Jamaica Bay Park

NYC PARKS RECEIVES $629,000 FEDERAL GRANT TO ESTABLISH PAID TRAINING PROGRAM FOR COASTAL HABITAT RESTORATION

Funding will prepare underserved students to help Jamaica Bay marshland renewal

NYC Parks is pleased to announce the award of a $629,000 federal grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a paid internship and training program that will help economically disadvantaged and minority high school and college students participate in coastal habitat restoration.

“Preserving our coastal marshes and habitats is of utmost importance, especially as New York deals with the increased effects of climate change and severe weather events,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “We are grateful to NOAA for this grant, which will increase equity by offering paid training for students from underserved communities, while creating vital programming to educate the community on environmental issues. This funding will help ensure that Jamaica Bay, one of our city’s richest ecological areas, is protected for years to come.”

“We are thrilled that NOAA is funding this important program that will increase opportunities for young students to be trained and engage in critical wetland protection and restoration work. This multi-year program will also help us reach out to more community members about how to enjoy and support the ecological benefits of their coastal parks as well as participate in resiliency planning,” said Assistant Commissioner of Natural Resources & Planning Marit Larson.

With the grant, Parks will work to implement habitat restoration projects in parklands near Jamaica Bay in southeastern Queens, which contains the largest remaining extent of marshland in New York City. Disadvantaged local students will be provided with training opportunities that will allow them to work on the projects.

The grant is one of 35 new projects recommended by NOAA to bolster coastal renewal efforts in underserved communities nationwide. Funds will also be used to launch free community programming, including volunteer opportunities and environmental education.

Jamaica Bay is an 18,000-acre wetland estuary that includes approximately 10,000 acres of parkland jointly managed by the National Park Service and Parks. Consisting of numerous islands, a labyrinth of waterways, meadowlands, and two freshwater ponds, the wetlands provide a unique environment for both wildlife preservation and urban recreation. The region currently hosts over 325 species of birds, 50 species of butterflies, and 100 species of finfish.

The project was selected through NOAA’s Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities grant program, which is providing nearly $25 million this year to ensure that underserved communities are prioritized for habitat restoration efforts.