Bronx River Alliance Inc

THE BRONX RIVER ALLIANCE SERVES AS A COORDINATED VOICE FOR THE RIVER AND WORKS IN HARMONIOUS PARTNERSHIP TO PROTECT, IMPROVE, AND RESTORE THE BRONX RIVER CORRIDOR AND GREENWAY FOR THE COMMUNITIES THROUGH WHICH IT FLOWS.

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION:IN 2023, THE ECOLOGY PROGRAM HOSTED 4 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CONSERVATION CREW APPRENTICES, WHO RECEIVED HANDS-ON TRAINING IN URBAN FORESTRY AND ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION SKILLS. THE CREW PLANTED OVER 1,650 TREES AND HERBACEOUS PLANTS, REMOVED 33,430 SQUARE FEET OF INVASIVE WEEDS THAT WERE AN OBSTACLE TO FOREST RESTORATION, AND CLEANED AND MAINTAINED THE BRONX RIVER FOR NAVIGATION, INCLUDING REMOVING LARGE DEBRIS SUCH AS FALLEN TREE LIMBS, BICYCLES, AND RENTAL SCOOTERS. THE ECOLOGY PROGRAM ALSO OVERSAW THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERMUNICIPAL WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN.

OUTREACH PROGRAM: IN 2023, ALMOST 1,500 VOLUNTEERS STEWARDED PARKS AND RIVER BANKS ALONG THE BRONX RIVER. THEY PROVIDED SUPPORT TO TEND GARDENS WITHIN THE PARKS, MAINTAINED GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FEATURES, COLLECTED AND ANALYZED 1,635 BAGS OF TRASH ON LAND AND ON RIVER, CONDUCTED WATER QUALITY MONITORING, HELPED PLANT MORE THAN 1,650 NATIVE TREES AND HERBACEOUS PLANTS, AND HELPED THE BRONX RIVER CONSERVATION CREW REMOVE 33,430 SQUARE FEET OF INVASIVE WEEDS THAT WERE AN OBSTACLE TO FOREST RESTORATION. VOLUNTEER STEWARDS LEARN ABOUT URBAN ECOLOGY AND FORESTRY, AND GAIN SKILLS THROUGH HANDS-ON PROJECTS. THEY WERE EDUCATED AND ENERGIZED TO ADVOCATE FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION OF NATURAL AREAS, GREEN SPACES, AND PARKS IN THE BRONX. THE OUTREACH PROGRAM ALSO ORGANIZED AND IMPLEMENTED NUMEROUS PUBLIC EVENTS, INCLUDING THE RIVER HOUSE OPEN HOUSE, CITY OF WATER DAY, AND THE BRONX RIVER ASSEMBLY.

FOODWAY: WORKING WITH AN ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, IN 2023 THE FOODWAY PROGRAM ACTIVATED COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ENGAGE AROUND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND CULTURAL PRACTICES, HEALTHY FOOD PRODUCTION AND PREPARATION, HERBAL REMEDIES, INTEGRATING NATURE INTO ARTS AND CRAFTS, AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. THE FOODWAY TEAM, AN ALLIANCE ADVISORY BODY MADE UP OF LOCAL INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS, GUIDES COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN THE FOODWAY AND SETS PRIORITIES FOR FUTURE ACTIVITIES.

EDUCATION PROGRAM: IN 2023, THEEDUCATION PROGRAM TRANSITIONED THE EELS (ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT AND LEADERSHIP FOR STUDENTS) INTERNSHIP FROM ITS PILOT PHASE TO A FULLY FUNCTIONING WAY TO ENGAGE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN COLLEGE-CREDIT-BEARING ENVIRONMENTAL INTERNSHIPS. IN 2023 TWO COHORTS OF 15 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE EELS INTERNSHIP. THE EELS PRESENTED THEIR FINAL RESEARCH PROJECTS AT A POSTER BOARD SYMPOSIUM AT THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, AND STUDENTS GAINED PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS THROUGH THEIR RESEARCH AND PRESENTATION EXPERIENCE, SHARING THEIR PROJECTS WITH OVER 700 PEERS, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY.