What did we do upon learning it would be thirty minutes until we were seated for Sunday morning brunch at Chez Genese? We walked all along the south 600 block of Elm Street, of course. The above photo features the Old Greensborough Gateway Center- built in 1919 and housing the Blue Bell Factory. Today, the renovated building functions as an entrepreneurial co-working space (reference and more information HERE). Renovations happened over five years ago, between 2017-2019. Most noticeable to us on the exterior was the new entrance (just barely visible in the middle of the right margin of this photo) to increase accessibility for all. Also noteworthy is the fact that every bit of the property, not covered with asphalt, sidewalk, or the building itself, has been artfully landscaped. The property is certified wildlife habitat by the national wildlife federation. It has earned that designation because it provides food, water, cover, and places for wildlife to raise young.
In walking the property, and using the iNaturalist and SEEK apps, we identified many plants. First, where is just about every color echinacea (cone flower) possible; figs; the American century plant; eastern redbud tree; floating marsh pennywart; lambs ear, deodar cedar; artichoke thistle; and, the potentially invasive, border privet. Likely, there are more plants; we stopped researching when our table at Chez Genese was ready. However, the lesson learned is that even tight, urban spaces can become certified as wildlife habitat. There are signs on the lot reminding people to respect the garden, which means touch and take nothing. Of course, the only thing we took were photos, oh, and the inspiration to help create wildlife habitat anywhere we can.
Happy Monday!