Warren Ferris Cemetery

Class of 2024 Group Project

Warren Ferris Cemetery �2024 Group Project

• Background:
• Warren Ferris Cemetery (WFC) is a pocket prairie and monarch way-station in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Dallas. As a pilot of the Cemetery Constellation Project, WFC serves as an inspiration to those who wish to transform Dallas’ abandoned cemeteries into native garden oases.

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Warren Ferris Cemetery �2024 Group Project

• Our mandate: Enhance the beauty of the boundary berms along San Leandro and St. Francis Streets on the cemetery’s corner.
• Sample soil. What native plants are best?
• Create natural design that blooms throughout seasons.
• Buy and plant native plants/seeds.
• Conduct community outreach during Forest Hills Days.

8 Steps to Success

Warren Ferris Cemetery �2024 Group Project

Warren Ferris Cemetery �2024 Group Project

• Step 1: Project Initiation
• Tour site.
• Identify group leadership.
• Confirm budget.
• Develop task list and timeline.
• Assign groups/tasks.

Warren Ferris Cemetery �2024 Group Project

• Step 2: Assess Site
• Sample soil.
• Determine sun, shade, water distribution, erosion.
• Measure berm/confirm parameters.
• Note special requests from Friends of WFC.

Warren Ferris Cemetery �2024 Group Project

• Step 3: Site Prep
• Remove weeds and invasives.
• Identify obstacles (e.g., short timeline, hard to dig soil, plant substitutions).

Warren Ferris Cemetery �2024 Group Project

• Step 4: Create a Project Plan
• Assign budget: soil test, plants, seeds, materials, signage.
• Identify possible donations and native plant sales that fit within project timeline.

Warren Ferris Cemetery �2024 Group Project

• Step 5: Design Berm Plantings
• Select plants based on site, budget, plant sale lists.
• Design planting map.
• Incorporate client requests.
• Get board approval.

Warren Ferris Cemetery �2024 Group Project

Warren Ferris Cemetery �2024 Group Project

• Step 7: Installation
• Purchase native plants on final list.
• Host team planting day.
• Trouble-shoot on-site (e.g., drill plant holes, mow walkway grass, carry water).

Warren Ferris Cemetery �2024 Group Project

• Step 8: Follow up
• Assign team members to check plants.
• Water 1-2 times/week.
• Attend monthly workdays to weed and trouble-shoot.

What We Learned

• Expect multiple stakeholders. Plans, reporting and approvals ensure success.
• Documenting steps assists in reporting to stakeholders and allows for project duplication.
• Even small projects are time- and labor-intensive.

What We Contributed

• Master Naturalists add value to community projects!
• Diverse knowledge of native plants, soils and animals.
• Artistic skills that brought the project alive (photography, graphic arts).
• A variety of scientific, business, educational and leadership skills.

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What We Gained

• We discovered that small projects can be big educational venues.
• We created a template for small projects.
• We built a community of like-minded friends and colleagues.

Idea for the future …

Use our 8-step template to extend the idea that no native plant project is too small?

Warren Ferris Cemetery �2024 Group Project

• Consider, in partnership with NTMN and the Native Plant Society of Texas:
• Create a “8 Steps” QR code with back up materials.
• Share as a template for Master Naturalists who wish to lead small, native plantings.
• Include:
• Soil sample form/instructions.
• Local suppliers and sale dates.
• “Why Plant Natives?” fact sheet.
• Consider adapting this presentation for MNs who wish to educate and lead small native planting projects.

Warren Ferris Cemetery �2024 Group Project Roster

Brooks Brinkman

Carter Teilkmeier

Dalton Pfiffner

Delana Baker-Monroe

Jenani Tzhone

Jenny Williams

Jessie Mercer

Karen Kowalske

Kelly Martin

Lindsey Hranitzky

Malette Reed

Sonia Mahoney

Stephanie Huerta

Susan Sattell

Ted Zobeck

Vincent Hale

Warren Ferris Cemetery Project:�Team Member Contributions

• Special thanks to project liaisons Patty Griffin and Julie Fineman and to Friends of Warren Ferris Cemetery.
• THANK YOU to our outstanding team member leaders!
• Project leadership and organization, written documentation, development and oversight of deadlines/events/updates/tasks/budget. (Project lead: Malette, and Secretary: Sonia)
• Warren Ferris Cemetery workdays. (Dalton, Jenani, Karen, Kelly, Malette, Sonia, Susan, Vince)
• Soil sampling education and management; test submission; soil map development, and soil amendment recommendations. (Lead: Ted, with Brooks, Jenani, Malette, Susan, Vince)
• Photography. (Vince)
• Berm measurement, plot design, plant choice, and professional mapping. (Alex, Brooks, Delana, Malette)
• Local native plant species recommendations and plant donations. (Dalton, Karen, Malette, Vince)
• Community outreach educational table for Forest Hills Neighborhood Association’s Centennial Parade and Fair April 27, 2024, development, coordination and presentations. (Brooks, Jenani, Jenny, Karen, Stephanie, Vince) This event was unfortunately cancelled due to rain.
• Plant purchase. (Dalton, Delana, Kelly, Malette, with Patty Griffin)
• Planting day labor, including soil drilling, shoveling, watering and mulching. (Dalton, Delana, Jenani, Jessie, Lindsey, Malette, Sonia, Stephanie, Susan, Vince)
• Fertilizer donation. (Jenny)
• Plants ID Signs. (Sonia)
• Watering/mowing. (Dalton, Delana, Jenani, Kelly, Susan)
• Final presentation development and materials. (Brooks, Sonia, Susan)
• Special thanks to Neighbors Barb and Jordan, who invited us to their home for lunch on planting day!