Groundwork Hudson Valley Inc

THE MISSION OF GROUNDWORK HUDSON VALLEY IS TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERSHIPS THAT PROMOTE EQUITY, YOUTH LEADERSHIP, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION: THE SCIENCE BARGE IS A FLOATING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER POWERED BY SOLAR, WIND, AND BIODIESEL POWER. THE SCIENCE BARGE WON BEST SCIENCE EDUCATION FIELD TRIP IN THE NEW YORK AREA, AND A FEDERALLY FUNDED EVALUATION SHOWED AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 50% IN KNOWLEDGE RETENTION AMONG PARTICIPATING STUDENTS. GWHV'S EDUCATORS ALSO PROVIDE IN-CLASS AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMS THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH YONKERS PUBLIC SCHOOLS. TEACHING TOPICS INCLUDE URBAN AGRICULTURE, RENEWABLE ENERGY, BOTANY, CLIMATE RESILIENCE, AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. IMPACT AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2021: 400 POUNDS OF PRODUCE GROWN AT THE SCIENCE BARGE AND DONATED TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND FAMILIES. 1,325 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN ENVIRONMENTAL OR SCIENCE EDUCATION AT THE SCIENCE BARGE DURING THE SUMMER WEEKENDS. 3,149 LOCAL YOUTH TAUGHT FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATION CENTERS

CLIMATE RESILIENCE: UNDER THIS CORE PROGRAM, GWHV ENGAGES LOCAL RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS TO PROMOTE CLIMATE RESILIENCY IN THE LOWER HUDSON VALLEY. TOGETHER WE RESTORE POLLUTED RIVERS, BUILD GREENWAYS, AND REDUCE HEAT AND FLOODING RISKS RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN OUR MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORHOODS. IMPACT AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2021: 11,970 POUNDS OF TRASH WAS DIVERTED AND REMOVED FROM RIVERS AND STREAMS ACROSS WESTCHESTER COUNTY, INCLUDING YONKERS. 2,000 FEET OF RIVERBANK RESTORED. 1,684 TREES WERE PLANTED, INCLUDING SAPLINGS AND MATURE TREES. 4,349 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENGAGED TO IMPROVE CLIMATE RESILIENCE.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP: GWHV'S YOUTH INITIATIVES ARE DESIGNED TO NURTURE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS. ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS INCLUDE A YEAR-ROUND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, CALLED THE GREEN TEAM. STUDENTS ARE EDUCATED, MENTORED, TRAINED AND PAID AS EMPLOYEES TO DEVELOP THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND THEIR SKILLS IN URBAN CONSERVATION. IN ADDITION TO LOCAL RESTORATION PROJECTS, NATIONAL SERVICE PARTNERSHIPS INCLUDE PROJECTS WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE. IMPACT AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2021: 27 YONKERS PUBLIC SCHOOL YOUTH HIRED AS PART OF THE GREEN TEAM, RESULTING IN A 25% INCREASE. 3,500 POUNDS OF TRASH REMOVED BY THE GREEN TEAM TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY ON THE YONKERS GREENWAY. 612 HOURS ENGAGING YOUTH IN COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES.