Friends of Washington Grove
An old-growth forest in the city of Rochester
The Friends of Washington Grove help manage Washington Grove, a park owned by the City of Rochester. We encourage its sustainable use as an old growth forest and foster scientific research to support the City’s management goals. We inform park visitors and the community about the ecology and history of this valuable resource. We work with the city to remove invasive plants and encourage the growth of native species, and we depend on the help of volunteers to do this valuable work.
The Friends of Washington Grove, Inc. is registered as a not-for-profit corporation in New York State and exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to its work are tax-deductible.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Washington Grove is an old growth (never logged) oak-hickory forest in the city of Rochester NY. The Grove is on land within the original Seneca Nation territory. As its stewards, The Friends of Washington Grove are working to locally address issues of inequity and exclusion that have been historical problems within the environmental movement. For too long, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, as well as people with lower incomes have been largely excluded from the movement. The factors that have led to their exclusion are many and include (but are certainly not limited to):
- A lack of political access and representation among excluded groups;
- Devaluing the environmental and health concerns of communities of color; and
- Putting parks and green space, trees, and grass in developments and along city blocks in ways that favor the affluent.
In a city as racially, culturally, and economically diverse as Rochester, NY, citizens of color and those with lower incomes must feel welcome as peers and leaders within the environmental movement. These citizens also deserve to enjoy the fruits of environmental labor. An activist community that learns from the experiences of all its constituents is a strong one. We affirm that racial and economic justice are core components of environmental justice and of our stewardship mission. As such, The Friends commit to:
- Seek to better understand and respond to the diverse wants, needs, and challenges of Rochester communities as they relate to our environmental stewardship mission;
- Underscore the importance of green spaces like Washington Grove for the overall health and well-being of Rochester’s communities;
- Work in collaboration with the City and other partners to call attention to Washington Grove as a welcoming and accessible recreation space for all, including people of color and those with lower incomes;
- Continue to make Washington Grove more accessible from the Cobb’s Hill reservoir;
- Seek and allocate resources and expertise to support people of color, the organizations that they lead, and the environmental causes that they pursue in and around the city;
- Seek to add our voice to the concerns of communities of color within the city; and
- Advocate for policies and approaches that ensure adequate green space throughout Rochester.
Our Board
Kristy Liddell, President
After growing up in rural Arkansas, Kristy Liddell delights in this little pocket of old growth forest and in her small garden, which she is filling with native perennials. She is constantly learning more about how to support thriving communities, both human and non-human.
Jack Schroeder, Vice President
Jack Schroeder has walked Washington Grove for 40 years with his children and grandchildren, and at all times and weather. He hopes the Grove can provide the same experience to children for the next 100 years.
Justin Murphy, Secretary
Justin Murphy is a reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle. He lives near Washington Grove in the Cobbs Hill neighborhood.
Liz Schroeder, Treasurer
Elizabeth Schroeder is a speech pathologist, retired from the Rochester City School District. She has enjoyed walking the Grove for many years with her family. Liz is please to supposed community efforts to maintain and improve this treasure for the future.
Peter Debes, member
Peter Debes, who grew up next to the Washington Grove is a retired high school science teacher in the Rochester City School District and a professional naturalist. For many years he led eco-tours with a company he co-founded in Rochester, Nature Discoveries, Inc.
Brian Eshenaur, member
Brian Eshenaur works in the horticulture research and education field. Plants and the natural world is an important part of his life; he enjoys walking through Washington Grove and introducing others to it.
Carter Remy, member
Carter Remy is a socio-environmental educator specializing in connecting young people with nature.
Marvin Muller, member
Marvin Muller is a nature enthusiast, avid hiker, and neighbor of Washington Grove.
Shirley Green, member (non-voting)
Shirley Green is the Commissioner of Recreation and Human Services for the city of Rochester. She previously was a Rochester City School District administrator.