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Research Ridgewood Reservoir/iMAP is a year long performance project that investigates the unique landscape of the reservoir. This 50-acre site comprises wetlands, native swamp forest and urban wilderness unusual to the inner city. The artists are involved in a year long process of investigating the ecology of the reservoir with scientists as well as developing a creative process on site that responds to the changing seasons and the dynamic interplay of the human actions and natural phenomenon at play in the area. Our research included visits to the site with Mike Feller, Chief Naturalist of the Natural Resource Group of the NYC Parks Department; Andrew Greller, Professor Emeritus, Biology at Queens College; John Waldman, Professor of Biology, Queens College and Uli Lorimer, Curator of Native Flora, Brooklyn Botanic Garden as well as members of the Brooklyn Bird Club including, bird census coordinator Heidi Steiner, Steve Nanz, Rob Jett and Al Ott. Below you can find the results of this research divided into three sections BIRDS, PLANTS and AQUATIC LIFE. A very special thanks to all of those who have contributed to the knowledge gathering of this area. The opportunity to visit the site with each of these knowledgeable individuals has given the artists new ways of knowing and understanding this particular ecosystem. The dancing that has developed from this process is also its own particular method of knowing. It is our hope that the dancing, in conjunction with the field research can provide a comprehensive way of understanding and questioning the unique challenges of this site and urban wilderness in general. |