Budget
$36,109.00
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
2024 Impact Highlights
• 702 students embraced their 'natural' curiosity
• Doubled student participation from 2023
• Over 100 folks celebrated the great outdoors at Family Day
• 36 school visits transformed classrooms into field research stations
• 18 epic park expeditions
• 3 school partners joined our quest for knowledge

Program Areas Served
Shelby Park and Bottoms

Budget
$28,928.00
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
Short-term Success
Thanks to grant funding from Nashville Earth Day, we were able to hire the Nashville Chew Crew for a few weeks of grazing and razing invasive plant species to the ground. This crew of sheep (armed with an electric fence, livestock guardian dog, and ravenous bellies) chewed their way through around 2.5 acres of young privet and honeysuckle. In addition to this, we were able to activate nearly 300 volunteers to pull an additional 3 acres of invasive plants on Beech Grove Hill. This wouldn't have been possible without our Invasive Removal Crew Leaders, who attend events and help guide small groups in proper plant identification and safe tool usage. With 8 new IRCLs having joined the crew, we're well on our way to restoring Beech Grove Hill and protecting our native ecosystem.
Program Areas Served
Shelby Park and Bottoms

Budget
$62,468.00
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
●2024 By the Numbers:
• Hours: 4500+
• Volunteers: 1962
• Projects: 110
• Community Events: 29
• Pounds of Trash: 2000+
• New Ambassadors: 22
• New IRCLs: 8
• Acres of Invasives: Around 3
• Trees Planted: 70 (with volunteers)
• Volunteer Value (found out 2024's estimate was $33.49): $150,000+

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