Bronx Newsblast October 2024

 

HIGHLIGHTS

Vital Parks For All This summer, NYC Parks released a plan called Vital Parks for All: Investing in NYC's Living Infrastructure. Learn more about the plan and the agency's tools to improve the ability of dedicated New Yorkers to advocate for our parks.

Public forums are currently scheduled with the borough presidents of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Attend an upcoming Vital Parks forum and find out how we can equitably strengthen our city’s health, environment, and communities through our parks system. Click here to register now

City of Forest Day 2024 Join NYC Parks, Forest for All NYC, and Parks and Open Space Partners - NYC Coalition as we learn about, care for, and celebrate NYC's seven million trees.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Crotona Park Birding on World Migratory Bird Day Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) bird guide and Bronxite, Rich Aracil, and explore the beautiful Crotona Park on World Migratory Bird Day! Its meadows, flowering trees, and sizable pool provide excellent habitat for a variety of birds including woodpeckers, warblers, and wading birds. Date/Time: Saturday, October 12, 9:00am - 10:30am Location: Meet at the Nature Center located within the park on 1702 Crotona Ave, on the eastern shoreline of Indian Pond More info:  https://nycbirdalliance.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/nycbirdalliance/eventRegistration.jsp?event=13933 Contact: Email info@nycbirdalliance.org or call 212-691-7483 for more information Work Together Wednesday Join our gardeners to help remove weeds, clear leaves and debris from around Indian Lake and upkeep our gardens Date/Time: Wednesday, October 23, 10:00am - 12:00pm Location: Meet at the Crotona Park Tennis House @ 1700 Crotona Avenue, Bronx, NY 10457 More info: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/crotona-park/events/2024/10/23/work-together-wednesday Contact: RSVP to Ismael.Guzman@parks.nyc.gov Stewardship Saturday Join staff to clear leaves and debris from around Indian Lake, remove trash from our large park zones and help to keep Crotona Park looking great! Date/Time: Saturday, October 26, 10:00am - 1:00pm Location: Meet at the Crotona Park Nature Center, enter @ Charlotte Street More info: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/crotona-park/events/2024/10/26/crotona-park-stewardship-saturday Contact: RSVP to Ismael.Guzman@parks.nyc.gov

TRAININGS

Is Starting a Nonprofit Right for You? Candid Starting a nonprofit can seem terrifically complicated--is it worth it?  This class can help you decide. In this session you’ll learn the legal and logistical elements necessary to start a successful nonprofit.  You’ll also learn about possible alternatives to starting your own nonprofit that you may not have considered.  Finally, you’ll be introduced to a tool that will help you assess your own readiness to move forward. Upon completion of this course you should be able to: Outline the steps required to start a nonprofit Assess the alternatives to starting a nonprofit Complete the nonprofit startup assessment tool to determine where you are in the startup process and identify the next steps you should take Access additional resources to help you in your journey Location: Online Cost: Free Date: Thursday, October 3, 2024 @ 2:00-3:30pm Link: Enroll here!   Introduction to Fundraising Planning Candid Does your organization need help directing its fundraising efforts? Planning focuses your organization by setting fundraising priorities and helps give staff and board members a roadmap to success. This introductory class will provide you the basic steps for developing a fundraising plan, including tips on: Making your case for support Diversifying your organization's fundraising base Creating a plan of action Location: Online Cost: Free Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024 @ 2:00-3:30pm Link: Enroll here!   Strategies for Equitable Grantmaking in Philanthropy featuring the Race and Equity in Philanthropy Group (REPG) Candid In this webinar, we will explore the Race and Equity in Philanthropy Group (REPG), a network of foundations committed to advancing racial equity in the philanthropic sector. We’ll discuss how REPG helps members strengthen partnerships and share power with nonprofits that serve the needs of historically marginalized communities. You’ll gain insights on how funders can learn from each other to advance their commitment to racial equity and inclusion even in the current political climate. You will also learn about the evolution of REPG since its founding in 2006 and how its members are working together to confront the racial equity backlash.   Outcomes Understand the history and evolution of REPG Recognize how some foundations think about racial equity in their policy and practices Learn about strategies that a group of foundations are pursuing together on racial equity Intended Audience All levels of experience Board members CEOs, executive directors, upper management Grantmaker/funder Marketing, communications, external affairs Program directors and staff Location: Online Cost: Free Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 @ 2:00-3:30pm Link: Enroll here!   Introduction to Proposal Writing Candid Are you new to proposal writing or want a quick refresher? If so, you don't want to miss one of our most popular classes! This class will provide you with an overview of how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation. It will include: The basic elements of a proposal The "do's" and "don'ts" of writing and submitting a proposal How to follow up whether the answer is yes or no 30-minute hands-on exercise to develop a proposal outline (in-person classes only) Upon completion of this course you should be able to: Understand how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation. Know how and when to follow up with funders after submitting a proposal. Location: Online Cost: Free Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2024 @ 2:00-3:30pm Link: Enroll here!

GRANTS AND RESOURCES

Daily Grants  The Pollination Project The Pollination Project offers seed funding of up to US$1 thousand to compassion-driven individuals, informally organized groups and organizations, and formally registered or incorporated non-profit organizations based anywhere in the world. Topics for projects include education, clean water, afforestation, animal advocacy, and many others.  Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Link: Learn more The Resiliency and Recovery Fund The Pollination Project The Resilience & Recovery Fund (RRF) will provide fast, small one-time grants of $1,000 to support grassroots volunteer responses to natural disasters, pandemic, humanitarian crises, or similar emergent events. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and existing TPP grantees in good standing who have not previously received RRF funding are eligible to apply. Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Link: Learn more Gardens for the City Program New York Restoration Project Is there a community space in your neighborhood you’d like to see transformed? If so, apply for NYRP’s help. NYRP provides support for projects of various scales — from building a few vegetable beds to large-scale restoration work. NYRP helps provide materials, horticultural knowledge, environmental education, and construction expertise in order to help create community gardens and accessible landscapes in under-resourced neighborhoods.  Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. (Due to the high volume of applications, all future GFTC inquiries will be considered for 2025.) Link: Learn more The Awesome Foundation  The Awesome Foundation The Awesome Foundation is a global community advancing the interest of awesome in the universe, $1000 at a time. Each fully autonomous chapter supports awesome projects through micro-grants, usually given out monthly.  Deadline: Reviewed monthly Link: Learn more Additional Opportunities NYC DOT’s Open Streets Application NYC DOT NYC's Open Streets program allows communities to embrace new public space and support small businesses. Open Streets prioritize pedestrians and cyclists by transforming streets into public space. New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) works with community-based organizations, educational institutions, and groups of businesses to execute Open Streets citywide. Link: Learn more

For questions or concerns, contact Community Engagement Director Vlad Cruz at vcruz@cityparksfoundation.org Partnerships for Parks A joint program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks Facebook | Instagram | Twitter www.partnershipsforparks.org

🌱GrowNYC Volunteer Newsletter

GrowNYC Volunteer Newsletter 

Register for our October Virtual Volunteer Orientation

What's new: Interested in volunteering with GrowNYC? Join our online orientation where our Volunteer Program Manager will provide information about GrowNYC, local agriculture and food access, as well as current and upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Orientation is open to all, however, GrowNYC volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. The volunteer orientation is required to participate in our volunteer opportunities.

• Upcoming virtual orientation | Friday, October 11th, 5pm - 6pm (sign up)

Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Celia, our spotlight volunteer of the month! Read the interview below to learn more about Celia.

1. How long have you been volunteering with GrowNYC?

My name is Celia, and I started volunteering with GrowNYC this summer.

2. Why did you decide to volunteer with GrowNYC?

I like fruit, vegetables, and people :)

3. Tell us about yourself, what interests you and how do you spend your time?

I like to go grocery shopping. Picking out fresh fruit and vegetables is one of the joys of life! I also like to bird watch, sit in the park, read memoirs, I like cartoonist Roz Chast. One day this summer in Long Beach, Long Island I saw two whales! It was amazing to see whales from shore.

4. What has been your favorite moment/memory volunteering with GrowNYC so far?

Mixing up tasty salad dressings for the samples and when people say they like the samples :)

Greenmarket Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer with GrowNYC’s Greenmarkets and help support local farmers by creating a welcoming environment and ensuring they have opportunities to sell fresh produce. This is also a great way to do your part in helping ensure that all NYC residents have access to fresh and local produce! These events are outdoors, rain or shine. Please dress for the weather and bring a reusable water bottle! Sign up for one or more opportunities at the following Greenmarkets (GM):

Manhattan:

Dag Hammarskjold Greenmarket - Wednesdays (sign up)

Mount Sinai Greenmarket - Wednesdays (sign up)

82nd Street Greenmarket - Saturdays (sign up)

Cider Village Volunteer Shifts

Cider Village: The fourth annual Cider Village is almost upon us! We'll be bringing in cideries from across New York State. Hudson Valley Apple Project will be bringing in their iconic and impressive apple varietal display. There will be cider pressing, cooking demos, and apple crafts. All at our Union Square Greenmarket!

As a volunteer: You will assist with setting up and running our annual Cider Village. Your responsibilities will include designing a-frames, cider signage, assisting with setting up tents, leading an interactive activity and helping spread the good word of New York cider!

Friday October 11th - Multiple Shifts available (sign up)

GrowNYC Volunteer Appreciation - Tour of Governors Island Teaching Garden

Thank you so much for dedicating your time and energy to help further GrowNYC's mission!

If you don’t already know, GrowNYC operates a teaching garden on Governors Island. We’d like to invite you to a picnic lunch to thank you for volunteering your time with GrowNYC. This event will include a tour of the teaching garden, lunch, board games, and non-alcoholic drinks.

You can use this link to register, all registrants must have volunteered with GrowNYC at least once. Please keep in mind that participation is limited. A confirmation email will be sent to all confirmed volunteers Thursday morning!

Best,

Corey WIlkins

GrowNYC Partner Volunteer Activities

GreenThumb Volunteer Opportunities

GreenThumb is inviting volunteers to join in on a seasonal garden maintenance and planting day! Volunteers can expect to assist GreenThumb gardeners and staff with weeding and planting natives in a perennial bed, as well as pathway management (weeding and spreading wood chips)

• Saturday, 10/14: Amboy Street Garden – Brooklyn (register here)

Prospect Park Alliance Volunteer Opportunities for Youth

Are you are looking for youth friendly volunteer opportunities? Check out the youth newsletter from our partners at the Prospect Park Alliance! They offer group volunteer opportunities for youth ages 14 - 17 and junior volunteer corps for ages 5 - 13. You can use this link to find out more information!

DEC Announces $1 Million in Grants Now Available for Tidal Hudson River Communities

 

Funding will Improve Resiliency, Water Quality, and Enhance River Access

Informational Webinars to be Held Oct. 9 and Oct. 17

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar announced the availability of $1 million in competitive grant funding for projects to help communities in the Hudson River Estuary watershed improve resiliency and water quality and enhance Hudson River access. The grants are funded by the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and administered by DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program.

“New York State is committed to investing in projects that will improve community resiliency while strengthening ecosystems and protecting our natural resources,” Interim Commissioner Mahar said. "The $1 million in grant funding announced today bolsters Governor Kathy Hochul’s comprehensive plans to protect communities from the impacts of climate change by investing in resilience. Funding will provide Hudson River Estuary watershed communities with the support they need to mitigate flooding, improve water quality, and enhance recreational access to the Hudson for people with disabilities."

Two Requests for Applications (RFAs) are available: Tributary Restoration; and Resiliency and Hudson River Estuary Access.

$800,000 for Tributary Restoration and Resiliency

Approximately $800,000 is available for projects to support restoration of free-flowing waters to benefit water quality, conserve and restore habitat, and help communities with existing and projected impacts of localized flooding. Eligible projects include:

• Dam Removal: Shovel-ready projects to remove a dam affecting fish passage on Hudson River Estuary tributaries. This project type may include removal or mitigation of multiple barriers, such as dams, as well as mitigation/right-sizing of one or more road-stream crossings that are barriers to fish movement;
• Planning for Dam Removal: Engineering and planning projects to remove a dam affecting fish movement, other aquatic organisms, riparian-dependent wildlife, and/or improve water quality conditions on Hudson River Estuary tributaries;
• Initial Reconnaissance for Feasibility of Dam Removal: Projects to conduct initial reconnaissance to assess the scope and challenges of a dam removal to determine feasibility of removing a dam or dams;
• Stream Crossing Replacement: Mitigation/right-sizing of a single culvert or bridge that is a barrier to a free-flowing stream and is a priority of a municipal management plan;
• Stream Crossing Design: Design plans for mitigation/right-sizing of a single stream crossing (culvert or bridge) or multiple crossings in the same municipality or county; and
• Stream Crossing Design & Replacement: Engineering design plans and implementation for mitigation/right-sizing of a single culvert or bridge that is a barrier to a free-flowing stream.
  

Projects that benefit herring and eel and are in closest sequential proximity to tidal waters are priorities. The minimum grant award is $10,500 and the maximum is $300,000.

$200,000 to Improve Hudson River Estuary Access

Approximately $200,000 is available for projects to improve resiliency to flooding and sea-level rise and improve accessibility to the tidal waters of the Hudson, including the tidal portion of its tributaries. The minimum grant award is $10,500 and the maximum grant amount is $200,000. Eligible projects include:

• Planning and implementation of access site resiliency to flooding and sea-level rise: Planning and /or implementation of resiliency projects at Hudson River and tidal tributary public access sites addressing the hazards of intense storms, flooding, and shoreline loss due to climate change and sea-level rise; and  
• Planning and implementation of accessibility improvements for people with disabilities: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition planning, assessments, designs, or plans for new and/or existing access sites along the Hudson River Estuary to improve access for boating, fishing, swimming, and/or wildlife-related recreation.

DEC is holding webinars about project eligibility and the application process for Tributary Restoration and Resilience on Oct. 9 at 2 p.m., and for Hudson River Estuary Access on Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. Register for the webinars on the Hudson River Estuary Program’s Grants and Funding Opportunities webpage. The webinars will be recorded and available to view on the webpage in late October.

These RFAs are only available online through the New York Statewide Financial System (SFS). The SFS streamlines how all New York grants are administered. All grant applicants, including government agencies and not-for-profit corporations, must be registered in the Statewide Financial System to be eligible to apply for any State grant opportunity. For more information about SFS, visit the Grants Management website  or contact the SFS Help Desk at helpdesk@sfs.ny.gov  or by phone (518) 457-7717 (855) 233-8363 (toll free).

General information about these grants is also available on DEC's Hudson River Estuary Grants Program website. Completed grant applications must be submitted online through SFS by Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. General questions about the Hudson River Estuary grants application process may be directed to Susan Pepe, Estuary Grants Manager, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-3506; HREPgrants@dec.ny.gov.

Now in its 21^st year, the Estuary Grants Program implements priorities outlined in DEC's Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2021-2025. To date, the Hudson River Estuary Program has awarded 643 grants totaling $28 million. Funding for DEC’s Estuary Grants program is provided by the EPF, a critical resource for environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. Governor Hochul’s 2024-25 Executive Budget maintains EPF funding at $400 million, the highest level of funding in the program’s history.