Eager for Water Quality Data, a Neighbor Monitors the Gowanus Canal
Since August last year, Gary Francis has monitored the canal almost daily to shed light on the health of one of the nation’s most polluted bodies of water.
EPA Gives Updates on Testing, Risk Assessment for Meeker Avenue Plume Superfund Site
Almost a year after the federal Environmental Protection Agency dubbed the Meeker Avenue Plume a federal Superfund site, the agency is working to determine the size and impact of the site as it takes its first steps toward cleaning up.
Celebrate Earth Day With Workshops, Tours and Volunteer Opportunities in Brooklyn’s Parks
Earth Day brings an opportunity to enjoy a day of fresh air and learn what you can do to celebrate and protect the environment with a variety of events in parks across Brooklyn.
Barge Sinks Into Newtown Creek Off Greenpoint But Fuel Spill Unlikely
A barge sank in Newtown Creek off the coast of Greenpoint on Monday, sending tens of thousands of pounds of steel and dirt to the bottom of the 3.5 mile tributary of the East River.
Pols Come Out Against Gowanus Power Project on Barge Near Sunset Park
More than 40 city and state elected officials signed onto a letter on Thursday calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to deny permits for the Gowanus Repowering Project.
Top 6 greenest attractions in Queens
Image source: hermmermferm on Flickr
Queens has a lot going on in terms of sustainable construction, alternative energy, wildlife conservation, and other environmental initiatives. In fact, many of the finest tourist attractions – and special spots for locals – in the borough have a green streak. Here are our picks for the most environmentally sustainable attractions in Queens.
1. In the upper reaches of Astoria, the Steinway & Sons piano factory (which gives awesome tours) has been using solar energy since 2009. In fact, the factory is home to the world’s largest parabolic solar installation – a setup that involves solar troughs that focus the sun’s energy to heat fluid, which in turn helps provide the cool, dehumidified air that is necessary for the manufacture of pianos. Other sustainable features of the factory include replanting trees to replenish its wood supply; and efficient closed-loop systems to collect dust and scraps for use in other parts of the manufacturing process. And above all, what makes Steinway instruments so sustainable is that they are built to last at least 80 to 100 years.
Drop off compost at one of 10 sites in LIC, Astoria, Sunnyside, Jackson Heights or Floral Park
It’s easier than ever for Queens residents to green their routines, thanks to the increasing number of compost initiatives around the borough. Several libraries, Greenmarkets, community gardens, and other organizations have become drop-off sites for your kitchen scraps, so that your food waste doesn’t have to go into the landfill.
If you’re ready to go green in 2013, here are the many locations you can bring food/plant scraps to be composted. Most of these drop-off sites are open year round, and more locations will be added soon.
Long Island City
LIC Community Garden – 49th Avenue, between Vernon Blvd and 5th Street (GMAP)
Sundays, 10:00am-1:00pm
Long Island City CSA, Hour Children – 36-49 11th Street (GMAP)
January 19 and February 2, 10:00am-2:00pm
Sculptures made of plastic bags at Materials for the Arts in LIC
This week we checked out the opening reception of Carried Away, an art exhibit at Materials for the Arts in Long Island City (GMAP). On view are several colorful works that resemble Buddha heads and headless ancient Greek sculptures. The modern, down-to-earth twist is that they’re all made of plastic bags and other found and recycled materials such as bottles, spools of thread, and PVC pipes.
Guide to giving: Nonprofit organizations doing great work year-round in Queens
Image source: Sunset Parkerpix on Flickr – food donations to Rockaways residents after Hurricane Sandy
With Thanksgiving and the end of the year coming up, most of us have a lot to be thankful for. Although Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on neighborhoods and transportation systems, it also made us more grateful for what we do have. During the past two weeks, many Queens residents donated supplies, money, and time to help out those devastated by the superstorm. Emergency workers, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and other groups have been working hard to get people back on their feet.
Now, as “giving season” approaches, let’s not forget the great organizations that work hard year-round to promote equal rights, environmental sustainability, arts education, economic development, and more in Queens. If you’re looking for a local nonprofit organization to donate to in the next couple of months, consider this your guide.
Sunnyside’s Dan Hendrick is making a film about Jamaica Bay’s environmental history and future
Image source: A. Drauglis Furnituremaker on Flickr
Jamaica Bay is a 39-square-mile area in Queens that’s home to one of the most significant bird sanctuaries in the Northeast (the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge), but most New Yorkers have barely heard of it, let alone been there (besides flying into JFK Airport or passing by on the way to Rockaway Beach). Dan Hendrick wants to change that with his film Jamaica Bay Lives, which will detail the rich history of the bay, the current issues surrounding it, and the potential it holds.