Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Parks are Blossoming for Earth Day

By Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy

Next week marks the 56th Earth Day, our annual springtime recommitment to protect our environment. The first Earth Day, celebrated at Union Square in 1970, forced the issue of environmental quality and resource conservation into political dialogue, which helped safeguard the cleaner water and air we take for granted today (among many other environmental standards).

Keeping this positive momentum going will take all of us. As neighbors of New York City’s largest tidal estuary, we have a responsibility and privilege to ensure its longevity for future generations. So far this year, the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JBRPC) and partner organizations have removed 1,600 pounds of debris across area parklands. As the busy season for the bay and peninsula begins, minding our trash is one of the best things we can do for our local environment.

Another, even simpler thing we can do is just to get outside, experience nature for a few hours each week, and support our parklands with our presence—to add personal “Earth Days” to our calendar through the remainder of spring and summer. There are a bevy of free events approaching now that the weather is warm, and the sun is (mostly) shining.

This Saturday, April 18, the National Park Service is hosting a “Birding for Beginners” session at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, with binoculars and guidance from a ranger provided.

On Wednesday, April 22, staff at Shirley Chisholm State Park are holding a guided bike tour on the history and ecology of the park for Earth Day. Attendees can borrow a bike from the park’s bike library or bring their own.

On Friday, April 24, the Amateur Astronomers Association is hosting a free stargazing session at Floyd Bennett Field. The observing location is next to the community garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars.

On Saturday, April 25, JBRPC is organizing a community cleanup of the shoreline along the south end of Broad Channel American Park, next to the Cross Bay Bridge.

Also on April 25, Shirley Chisholm State Park’s staff are hosting a “BioBlitz” for the City Nature Challenge. This is an opportunity for the public to help environmental educators catalogue as many plants and animals as possible, helping New York City compete against other municipalities worldwide.

At Fort Tilden on April 25, the National Park Service is taking visitors on a guided hike of the natural areas and historical coastal defense batteries, which served the area during World War II and the Cold War.

On Sunday, April 26, JBRPC is hosting two events. First is the spring’s final session of Park Pals, an early childhood family program for children ages 0–6 and their caregivers designed to foster curiosity, connection, and care for the natural world at Floyd Bennett Field! Finally, JBRPC is teaming up with the National Park Service for another “BioBlitz” at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

There is no shortage of opportunities to get outside, “touch grass” and support parklands this Earth Month. For further details about all the events throughout the year, you can visit www.JBRPC.org/events. We hope to see you out there!