Yonkers Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership

In the city of Yonkers, this partnership works to enhance community health and well-being through outdoor engagement, connect people through youth employment, environmental education, recreation, and relevant habitat conservation projects.

Yonkers Riverfest

eight people stand in front of an inflatable cube object. The people are smiling, and two of them hold archery bows. They appear to be in an urban park, as tall buildings appear behind them. — Service employees and the Groundworks team at the annual Riverfest in Yonkers, NY.

Refuge staff joined youth from Groundworks Hudson Valley at the annual Yonkers Riverfest. The event brought in thousands of visitors for free food, entertainment and activities. Those who stopped by the always entertaining Hoverball archery activity had an opportunity to participate in this safe and fun activity for all ages. Visitors were able to walk through the Groundworks Science Barge and see firsthand the wind turbines whirling, solar panels getting their energy from the sun, and the greenhouses bursting with hydroponics. They could also learn about ways to combat climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.

Learn more about climate change in their local community through information and programming led by the Groundworks Green Team members.

Youth Restore Riparian Buffer

people in green shirts plant trees in a light brown grassy field. — Youth from Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Green Team plant trees at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey.

Youth from Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Green Team joined refuge staff for a riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

Learn more about riparian restoration project at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge.

The youth planted over 30 trees on April 13, along the Wallkill River, a tributary of the Hudson River which flows alongside the youth’s hometown of Yonkers, New York. The Green Team will take their newly-acquired tree planting skills back to Yonkers for riparian restoration efforts of their own.

Spring Garden Spruce Up at Yonkers School 13

In the Spring, refuge staff and Green Team youth from Groundwork Hudson Valley revitalized the pollinator garden at Yonkers Public School 13. The garden was established in 2015 through our urban partnership efforts with funding from the National Conservation Training Center. All the raised beds received weed removal, fresh soil, and new pollinator plants. Community members walking by praised the group for bringing new life to the neighborhood and were excited to witness such great work being done at their local school and in their community.