February 08, 2010 Going Coastal NYC Book Release - Featuring the Bronx River
Going Coastal NYC 2nd Edition can now be purchased at your local bookstores. The book features information about Bronx River Alliance and the Bronx River including parks and estuaries, launch sites, and our canoe and kayak programs. Going Coastal NYC also includes details of significant historical sites, maps that covers over 500 miles of NYC waterfront, events and happenings, and much more.
The Going Coastal NYC Urban Waterfront Guide was published by Fordham University Press and is sold at a variety of book retailers including Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Borders.
February 05, 2010 US Army Corps of Engineers Begins Ecosystem Restoration Project at Soundview Park
The NY City Parks Department is partnering with the Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild a wetland near the mouth of the river in Soundview Park. The Corps will foot most of the bill for the $6.3 million project to restore the 3-acre salt marsh, with the Parks Department providing the remaining 35% of the funding.
The project is in the design phase right now, and work at the site is expected to get underway in the fall.
Herring some good news
Herring made a triumphant return to the Bronx River in April, 300 years after dam-building drove the species out. In 2006, the Parks Department and conservation groups reintroduced alewife herring to the waterway, and this year their hatchings returned to spawn.
Green scene
Some of the borough's old abandoned lots, including Mill Pond Park and Concrete Plant Park, got a green lease on life as official parkland.
As of November 25, Con Ed had finished its clean-up operations and reported that the river looked great. Con Ed will wait two or so weeks to give the river "a rest" before they and staff from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) revisit to see if there are any new indications of oil.
November 19, 2009 Click to support Bronx River Alliance!
JPMorgan Chase and Facebook have partnered to launch a corporate, philanthropic giving initiative for small and local charities. The Bronx River Alliance along with over 500,000 non-profits are eligible for the grand prize winning of $1 million. We are asking for your support, and your vote, to help Bronx River Alliance to make it to the final round.
Click on the hand to cast your vote. It's that easy!
This is such a unique opportunity and with your support, we hope to seize this moment. Please be sure to vote, and then most importantly tell your friends, family, and loved ones about the chance to make the Bronx a healthier and safer place for all of its inhabitants; hairy, feathery and scaly alike.
***Details of contest***
The contest is broken into two rounds. In the first round of the Chase Community Giving initiative Facebook users vote for non-profits that they believe should win a portion of the larger $5 Million dollar pot. On December 15th the top 100 qualified charities will be announced to receive $25,00 each, and then they will move on to the next round.
The second round the top 100 organizations will have the option to submit a "Million Dollar Grant" proposal to Facebook users (of course we need YOU to make it there) detailing the difference that they would make in their local community with the additional funds. Facebook users will then vote again beginning January 15th, and on February 1st the organization that received the most votes will be announced. The next five organizations with the most votes will receive $100,000 each, and the Chase Advisory Board will donate $1 million to the nominated charities of its choice.
November 16, 2009 Con Ed transformer explosion in Yonkers triggers Bronx River clean-up
November 11, 2009 Bronx River Teacher, Nic Vitale, Honored by NYC and Sloan Foundation
Banana Kelly science teaher Nic Vitale was honored recently for his hard work and innovation. Please follow the links for more news of this well deserved praise:
November 05, 2009 Con Edison Substation Fire Causes Oil Spill on the Bronx River
On November 4, 2009 oil from the Con Edison Dunwoodie substation was released during a fire. Con Edison is on the scene of the cleanup with the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Emergency Response Team and the NY City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Con Edison notified Linda Cox, Executive Director of the Bronx River Alliance and the Bronx River Administrator for the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, on Thursday, Nov 5. Linda immediately notified NYC Parks, and both the Bronx River Conservation Crew and Parks Natural Resource Group staff investigated. Booms placed by Con Edison and DEC to contain and absorb the spill were already in place at several locations along the river. Staff members observed oil slicks and strong petroleum smells along the river, and oil seeping under the booms, heading downriver. The Alliance has been keeping in close contact with Con Edison, Parks and neighboring partners such as the New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo – all who observed the spill on their sites.
Latest (11/10/09)
The Bronx River Alliance has been advised of the sub-station fire last Wednesday and subsequent oil spill by Con Ed. We are in contact with the agencies involved. Until experts are able to issue their assessment, we are advising the public to refrain from fishing or disturbing the clean-up in the Bronx River.
UPDATE (12/01/09)
As of November 25, Con Ed had finished its clean-up operations and reported that the river looked great. Con Ed will wait two or so weeks to give the river "a rest" before they and staff from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) revisit to see if there are any new indications of oil.