wise Brown’s. The connection between the memories of our youth and the future suits the topic: preservation and restoration of a gift too easily discarded and irretrievable.
Jack Cinders
Excellent poem. A noble cause. Well done!
Sophie
Aw what a sweet poem, and sad. It makes me want to visit this park.
Verónica Rubiños
I love it!
Kiara
Parks are so important in big cities, I am glad this group is commited to saving Schmitz!
Susan Scott
Makes a teacher proud! Really lovely.
Marisa
Lovely, Dylan!
Jessica DaBell
This cause merits a beautiful poem like this. Schmitz park is such a jewel!