Neighborhood Housing Services-Bedford Stuyvesant and Magnolia Tree Earth Center
Brings Ecology Experts together for Dialog on Becoming a Greener Community
By Keith L. Forest

This past weekend, some of New York’s top environmentalists joined Central Brooklyn residential and organizational leaders at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in an open dialogue about environmental challenges, evolving solutions and their impact on the community – now and in the future. Presented by the Neighborhood Housing Services of Bedford Stuyvesant and Magnolia Earth Tree Center of Bedford Stuyvesant, this initiative -- Central Brooklyn PROJECT GREEN -- kicked off a month-long series of environmental awareness and Earth Month events that continue to occur throughout the community.

“One of the goals of Neighborhood Housing Services is to promote neighborhood self-reliance and to preserve affordable housing,” said James Durrah, chair, NHS-Bedford Stuyvesant. “Our commitment to increasing and protecting the community’s investment embraces any effort that will help sustain the health of the community and its properties. When NHS creates opportunities for affordable housing, we are doing so in a manner that promotes the conservation of natural resources, reduces energy and water consumption, minimizes solid waste, and considers the health of the residents. PROJECT GREEN ultimately brings awareness of the human potential – neighbors working with neighbors -- to make a difference. We are proud to partner with Magnolia Tree Earth Center in this joint effort to peel the veneer of the environmental conditions that surround our current home and work together to initiate remediation and cures.”

The event, which featured a star panel; exhibits and presenters from various New York agencies and environmental organizations and businesses; included a wealth of information and best practices scenarios from a variety of community-based environmentalists – including gardeners, ecologists and residents to business owners, program heads and political leaders, in “Community Speaks” segments interwoven throughout the day.

Among the experts covering the subject on “Towards a Sustainable Future: Communities Developing Greenprints for Change,” were Commissioner Margarita Lopez, NYCHA’s environmental coordinator, who challenged the audience to take personal responsibility in making a difference. Other on the panel included Michael J. Foster, Biodiversity Specialist for the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation of the American Museum of Natural History; Carlton Brown, CEO, Full Spectrum of New York, builder of Harlem’s first green building and Dr. Reginald Blake, Physics professor at NYC College of Technology and head of the college’s Black Male Initiative.

Among the community speakers in attend were Pamela Greene, Executive Director, historic Weeksville Heritage Center; Vonette Fleming, Vice President, Hattie Carthan Garden; Agnes Green, president, Brooklyn-Queens Land Trust, John Llanos, an archaelogist/Botanist/Ceramicist at Von King Park, Sharon Forbes, Foreclosure Specialist, for NHS – Bedford Stuyvesant, NYS assemblywoman Annette Robinson and NY S Senator Kevin Parker.

The panel discussion centered on the need for the community to develop its own strategic “Greenprint” and so that it will have a “a sustainable future” In addition to changing lifestyles, the panel covered the critical need for more young people to pursue life science careers.

Bedford Stuyvesant resident, Dwaine Lee of Sustainable South Bronx; Sharon Griffith and Mark Wyman provided NYSERDA-sponsored workshops on Workforce Diversity and Energy Efficiency were presented. Another highlight was the Robotics demonstration by Brooklyn champs P.S. 21 and P.S. 81.

The day ended at the Hattie Carthan Garden on Marcy and Lafayette Avenues where event attendees where afforded the opportunity to engage in the hands-on building of a Hoop House for all-year food-growing.

National Grid provided healthy lunch and beverages, prepared by community businesses, Mrs. Mial’s Cooking and Karenga Arifu’s Jakada Juice.

Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.