Today the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that $3.1 million in Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants have been awarded to support projects that address environmental and public health concerns.
These grants are going to 32 community-based organizations across the state. In Brooklyn these organizations include: the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, Neighbors Allied for Good Growth and the Gowanus Canal Conservancy.
Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, Inc
Will recieve $100,000 for their Shore Corps: Youth Internship and Workforce Development Program. The program encourages participants to develop their leadership skills as ambassadors to the community on local environmental harms and public risks.
Fort Greene Park Conservancy, Inc
Will recieve $100,000 for their Green Infrastructure Team at Fort Greene Park. In this program teens will study environmental justice and execute an infrastructure project in Fort Greene Park.
Neighbors Allied for Good Growth
Will recieve $100,000 for the Refresh: Community Health Responses to Indoor Air Quality and Local Air Pollution program. The grant will help increase the focus on community health by building a network of awareness around indoor and outdoor air quality.
Gowanus Canal Conservancy, Inc.
Will recieve $99,998 for the Gowanus Canal Conservancy Urban Ecology Program. The grant will help the Conservancy conduct community science and public engagement to involve students in the role of constructed ribbed mussel habitat in mitigating coastal pollution.
“Community Impact Grants support nonprofit, community-based organizations implementing a wide range of projects addressing multiple environmental concerns that adversely impact the quality of life in minority and low-income communities across the state,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said.
Since 2006, DEC’s Office of Environmental Justice awarded more than $12 million in funding for 214 projects to help support communities facing a disproportionate burden of environmental pollution.
This funding assists communities in developing and implementing programs that address environmental issues, harms, and health hazards, while building community consensus, setting priorities, and improving public outreach and education.
