CE Program at HMN Annual Meeting, 1/27/2024

As a good turnout of Headwaters Master Naturalist chapter members ate the best shared meal ever, we all were excited about the next item on the agenda: a CE presentation by Harrisonburg Public Works Department on their environmental stewardship programs using greenspace management throughout the city. No one was disappointed.

The Harrisonburg staff included Jeremy Harold, Greenspace Manager for the City, Mike Hott, Landscape Coordinator for the department and Brittany Clem-Hott, Outreach and Communication Specialist. Mike Hott discussed the city’s pollinator enhancement program. They grow their own plants for the pollinator gardens and now have two greenhouses for plant propagation. What began as a Pollinator Week celebrated each year on the 3^rd week of June by the City, has now grown into a month-long celebration throughout the month of June, including a Lunch & Learn program and guided walking tours. They are working on establishing a pollinator corridor to connect public spaces along Blacks Run and elsewhere.

They already have pollinator gardens at lots of the City schools, created a pollinator labyrinth at Hillandale Park and installed pollinator gardens at Westover Park’s Gilkerson Activity Center. They provide guidance for the City’s Comprehensive Plan. They are planning a Pollinator in Your Yard event on March 23^rd at the Ice House. They have a page on the Harrisonburg website and it can be reached by searching for ‘pollinator-friendly city’.

They coordinate with NRPA, the National Recreation and Parks Association. For specific plants, they save the previous year’s sunflower seeds, dry out coneflower seeds in the freezer and take cuttings from the Buttonbush.

The Urban Forestry Program has been growing for several years and they hired an Environmental Specialist position in 2017. They began a citywide program in 2018 to increase the overall tree canopy to increase shade, cool areas of the city and combat the effects of climate change as well as reduce stormwater runoff. They have three employees now and coordinate with the National Arbor Day Foundation and are now an official Tree City. The biggest challenge came when the Emerald Ash Borer began killing off many trees which had very extensive populations in places like Westover and Hillandale parks. They had to remove over 1500 white ash trees and figure out ways to put the trees to beneficial uses besides firewood and wood chips. They have offered lumber as well as firewood to the public at the Recycling Center at 2055 Beery Road and people may bid on them online. The city has used the better lumber for public space items such as planter boxes in the Water Steet alley, tables at several fire houses and a bench behind the Magpie Diner.

They have a new solar wood kiln designed by Virginia Tech students. Jeremy Harold will be offering a class through JMU’s Lifelong Learning Institute program at the Ice House on Friday mornings from February 2 to March 1.

Though they did not discuss the Harrisonburg Conservation Assistance Program for city residences and businesses, it was mentioned and Trinity Presbyterian Church just celebrated a public unveiling of their bioretention basin which was paid for with HCAP assistance. The city would like for more property owners to take advantage of this program. There is also a VCAP program for County residents.

This was one of the most informative continuing education sessions that we have had in the past couple of years. Thanks to Scott Jost and Elaine Smith for coordinating this opportunity.  

– Malcolm Cameron, Cohort III, January 2024