Urban Youth Explore Governors Island
April 20, 2006
Don't Miss This:
See CUCE-NYC and Harbor 360º in the News
The ferry trip was eight hundred yards, but it brought them a world away.
"Explorer's Day on Governors Island" was an overnight environmental expedition for urban youth and educators to Governors Island, located in the Harbor estuary off the southern tip of Manhattan and the Brooklyn waterfront. CUCE-NYC Urban Environment educators organized the event in collaboration with the CUCE-NYC Family & Youth Development program, the Police Athletic League (PAL), and the New York Harbor School.
"Explorer's Day" is an example of what Extension and its partners in the Harbor 360º proposal have in store for residents and visitors to Governors Island.
Spanning two gorgeous April days, the event boasted fun, hands-on learning events. Under expert guidance, urban youth gained valuable exposure to a unique habitat: they worked with binoculars and handheld PDAs, learned about aquatic ecology, identified trees, discussed sustainability, and took part in maritime activities. They participated in a scavenger hunt and attended an Eco-Film Festival. The group camped out the chilly night in tents.
"Explorer's Day" and Harbor 360º
CUCE-NYC is a core partner in Harbor 360º, an environmental research and education center being planned for Governors Island. Harbor 360º is an initiative to contribute to the renaissance of the 172-acre island.
Metro published two stories on "Explorers Day on Governors Island". The cover story was called 'Better than just seagulls, pigeons and squirrels'
"Explorer's Day" is an example of what Extension and its Harbor 360º partners have in store for residents and visitors to the island, and is the first of the interim-use activities to be approved by the government authority responsible for the island during its redevelopment.
Governors Island Event Makes Waves
The April 18th issue of Metro featured two stories on the event, covering the youth environmental expedition and Harbor 360º plans. Youth commented on their adventure, offering some idea of its impact.
The following are the stories from the Metro website:
More about Harbor 360º
For more information, please contact Gretchen Ferenz, Program Leader, Urban Environment, Gsf4@cornell.edu, (212)340-2926.
More Information
Downloads
- Brochure (pdf)
- Annual Report 2008 (pdf)
- Annual Report 2007 (pdf)
- Annual Report 2006 (pdf)
- Annual Report 2005 (pdf)