Cats wearing jackets, and much more
Kenley @ ICG
Who studied architecture in high school, immigrated to the US from Haiti at age 7, speaks French Creole, is a hobby cartoonist, has designed wallpaper, is a certified nutritional coach, and will get his certified personal trainer certificate this month? That would be Kenley Beljour, (he/him), ICG’s newest team member who joined ICG April 17 as Youth Program Educator.

In his role, Kenley will serve as co-lead of After School @ ICG and Lead the Maples Summer Camp Group (ages 10-12). Kenley will help plan activities, take care of the program participants, and support ICG events. 

Grace Heath, ICG’s After School Program Manager says, “Kenley’s passion for working with school age children is what really stood out in his application. He talked about the importance of .... click to keep reading.
Buzz, Buzz.
  • Tending plants.

  • Caring for the bunnies, birds, bees, and butterflies.

  • Running award-winning nature-based programming for children and families.

  • Curating a free, outdoor exploration and recreation space for the public.
All this means more children every day develop a personal relationship with nature.

We are currently working on something awesome that will help more people get involved and make a lasting difference. Keep your eyes out for more next week about how you can be part of it.
Kindness is doing what you can, where you are, with what you have. ~RAKtivist
Daffodil Dash Shout Out
Thank you Sponsors
Triad Foundation, Inc.
Triphammer Laundromat
Darling Family Farm
Bangs Ambulance, Inc.
The Home Depot
Cayuga Medical Center
Iron Design
Saturday, April 22, was the inaugural Daffodil Dash 5k and 1-mile run/walk along the Cayuga Inlet. A big thank you to our partner, Ithaca Garden Club, and our generous sponsors, listed above, who made the event possible and kept registration free for all participants.

ICG was delighted to co-host this blooming good time alongside the Ithaca Garden Club's Daff-A-Dazzle community-wide project team in honor of Earth Day and National Garden Month. In addition to highlighting the massive bulb project installed along the waterfront (almost 90,000 bulbs) and to encourage families and friends of all ages to enjoy the beauty of spring, the Daffodil Dash occurred during "Daffodil Week," newly proclaimed as such by Ithaca City Mayor Laura Lewis.
3 women in t-shirts that say "Ithaca is Daffodils with Mayor holding proclamation. All hold bouquets of daffodils
Daffodil Week Proclamation
Ithaca Forester Jeanne Grace, Ithaca City Mayor Laura Lewis, ICG Executive Director Candice Meade, and Triad Foundation Executive Director and Garden Club Member Melinda Oakes gather for the proclamation naming April 16-22 as Daffodil Week in Ithaca.
T-shirts were given to everyone under age 12 or over 70, and funds raised will go towards incremental daffodil bulb plantings (each dollar raised plants 2 bulbs).

Ithaca City Forester, Jeanne Grace and Dr. Bill Miller, Cornell University Professor of Horticulture and Research at the School of Integrative Plant Science were critical in the planning of the bulb planting, and guided the Ithaca Garden Club in the placement and physical planting of 87,250 bulbs and 75 crabapple trees currently planted along Ithaca’s Waterfront Trail. The Club’s project, “Daff-a-Dazzle” was installed primarily with Professor Miller’s unique planting machine that can plant 8,000 bulbs in just 11 minutes.
young children and one adult all wearing coats looking at daffodils
Playful Nature Explorers enjoying a Daffodil Dally on a cloudy April day.  
You Know it's Spring When...
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The handwashing stations are open!
Planting...
..and more planting!
an empty shed with empty shelves
The sheds get emptied & scrubbed,
A mess of supplies on the ground
supplies sorted,
and put back together with labeled, lidded bins.
What are your signs of spring? Tag us on social media and let us know!
ICG is Buzzing on Social Media 🐝
Ithaca Children's Garden relies on individual support to operate. Every donor, every dollar makes a difference for getting more children outdoors in nature. If you are inspired by ICG's work, consider making an online gift today to get involved. Your support is meaningful and appreciated.