Hello, this is Morgan from New York!

Earlier this year in June, the NY Branch has partnered with GrowNYC to help reconstruct a local community garden.

To tie into that initiative, Mike Rezny from GrowNYC provided a presentation to staff about how GrowNYC offers environmental programs that transform communities and how employees can continue to help their mission and cause.

In this Lunch and Learn correlated session, employees felt the gravity of the how climate change impacts their daily lives. 26 employees attended the seminar and learned how New York City will face rising temperatures, extreme heat events and hurricanes.

Community gardens contribute to healthier air quality, a decreased urban heat island effect, access to fresh produce, a connection to nature, and opportunities for environmental education. Gardens can also help manage stormwater runoff; unlike asphalt, vegetation and soil in gardens can absorb and store rainwater.

Employees can join the movement by going to https://www.grownyc.org/get-involved and involving themselves. The presenter noted that many of their volunteers have been working with the organization on weekly basis for over 10 years. Although they appreciate all of the help, they need consistent volunteers that are able to work the farm stand or help with gardens on a weekly basis.