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tree. “It was my favorite thing in the
world,” she said, wistfully.
So, what exactly is it that makes the
Wylde gardens so unique? Yes, we have
parks and nature preserves, but what
the Wylde Center offers is an immersive
gateway to nature. These greenspaces
are essential to the health of our local
ecosystem. By planting and maintaining
native, pollinator-friendly plants, the
Wylde Center team can provide support to
these often overlooked insects and animals
that in turn keep flowers and plants
growing in our communities.
“The Wylde Center is unique in that
we do community programs, education
programs, and actual physical gardens,”
explained Parys. “The mission of the
organization is to connect people to
nature, and we really do use all of those
facets to connect people to nature.”
These community gardens are open to
the public, maintained by a combination
of staff members and community
volunteers, and offer resources such as
composting, raised bed plots, event rentals,
classes, and even opportunities for little
ones to meet and interact with farm
animals such as the resident chickens and
goats at Mulberry Fields Garden.
“It is such a waterfall effect, pun
intended, for nature,” saidTinter. “Because
our education program does help kids
learn how to eat healthier, and we have a
lot of young kids come to our garden. They
want to touch things and eat things. The
Wylde Center does a really beautiful job of
showing you how to use the resources of
nature without destroying it.”
During the pandemic, the Wylde
Center gardens offered a much needed
resource for people to connect with nature
to relieve anxiety and provide a safe outlet
away from the isolation of their homes. “It
was very obvious that people needed to get
out of their houses,” said Parys. “We had
so many visitors to our gardens. People
turned to gardens because it relieved their
stress and anxiety.”
Beyond the healing properties of
getting your hands dirty, breathing fresh
air, and being surrounded by nature,
the gardens also encourage community
members to learn about environmental
stewardship through their education
program.
to all of their gardens which will include
additional structures at the gardens,
bathrooms, and a renovated main office at
the Oakhurst Garden.
“Basically, what we are doing is making
site improvements that will enhance
our ability to educate children on site,
adjusting to accommodate changes in
climate, and make the gardens more
accessible to the communities in which
they exist,” Tinter said.
In Kirkwood, visitors will see the FFawk
FFollow garden double in size with the
acquisition of two additional adjacent lots.
When asked how people can get more
involved with the Wylde Center and its
initiatives, Parys suggested that interested
parties consider becoming a donor, take
beginnger gardening classes, become a
plot holder at one of their gardens, or
participate in the plant sale which is
taking place from now through June at the
Oakhurst Garden and online.
Family programs offer another great
way to breed a love and understanding
for the importance of nature with our
youngest community members. Whether
it be through organizing field trips with
local schools, family programs, or merely
by bringing them to these garden spaces to
experience nature firsthand, there are some
wonderful ways to instill environmental
stewardship in our children’s lives.
“Just come visit us!” said Parys, with a
trademark enthusiasm that she brings to all
of her efforts at the Wylde Center. “One of
the best ways to get involved with us is to
come visit us.”
Learn at WyldeCenter.org. QD
By attending workshops, both
virtually and in person, visitors can learn
how to start a garden, when to plant
their summer plants — not only flowers,
but also tips for growing fruits and
vegetables. The Wylde Center offers one
of the largest youth environmental and
science education programs in metro-
Atlanta. Their programming includes
the Decatur Farm to School program,
Atlanta Farm to School, FFealthy Living by
FFealthy Growing at the Decatur FFousing
Authority, and science programs and field
trips linked to Common Core standards.
It’s also not only the wildlife that
benefits from these greenspaces scattered
throughout residential neighborhoods in
Atlanta; their very existence has become
a sort of “absorbant” to the city. The
effects of climate change paired with
the increased density of development in
residential communities has made Wylde
gardens much wetter. When it rains these
open spaces tend
to flood. Three of
the five gardens are
technically located in
flood plains, but all
of them have seen an
increase in rainwater
accumulation
following storms.
This eases the strain
on sewer systems and
prevents flooding in
nearby homes and
businesses.
The Wylde
Center organization
itself is a nonprofit,
and the structure
is composed of about 16 full time staff
members, as well as education, greenspace,
development, public programs, and event
rentals departments. Guided by a board
of 18 engaged and talented community
members, the team handles maintenance
and programs at all five gardens year-
round.
This year, in celebration of its 25 th
anniversary, the Wylde Center team is
hosting some celebratory parties and
initiatives to garner involvement within
their community. They recently launched
an all-ages scavenger hunt with 25 things
to find at their greenspaces, complete with
prizes such as t-shirts, bags, and gift cards.
In June, an official Beer Garden party will
commemorate the anniversary with live
music, food, drinks, and plenty of good
vibes.
Also, over the next 18-24 months, the
Wylde Center is set to embark on a capital
campaign that will see site improvement
scenthound.
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APRIL 2022 | INT0WN 21