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 Home > Urban Environment
Cornell University Cooperative Extension-NYC’s (CUCE-NYC) Urban Environment Program uses innovative, science-based and hands-on learning strategies to enable diverse audiences to address local environmental needs. Extension Educators work in partnership with residents, organizations and agencies to plan, conduct and facilitate research and education programs that result in increased knowledge and skills, and improved urban and community environments. CUCE-NYC’s Urban Environment Program develops learning opportunities in the following areas:
§ Environmental, Horticultural and Science Education
§ Professional Development
§ Community Improvement and Sustainability
We invite you to visit the links below and explore how our programs impact New York City.
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Many gardens have been flooded and/or damaged by Hurricane Sandy. To contribute to the recovery effort all around NYC, GreenThumb, in consultation with the "Healthy Soils, Healthy Communities" Project Team, offers the following advice for gardens affected by Hurricane Sandy: Guidance For Gardeners Post Hurricane Sandy - November 2012
For general post-Hurricane Sandy resources for NYC residents, please visit www.nyc.gov. The link for disaster survivor assistance from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is here. Information from NY State Governor Cuomo's office can be found here.
New York EDEN-- Extension's Disaster Education Network-- which links extension educators, emergency managers, and community officials to enhance resilience and reduce the impact of disasters in New York communities, houses a clearinghouse of information on its website(disaster preparedness, natural disasters, infectious diseases, etc.) including post-Hurricane Sandy resources. |
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NEW! CUCE-NYC Public Question Guide
The  CUCE-NYC Public Question Guide was created based on the existing Frequently Asked Questions. Each question has a short answer or directions on how you can learn more. Pleae download the file from the link above. Photo of adult Emerald Ash Borer: David Cappaert, Michigan State Univ., Bugwood.org
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"LIVING GREEN" PROJECT
“Workshops teach NYC residents how to 'live greener'” (Feb 29, 2012; Cornell Chronicle)
Read about our “Living Green” program on energy efficiency and conservation, healthy homes and sustainable living, working with the Community Environmental Center. |
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"Healthy Gardens, Healthy Youth" People's Garden Initiative
USDA Deputy Under Secretary Dr. Janey Thornton describes her visit to Hiawatha Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to learn about the “Healthy Gardens, Healthy Youth” project. Cornell University Cooperative Extension-NYC co-leads the People’s Garden School Pilot Project with Washington State University Extension; Iowa State University Extension and University of Arkansas Extension also participate on the national leadership team. This research project aims to measure how school gardens influence students’ fruit and vegetable consumption.
Visit our New York "Healty Gardens, Healthy Youth" webpage here.
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NEW INITIATIVE
Cornell Univ Cooperative Extension-NYC is collaborating with the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development on a disaster preparedness education initiative, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). This effort will involve the pilot testing and development of a new curriculum focused on strategies for effectively reaching and engaging disadvantaged communities in disaster planning efforts.
Extension-NYC is currently identifying a local partner. |
Credit: Google Earth |
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USDA grant will fund gardens in NYC schools
$1M will launch 70 school garden programs, 23 in N.Y. (April 8, 2011, Cornell Chronicle)
Learn about Cornell Univ Cooperative Extension-NYC's recently-awarded "People's Garden" grant, which will reach 70 schools in 4 States and 2,800 students. Cornell Extension-NYC will co-lead with Washington State University Extension, along with Iowa State University Extension and University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. |
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“Healthy Soils, Healthy Communities” Advisory Committee Meeting
A "Healthy Soils, Healthy Communities" Advisory Committee meeting was held on Sept 19, 2011 in NYC. Updates were provided on the testing for metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 64 NYC gardens; creation of a research field test bed in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn; and the Farmer Field School education workshops in collaboration with Cornell graduate student Megan Gregory/Garden Ecology Project.
Learn more about the project at Cornell Extension-NYC's project webpage and at the Cornell Waste Management Institute's link.
Media Coverage:
"Lead, other chemicals taint some urban gardens." (Mar 23, 2011, Associated Press)
“The dirt on urban gardens: Some contamination but help is on the way.” (Dec 16, 2010, Cornell Chronicle)
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Healthy Soils gardener meeting at
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
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Urban Forestry Education
During Fall 2010, Cornell University Cooperative Extension-NYC and Cornell’s Dept. of Natural Resources offered urban forestry education sessions in Jamaica, Queens and Canarsie, Brooklyn. The purpose was to engage residents in understanding the importance of trees and the urban forest—including health, environmental and community benefits—and how to care for their community’s trees. Sessions covered topics such as tree biology and growth, species selection and diversity, exploring soils, invasive species, etc. See the attached  PDF for more information.
From the Cornell Chronicle:
"A tree grows in Brooklyn -- but with help: Project aims to enlist volunteer tree stewards in the Big Apple" (Sept 29, 2010) |
Urban forestry outreach in Queens with York College students & faculty
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Statement by New York State Senator John L. Sampson about Cornell’s urban forestry project:
“Cornell University’s urban forestry project is a useful and important community project that engages people and local residents in creating green spaces in areas that otherwise would simply be ‘concrete jungles.’ I am pleased to partner with Cornell University to bring this exciting program to the Canarsie section of my district and the free workshops that will definitely create more community awareness about urban forestry and green spaces."
To read NYS Senator Sampson’s full statement, please click the attached PDF. |
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* Website under construction *
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