Hanging Gardens Launch

Oleta River State Park

3400 N.E. 163rd Street

North Miami, Florida 33160

January 16, 2010

Work from 9am – 1pm / Picnic & Play from 1pm – 4pm

during

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service (with Miami Dade College)

Volunteers Needed!

Hanging Gardens Eco-Art Project Launch Event

For Immediate Release:

January 9, 2010

Urban Paradise Guild (UPG) and Miami artist Xavier Cortada announce a new collaborative partnership

As the project’s coordinator, UPG will implement Hanging Gardens, Cortada’s participatory eco-art project that creates demand for removal of Invasive Exotic Plants by inspiring their use in artistic installations and as building materials. During 2010-11, UPG volunteers will remove Invasive Exotic plants and trees to protect and restore Native Habitats, develop techniques that create new building materials from them, and use the materials to create artistic and utilitarian objects. UPG will coordinate Workshops to demonstrate and teach these techniques to the public at Libraries and other locations. During Spring 2011, Cortada will install selected pieces in his exhibit at Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Main Library Gallery.

Websites:
http://www.xaviercortada.com/?page=Hanging_Gardens
http://www.urban-paradise.org/HangingGardensAnnouncementUPG Partners are supporting Hanging Gardens with Volunteers, tools, materials, and inspiration. ECOMB (Environmental Coalition of Miami and the Beaches) has already brought planning and creative resources to bear.

On January 16, 2010, Miami Dade College will help us launch the Project on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. The Center for Community Involvement (MDC CCI) requested a project where Students could learn while they improve the Community we share through S-L (Service-Learning). Corrine Lockamy initiated the Day of Service, and MDC Hialeah is leading the way with a large contingent.

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Volunteer Opportunities Available:

Oleta River State Park

3400 N.E. 163rd Street

North Miami, Florida 33160

January 16, 2010

Work from 9am – 1pm

BBQ & Play from 1pm – 4pm

1. Send an e-mail to sam@urban-paradise.org with the number in your party, ages, and if you plan to BBQ. Families are welcome, kids must be supervised.
2. Someone from UPG will get back to you, and confirm your reservation.
3. Bring:
Hat, sun-glasses, sun-block
Closed-toed shoes & clothing that can get dirty
Water Bottle (you will need a canteen to stay hydrated)
Personal Work Gloves (if you have them)
Personal Pick or Mattock (if you have one)
Food for Picnic or BBQ
Swim-suit & towel (we’ll kayak & swim if weather allows)
Clean, dry clothes for hanging out.
Personal Kayak or Canoe if you have one.4. Depending on when you arrive and your group’s abilities, you may be involved in one of the following:
Invasive Plant Removal (adults and kids can make important contributions).
Nursery Work (transplanting seedlings into larger pots).
Coastal Cleanup (mangroves are muddy, this isn’t the beach)5. Mention UPG at entrance for
Free admission,
Map that identifies the Coordination Site and Project Sites. Oleta is huge, and you will need the map.6. Event Website Links:
www.urban-paradise.org/HangingGardensLaunch
www.urban-paradise.org/Oleta (address, driving directions, etc). Check it on Wednesday, 1/13/2010 for a full update with activities and information.