The Annual Meeting of Greensprings Natural Cemetery will be held Saturday, June 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the cemetery. A light lunch will be provided. Of special note is recognition of Joel Rabinowitz, former executive director of Greensprings, who is retiring from the Board of Trustees following the maximum six years of service. Elections of new board members will be conducted. All lot holders, staff, volunteers and friends (especially of Joel!) are encouraged to attend. For more information on Greensprings and directions, please visit naturalburial.org.
Whether attending the annual meeting or visiting at another time, visitors will notice that many trees have been removed from the fields on the Bobolink Meadow side of the road (on the right as you approach the entrance). This work has several objectives: prepare for future expansion of the burial areas, reduce eventual cost of removing even larger and more numerous trees, provide habitat for grassland birds, encourage pollinators like monarch butterflies, and allow for more effective maintenance. The United State Department of Agriculture, through the Soil and Water Conservation Service, has provided partial funding for the improvements. Greensprings' Ecological Advisory Committee has provided guidance for the project.
In the Fall, the area around the cottage will be planted with 75 bushes and trees, all intended to increase pollinator food sources. It is hoped that the plantings will also beautify the entrance to the parking areas. Additional pollinator and grassland bird habitat improvements will take place below the Leopold Overlook.
Also being considered is the possibility of a pet cemetery at Greensprings. Since by New York State law human cemeteries can not operate pet cemeteries, a five-acre parcel of land would be sold to an independent corporation. With 130 acres of land, Greensprings can easily accommodate a five-acre sale. It is thought the human and pet cemeteries, though separate, would be mutually supportive, with humans wanting to be buried near their pets. Both cemeteries would be more efficient, sharing equipment and maintenance. The pet cemetery would follow the same natural burial standards as Greensprings.
There's more! Attend the Annual Meeting to learn more about all the progress at Greensprings.