Hearken to the hen on this mural!
Painted: 9/24/2025
In regards to the Mural: On this mural by artist Erin Harley, White-crowned Sparrows perch and flit round a panorama filled with native vegetation: candy goldenrod, flowering dogwood, and blueberry shrubs. As a part of the Audubon Mural Project—a public-art initiative drawing consideration to birds which are susceptible to extinction from local weather change—NYC Parks’ Artwork within the Parks program and NYC Parks GreenThumb labored with the Nationwide Audubon Society, Gitler &_____ Gallery, and native artists to design murals in neighborhood gardens throughout the town. By way of a collaborative course of between the companions, artist, and backyard group, every mural was designed to function climate-threatened birds in addition to native plants that birds depend on for meals and shelter. By creating vibrant city inexperienced areas, neighborhood gardeners present important help for birds and other people. Discover extra murals from the collaboration here.
This mural was created with Pleasant Village Community Garden in East Harlem, one of many largest and oldest neighborhood gardens in Manhattan. “It’s not only a backyard; it’s a hub of neighborhood exercise and schooling, fostering a way of belonging and environmental stewardship for individuals of all backgrounds,” shares backyard president Kim Yim. She hopes the brand new mural, which brings in components of the native ecosystem, is a reminder to guard the wealthy biodiversity throughout us. “It’s a visible celebration of our neighborhood’s dedication to sustainability and the interconnectedness of all dwelling issues,” Yim says.
In regards to the Hen: The White-crowned Sparrow serves up a sensible look with its crisp black-and-white head and grey breast. Within the winter, these birds might be noticed throughout a lot of the US, shifting round in flocks and hopping alongside to forage for seeds in fields, roadsides, or yards. Its music, a collection of whistles and buzzy notes, will get filtered by way of totally different “dialects” based mostly on the area.
Although it’s widespread immediately, this acquainted sparrow faces threats from a altering local weather: If warming continues at its present tempo, the species is projected to lose 78 p.c of its present summer time vary, in line with Audubon’s Survival By Degrees report. Taking motion to restrict warming may also help guarantee these birds can thrive throughout a wider vary of habitats. In the meantime, sustaining pockets of inexperienced house like neighborhood gardens—and populating them with native vegetation—affords essential areas for the birds to relaxation and discover meals.
In regards to the Artist: Erin Harley is an artist based mostly within the Bronx. Although she all the time beloved artwork and studied graphic design in faculty, Harley labored as a medical analysis assistant after graduating. It wasn’t till the COVID-19 pandemic that Harley determined to pursue her ardour for artwork extra critically, launching a pet portrait business.
Whereas engaged on this mural, Harley says she felt instantly welcomed within the backyard, which is simply down the road from her junior highschool: “It felt like house,” she says. From assembly backyard members who shared their greens together with her, to speaking with passersby about their ardour for birds, the portray course of sparked many connections. Harley has even joined as a member of the backyard, and emphasizes the worth of those inexperienced areas for birds—and other people—to refuel. “It’s such as you’re being transported into a very totally different house,” Harley says. “Whenever you stroll in these doorways, you’re outdoors of the town.”
