planting with Greg

NYSDEC Senior Forester Greg Owens facilitated native tree planting and other activities in the All About Trees workshop. Photo by Diana Pedi

The 22nd New York City Green Horizons middle school careers event was held October 19, 2017 in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. It attracted almost 300 students—the largest registration ever. The weather was perfect and the Park was an ideal site for students to explore 19 stations that focused on environmental and natural resources careers. Special partners this year were staff and volunteers of Van Cortlandt Park, the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park, the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, and the Van Cortlandt Historic House Museum. 

volunteers

Volunteers gather to get ready for the middle schoolers. Photo by Christina Taylor

A highlight of the event this year was the keynote address by Urban Park Ranger Adriana Caminero in uniform and with her Smokey Bear hat. She explained to the students how she began her park-related work as a teenage volunteer, continued to work for parks as she pursued her college education, and is now one of approximately 50 Urban Park Rangers stationed in all five boroughs of NYC. She stressed that, no matter what path her career takes, she will always be an environmentalist and urged the students to do the same. As the plenary session broke up for students to go to their stations, Adriana was able to speak with a number of students and to pose for photos with them.

learning about tree climbing

Learning about tree climbing. Photo by Christina Taylor

Green Horizons is made possible by a collaborative process that brings together over 50 volunteer professionals from all levels of government, not-for-profit, and educational circles who are happy to give their day to help educate young people. Students—selected for their interest in science, math, and the environment—are eager participants. This year they came from all boroughs with the exception of Queens. The site for 2018 is Queens Botanical Garden and we hope many Queens schools will send students at that time.

measuring tree height

Learning to estimate tree height. Photo by Diana Pedi

As always, Green Horizons is supported financially by corporate sponsors Con Edison, the Bartlett Tree Expert Company, and the Davey Tree Expert Company. The longevity of this support has made the continued success of Green Horizons possible.

For details about the event and its workshops, click on the 2017 brochure.

—Nancy Wolf, Facilitator of Green Horizons