http://www.groundworkhv.org

Their work was part of the President's nationwide initiative, America's Great Outdoors: Developing the Next Generation of Conservationists.  Groundwork is honored to have been able to send this team out into these wilderness areas, where they were trained, paid, and certified to preserve the trails that make these breathtaking resources accessible to this and future generations. A grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Foundation covered the youth salaries and expenses for this program, and will do so again next summer. The program was run by our partners, the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards, a program of the Wilderness Society.

The Yonkers crew hiked into wilderness locations carrying everything they needed for the week and camped near their work site for five-day stints throughout the six weeks. They had time for fun on the weekends, going white water rafting, hiking to waterfalls, and swimming in lakes.

Groundwork hopes to continue creating partnerships like this in order to offer environmental jobs and job training to Green Team graduates.  

For more, see this Yonkers Rising story

Four of our Yonkers Green Team youth traveled to Yellowstone National Park for a week-long summer capstone Corps experience. Hosting Groundwork work crews was a new arrangement for Yellowstone staff, and we are proud to report that our youth performed far beyond expectations! It was a wonderful and unique experience for youth who had never been to such an idyllic National Park. Likewise, Yellowstone staff were tremendously impressed with the youth's professionalism and commitment to conservation. Besides completing trail restoration, the youth and their leaders took many day-hikes, swam in a 'boiling river', went on amazing night hikes, and walked among meandering buffalo. We hope to return there next summer. 

Every year representatives from Groundwork Trusts across the country gather to share our "lessons learned." This year Groundwork Hudson Valley hosted the event, welcoming staff and youth from more than 20 cities, along with federal partners from the EPA, National Park Service, and US Fish & Wildlife. The Conference began with a Funders' Roundtable and opening banquet in New York City on October 10. The next day featured tours of Groundwork's signature projects in Yonkers, beginning with the daylighted Saw Mill River park, at which Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and City Council President Chuck Lesnick addressed the crowd of more than 100. Next up was the new Lenoir Preserve bird & dragonfly habitat exhibit, followed by a mobile tour of our community gardens. The youth then set sail aboard the Clearwater Sloop, after which they joined in a Sunset Reception at the Science Barge, featuring an eclectic blend of cuisine provided by Tacos el Poblano and  Dolphin Restaurant, and a sumptuous hors d'oeuvres and sparkling apple cider from Foods of Quebec.

The next day the Conference moved to Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, NJ, where the youth heard from staff about career paths in conservation. Then everyone explored the beautiful refuge aboard a flotilla of canoes. The Conference was a great opportunity for teens from all over the country to experience a new city and learn about the projects that their peers in environmental leadership are working on in their towns. 

Many thanks to all attendees, from near and far, who helped make this a fun and rewarding Conference, and to our generous sponsors--the EPA, National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, the Ford Foundation, Chase Bank, Yonkers Tennis Center, Foods of Quebec, Shop Rite, and Coca-Cola. 

Science Barge Toughs Out Sandy

The Science Barge, our fully sustainable urban farm and floating classroom, proved to be truly sustainable, surviving hurricane Sandy's surging waves with solar panels, wind turbines, and greenhouse intact--this after a season in which the Barge hosted more visitors than ever! The Barge had a packed schedule of 96 school groups, 27 summer camp groups, several film crews, the taping of a Food Channel special, and the always lively Art & Science Sundays.

Season-Ending Harvest Feeds Needy 

The final fall harvest on the Science Barge yielded a bounty of lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, and collard greens, which were delivered to Yonkers food pantries and community centers for distribution to families in need. Recipients included the  

Yonkers YWCA (pictured here), San Andres Episcopal Church.