Urban Environments Trip to NYC-Reflections

On Sunday, our group (along with other ones) departed to NYC. We arrived at 4:30 pm, and went to the hotel. We relaxed. On Monday, the environmental adventure started. Topic: Community gardens. We went to GreenThumb, a large national community garden organization. We watched a video. By the end of the day, I concluded that soil is really “brown gold,” as the video pointed out. Many people rely on this natural resource. At GreenThumb, I also recall Edie Stone saying: “Community gardens are all about community…gardens are just incidences.” That same afternoon, while walking around downtown NYC, I noticed how community gardens come to represent a culture, its traditions, and unity through a common interest: gardening. I noticed how different gardens have their own style and personality, some of them being more attractive than others (in my opinion). One can see casitas, toys on top of metal fences all around the garden, and a lot of other ways to represent beliefs and a culture. These gardens took me back to my home country, when visiting the country sides and other rural areas. “These places,” I though, “are where people gather and build a common space together, each contributing with a piece of one’s belongings.” Community gardens are, indeed, about uniting people and communities needing to identify with each other, considering that many people are away from home. By the end of the day and during our discussion before going back to the hotel, I also reflected: How will NYC look in 20 years? The NYC green (almost paradisiac) picture that Akesh, at GreenThumb, showed us constantly came to my mind. Is it fair to call this expectation utopian? Is the Environment well and appropriately appreciated?
On Tuesday, the topic was Urban Wildlife, so we went to Central Park. We began by identifying different types of birds (by their sound and color of feathers) around the reservoir: Mallards, Canada Gooses, Buffleheads, Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe; Northern Cardinal, House Sparrow, Tufted Titmouse, American Robin, Coopers Hawk, Downy Woodpecker.
On Wednesday, the topic was Urban Forestry. We went to Trees NY, and discussed why trees were important. Some of the reasons are: Trees are habitat for wildlife, they provide shade, their beauty adds value to a property, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, and because they are cool. We went around the downtown neighborhood and identified various types of trees, pruned some, and discussed the dangers that they face (such as being exposed to the asian long-horned beetle which feeds on fresh, not dead, wood). We had a group discussion which raised a question in my mind: Is it better to be an optimism, or a realist when taking environmentally tough decisions in the midst of adversity? It is ideal to be both, but many people tend to go one way or another. What am I?
On Thursday, the topic was Environmental Justice. We went to We Act, an Environmental Justice organization dedicated to build community power to fight environmental racism and improve environmental health, protection, and policy for communities of color. We discussed the problems that would emerge if Columbia University decided to expand over eight city blocks along the Manhattanville waterfront in West Harlem. Afterwards, we went to a community garden and worked a few hours picking up wood boards, and organizing the garden’s warehouse.
On Friday, the topic was Green Design, and we went to the Solaire. The Solaire, in Battery Park City, NYC, is a green design model, and Americas first environmentally advanced residential tower. “Fresher air, natural light, and fresher water… Live Healthy, Live Green.” The apartments are innovative, and the water is recycled; the Solaire has a green roof, and it is built up of natural materials for floor and wall designs. Afterwards, we went to the Irish memorial, where we concluded with the trip activities.
At about 12am on Saturday 24th March, I arrived home, in Ithaca, NY.
...My Environmental Conservation journey has just started!