At Green in BKLYN, we don’t typically ask for donations for groups but we do make a number of contributions ourselves the year.  However,  I wanted to introduce you to the Council on the Environment of New York City (CENYC) & let you know about their annual fundraiser as well as the work they do…

You might know CENYC from your neighborhood Greenmarket or community garden, many of which they maintain.  You may have learned how to recycle like a pro because you played the recycling challenge with their Office of Recycling Outreach and Education or your child planted trees along the Bronx River as part of their environmental education programs.

Since 1970, Council on the Environment of NYC has been rolling up its sleeves alongside local residents  to find solutions to environmental problems that impact us all.  Below are a few things that CENYC has accomplished just this year:

• Expanded to 50 Greenmarkets & developed the Nation’s largest food stamp in farmers’ market program resulting in nearly $250,000 in sales.
• Diverted almost 500,000 pounds of clothing from the landfill through textile recycling sites at eight Greenmarkets.
• Substantially renovated three community gardens in addition to more than 50 that they have created & supported
• Planted 1,860 trees & 3,200 plants in New York City’s watershed as part of education programs.

If you choose to support CENYC, you can be sure that your contributions support action around important environmental issues ; 80 cents of every dollar goes directly to program services such as helping CENYC to:

• Provide access to healthy, fresh local food for all New Yorkers
• Grow & maintain vibrant green spaces & community gardens
• Help New Yorkers recycle more & reduce waste
• Create the next generation of environmental leaders

You can also get involved through volunteer opportunities, workshops, school programs & community events or visit their website at www.cenyc.org to learn more.