When New York City Bloomed

When New York City Bloomed

NY Times March 28, 2011

Op-Art | Mariellé Anzelone and Wendy Hollender

When you stand in the middle of Times Square, it is easy to forget that the colonists settled in New York City because of its bounty of natural resources. Before there were skyscrapers and restaurants, the city’s wealth was measured in flora and fauna. Early Dutch sailors were disoriented by the scent of wildflowers wafting out to sea from Manhattan.

Even today, forests, marshes and meadows cover nearly one-eighth of the city. But it is not a safe haven for flowers. Of 1,357 native plant species documented in New York City’s history, only 778 remain here.  (Read More)

Marelle Anzelone is Executive Director/Founder of NYC Wildflower Week which will be celebrating its 4th Anniversary, May 6-15th.