White Rock Lake Weekly, August 30, 2023, Old Cemetery Brings New Learning Opportunities

Texan by Nature 2023 Recognition

The Lakewood Advocate - May 2023 Ferris Cemetery included in Advocate's East Dallas Staycation itinerary

The Lakewood Advocate – April 2023  Ferris Cemetery hosts Fundraiser

 What in East Dallas is Going On  Podcast– March 2, 23 – The Fascinating History of the Warren Ferris Cemetery – Podcast interview with Julie Fineman

North Texas Master Naturalist – Jan. 2023 Project Highlight: Warren Ferris Cemetery

 Seed Source – Inspirational Gallery- 2023 Constellation of Living Memorial Program

Green Source DFW – 2022 Awards

Julie Fineman’s Acceptance Speech 
Coke Buchanan Award 2022

I would like to thank the Green Source DFW's recognition of my and my organization’s work, and for honoring me with the Coke Buchanan Volunteer of the Year Award. I am proud that, through this award, the work being done at the Warren Ferris Cemetery can be given the spotlight it so deserves. I believe that reclaiming our cemeteries and returning them to their former state of beauty is possible and enhanced by the natural beauty of Texas wildlife. Cemeteries hold an important role in the history of Texas as the key that unlocks our heritage.

I hope to inspire future endeavors to connect communities with the past through the rich histories of those who have lived before us. By beautifying our cemeteries, we honor those interred there, and re-introduce the serene sense of peace back to the final resting place for many of Dallas’ founders. The Friends of Warren Ferris Cemetery and Constellation of Living Memorials aims to reimagine the modern associations with gravesites by telling the stories of those interred and re-instill native fauna to the land. By uncovering their past, and creating an idyllic space of introspection, we can connect Dallasites with how they lived, just as we do, in the city we collectively call home. Connecting the beauty of nature to beget reverence for the populace of yesteryear to not only honor them but empower us as we grow as a community immemorial.
 
Without a fine-tuned bow, the arrow cannot reach its mark. I’d like to thank my mentor former Tx Representative Harryette Erhardt, neighbors and board members, James and Barbara Jordan, local naturalist Janet Smith, former president of Native Plant Society of Texas, Kim Conrow, Ferris historian Susanne Staring, and my husband Lee Glenn. 

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 Treehugger – Aug. 2021 Burial Places Can Boost Biodiversity, Restore Ecosystems

 Texas Conservation Alliance – June 2021 – Restoration in Progress

Green Source Dallas/Fort Worth- 2021- Dallas Group Turning Neglected Cemetery into Wildlife Refuge

 Foodtank – 2021 Can Forgotten Cemeteries Help Restore Biodiversity?

Forest Hills Neighborhood Association News Page 4- January 2020- Friends of the Warren Ferris Cemetery Launch Celebration

Lakewood Advocate Nov. 2019 -Cemetery saviors: Forest Hills neighbors resuscitate a historic graveyard

Preservation Dallas Announces  Preservation Project Winners 2021!

Preservation Dallas has chosen select projects for their outstanding efforts to preserve the historic character of their specific place.

We are honored to be among the giants selected for this year's awards including:
 Fair Park Dallas Aquarium, First Untied Methodist Church, Hall of State, Katy Trail Ice House MKT Caboose, the Meadows Building, the Pittman Hotel, The National Building, the Tietze Neighborhood Family Aquatic Center, the Webb/Crownover Cabin and of course, the Warren Ferris Cemetery.

Accomplishments 2019 – 2022

• Obtained 501C3 non-profit status

• Formed an effective working organization with a formal Board & Board of Advisors

• Created a website to showcase archived newsletters, the documentary, over 30 stories in the descendant blog, a list of Board Members, Board of Advisors, progress review, goals, awards

• Obtained a property survey to develop a landscape restoration plan

• Earned a Preservation Dallas Achievement Award and a Texas Historic Cemetery Medallion from the Texas Historical Commission in 2021

• Completed a one-year research finding the lost names of the people buried

• Located and contacted numerous families whose ancestors are buried at the cemetery

• Completed and donated a 7-part documentary, “The Ferris Cemetery, A Future As Well As a Past” to the Dallas Public Library System for school access

• Recognized in the 2021 & 2202 Native Plant Society of Texas Video Awards

• Significantly improved the cemetery condition by continual removal of invasive plants

• Planted over 175 native plants and trees

• Amassed over 400 volunteer hours working in the cemetery, via monthly 3 hr meet-ups

• Identified over 100 native plants

• Shared our experience with other historic cemeteries to assist them in their restoration, 501c3 status, volunteer coordination: McCree Cemetery, Glover Cemetery, Walker-Edwards Cemetery, Campo de Cemento Cemetery

• Invited to participate in the East White Rock Lake Garden Tour two years in a row

• Partnered with the following groups to work toward our shared goals: Dallas Pioneers Association, Texas Conservation Alliance, The Discovery Garden, North Texas Master Gardeners Association, Native Plant Society of Texas

• Developed the Tree of Life Program for native tree adoption from cemetery to Dallas high schools

• Developed the Constellation Living Memorial program in partnership with the Native Plant Society of Texas

• Secured partnership with North Texas Master Naturalist for membership volunteer credits

• Installed a natural rock water feature qualifying as a certified Monarch Butterfly Waystation and Wildlife Habitat

• Hosted over 3 dozen community lectures, art groups and volunteer study/opportunity, provided seating for meditation and general enjoyment for public enjoyment in the Ferris Cemetery garden

• Installed 3 cameras for archiving wildlife observation

• Awarded 2 grants totaling $13,000.00 from the Summerlee Foundation and the Texas Urban Forestry Council

• Board Member Julie Fineman recognized as the 2022 Green Source DFW Coke Buchannan Volunteer of the Year for her Friends of the Warren Ferris Cemetery leadership

• Over 800 sedges planted in one day during the Plant-A-Thon volunteer weekend, 1/11 & 12/2023. Over 30 volunteers participated.

• Hoffman Nursery made an in-kind donation of 1/3 the cost of the sedges.

• Enjoyed media support with articles in Green DFW, Lakewood Advocate magazine, Forest Hills Neighborhood Association Magazine, newsletters of the Dallas Pioneers Association, Preservation Dallas, the Dallas County Historical Commission, and Stroll