September in Review
September was an exciting month for Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy. From speaking engagements to environmental stewardship events to educational outreach, our team worked to share our vision to improve public parklands for public enjoyment and ecosystem health with the New York community. Here is a summary of everything we were up to this September!
Rockaway Refresh
On September 2, we concluded our Summer series of Rockaway Refresh Sessions! These weekly clean-ups were created to mobilize volunteers to pick up litter from the beach. Through over 12 sessions this Summer, we collected a total of 1,286 pounds of trash from the shorelines of Rockaway Beach. We also partnered with Narisara Vanichanan to lead yoga during the start of some of our Rockaway Refresh sessions. The goal of this was to integrate self-care and rest alongside stewardship! On September 2 alone, volunteers picked up 482 pounds of trash, to end our season on a high note!
National Park Friends Alliance’s Fall Meeting
Our Executive Director, Terri Carta, traveled to St. Louis to represent Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy at the National Park Friends Alliance’s Fall Meeting. She spoke on a panel about “Fostering the Next Generation of Park Stewards” with Amy Sovocool, Jennifer Layman, Karissa DeCarlo and moderator Jeff Mow. During this visit, she learned more about our country's Westward Expansion from the Gateway Arch museum exhibits, alongside sharing the vital work of Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy with the wider national park community.
Wetlands Fellows Visit Chincoteague Bay Field Station
Our Wetlands Fellows got the opportunity to visit Chincoteague Bay Field Station as part of an educational exchange. The goal of this trip was to educate them on the role of a rural estuary in environmental stewardship. They discovered over 15 unique species, and all species were safely returned to the water.
Achilles Adaptive Cycling
In partnership with Achilles International, we hosted an adaptive cycling event at Floyd Bennett Field, providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to ride tandem bikes and handcycles in a welcoming and supportive environment. Participants explored the park’s vast, traffic-free spaces and natural beauty at their own pace, using cycles customized to their needs. For many, the experience offered a sense of freedom and independence while fostering a deeper connection to nature. The event also included a visit to Hangar B, where participants, among them veterans, toured historic aircraft and met volunteers from the Historic Airplane Restoration Program (HARP). Cycling through the hangar, and even into one of the planes enriched their experience and strengthened their connection to the site. For veterans, especially, engaging with the park’s aviation history created a meaningful link to their own service, building camaraderie and leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved.
Global Citizen Cleanup
In partnership with Global Citizen, Goodera, and the Black Surfers Association East Coast Chapter, we hosted a cleanup at Canarsie Pier. At this event, we mobilized hundreds of volunteers to collect 1,178 pounds of litter from the shoreline. All the volunteers who attended were given complimentary tickets to the Global Citizen Festival. 100+ volunteers attended this event, including NYC Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa and Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans.
International Coastal Cleanup Day
In honor of International Coastal Cleanup Day yesterday, volunteers gathered at Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary for a cleanup. We partnered with the Queens Link for this cleanup! At this event, 35 volunteers attended and we collected 42 bags of litter. The amount of litter our volunteers collected that day amounted to 285 pounds.
“Ecological Living Networks” Panel
Terri Carta, our Executive Director, spoke on Yale University’s Ecosystems + Architecture and UN Environment Programme’s panel on “Ecological Living Networks as a New Framework to Accelerate Deployment of Radically Innovative Climate Technologies” at the Transforming Built Ecologies event at SHoP Architects.
Transatlantic Climate Breakfast
Elizabeth Stoehr, our Deputy Director, spoke at the “Transatlantic Climate Breakfast in NYC,” hosted by Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC, POCACITO, and the German-American Nature-Based Solutions Exchange. This panel discussed how nature-based solutions are reshaping transatlantic climate cooperation.
West Pond Living Shoreline Walking Tour
In partnership with Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung DC, Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay, POCACITO, and the German-American Nature-Based Solutions Exchange, we hosted a West Pond Living Shoreline Walking Tour. Participants received a guided tour of the West Pond Living Shoreline to learn more about the nature restoration and living shoreline work taking place on Jamaica Bay, followed by a late-afternoon reception on the roof of Rockaway Hotel.
JFKIAT Volunteer Day
We partnered with the JFK International Air Terminal for the 3rd year in a row for a volunteer event at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Pollinator Garden. Volunteers got the chance to clear invasive plants to make way for healthy native plants. The goal of this event was to foster healthy ecosystems for pollinators, including the Monarch Butterfly species.
Jamaica Bay Boat Tour
We partnered with Kingsborough Community College, POCACITO, and the German-American Nature-Based Solutions Exchange to host a Jamaica Bay Boat Tour! During this boat tour, participants got the opportunity to explore Jamaica Bay from the deck of a hybrid boat, R/V CUNY I, owned and operated by Kingsborough Community College.
Park Pals Pop Up: Pollinators of Marine Park
On Saturday, September 27, we hosted our first-ever Park Pals event at Marine Park! This special pop-up welcomed young children and their caregivers for a morning of discovery and play centered on pollinators and their coastal habitats. In partnership with the Marine Park Alliance, families gathered at the Carro Center to enjoy hands-on science activities, sensory play, and a storytime read-aloud before heading out on a guided walk to observe native pollinators like monarch butterflies and bumblebees, along with the plants that support them. The program sparked curiosity and joy, helping early learners connect with the wonders of urban wildlife and inspiring families to care for the natural world around them.
Pollinator Festival
We hosted our first-ever Pollinator Festival in partnership with the Garden by the Bay and Ms. Butterfly. At our festival, attendees celebrated the vital role of pollinators with a scavenger hunt, art mural, nature games, and garden explorations. People also learned how they can help protect bees, butterflies, and other important pollinators. Additionally, Ms. Butterfly did a live butterfly release at the event.
The Futures of Hangars 3 & 4 at Floyd Bennett Field
We hosted a breakfast to discuss the futures of Hangars 3 & 4 at the NYPL Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library. Check out this article for more details about the event!