Rock ‘n’ RISE

By S. C. Samoy, RISE Director of Operations & Communications

Things are rockin’ and rollin’ at RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity). Now through July 31, 2023, is an exhibit, “Greater Rockaway Community & Shoreline Enhancement Plan,” which is open to the public, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

It captures the Rockaway community’s efforts in mitigating flooding, from elementary school students sowing seeds and nurturing them to native plants that will prevent erosion to locally hired gardeners to water, weed, and care for the dunes. Images of Rockaways’ youngest and finest citizens by Giles Ashford, professional photographer, grace one wall, and a grand bird’s-eye view of the shoreline along Edgemere hangs on an opposite wall.

There is also a new four-minute video of all the work being done, which is possible because of National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s National Coastal Resilience Fund awarded to RISE. You may view it at https://vimeo.com/834743502.

Plus, RISE is taking eight Shore Corps interns and three alumni to UIA World Congress of Architects in Copenhagen 2023 on June 28 through July 4. They, along with WXY Architecture and Urban Planning, will showcase the soft infrastructure work being done in the Rockaways.

Thank you to all our community partners, especially PS43Q The School by the Sea, PS104Q The Bays Water School, PS105Q The Bay School, PS106Q Lighthouse Elementary School, PS183Q Dr. Richard Green School, PS197Q The Ocean School, PS317Q Waterside Children’s Studio School, and PS362Q Wave Preparatory Elementary School. There is a present and a future because of the work being done together!

 Photos by Giles Ashford.