NatureHood is a unique collborative of citizens, government,
nonprofit and private sector members dedicated to restoring and improving
green-space in Cleveland by creating a network of native plant naturescapes
on the City's vacant and abandoned properties. Download a Naturehood general brochure here (print version). Download a Maintenance and Stewardship brochure here. Check our Facebook page for a photo diary of native plant restorations.
Since the start of the foreclosure crisis, the record
number of vacant and abandoned properties has cost the City of Cleveland
more than $35 million, including money spent on demolition, saftety and
maintenance, as well as in lost taxes. In all, vacant properties account
for 6.6% of Cleveland's land area, with more than 5,000 abandoned and
vacant lots and over 7,000 vacant residential buildings. Rather than allowing
this land to continually drain the City's resources and contribute to
urban blight, the NatureHood project provides and environmentally, economically
and socially beneficial alternative. ($60
Million and Counting: The Cost of Vacant and Abandoned Properties in Eight
Ohio Cities, Community Research Partners & ReBuild Ohio, 2008.)
In restoring native landscapes to some of the approximately 3,000 acres of vacant land in the City of Cleveland. NatureHood improves our city's ecological footprint, facilitates the City's economic recovery, improves quality of life and helps to make Cleveland a healthier, more sustainable city.
NatureHood's Environmental Benefits:
- Native plants provide habitat for a variety of
animals, including butterflies, hummingbirds, songbirds and other
small animals.
- The increased biodiversity above and below the
soil will help support local gardeners and urban farmers in their
fight against pests and plant diseases.
- The root systems of native plants help soil absorb
water, which helps to reduce erosion and runoff and improves local
water quality.
- Native plants help clean the air and water by absorbing
and processing pollutants.
- Urban green-space helps counteract the urban heat-island
effect.
- Native plants require little maintenance, reducing
the amount of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer released into
the environment; mowing native plants is also unnecessary, reducing
gasoline use and engine emissions.
NatureHood's Economic Benefits:
NatureHood's Social Benefits:
- Working to create and maintain the native landscape
creates a connection among members of the community as well as connecting
that community to the natural environment.
- Native plantings provide and opportunity for children
to play, explore and learn about the natural world.
- Naturehood gives residents an opportunity to be
directly involved in the future of their neighborhooods and city;
such a sense of ownership leads to safer, more healthy, beautiful
and eco-friendly communities.
The urban restoration of native green-space will take
the cooperation of city leaders and regulators, various Community Development
Corporations, neighbors, project coordinators and volunteers.
Thank you to the following for your generous support and invaluable help:
Neighborhood Progress Inc.
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
Re-Imagining Cleveland
The Cleveland Colectivo
The Cleveland Foundation
The George Gund Foundation
City of Cleveland, Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Councilman Joe Cimperman, Councilman Brian J. Cummins, Councilman Matt Zone, Green Triangle, International Village Block Club, Kurtz Bros. Inc., Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Neighborhood Leadership Institute, Mt. Pleasant Community Zone, Ohio State University Extension-Cuyahoga County, Tremont Gardeners, Tremont West Development Corporation, Stockyards Redevelopment Organziation, Urban Design Center of Northeast Ohio and the Village People Block Club. Additional thanks go to Court Community Service and Building Bridges.
Resources:
Seed balls: Seed balls are an easy way to restore native Ohio plants. Seed balls are seeds wrapped in a mixture of red clay, soil and water rolled into small balls that can be placed in your garden. Click here for seed ball directions.
Our pilot Cleveland Naturehood lot is on Holmden Avenue in the Tremont neighborhood. Click here to download a Naturehood planting plan for the Tremont lot.
Neighborhood Progress Inc., the City of Cleveland, Kent State's Urban Design Center and other partners researched opportunities that can be created for the strategic re-use of vacant land. Click here to download the Re-Imagining a More Sustainable Cleveland report or the Re-Imagining Cleveland Vacant Land Re-Use Pattern Book.
ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves - Ohio Native Species for Landscapes and Restoration
Ohio State University Extension - Native Plant Bibliography
The Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio
Ohio Prairie Association
Northwest Ohio Nature - Habitat Restoration for Home Owners
Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society -Native Plant Card and Plant Sales
Ohio Prairie Nursery
Online software from USDA Forest Service for urban forestry analysis and benefits assessment tools - i.Tree
Online sofitware to analyze structure, environmental effects and valuse of urban forests - ufore
People + Native Plants = NatureHood
