Too often in the environmental education curriculum in schools, students are learning about places far away like rainforests and glaciers. There has been a focus on studying rainforest deforestation and melting glaciers. While these are serious issues that need to be addressed, students may have a difficult time relating to them. Having never been to a rainforest or glacier, students may not fully comprehend why we need to conserve them.

The Our Green Harlem will bring environmental education into the “backyard” of schools in Harlem. One of the best ways to encourage students to adopt sustainable habits is to help them to simply love nature. Students will study the nature in the local parks and natural resources of Harlem. They will then compile a list of local environmental resources available for youth through a green mapping project. Finally, the students will share what they have learned with their school community through student-planned educational family nights.

The intended target population of the Our Green Harlem project is the youth of Harlem with extended outreach for their families, schools, and community. The project will focus its efforts on the area bordered by 155th Street, 125th Street, Morningside Park, Central Park, and E. 96th Street.