The Nature of New York

1. TheNature of New York Re-written by CUNY TamikaEstwick KarenChase JoshuaPerera SulexanChery

2. The Mission • The restoration of New York’s natural environment, to create public awareness of the importance of that goal for the health and well being of New York’s inhabitants, and to support the arts for their power to help define, illuminate and advance that goal.

3. What is the Nature Of New York? • Ecological • Socio-cultural • Economical

4. The Four Pillars • Breeding Grounds • Urban Oases • Human Experience • Resurrection

5. Breeding Grounds

6. Did You Know… • There are 836 species of animals and plants in New York City • 122 of these species are unidentified and exclusive to the nature of New York City • Central Park – which is the home to most of these animals and plants is 843 acres – bigger than the country of Monaco!

7. The Nature of New York Environmental Economical Socio-cultural

8. Borough of Manhattan • Protrusion of granite forming an island with a solid South and soft North. • Location of commerce was affected by the geology of the area. • Affluent communities resided in what is now Chelsea.

9. Manhattan – A Protrusion of Granite

11. Photo I – Manhattan Then/Now

12. Borough of Brooklyn • Largely marshlands • Flourished in the agricultural and trade economies • Ethnically diverse community.

13. Photo II-Brooklyn Then/Now

14. Borough of The Bronx • The only borough in NYC that is connected to the mainland of the U.S. • The primary economic endeavors were in factories, agriculture and race tracts. • Many immigrant communities established settlements in this area because of the availability of opportunities.

15. Photo III – The Bronx Then/Now

16. Urban Oases

17. New York as an Unsuspected Oasis • The Atlantic Flyway • The flight of the Monarchs • New York City’s Biota

18. Key Environmental Issues Facing New York • Health issues threatening New Yorkers • Solid waste disposal • Urban development

19. New York City in Action: Current Environmental Campaigns • Federal Clean Air Act • Solid Waste Management Plan • Community Garden Development

20. CUNY: An Unsuspected Oasis • 400,000 enrolled in CUNY • Cultural Diversity • Located in all five boroughs

21. Goals of The Nature of NY Project • Goal 1- tap into CUNY – a great unsuspected oasis ! • Goal 2 – Re-acquaintance with the environment • Goal 3 – Mobilize the public

22. The Human Experience:Getting to Know the Nature of New York

23. “Getting to Know the Nature of New York” building blocks Website Events/ Projects Competition CUNY

24. “Getting to Know the Nature of New York” model Website Website Virtual Environment CUNY and the Humanities Events/ Projects Competition Events/ Projects Competition CUNY CUNY Gates of Learning

25. Website Website CUNY and the Humanities Events/ Projects Competition Events/ Projects Competition CUNY CUNY Gates of Learning “Getting to Know the Nature of New York” model Website Website Virtual Environment CUNY and the Humanities Events/ Projects Competition Events/ Projects Competition CUNY CUNY Gates of Learning

26. Virtual Environment Glossary Page Pictures Page Shock/Statistics Page Nature of New York.edu History Page Events Page Key Issues Page

27. Website Website CUNY and the Humanities Events/ Projects Competition Events/ Projects Competition CUNY CUNY Gates of Learning “Getting to Know the Nature of New York” model Website Website Virtual Environment CUNY and the Humanities Events/ Projects Competition Events/ Projects Competition CUNY CUNY b Gates of Learning

28. Engagement via the Arts CUNY and the Humanities Architectural Design Competition Visual Arts Competition Early Child Learning Center Arts Submission Performing Arts Competition

29. Architectural Design Competition - Nature & Urban Design It examines nature and urban design in the metropolitan landscape in two ways: • By connecting university faculty and students with industry leaders to generate and share ideas • By highlighting the importance of nature and the value of design

30. Early Child Learning Center Arts Submission - CUNY Kids: Nature of New York through a Child‘s Eyes • This project provides an opportunity for: • Children to present their natural surroundings’ using a medium of their choice • Children begin to develop an appreciation for nature at an early age • To engage and disseminate information to the adults in their children’s lives i.e. teachers, parents

31. Visual Arts Competition – Fauna in Focus Tapping into the creative talent that surges through CUNY, a visual arts competition: • Allows students to reacquaint themselves with the nature of New York • Capture the wonder and beauty that lies in the environment of New York City through the eyes of a CUNY student

32. Performing Arts Competition This competition seeks to allow students to express their thoughts and feelings on the nature of New York and what is being done to restore it. Submission categories would be broken into three areas: • Dance • Theatre • Literature

33. CUNY and the Humanities Architectural Design Competition Visual Arts Competition Engagement via the Arts Early Child Learning Center Arts Submission Performing Arts Competition

34. “Getting to Know the Nature of New York” model Website Website Website Website Virtual Environment CUNY and the Humanities CUNY and the Humanities Events/ Projects Competition Competition Competition Competition CUNY CUNY CUNY CUNY Gates of Learning Gates of Learning

35. Gates of Learning Funding for Education Case Study/Debate Competition Engagement via Education & Action Colloquia Special Projects

36. Funding for Education Utilizing the power of education, Environmentally focused programs of study have been identified at the: • Undergraduate • Graduate • Post-graduate level

37. Case Study / Debate Competition Allow students to develop ideas for restoring New York natural environment Provides a forum for students to formulate opinions, present information, and share ideas Key Outcomes Facilitate the development of leaders who will lead preservation efforts in the years to come

38. Colloquia – Panel Discussions/Student-led Enviro-Talks John Jay College Baruch College NYC Technical College Criminal Justice Architecture Business Restoration of New York’s environment City College Health Education Hunter College Engineering Environment Education Queens College Kingsborough Community College Maximize public awareness by … • Focusing on each campuses academic interest • Serve as clearinghouse for ideas • Initiating and facilitating collaborative discussions

39. Special Projects • CUNY-wide Earth day • Nature walks throughout New York City • CUNY Forest: Adopt-a-Plot program • Eco-Fest • “Nature of New York” book signing • Film festival • Concerts • Food Festival • Cultural Fest

40. “Getting to Know the Nature of New York” model Website Website Website Website Virtual Environment CUNY and the Humanities CUNY and the Humanities Events/ Projects Competition Competition Competition Competition CUNY CUNY CUNY CUNY Gates of Learning Gates of Learning

41. TheResurrection • The Gates Project

42. Central Park The jewel of New York City. An oasis of serenity, ecological wealth and escape.