Budget
$15,000.00
Description
In an effort to increase youth connectedness to parks, Friends of Shelby is working with local students who have traditionally lacked access and inviting them to experience Shelby Park and Bottoms and learn more about what it can offer them and their families.
Through an environmental sciences curriculum, we are engaging students in real-world experiments and exploration that is accessible to them every day in our public park. They can see firsthand how their school lessons translate to the natural world.
By developing a program with multiple encounters (2 in school and 1-2 in the park per semester), we are building a more personal relationship with these students which over time helps build trust and keep a connection going long term.
Beneficiaries
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Short-term Success
In 2022, Friends of Shelby and our community partners spent more than 70 hours providing programming for 100+ students in their classrooms and in our park as part of the Park Explorers Program. We are excited to continue and expand this work in 2023 to other schools and more students so that more and more young people feel welcome in our park and are excited to explore everything Shelby has to offer.
Program Areas Served
Shelby Park and Bottoms

Budget
$26,000.00
Description
Shelby Park and Bottoms has an invasive plant species problem. Starting this winter, we are beginning efforts to remove these harmful plants from our forests, and we need your help. See below for information on volunteer events and invasive species.

What is an invasive species?
It is a species that is introduced to habitats where it is not native and harms the environment, human health, or the economy. In Shelby Park and Bottoms, a few species, in particular, have spread and seriously threaten the health of the park's ecosystems (and natural beauty). In Shelby Park and Bottoms, the main species causing issues are privet, bush honeysuckle, and the tree of heaven.

Why are we removing invasive species?
Removing invasive species is the first step in restoring the ecosystems they have ravaged. Once invasive plants are eradicated, we can replace them with many different native plant species. This process
Category
Environment  - Natural Resources Conservation & Protection 
Long-term Success
The Restore the Forest program was created to address the harmful presence of invasive plant species in Shelby Park and Bottoms, and to aim toward a holistic restoration of park habitat that has been negatively impacted by invasive plant species. This holistic restoration involves removing invasive plant species, keeping invasive species out once they're initially removed, and replacing them with native plants. This program depends on volunteers. Though Friends of Shelby plans and leads the efforts, they would not be possible without an abundant supply of passionate community members.

After training 12 Invasive Removal Crew Leaders (IRCLs) to assist us at volunteer events in the end of 2021, we hit the ground running in 2022. We held invasive plant removal volunteer events throughout the year. After our initial efforts cleared out parts of the forest, we began planting native tree species at some of these events. Throughout the warm spring and summer months, we enlisted volunteers to
Program Success Monitored By
Mapping of areas where invasive plants have been removed. Volunteer participation - including recurring volunteer numbers and volunteer satisfaction.
Program Areas Served
Shelby Park and Bottoms

Budget
$28,000.00
Description
A robust volunteer program is the most important program for Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms; It is a meaningful way to improve the park through beautification and maintenance projects, but to create a community of neighbors and friends that are passionate about, appreciate and protect the park.
Our program currently focuses on monthly volunteer days on the second Saturday of the month: engaging the community in tree and flower planting, cleaning and trash pickup, as well as trail and landscape maintenance.

Long-term Success
Friends of Shelby's volunteer program has doubled year over year in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Short-term Success
● In 2022 the Friends of Shelby Volunteer Program grew to include:
o 1669 volunteers (817 in 2021)
o 3747 hours (1800 in 2021)
● Volunteer worked on 83 projects and at 20 events
● The Restore the Forest invasive species removal program removed over 4 acres of invasive plants
● 2 miles of trail maintenance.
● Painted 4 park picnic shelter
● Planted 400+ new trees throughout the park.
● Maintained 18 acres of no-mow areas.
● Volunteers helped to maintain landscape beds at Shelby Golf Course Clubhouse, Lake Sevier, and at the Lillian Street park entrance.
● Ongoing volunteer projects to maintain the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center teaching garden.
● Worked with local creator space Make Nashville to build trashcan holders and create medals for the Full Belly 5K

Program Areas Served
None

Budget
$2,500.00
Description
Frieds of Shelby Park provides scholarship money for the Nature Center employees and financial support for ongoing park and environmental education programs.
Program Areas Served
None