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Urban Explorers Seeing New York Harbor 360º

April 7, 2006

Later this month, youth from New York's inner-City neighborhoods will venture to the unknown, Governors Island, for a two-day environmental expedition on this nearby yet remote island. Located in the center of New York Harbor, Governors Island is a natural (and man-made) jewel, a historical and ecological wonder, and the destination for these adventurous urban youth and educators preparing for an array of hands-on exploratory learning activities, voyages and ventures.

What makes this site so spectacular and unique for environmental and science education? It's a special place, and people learn best when they are in an environment that stimulates the senses and reinforces the lessons learned. Governors Island is away from the hustle-bustle of the big City, yet in the heart of its urban ecosystem. Only a quarter mile from Lower Manhattan and 400 yards from Brooklyn, the Island's nature and history are quite a contrast to the City's contemporary development. The isolation of an island reinforces self-sufficiency. The winds that buffet the Island are a reminder of the windmills of New Amsterdam and the potential for alternative energy use in the future. Governors Island offers a close up experience of urban nature and its wildlife, including birds and aquatic species, and mature trees. The Island provides views of magnificent waterways, the City's natural resources that enabled New York City's location on the inner harbor. It will someday provide access to the water's edge and out onto the water bodies that surround it to gain better understanding of this dynamic ecosystem and the importance of biodiversity.

Explorer's Day on Governors Island

"Explorer's Day on Governors Island" is being planned by Cornell University Cooperative Extension New York City's Urban Environment Program in cooperation with Governors Island National Monument (National Park Service) and Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (City/State entity responsible for the Island's redevelopment). Educators from Cornell's Extension Program and other organizations, including New York Harbor School and Police Athletic League, will engage the youth in experiential education focused on field and aquatic ecology, navigational charting, the history and ecology of Governors Island and an underlying emphasis on the Island's relationship to the social and economic development of the New York Harbor. These urban explorers will also take part in a challenging quest of the Island's resources, team-building exercises, and outdoor living experiences that are sure to spur a sense of adventure in everyone.

In an effort to ensure that educational opportunities of this kind are offered to the public in the future, a partnership of eight academic, environmental and civic organizations are developing plans for a public environmental education and research center and visitor's attraction called Harbor 360º, for consideration as part of Governors Island redevelopment. Along with Cornell University Cooperative Extension New York City, New York Harbor School, City University of NY, Regional Plan Association, Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, Hudson River Foundation, The River Project and the Liberty Science Center are joined together to bring the public an extraordinary environmental and scientific education experience. After two years of planning, the partners are proposing a unique facility that features a scale model of the New York Harbor and hands-on, interpretive and interactive exhibits and learning activities, both indoors and outdoors. Drawing on the science, education and research resources of the partner organizations, Harbor 360º will host a variety of programs, including workshops, seminars, conferences, and planning, research and scientific symposia. Harbor 360º will demonstrate university research to visitors to enhance public understanding in science and the environment. Internship opportunities will be provided for high school and college students. Select programs will even offer college credit and certification.

Programs will take place on both land and on water, as well as in the water, including shipboard tours and boating explorations. Another important element of Harbor 360º is the commitment to address issues of sustainability through use of green design technologies and landscapes, where visitors can observe and learn about best practices to use to support sustainable living and environmental stewardship. Programs will be offered by all of the Harbor 360º partner organizations, as well as other organizations and groups interested in using the Center and its educational resources. Harbor 360º will educate primary, secondary and college students, professionals, as well as attract residents and tourists visiting New York City. Harbor 360º will exemplify Governors Island's role as the gateway to the Harbor.

The opportunity to create a real treasure for public environmental and science education in New York is now, with Harbor 360º on Governors Island.

For more information, please contact Gretchen Ferenz, Program Leader, Urban Environment, Gsf4@cornell.edu, (212)340-2926.