FM & Liberty ARC to Landscape Walkways, Host Plant Exchange

June 11, 2012 — Fulton-Montgomery Community College, in partnership with Liberty ARC, will be landscaping the College’s main walkway leading up to the Clock Tower on Tuesday, June 26 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.

“Our vision for these ‘garden walkways’ includes Iris, Lilies, and Juniper,” says John van Bladel, FM Psychology Instructor and event co-coordinator. “We welcome assistance from the community.”

Also, a “Plant Exchange” will take place. If you or someone you know has an interesting plant, guests are encouraged to pot the plant and bring it to the campus for a “leave a plant, take a plant” concept.

This event is one of several where FM and Liberty have joined forces. In fall 2011, Liberty staff and consumers, along with FM employees and students, planted a “Community Garden” on the College’s campus. The garden, which can be easily seen from Route 67, will include a variety of fruit, herbs, vegetables and flowers. Once ready, all of these items will be donated to local food pantries.

“At any given time, you may see persons from Liberty or members of FM staff maintaining the garden,” says FM President Dr. Swanger.

The organizations recently came together to host a “Spring Clean-Up/Earth Day Celebration” to weed, rake, and seed the garden as well as tackle various outdoor clean-up tasks. The day included an indoor informative display on such topics as nutrition, vegetarianism, a seed and plant exchange, and civility.

“This has been a very successful community partnership,” says FM President Dr. Swanger. “It provides an educational experience for Liberty consumers and FM students while beautifying the FM campus.”

For those interested in learning more about the upcoming landscaping event or the community partnership between FM and Liberty ARC, contact van Bladel at 518-736-FMCC (3622), ext. 8934 or via email at john.vanbladel@fmcc.edu or Courtney Downing, Liberty ARC, at 518-954-3258 or via email at courtneydow@libertyarc.org. Helpers are encouraged to bring their own gardening tools.