From: Bruce Dichter
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 22-0042 Dutch Flohr Master Plan Amendment Date: Monday, January 24, 2022 2:08:58 PM
Hi,
My name is Bruce Dichter and I live near Dutch Flohr Park, whose master plan is up for review. I’ve never seen the master plan and don’t know how to access it, so what I’m about to say may already be incorporated into the plan. Before anything is finalized, though, I would like to voice my concern that the landscaping of the park reflect certain eco- supportive principles. There are two that should be considered: selecting trees and plants that are drought tolerant, and that also support bird and animal life.
Which plants are these? We’re all aware of the drought, so I assume the park planners have already made selections accounting for it. Selecting trees and plants that support animal life hasn’t received enough attention, though. Caterpillars are the key. I’ve grown up with the belief that trees and plants resistant to caterpillar growth were the best choices.
You may have as well. I now know that to be wrong. It is those animals that many birds rely upon, as do numbers of mammals. Certain species of trees, most notably oaks, support a wide variety and large numbers of caterpillars. Tables are available documenting how many different species of caterpillars various trees and herbaceous plants support, and I would like to see the most life supportive, drought tolerant species be the ones selected for Dutch Flohr Park.
It would be easy to dismiss the importance of caterpillars. I never imagined myself arguing on their behalf. But I urge you to take a second look, delve deeper into why our wildlife is dying off, and you’ll soon see that our planting of sterile landscapes is a prime contributor.
Let’s reverse that trend.
Although I’m new to this and have no background in landscaping, I do have useful, well- documented materials identifying the most life-supportive plants native to our area, and would welcome the opportunity to share them with all interested parties.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Bruce Dichter