Veronica M. White, Commissioner, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, invites you to upcoming events in the Uncommon Ground Series:

Urban Cemeteries as Historic Landscapes: Design, Horticulture and HabitatIn three separate lectures, the subject of urban cemeteries, both private and public, will be explored with a view toward greater understanding, appreciation and stewardship of these evocative landscapes in our midst. This is the first lecture in the series.

A Landscape Entwined in History: The Evergreens Cemetery of Brooklyn and QueensThursday, November 14, 2013 // 6:00 p.m.Speaker John Rousmaniere, author of Green Oasis in Brooklyn: The Evergreens Cemetery, 1849-2008 (2008)

Located near Bushwick in the “knob and kettle country” of Long Island’s terminal moraine is a lesser-known, non-sectarian cemetery, originally called the Cemetery of the Evergreens. Founded

in 1849, it bears the hand of such notable landscape designers and architects as Andrew Jackson Downing, Alexander Jackson Davis and Samuel Parsons, Jr. The Evergreens is taking steps to protect and cultivate its design and monuments, while honoring the cemetery’s inhabitants and wooded landscape.

John Rousmaniere, author of Green Oasis in Brooklyn: The Evergreens Cemetery, 1849-2008 (2008), is a historian who has written extensively on maritime topics and on New York history. He lives in Morningside Heights and is a contributor to The Encyclopedia of New York City, 1st and 2nd editions.

The Arsenal Gallery Central Park, 64th St. and Fifth Ave, Third floorFree. Event seating is limited. To RSVP, please call (212) 360-8240 or visit https://rsvpuncommonground11142013.eventbrite.com

Mark your calendar for additional lectures in the series:

Urban Cemeteries: Opportunities for Horticulture Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Mass.Monday, November 25, 2013 // 6:00 p.m. Speaker Dennis Collins, Horticultural Curator for Mount Auburn Cemetery Co-sponsored by The Evergreens Cemetery Preservation Foundation

Managing Cemeteries for Wildlife HabitatThursday, December 12, 2013 // 6:00 p.m.Speaker Don Riepe, Urban Naturalist

Veronica M. White, Commissioner, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, invites you to three lectures in the Uncommon Ground Series:

Urban Cemeteries as Historic Landscapes: Design, Horticulture and HabitatIn three separate lectures, the subject of urban cemeteries, both private and public, will be explored with a view toward greater understanding, appreciation and stewardship of these evocative landscapes in our midst. This is the second lecture in the series.

Urban Cemeteries: Opportunities for HorticultureMount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Mass.Monday, November 25, 2013 // 6:00 p.m. Speaker Dennis Collins, Horticultural Curator for Mount Auburn Cemetery Co-sponsored by The Evergreens Cemetery Preservation Foundation

Mount Auburn Cemetery is noted for its contributions to horticulture in the 19th century. Today, it strives to reach a new generation of horticulturists and the public at large. The challenges and benefits of turning urban cemeteries into treasured urban green-spaces will be explored.

Dennis Collins is the Horticultural Curator for Mount Auburn Cemetery, a position he has held for the past 18 years after five years there as an arborist. He trained at Stockbridge in Agricultural Science, holds a

B.S. from the University of Massachusetts and a M.Sc from the University of Edinburgh / Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scotland. He also teaches at Arnold Arboretum and Tower Hill Botanic Garden, both in Massachusetts.

The Arsenal Gallery Central Park, 64th St. and Fifth Ave, Third floorFree. Event seating is limited. To RSVP, please call (212) 360-8240 or visit https://rsvpuncommonground11252013.eventbrite.com

Mark your calendar for the third lecture in the series:

Managing Cemeteries for Wildlife HabitatThursday, December 12, 2013 // 6:00 p.m.Speaker Don Riepe, Urban Naturalist

Veronica M. White, Commissioner, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, invites you to three lectures in the Uncommon Ground Series:

Urban Cemeteries as Historic Landscapes: Design, Horticulture and HabitatIn three separate lectures, the subject of urban cemeteries, both private and public, will be explored with a view toward greater understanding, appreciation and stewardship of these evocative landscapes in our midst. This is the third lecture in the series.

Managing Cemeteries for Wildlife HabitatThursday, December 12, 2013 // 6:00 p.m.Speaker Don Riepe, Urban Naturalist

Urban Cemeteries are islands of opportunity for birds and other pollinators as well as the native flora they benefit from. Urban naturalist Don Riepe looks at how some NYC cemeteries, by virtue of their design and plantings, attract wildlife — and how others can provide meaningful habitat with simple changes to the landscape while still maintaining a manicured look.

Raised in Ozone Park and a long-time resident of Broad Channel, Don Riepe has explored the urban landscape of New York City since the 1940s, with an eye for emerging wildlife habitat. He worked

in natural resource management for the National Parks Service for over 25 years. For several decades following, he has charted the ecological progress of Jamaica Bay, collecting data and overseeing rehabilitation projects, and earning the title “Guardian of Jamaica Bay”. Recently, he turned his sights toward New York City’s urban cemeteries in search of wildlife habitat.

The Arsenal Gallery Central Park, 64th St. and Fifth Ave, Third floorFree. Event seating is limited.To RSVP, please call (212) 360-8240 or visit https://rsvpuncommonground12122013.eventbrite.com