Your Support is Needed for Friends of Brook Park

Dear Friends:

As 2008 draws to a close, I want to take this opportunity to highlight a few of Friends of Brook Park’s most recent successes.

This year we have served hundreds of youth in our garden oasis, introducing them to organic gardening and Nature, in the middle of the South, South Bronx.

On the water, advocating for access to the rivers, and clean waterways, we were honored to outfit internationally renowned Puerto Rican environmental justice activist Tito Kayak to ply the Harlem and East Rivers and the Bronx Kill.

I'm proud of what we've achieved. But none of it would have been possible without the support we get from you.

One of our volunteers, Robert, writes:

“I've helped put up tipis with students at nearby public schools, showed them how to chop wood safely, seen a young girl, 4 years old, who moved from West Africa to the South Bronx with her family, keenly examine the many ladybugs on her hand being released as natural pest control against aphids. That young girl, and the many other children and adults who have had the pleasure of digging in the soil to harvest radishes and carrots, or clipped fresh mint from around the base of the willow tree, or walked the labyrinth of peace and contemplation, have enriched me and my life as much as the garden has enriched theirs.”

Your commitment is especially important in these tough economic times. Like other organizations, we are tightening our belts. But because so many people depend on us to continue to provide real green peaceful resources, we have the responsibility to continue-and, in some places, intensify-our work.

We cannot do that without your support. So please, during this holiday season of peace and hope, send a year-end, tax-deductible donation to Friends of Brook Park. You can do so by simply clicking here: http://www.friendsofbrookpark.org/donations

If you prefer to send in your vital contribution, mail to:

Friends of Brook Park
PO Box 801
Bronx, NY 10454

Please donate today: http://www.friendsofbrookpark.org/donations

Sincerely,
Harry J. Bubbins
Executive Director

MULCHFEST: Chip In! Mulch Your Murdered Tree! Help NYC Grow!

MULCHFEST
Chip In! Mulch Your Murdered Tree! Help NYC Grow!
10am – 2pm
January 10 & 11th



Bring your holiday tree to a designated city park to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city! Remember to remove all lights and ornaments before bringing the tree to a Mulchfest site. You are encouraged to bring bags to take advantage of the free mulch provided at sites marked with an asterisk (*) below.

Chipping Sites*

Brook Park* Brook Avenue at 141st Street

"Shut Off the Lights for the Holidays" Essay Contest

"Shut Off the Lights for the Holidays" Essay Contest

BRIEF ASSIGNMENT:

Write an essay 300 words or less describing why cutting down a tree and keeping the lights on all the time are not environmentally sound, and offer creative alternatives.

$100 for the top prize winner!

Please pass this around far and wide coast to coast!!!

$100 for the top prize winner!


**********
More background:

The era of change is upon us. Al Gore's film has won awards, real
climate experts like James Hansen and Charles Komanoff are presenting
the truth about climate change to Congress, offering policies that may
help the world avert ecological catastrophe. Today almost everyone is
familiar with the issue of "Climate Change".

Nevertheless our planet continues to be endangered because our
continued reliance on fossil fuels has trumped the
transformation to a new Green Economy so urgently needed. A Green
Economy beckons but do we listen? Is Western Civilization ready for an
economy based on renewable fuel sources and greater collective sharing.

The price of continuing to let Mountains be cut in West Virginia and
rainforests cleared in the Amazon is beyond calculation. Yet,
conspicuous consumption abounds, often most pronounced on popular holidays.

To spur the needed change in consciousness, and decision-making,
Friends of Brook Park, a leading environmental organization based in the South, South Bronx of New York City, USA, is sponsoring an essay contest.

Did we tell you there is a $100 for the top prize winner!

With 2nd and 3rd place receiving prizes as well.
(contact us if you want to donate or offer prizes or $ for the participants!)

1 For 8th to 12th grades.

In 300 words or less address this subject:

Write a convincing essay arguing that holiday lights used as ornaments
for trees and windows in December are wasteful and contribute to pollution and catastrophic climate change; And propose festive alternatives that are fun, easy and could, if promoted properly, replace the existing wasteful celebrations.

BRIEF ASSIGNMENT:

Write an essay 300 words or less describing why cutting down a tree and keeping the lights on all the time are not environmentally sound, and offer creative alternatives.


The first 100 entrants will be considered. All essay writers will be
Listed on our popular blog, "World Beneath the Pavement", named after a line
From the song "Willie Says" by Dana Lyons.

The judge's panel will consist of:

Anthony Jordan, CEO of Saint Benedict the Moor Neigborhood Center
Marina Ortiz, Founder of East Harlem Preservation
Steve Ritz, Award Winning Environmental Educator
Derrik Jensen, acclaimed author of A Language Older Than Words and The
Culture of Make Believe, among many others.
Sara Katz, Community Horticulturist, Bronx Green-Up
Roberto Mukaro Borrero, President, United Confederation of Taino People
Harry J. Bubbins, Director, Friends of Brook Park

To enter, Email entries to:

informationATfriendsofbrookparkDOTorg

Subject line: Essay Contest


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Contest