Audubon Update from Jill Kombrink
It’s been about 6 months now since I wrote about Oldfield’s plan to achieve the Neighborhood for Nature Award and our progress in that time is impressive! Just to recap, Oldfield was the first the neighborhood to hold the honor of Audubon International’s Green Neighborhood and since that time the program has evolved to include more recognition awards like the one we are currently applying for. The first step was to form a diverse committee to help in decision making, planning and implementing projects in 5 categories provided by the Audubon, which we have done. Each project idea comes from the categories of wildlife, water, education, resource management and community awareness for a total of 5 projects. The committee was so excited and energized by all the possibilities we actually have this year’s projects as well as plans for 2016 and beyond.
Bluebirds, bee hives and butterflies are all included in the first category of wildlife. With help from volunteers the existing bluebird houses were cleaned out and monitored during nesting season with impressive results. The bee hives are in and thriving and we hope to have some of our own Oldfield honey at future farmers markets. And the butterfly garden has been planted in front of the Outfitters Center and will be an ongoing project to enjoy as well.
Track 2 is the water category. Oldfield is already very conscientious about storm water run- off and controlling our water shed but we continue to look at new ways of improving. An educational but fun event was held in conjunction with the Sports Club back to school pool party in August with environment- themed games and a storm water run- off demonstration with an enviroscape. The enviroscape is a hands-on town model portraying stormwater run-off to educate on the use of pesticides and fertilizers and even proper ways of disposing dog waste. Also in this category we continue to work with marine biologist Bill Weiss on his research of plankton in the Port Royal Sound, have participated in and held our own river clean-up day and installed a rain barrel at the Outfitters Center.
Track 3, Education, is woven into all the categories and we already have so much in place with the speaker series, nature walks and nature knowledge classes. In addition, the Nature Center is being updated to include descriptions of all the critters living there and our big 2016 project that has already begun is updating the trail markers. We hope over the next year to improve the current markers and add a trail guide to go along with them.
One of Oldfield’s biggest accomplishments this year comes in track 4, Resource Management and that is recycling at all the venues! If you haven’t noticed yet there are recycling bins for your use at the sports club, pool and tennis areas. The Equestrian and Outfitters Center and the golf club are also recycling as well as the Magnolia Grille. In the fall with Oyster season beginning again we have a plan to recycle the oyster shells as well. Many programs were already in place like composting the horse manure at the stables which is available for member use for your landscaping and gardening needs.
Track 5, community awareness, is an area your feedback and involvement is needed and appreciated. Within Oldfield we have a community garden, a farmers market and all of the other activities mentioned above which is so amazing. I’m sure you would agree being involved outside of Oldfield is important as well. We have volunteers at the Mari-time Center and participate in community clean ups. Let me know what else we’re doing or could we be doing?
As residents of Oldfield you should be proud to call such an amazing place home! All that is currently happening and positive changes that are being made are because of the supportive and involved people living here.
