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Bronx River Bio-log
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| Conservation Crewmembers carrying a biolog |
Welcome to our blog—or bio-log—about the Bronx River! Every day, Alliance staff and partners are making progress in our work to restore and improve the Bronx River. These daily accomplishments and observations are logged here to share what's going on!
Also known as a bio-log: High density coir net stuffed with mattress fiber for soil stabilization, sediment retention and vegetation establishment, see photo.
July 30, 2010
Michael Smoot: Our Newest Crew Member
Hi, my name is Michael Smoot and I work for the Bronx River Alliance. What made this all possible was the training I received from NYC-MillionTrees in Landscaping, Ecological Restoration, and Arboriculture. My experience in this field of work has been educational and fun. I do gardening work and tree care, as well as water quality and tool maintenance. I have also learned something new working with the Bronx River Alliance. I learned how to install a Rainwater Harvesting system which help prevents flooding during heavy rain fall. I work on projects with the field crew to restore, maintain, and enhance the ecosystem and wildlife in the Bronx River corridor.
I also work with the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). As we work with the SYEP we try to incorporate educational information as they work throughout the day. We teach them how to identify different type of trees, shrubs, and plants. We show them the proper and safe way to handle the tools. During the days with summer youth we clear out areas which are over run by invasive plants and vines. Though we spend only two days a week with the SYEP, we try to make sure they leave with some type of knowledge of what we do and why.
Here are some of the Alliance staff with the city comptroller, John Liu (center).
We were working with volunteers from his office in Muskrat Cove on July 22. I,
Michael Smoot, am at the far right of the photo.
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June 02, 2010
Goldman Sach Volunteer Restoration Work on Bronx Forest Education Trails
.JPG) Goldman Sach is a corporate Volunteer Group which works with the Bronx River Alliance Crew. On May 10th, Marco (L) & James (R) from Goldman Sach came out planted 35 trees & shrubs. They also did some weeding which created an opening for a view of the river in the Bronx Forest along the Education Trail.
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March 30, 2010
LaRon biolog
 What I learned so far on my first week as a intern at the Bronx River Alliance was how to take apart a chainsaw clean it out and put it back together I also learned not to litter because it really affects the river ever since I been here I haven’t litter and I learned that a guy name Robert Moses brought the Japanese knotweed to the U.S knotweed is known as a invasive species or weed this plant can damage foundations, buildings, flood defenses, roads ,paving retaining walls and architectural .Robert Moses is well known for building the tri borough bridge which connects Manhattan Queens and The Bronx .I also made 30 plots that were 2x2 half a meter between each and the plots were for the invasive removal plant between botanical gardens NRG and the Bronx forest.
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February 05, 2010
February 2010: Woodchipping and volunteers
January 2010 we welcomed two new volunteers to our staff. Kathy and Monet are with us on different days of the week. Kathy is with us on Mondays, while Monet is with us Monday and Wednesday. So far, February has consisted of painting over defaced properties, woodchipping, and water quality testing.
Kathy and Monet showed alot of interest in the water quality test. For which they mixed chemicals with the crew, performed a nitrate test, a salinity test, and a dissolved oxygen test. Most of our downed trees this month were in the North Forest and South Forest, extensive work was needed in both areas of the park. The volunteers also learned safety techniques on woodchipping and forest restoration. During woodchipping operations the volunteers learned to feed trees from the root end to the canopy. Additionally, they were trained on the safety bar's uses and life saving ability. They learned that while feeding the chipper you are best off to do so from the sides, but never from the center as this could pull you into the woodchipper.
 Kathy woodchipping behind Allerton ballfields
 Monet woodchipping behind Allerton ballfields
Kathy and Monet assisted us with other aspects of our job. We painted under Duncomb Bridge because graffiti has no place in our river corridor; French Charley's container had to be painted as well. Furthermore, we are pleased to announce that due to tree growth and establishment we were able to remove fencing protecting our 2008 Million Trees site and two plots in Shoelace Park.
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January 29, 2010
Mulchfest January 2010
January 2010 was a great start to the new year. Besides upkeeping our projects from 2009, such as rain barrel systems, tree plots, construction projects, and maintaining the bronx river we also have our much beloved Mulchfest. At the start of the year we made sure all water harvesting systems were winterized. This is the time of year when we concentrate on plot monitoring, the trees are doing very well in many areas. Tree growth has shown good progress and weeds have been suppressed in areas that have trees growing well.
Mulchfest was at a new location this year because we are trying to get exposure so that participation in this event will grow. We mulched over 120 trees and it was a good mulch year for a new site.
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