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CityParks Eco-Innovators

Freeling frustrated or discouraged about environmental problems? Are you ready to take a leadership role in shaping your local environment?

Join CityParks Eco-Innovators in one of our two programs: Afterschool Club and/or Summer Institute. Students can join us at one of our sites during the fall and spring semesters, culminating in a real sustainability proposal, the most promising of which will be submitted for funding. Students in good standing over the age of 16 at the start of the summer get priority for attending a paid 6-week SYEP-funded internship.

Please contact Jessica Delgado-Miller at jdelgadomiller@cityparksfoundation.org.

CityParks Learn: Learning Gardens

ECO-INNOVATORS PROGRAMS

Fall 2026

  • Mondays Hub – 3:30PM-5:30PM – East Side Community Science Center 
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  • Tuesdays Hub – 3:30PM-5:30PM – BASE Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment
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  • Wednesdays Hub – 2:30PM-4:30PM – Energy Tech High School (Open to Energy Tech students only)
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  • Thursdays Hub – 3:30PM-5:30PM – Sherman Creek Park – NYRP The Community Room
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CPF - Coastal Classroom - Kaiser Park - NYC - 2019 ©Sean J. Rhinehart For more of me: http://seanjamar.com/

GET INVOLVED

School and environmental groups

    • Schools can be either Hosting or Recruiting Partners.
    • Environmental Groups can partner to: host students in either the Afterschool Club or Summer Institute, or become programming partners.

Students

  • Afterschool Club 
    • Free to NYC high school students (9th-12th).
    • Students learn about a variety of sustainability issues before developing their own sustainability projects.
    • Explore topics such as ambient air quality, the importance of urban tree canopies, composting to curb climate change.
    • Project proposals culminate in a presentation at the end of the spring semester; the most promising projects are submitted for funding.
    • Students in good standing are invited to one or two fully funded field trips per academic year.
    • Students meet once a week in both the fall and spring semesters for about 12 weeks per semester. Choose the site and day of the week that works for you. Sites open to all students except Wednesdays at Energy Tech, which is only open to Energy Tech students
  • Summer Institute
    • Six-week paid internship for students 16 y.o. by  July 1, 2027
    • Students apply through SYEP and attend Career and College Readiness training once a week (virtual and in-person) through the spring semester.
    • Preference is given to Afterschool Club students in good standing.
    • Students will go on 1-2 field trips weekly visiting parks, water treatment plants, recycling and composting facilities, and engage with leading environmental organizations.
    • Registration opens early 2027, exact dates TBD

Generous private support is provided by The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, Rose M. Badgeley Charitable Trust, the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation, and the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation. Generous public support is provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Supporting Sponsor The Walt Disney Company.

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SUPPORT CITY PARKS FOUNDATION

Because of you, NYC’s kids are learning how to protect our environment and being introduced to a new sport for life, community volunteers are transforming a green space in need of care, and free world-class performing arts are being brought to our parks all around the city—all for free. When you support City Parks Foundation's free programs, you are helping our parks, our communities, and our city thrive.

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