“Modern-day slave story.” That’s how Troy Lancaster described his work creating this very Dred Scott Bird Sanctuary.
Lancaster spent years turning a debris-filled lot into an oasis. Now, welcome to the Dred Scott Bird Sanctuary. It is a testament to community dedication and the resilience of nature.
In the 1980s, this area was plagued by apartment fires and open-air drug markets. Lancaster envisioned a haven for the community’s children. So he transformed the space. Starting in the 1990s, it took two years to clear the lot. It became a community garden. Lancaster learned that songbird migration routes passed directly over The Bronx. He planted native species to attract birds.
His wife, Patricia Grant, designed nature programs for local children. Initially, the community was skeptical. They didn’t understand the vision of a bird sanctuary in the Bronx.
The name “Dred Scott Bird Sanctuary” came from Lancaster’s daughter as a joke. Dred Scott was a slave who unsuccessfully sued for his freedom. Lancaster felt his unpaid labor echoed Scott’s struggle.
The sanctuary faced challenges. People assumed developers would take over the cleaned-up land. But the Lancasters secured a grant from Mayor Bloomberg. They also won an EPA Environmental Champion Award. The Dred Scott Bird Sanctuary became a community cornerstone.
The sanctuary hosted family reunions and weddings for those who couldn’t afford other venues. It became a vital space. It served as a green space in an urban area.
The Dred Scott Bird Sanctuary is designed with a “light footprint”. It handles stormwater on-site. It minimizes impervious surfaces. Rainfall is captured for irrigation. The planting plan incorporates existing trees and native vegetation.
These plants provide food and shelter for birds. The goal is to create a high-value habitat for year-round and migratory species. The Dred Scott Bird Sanctuary has attracted various wild birds for over a decade. These birds stop to feed during their migration. The location is on Grant Avenue, between 169th and 170th Streets.
Lancaster’s leukemia diagnosis threatened the sanctuary’s future. He and his wife painstakingly raised funds for upkeep. They performed much of the manual labor. Without someone to take over, the Dred Scott Bird Sanctuary faced disrepair. The Parks Department planned to recruit a new caretaker.
The Dred Scott Bird Sanctuary stands as a reminder that anyone can make a difference. It is a symbol of community and perseverance. It is a green haven in the heart of the Bronx. It is a testament to the power of nature and community.