Tips from a Teacher

Plant a seed, start a garden

There is no better way to earn your "green" thumb than to plant a seed.  Having a plant around your apartment or home can brighten up a dreary day, improve the quality of air, and even provide you with something to eat!  Plants have tremendous tastes, and come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors that will keep you endlessly entertained.  A few places to find plant seeds are at local hardware and garden stores.  If you want to share your passion for plants, you can also search out a community garden in your neighborhood.

Don’t feed human food to birds and other wildlife

Too much junk food can make you feel sick, and over time, is very unhealthy for your body.  The same is true for birds and other wildlife in the Park.  When humans feed bread, popcorn, and other high calorie food items to birds, it can cause them to stop looking for natural food like seeds and insects in the Park.  At a young age, it can also lead to a disease called Angel Wing, in which the wrist joints of waterfowl such as ducks are slow to develop and can twist outwards.  To prevent this from happening, share your food with friends instead of birds and other wildlife.

Walk on the pathways, avoid taking a "shortcut"

Sometimes it’s just easier to take the shorter route to a destination.  It saves time and it takes less work.  However, thousands of footprints over time can work to kill grass and compact (pack together) the soil, making it difficult for anything living to survive.  Next time you are in the Park, make sure to walk on the pathways.