Goal setting and impacts delivery
No, project goals were not set, and benefits were not delivered in all 3 key areas.
Please specify the achievements of the project goals
Biodiversity goals:
1. Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems: "We are partnering with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and others to restore what were once vacant lots to native pollinator habitat that will be open and available for the community to use, learn from, and enjoy." (2)
2. Increased conversion of degraded land or soil: "There were a lot of empty and blighted houses at the time and we thought ‘if we could only get rid of those houses then we could transform the space into pollinator habitat and make it an educational and useful resource for the community." (2)
3. Enhanced support of pollination: "We are partnering with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and others to restore what were once vacant lots to native pollinator habitat that will be open and available for the community to use, learn from, and enjoy." (2)
4. Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species: "It’s also important to teach kids and others how to manage invasive plant species, like Canada thistle. We manage and make tea from the thistle flower heads, which also prevents it from releasing more seeds that will spread it. We feed the thistle tea to our honey bees and they love it. We found a use for it instead of just ripping it out and throwing it away." (2)
5. Increased spread of native/heirloom/open-pollinated seed: "Doing this larger habitat project with the Partners Program will allow us to gather more native seed once the habitat is established and have the space to forage the seeds." (2)
Social justice and community:
1. Improved access to urban green space: "There were a lot of empty and blighted houses at the time and we thought ‘if we could only get rid of those houses then we could transform the space into pollinator habitat and make it an educational and useful resource for the community." (2)
2. Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces: "Rescue MI Nature Now works to transform unsightly land into green spaces while educating community members on how to play a role in maintaining these areas." (3)
3. Increased opportunities for social interaction: "To meet its objectives, the organization offers a variety of programs. Its largest is the Sustainable Youth Stewardship Program, where participants learn how to garden, grow trees, identify various plants and invasive species, and anything related to conservation practices such as pollinator habitats and community gardens." (3)
4. Increased access to healthy/affordable food: "To meet its objectives, the organization offers a variety of programs. Its largest is the Sustainable Youth Stewardship Program, where participants learn how to garden, grow trees, identify various plants and invasive species, and anything related to conservation practices such as pollinator habitats and community gardens." (3)
5. Improvement in people’s connection to nature: "Once the debris is cleared away, Flores says they plant flowers, trees, and native plants to beautify the area, connect residents with nature, and “restore faith in the community.” (3)
6. Increased knowledge of locals about local nature: "To meet its objectives, the organization offers a variety of programs. Its largest is the Sustainable Youth Stewardship Program, where participants learn how to garden, grow trees, identify various plants and invasive species, and anything related to conservation practices such as pollinator habitats and community gardens." (3)
