In our final episode focusing specifically on ecologically rich and contributing gardens, we learn some innovative lessons in built ecology. Literally.

Rebecca McMackin is an ecologically focused horticulturist and garden designer. For the past decade, she has been the Director of Horticulture for Brooklyn Bridge Park, an ecologically minded landscape constructed from the soil up on repurposed post-industrial shipping piers jutting out over New York’s East River beneath the iconic namesake bridge.

Rebecca and her horticultural team care for the diversity of life within this 85-acre parkland organically and with an emphasis on habitat creation for birds, butterflies, and soil microorganisms – as well as visiting humans.

Rebecca introduced me earlier this year at the Metro Hort Group’s annual Plant-O-Rama event, and I have had the pleasure of hearing her speak several times since then. Rebecca joins us this week to share more about rebuilding ecology where you can – and, she notes, if they can do it on concrete shipping piers over the East River in New York City – we can all do it on our own terms and in our unique conditions too. Listen in!

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