Program: Sustainable Hudson Atlantic

There are many institutions, governmental offices, international agencies and citizen action groups in the Lower Hudson River/New York Harbor bioregion that are improving the health and resiliency of the vulnerable Catskill NYC watershed. These institutions inform educators about and engage youth in:

Among those groups and institutions are:

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater The centerpiece of Clearwater’s education program is the Sailing Classroom Program. The deck of a traditional sailing ship is a uniquely powerful platform for students to learn about the river’s natural wonders and cultural significance. For many this introduction to the Hudson River and environmental education can forge a connection with nature to last a lifetime. DUTCHESS COUNTY

Riverkeeper is a member-supported watchdog organization dedicated to defending the Hudson River and its tributaries and protecting the drinking water supply of nine million New York City and Hudson Valley residents. WESTCHESTER COUNTY

Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture is working to develop a culture of eating based on what farms need to grow to build healthy soil and a resilient ecosystem. In its quest to transform the way America eats and farms, they convene changemakers, train farmers, educate food citizens and develop agroecological farming practices. WESTCHESTER COUNTY

Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition (IPSEC) is a coalition of environmental, health and public policy organizations founded in 2001 to address the vulnerability of the nuclear reactors at Indian Point.  Over 20 million people live within 50 miles of the plant.  IPSEC’s concerns include both existing radiation releases and potential additional releases from either human error, aging infrastructure, or terrorism, and the flawed, unfixable evacuation plan. Their grassroots efforts have enlisted the support of hundreds of local, state and federal officials. Students will learn of the concept of Nuclear Guardianship, a citizen commitment to present and future generations to keep radioactive materials out of the biosphere. Recognizing the extreme damage these materials inflict on all life-forms and their genetic codes. WESTCHESTER COUNTY

Catskill NYC Watershed Educators’ Network provides links to information about the NYC Water System and its watershed, as well as other environmental topics to supplement and support field trips and classroom lessons. Some offer ideas for getting students actively involved in learning about water and the planet we all share. REGIONAL

Rocking the Boat empowers young people from the South Bronx to develop the self-confidence to set ambitious goals and gain the skills necessary to achieve them. Students work together to build wooden boats, learn to row, sail and restore local urban waterways, revitalizing their community while creating better lives for themselves. BRONX

Sustainable South Bronx works to address economic and environmental issues in the South Bronx – and throughout New York City – through a combination of green job training, community greening programs and social enterprise. BRONX

American Museum of Natural History Center for Conservation Genetics employs cutting-edge techniques in genetics, molecular biology, population biology, molecular ecology, and forensics to identify and ameliorate genetic threats to endangered species and to develop and support conservation strategies for retaining genetic diversity. Working closely with the AMNH Center for Biodiversity and Conservation (CBC), the Molecular Systematics Laboratory (MSL), the Cullman Molecular Laboratory (CML), the Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics (SICG), Ambrose Monell Cryo Collection (AMCC), and Museum Curators, ConGen uses the latest techniques in conservation biology to conduct critically important research and design conservation management plans. MANHATTAN

Solar One empowers learning and innovation that result in more sustainable and resilient urban environments. We change the way people think about energy, sustainability, and resilience by engaging and educating a diverse set of stakeholders and beneficiaries. Our programs help individuals and communities explore new ways of living and working that are more adaptive to a changing world. MANHATTAN

The Big U is a protective system around Manhattan, driven by the needs and concerns of its communities. Stretching from West 57th Street south to The Battery and up to East 42th Street, the Big U protects 10 continuous miles of low-lying geography that comprise an incredibly dense, vibrant, and vulnerable urban area. The proposed system not only shields the city against floods and stormwater; it provides social and environmental benefits to the community and an improved public realm. MANHATTAN

Billion Oyster Project is an ecosystem restoration and education project aimed at restoring one billion live oysters to New York Harbor and engaging hundreds of thousands of school children through restoration based STEM education programs. GOVERNORS ISLAND

Pioneer Works Center for Art and Innovation is a center for research and experimentation in contemporary culture. It will be the site of a Symposium on Civic Engagement that pairs students with members of civil society to learn about the role of individuals and groups in creating change and will facilitate small group exercises that result in actionable intelligence that students and teachers will bring back to their schools and communities. BROOKLYN

Tunza Youth Strategy, the UN Environmental Programme’s youth initiative.  The word “TUNZA” means “to treat with care or affection” in Kiswahili, a sub-regional language of Eastern Africa. Tunza is an initiative that is meant to develop activities in the areas of capacity building, environmental awareness and information exchange, with a vision to foster a generation of environmentally conscious citizens capable of positive action. UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS