Groundwork Hudson Valley Inc

Sustainability education: groundwork hudson valley provides experiential hands-on opportunities to promote practical sustainability education concepts and community preparedness. At the science barge, our floating education center, we transform theory into practice by making hands-on solutions tangible and relevant to thousands of students each year. Our educational programs for schools bring resource conservation, extreme weather preparedness strategies, and stem education directly to local classrooms, both in-person and virtually. Thousands of students across the region participate in our programs each year, transforming concepts they are learning in books into real-world applications. In 2024, our educators delivered 3,529 hours of important education to these young people. The science barge also serves as a floating urban farm growing over 75 species using alternative growing methods to teach our neighbors and their families how to grow their own food in an urban setting. The weekly harvests were shared with local food pantries.

Youth leadership: groundwork hudson valley trains, mentors, and employs youth in conservation, leadership, and real-world skill-building preparing them for careers in sustainability and beyond. Through the green team program, yonkers public high school students gain paid, hands-on job experience in conservation, stem, and urban renewal. With small team sizes, we foster strong relationships, teamwork, and long-term growth. For over a decade, the green team has set the standard for youth conservation programs nationwide. Beyond local projects, students gain hands-on experience in america's iconic national parks including yellowstone national park, gateway national recreation area, and lenape wildlife national refuge complex. In 2024, 45 youth were hired for paid positions. They built and installed three bioswales and four drainage systems in areas of great need, planted 65 trees, and dedicated 4,890 hours to improving parks, gardens, green infrastructure, and the physical environments of their communities and 210 hours to civic engagement and outreach.