Events run from April 17-22
The Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) today announced its weeklong lineup of free public programming celebrating Earth Day 2023 and its theme “Invest in Our Planet.” Events include tours, talks, hands-on presentations, bees, honey, S.T.E.A.M., and more.
“Earth Day is a time for both celebration and reflection on how each of us is contributing to a more sustainable future,” said BPCA President and Chief Executive Officer B.J. Jones. “We’re pleased to present a fun and educational slate of free events to inspire us all to live and work in ways that invest in our planet.”
BPCA’s Earth Day 2023 celebration includes:
Monday, April 17
9:30-10:30AM @ Rector Park East
NYS BIRDING TRAIL
Join BPCA Naturalists to learn more about the NYS Birding Trail, which highlights world-class birding opportunities across the state – and to which Battery Park City has recently been added. Together, we will explore the parks of BPC, and see what makes this spot a hang-out for resident urban birds and marvelous migrators! Binoculars and field guides provided, or bring your own. To register email: registration@bpca.ny.gov.
1:30-2:30PM @ Rockefeller Park
MEET THE BEEKEEPER
Join a presentation and talk led by Alveole beekeepers at the Battery Park City beehive located at the entrance to Rockefeller Park at Chambers Street and River Terrace. Learn about the importance of urban beekeeping and its benefit to sustainability efforts in BPC and throughout the city.
Tuesday, April 18
6:30PM @ 6 River Terrace
TUESDAY TALK: LOCAL HONEY
Join us for a cooking demonstration and accompanying talk on the wonders of locally-sourced honey. A chef-instructor from the Institute of Culinary Education will offer a small taste and share tips on how to incorporate this natural sweetener into everyday meals. A sample jar of honey will be given to participants to try out at home. Free RSVP here.
Wednesday, April 19
12-6PM @ 6 River Terrace
EARTH WEEK BLOOD DRIVE
Help replenish dwindling supplies in the tri-state area. The whole process takes less than an hour and one donation can save multiple lives! Over the past year the Battery Park City community has made nearly 500 donations to help those in need so reserve your slot here.
Friday, April 21
10:30AM @ Rector Park East
EARTH WEEK: FAMILY BIRDING
What birds live in your backyard? Join us to learn the basics of bird watching in this fun outing for beginners, hobbyists, and lifelong birders alike. Together, we will explore the parks of Battery Park City, and see what makes this spot a hang-out for resident urban birds and marvelous migrators! Binoculars and field guides provided, or bring your own. To register, please email: registration@bpca.ny.gov.
Saturday, April 22
11AM @ Rockefeller Park
EARTH DAY: S.T.E.A.M. DREAM
Kids are invited to pick up S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) at this special Earth Day themed open-air fair featuring engaging activities and a live performance from Mad Science. Free RSVP here.
Also This Week…
PROGRAMMING FOR LOCAL STUDENTS
Over the course of the week the Authority will also be partnering with local schools and organizations on hands-on activities at locations across Battery Park City, including composting how to, environmental education, worms, and a ladybug release!
EARTH WEEK STAFF CHALLENGES
BPCA staff will be participating in a series of “Earth Week Challenges” that raise awareness around each of the BPC Sustainability Plan’s topic areas of Energy, Water, Waste & Materials, and Site.
Ongoing Programs & Initiatives
COMPOSTING IN BATTERY PARK CITY
Turn last night’s dinner into compost – BPCA encourages residents and visitors alike to compost in any of our convenient locations: 75 Battery Place in south BPC; and on the lower level of BPC’s North Esplanade at Chambers St. and River Terrace. Tune in to BPCA’s YouTube Channel to learn about the Do’s and Don’ts of composting in Battery Park City. BPCA’s composting program runs year-round, producing compost from holiday trees as well as raw, fresh, or frozen vegetables, and fruit provided by Battery Park City residents. As a result of these efforts, BPCA diverted more than 160,000 pounds of food waste from the landfill since 2020, creating more than 210,000 of compost in the process.
FOR THE DOGS
BPCA also administers a dog waste compost program at each of its three community dog runs. The program is aimed at sending less dog waste in its raw form to the landfill, which helps reduce methane gas released into the environment and the number of plastic bags used. Participation is quick and easy, and with the of dog owners across Battery Park City, the Authority is now collecting between 15-25 pounds of dog waste daily from our three dog runs and new collection bins along the BPC Esplanade. From launch of the program in September 2019, the Authority has collected more than 5,700 pounds of dog waste, creating nearly 7,000 pounds of compost as a result.
PERMEABLE PAVERS PILOT
Permeable pavements and green stormwater infrastructure can help to reduce flooding risks by providing opportunities for stormwater to infiltrate into the soil or by slowing down water runoff. It can also provide the benefits of filtering and cleaning the runoff as it percolates through the soil. As part of its Sustainability Plan, Battery Park City aims to have nearly half of its parks and public open spaces be permeable by 2030, and to that end has begun a pilot project to install new permeable pavers at select locations throughout the neighborhood. After recent completion of work on South End Avenue’s cul-de-sac, the next installation of pavers is nearing completion along BPC’s South Esplanade near The Upper Room. Later this month, installation work will move to the north to Rockefeller Park, along the pathway that runs on the west side of the north lawn.
SUSTAINABILITY RESOURCE GUIDE FOR BPC PROPERTY OWNERS
In an effort facilitate connections for Battery Park City property owners with Local Law 97-related resources and programs, BPCA has created a Sustainability Resource Guide. The Guide summarizes existing programs, funding opportunities, technical guidance support, and more into one resource document.
The resources are organized in the following categories:
– Planning, Feasibility, and Technical Support
– Execution
– Monitoring, Controls, and Measurement & Verification (M&V)
– Training
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