The Lavender Field on Governors Island
Earth Matter is creating a place for healing and reflection in the center of busy New York Harbor.
Leader
Mark Leger
Location
10 South Street Brooklyn, NY 10004
About the project
Lavender has a rich history of use for traditional healing, flavoring, and perfumery. We propose to plant what will be the only lavender field in New York City. Working with the Trust for Governors Island, Earth Matter has chosen a prominent location below a dramatic 19th century stone wall at the South Battery.
The Lavender Field on Governors Island will be a place of healing for:
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The Earth - Through applying compost to enrich the soil from closing the loop for organic waste materials;
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The Bees - Through providing pollinator plants to help bees thrive in the face of climate change challenges; and
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Ourselves - Through meditation, reflection, and gentle exercise in a beautiful and fragrant environment.
The tax deductibility of your contribution may be affected by goods or services received. Please contact your financial advisor with questions regarding your donation.
The Steps
First Delivery & Planting Day: 6/10/2017
Second Delivery & Planting Day: 6/17/2017
IOBY Supporter Planting Day & Official Field Opening Date: 6/18/2017
IOBY Supporter Planting Day, Part 2: 6/24/2017
July 22: A Toast to Lavender Reception --- at the Lavender Field!
Lavender Field Open Hours: 6/24/2017-10/1/2017
Lavender Field Workshops (yoga, meditation, lavender products, harvesting, pollinator walks, lavender and soil education talks): July, August, September, October
Why we‘re doing it
We see that:
- There is a need for more environmental education programming, including for promoting urban farming and connecting people to natural uses of herbs for physical and mental health.
- As well as experential learning through workshops, we see a need for spaces that are healing and offer a chance to connect to environmental movement on a deeper level. The lavender field is being designed with activities such as meditation and yoga in mind.
- The global honey bee population is in serious decline. Lavender is a famous bee plant. It offers copious nectar that the bees convert to lavender honey (delicious!). But more than that, lavender imparts a chemical that the bees use to protect themselves from pests, especially the deadly verroa mite.