Habitat Gardening in Central New York & Liverpool Public Library: Partners in Sustainability

One of the most effective steps a library can take towards sustainability is creating relevant partnerships with like-minded organizations. In 2003, when gardeners from Habitat Gardening in Central New York (HGCNY) began using the Liverpool Public Library as their meeting point, a partnership took root. In 2006, the library began co-sponsoring events with HGCNY, and that relationship really flourished. LPL further grew this partnership with the HGCNY, and became a full-fledged co-sponsor of the work these local gardeners were doing in their community, making both organizatios more vital and visible to the community, .

According to Laurel Griffith, Community Engagement Librarian, LPL is “a hub of activities and has a large community of gardeners. We’ve become more than just a place to meet, but a place to educate people about gardening best practices, keeping local/native plants and animals in mind. HGCNY has a network of contacts that has enriched these educational opportunites. I see that as a big part of the library’s job – to create partnerships in the community with a reach beyond the library’s resources – to benefit the entire community.”

Initiatives carried out by the library and HGCNY include the library’s Wildlife Habitat Garden and Rain Garden, as well as participation in the Annual Syracuse Rose Society Rose Fair and Annual Bonsai Show. HGCNY meetings are held at the library throughout the year, and include talks focused on native shrubs, regional/local seed sourcing, tree committees – public tree/forest management advocacy and education – and presentations from authors, to name a few. As a local chapter of the national organization, Wild Ones, HGCNY is able to bring their advocacy and education to the local community, and many of their meetings at the library are free and open to the public!

You can view a full list of meetings, past and present, on the HGCNY Meetings and Events page of their website. For more information regarding community outreach, engagements, and partnerships with Liverpool Public Library, contact Laurel Griffith at laurel.griffith@lpl.org or 315-457-0310 x182.

Submitted by Maggie Foster