Water Ecology & Engineering Field Trips
NYC H2O wrapped up our Fall season of Water Ecology & Engineering Field Trips on December 7. We provided 71 field trips reaching nearly 2,000 students.
Since starting our program in 2014, NYC H2O has taken over 17,500 students on free outdoor field trips, making a difference in the lives of New York City students who learn about protecting their city’s water ecology and systems at a time of increasing climate change.
Our STEM education programs provide a scientific and historical understanding of New York City’s water system and infrastructure through field trips designed to meet and exceed New York City and State curricular standards. We engage students of all abilities in grades 2 - 12 by introducing them to inspiring water infrastructure sites and wetlands in the five boroughs:
NYC H2O wrapped up our Fall season of Water Ecology & Engineering Field Trips on December 7. We provided 71 field trips reaching nearly 2,000 students.
Since starting our program in 2014, NYC H2O has taken over 17,500 students on free outdoor field trips, making a difference in the lives of New York City students who learn about protecting their city’s water ecology and systems at a time of increasing climate change.
Our STEM education programs provide a scientific and historical understanding of New York City’s water system and infrastructure through field trips designed to meet and exceed New York City and State curricular standards. We engage students of all abilities in grades 2 - 12 by introducing them to inspiring water infrastructure sites and wetlands in the five boroughs:
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Most of the students who come on our field trips have limited opportunities to explore urban parks and natural areas; many have never been out of their neighborhood. They experienced the beauty of changing foliage and the behavior of migrating birds. They used binoculars, many for the first time, to observe waterfowl that make their homes at reservoirs and wetlands, including hooded mergansers, ruddy ducks and egrets.
They got exercise by participating in Tree Races and learned how to collaborate by engineering a working aqueduct made out of tubing and connectors as part of the “Aqueduct Challenge.” Students learned to read maps and situate their neighborhood in relation to New York’s water bodies and sources. Ultimately, they learned about the nature of our local ecosystems, became stakeholders in the purity of the city's water, and were potentially inspired to become future stewards of a city that reached out to include them.
NYC H2O thanks the following City Council Members for their generous support of Water Ecology and Engineering Field Trips: Joe Borelli, Andy King, Margaret Chin, Steven Matteo, Adrienne Adams, Carlina Rivera, Mark Levine and Ydanis Rodriguez. We also thank Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.
We also thank the Lily Auchincloss Foundation who provided a generous matching grant in support of our Field Trips and all who contributed to this campaign. We also thank the Fund for the City of New York for their generous support and the NYCEF Newtown Creek Fund.
They got exercise by participating in Tree Races and learned how to collaborate by engineering a working aqueduct made out of tubing and connectors as part of the “Aqueduct Challenge.” Students learned to read maps and situate their neighborhood in relation to New York’s water bodies and sources. Ultimately, they learned about the nature of our local ecosystems, became stakeholders in the purity of the city's water, and were potentially inspired to become future stewards of a city that reached out to include them.
NYC H2O thanks the following City Council Members for their generous support of Water Ecology and Engineering Field Trips: Joe Borelli, Andy King, Margaret Chin, Steven Matteo, Adrienne Adams, Carlina Rivera, Mark Levine and Ydanis Rodriguez. We also thank Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.
We also thank the Lily Auchincloss Foundation who provided a generous matching grant in support of our Field Trips and all who contributed to this campaign. We also thank the Fund for the City of New York for their generous support and the NYCEF Newtown Creek Fund.
Beach Cleanups, Lectures & Public Programs
We held two volunteer beach cleanups this fall, one at Plumb Beach, Brooklyn on September 22nd, and one at Lemon Creek Park, in Staten Island on September 29th. In total, we had over 300 volunteers--many of whom were students-- who removed over 3 tons of trash from these beautiful shoreline parks and wetlands.
We held two volunteer beach cleanups this fall, one at Plumb Beach, Brooklyn on September 22nd, and one at Lemon Creek Park, in Staten Island on September 29th. In total, we had over 300 volunteers--many of whom were students-- who removed over 3 tons of trash from these beautiful shoreline parks and wetlands.
We thank all our partners worked with us on beach cleanups:
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We held two lectures this Fall that together drew over 300 people:
STEAMing Ahead (STEM + Arts)
- On November 9th, DEP’s Adam Bosch gave a lecture at Hunter College in Manhattan about New York City's water infrastructure. You can learn more about Adam’s lecture and view a video of the talk here.
- On November 14th, Dr. Eric Sanderson, author of Manahatta, gave a lecture on the ecology of New York City at A/D/O in Greenpoint. You can learn more about Dr. Sanderson’s lecture and view the Live Stream of the talk here. We also co-sponsored a talk by Dr. Sanderson on December 7th on the future of salt marshes in NYC.
STEAMing Ahead (STEM + Arts)
- On Saturday, October 20th, NYC H2O partnered with artist Stacy Levy and Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park to invite community participants to paint the path of the historic Bushwick Inlet using chalk paint. You can learn more about the event, including a video of the Stream Painting, by clicking here. We want to thank the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund for supporting the Stream Painting event.
Ridgewood Reservoir Stewardship
For the last 3 years, NYC H2O has been leading a coalition of community groups and local residents to protect and preserve the Ridgewood Reservoir. This fall we organized community volunteer events to remove invasive weeds and plant wildflowers along a viewing area overlooking the Reservoir. And we organized a volunteer crew to initiate a pilot program to cut the invasive plant species Phragmites. The reeds are choking the Reservoir’s middle basin, eliminating the open fresh water that serves migrating birds on the Atlantic Flyway as well as nesting birds at the Reservoir.
For the last 3 years, NYC H2O has been leading a coalition of community groups and local residents to protect and preserve the Ridgewood Reservoir. This fall we organized community volunteer events to remove invasive weeds and plant wildflowers along a viewing area overlooking the Reservoir. And we organized a volunteer crew to initiate a pilot program to cut the invasive plant species Phragmites. The reeds are choking the Reservoir’s middle basin, eliminating the open fresh water that serves migrating birds on the Atlantic Flyway as well as nesting birds at the Reservoir.
We thank City Council Member Robert Holden for his generous support of our work at the Reservoir as well as Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. We also thank Patagonia for their sponsorship.
And we thank the following elected officials who advocated for the Ridgewood Reservoir, allowing the voices of many diverse community groups to be heard in both Brooklyn and Queens. These include: Congress Members Nydia M. Velázquez and Grace Meng; Queens Borough President Melinda Katz; Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams; Council Members Rafael Espinal, Antonio Reynoso and Robert Holden; Assembly Members Mike Miller, Cathy Nolan, and Andy Hevesi; and State Senators Joe Addabbo and Michael Gianaris.
And we thank the following elected officials who advocated for the Ridgewood Reservoir, allowing the voices of many diverse community groups to be heard in both Brooklyn and Queens. These include: Congress Members Nydia M. Velázquez and Grace Meng; Queens Borough President Melinda Katz; Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams; Council Members Rafael Espinal, Antonio Reynoso and Robert Holden; Assembly Members Mike Miller, Cathy Nolan, and Andy Hevesi; and State Senators Joe Addabbo and Michael Gianaris.
Teacher Testimonials
Grade 6 Teacher: “Our kids and staff really enjoyed it. We liked that they were able to explore outside and learn about water that they drink. All of the kids loved the ending activity and being able to combine the different parts together.”
Grade 7 Teacher: ”My students’ feedback was extremely positive. They especially enjoyed the hands-on aqueduct activity and running from tree to tree learning new things about nature. Thanks again for another successful adventure!”
Grade 11-12 Teacher: “Really appreciate your continued support of my classroom, students and school. It’s always fun to have you and your colleagues at NYC H2O in to support our work.”
Grade 4 Teacher: “Thank you so much for checking in! The trip was awesome! Everybody had a great time, and learned a ton. We have been talking about NYC's water system, but the hands-on experience was really great for the kids.”
Thank You for Your Support
Thank you again to all our sponsors and to all who supported our work through donating, volunteering, participating in NYC H2O programs such as kayaking, biking, and walking tours, or attending our teacher education programs.
Support NYC H2O
Your donation directly supports our free outdoor education programs that provide field trips to underserved school children (enrolled in Title I and III schools) in all five boroughs. We’re Platinum: GuideStar’s highest level of transparency. Please consider donating here.
Members are a critical part of our NYC H2O team: learn how you can make a difference by becoming a member here. At NYC H2O events, members are invited to meet with our invited speakers at pre-event gatherings and network with other members who care about shaping the future of New York City and educating its youngest generation. Members receive NYC H2O merchandise and other benefits such as event and walking tour discounts.
Grade 6 Teacher: “Our kids and staff really enjoyed it. We liked that they were able to explore outside and learn about water that they drink. All of the kids loved the ending activity and being able to combine the different parts together.”
Grade 7 Teacher: ”My students’ feedback was extremely positive. They especially enjoyed the hands-on aqueduct activity and running from tree to tree learning new things about nature. Thanks again for another successful adventure!”
Grade 11-12 Teacher: “Really appreciate your continued support of my classroom, students and school. It’s always fun to have you and your colleagues at NYC H2O in to support our work.”
Grade 4 Teacher: “Thank you so much for checking in! The trip was awesome! Everybody had a great time, and learned a ton. We have been talking about NYC's water system, but the hands-on experience was really great for the kids.”
Thank You for Your Support
Thank you again to all our sponsors and to all who supported our work through donating, volunteering, participating in NYC H2O programs such as kayaking, biking, and walking tours, or attending our teacher education programs.
Support NYC H2O
Your donation directly supports our free outdoor education programs that provide field trips to underserved school children (enrolled in Title I and III schools) in all five boroughs. We’re Platinum: GuideStar’s highest level of transparency. Please consider donating here.
Members are a critical part of our NYC H2O team: learn how you can make a difference by becoming a member here. At NYC H2O events, members are invited to meet with our invited speakers at pre-event gatherings and network with other members who care about shaping the future of New York City and educating its youngest generation. Members receive NYC H2O merchandise and other benefits such as event and walking tour discounts.
