UWSR Eco Letter

January/February 2026

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Our heartfelt thanks to all of you for your continued interest and supportive comments. As we enter the new year, it helps to pause and take a breath - and remember that every act of kindness and compassion inspires the same in others. 
Wishing you peace, health and happiness,

-Jeff & Scottie Twine

Make sure to open and save a copy of our Hard-to-Recycle List for more information on how to recycle a wide variety of items, as well as our list of Environmental Organizations.

Please email us at info@uwsr.org with any information you may have about upcoming environmental events for our consideration.

COMMENTARY:

Winter 2026 Updates and Resources

RECYCLING / WASTE REDUCTION

• Embrace the 3R’s, The Planet Will Thank You!, It's Easy Being Green Newsletter, September 2025
• The Dirty Truth: How New Yorkers Really Feel about Litter, Sanitation Foundation
• Discard Anthropology with Dr. Robin Nagle (podcast transcript on NYC Trash).
• 1,500 Tons of NYC Trash Every Day—For Another 15 Years?, Hell Gate, August 12, 2025
• The Problem with Plastic, How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late (Book), By Judith Enck and Beyond Plastics,with Adam Mahoney
• Throwaway Plastic Has Corrupted Us, NY Times, September 6, 2025
• How many times can plastic be recycled?, ONE 5C
• Silver Moon Bakery's Effort to Lower Waste, It's Easy Being Green Newsletter, October 2025
• Plastic Free Kitchen Storage, It's Easy Being Green Newsletter, October 2025
• How to get rid of old clothes (donating, reselling, repairing, repurposing, and recycling), Wirecutter, NY Times
• Needles, Razor Blades and Other Sharps: Place in a hard container, such as a sharps container or a coffee can, and take to the nearest drop-off location. There are drop-off spots across the city, and all hospitals must have a designated site. Info: SafeNeedleDisposal.org (scroll down for Manhattan)
• Safe Disposal of Medications: Duane Reade and CVS Pharmacies have large containers for safe disposal of medications (pills, capsules, salves, etc.); no sharps

DSNY Collection Events and Special Waste Drop-Off Sites

In addition to electronics, goods accepted at both scheduled events and drop-off sites include solvents, automotive flammables, pharmaceuticals and sharps, and ionization-type smoke detectors.

• Community e-waste events: DSNY
• Special waste drop-off sites: DSNY. Saturdays and the last Friday of every month, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
   - Bronx: Hunts Point at Farragut Street and the East River, next to the Fulton Fish Market. Enter on Farragut Street, off Food Center Drive.
   - Manhattan: 74 Pike Slip, between Cherry Street & South Street, under the Manhattan Bridge.

Legislation

• A5248. New York State Waste Recycling and Reduction Act requires each commercial building in the State to recycle paper products and single-use plastic products produced or used on site (in Committee).
• S1464/A1749. Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act requires companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan (passed Senate, in Assembly committee).

ORGANIC WASTE / COMPOSTING

• New York City has space for more composting, report says, Waste Dive, October 21, 2025
• DSNY curbside composting fines are scheduled to resume sometime in 2026: New York City has suspended most fines for violations of its mandatory curbside composting program, except for buildings with over 30 units that have received more than four warnings. NYC Council
• Smart Composting Bins, located throughout the city (including the Upper West Side) are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The NYC Smart Compost app enables finding and unlocking compost drop-off at curbside bins; it also provides users with information about the composting program, gives details on how to use the curbside bins and what types of food/materials can be composted with this program, and allows them to report issues with the curbside bins. For more information and bin locations: DSNY
• For more composting resources, see It's Easy Being Green

Legislation

• Int 1206-2025. Complaints and penalties applicable to rules requiring a pre-collection storage area and containers for source separated organic waste (in Committee).
• Int 1228-2025. Would expand the categories of businesses that may be subject to requirements regarding the disposal of commercial organic waste (in Committee).

URBAN GREENING

• Broadway Malls Habitat Conservation, It's Easy Being Green Newsletter, Summer 2025
• NYC Urban Forest Plan 2025
• New York City’s Forests Are Ailing. New Funding May Get at the Root of the Problem, (new $7 million NY State grant), Inside Climate News, December 13, 2025
• 25 of NYC’s Greatest Great Trees, NY Times, August 22, 2025

Legislation

• Int 0800-2024. Would require the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to develop criteria by which they prioritize tree maintenance (enacted).
• Int 1159-2025. Would require reporting on the number of alternate compliance options to street tree planting requirements approved by the Department of Parks and Recreation (in Committee).
• Int 1202-2025. Would prohibit the installation of artificial grass in city parks (in Committee).
• Int 1227-2025. Would require the department of parks and recreation to publish tree-maintenance prioritization ratings (in Committee).
• Int 1253-2025. Requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to notify the local Council Member when DEP installs a new bioswale, rain garden, or other bioretention system in the public right-of-way (in Committee).
• Int 1342-2025. Would require a study to identify at least the top 10 community districts that lack the most green space, and to increase green space, including parkland, in such areas (in Committee).
• 2025-S6553/A5147. Establishes a Green New Deal for New York Task Force to develop a plan for the transition of the New York economy to become greenhouse gas emissions neutral by 2030 (in Committee).

CLIMATE CHANGE / ENERGY

• New York City schools lead in solar power. A federal law could slow solar development, Chalkbeat New York, October 14, 2025
• New York Climate Advocates Celebrate Mamdani’s Victory, Prepare to Hold Him Accountable, Inside Climate News, November 5, 2025
• New York Can’t Meet Its Ambitious Climate Targets. Maybe the Plan Was Doomed From the Start, Inside Climate News, August 5, 2025
• How City Leaders in New York Plan to Help Co-Op Buildings Reduce Emissions, Inside Climate News, November 19, 2025
• New Solar-Powered Info Center Opens on UWS Stretch of Riverside Park, West Side Rag, August 6, 2025
• Despite Hochul's Desire to Build Oil Pipelines to Power AI, Renewable Energy Just Got a Big Boost in New York (two years after its passage, the “Build Public Renewables Act” is poised to produce solar and battery storage investments that could power the homes of 7 million New Yorkers), Hell Gate, August 5, 2025
• New York becomes first state to commit to all-electric new buildings, Canary Media, July 30, 2025
• Federal judge throws out Trump order blocking development of wind energy, Associated Press, December 8, 2025
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Drop to Pandemic Levels in Sign of Local Climate Laws’ Impact, The City, December 23, 2025

Legislation

• Int 0429-2024. Requires the inspecting entity of a periodic gas piping inspection be either a licensed master plumber or a licensed journeyman plumber working under the direct supervision of a licensed master plumber. It also amends the scope of gas piping inspections, requiring inspections to include the point of connection with gas appliances, and changes the definition of ordinary plumbing work to include the replacement of gas furnaces, household gas appliances, and gas appliance connectors (enacted).
• Int 1192-2025. Would establish a climate migrant services coordinator (in Committee).
• Int 1222-2025. Would provide notification to public officials regarding the installation of energy storage systems (in Committee).
• Int 1374-2025. Sale and use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers. This bill would prohibit their sale after December 31, 2025, and would prohibit their use after December 31, 2026 (in Committee).
• Int 1395-2025. Would require the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a green climate screen pilot project (in Committee).
• S2632/A2720, Solar for Schools Act provides grants for eligible school districts to purchase and install solar and geothermal power sources (in Committee).
• S3590/A8088, Climate Resilient New York Act establishes the office of resilience and a resilience task force to assess and identify climate related threats and develop a statewide resilience plan (passed Senate, in Assembly Committee).
• S4158/A4870, NY Home Energy Affordable Transition Act (NY Heat Act) aligns utility regulation with state climate justice and emission reduction targets and repeals provisions of the public service law relating to gas service and sale (in Committee).
• S4651A/A3975 establishes an economy-wide cap and invest program to support greenhouse gas emissions reductions (in Committee).
• S6570/A8758, Accelerate Solar for Affordable Power Act sets a new target for distributed solar energy capacity (in Committee).
• S8012/A8332 Relates to the assessment of solar or wind energy systems through a discounted cash flow approach (signed by Governor).
• S8417/A8888 repeals a rule that required utility companies to supply natural gas to any customer within 100 feet of an existing line, with the cost falling on ratepayers. The bill covers a portion of what was in the NY HEAT Act (signed by Governor).
• S8421/A8889, Customer Savings and Reliability Act in relation to sizing of the utility gas system in a manner that aligns with climate justice and emissions reduction provisions (passed Senate, in Assembly Committee).

MISCELLANEOUS

• Reducing Runoff: The Role of Urban Natural Areas in Stormwater Management. Info: The Natural Areas Conservancy, jeffrey.clark@naturalareasnyc.org
• How New York Keeps Its Unfiltered Water Safe: Spending Millions on Land, New York Times, December 21, 2025
• Urban Heat and Air Pollution May Harm Developing Brains in the Womb, Study Suggests (in NYC low-income communities). Info: Inside Climate News, September 25, 2025

Legislation

• Int 1150-2024. Creates a comprehensive stormwater plan and repeals section 24-526.1 of such code, relating to the creation of a sustainable stormwater management plan (enacted).
• Int 1202-2025. Prohibits the installation of artificial grass in city parks (in Committee).
• Int 1230-2025. Would require the director of long-term planning and sustainability to conduct an infrastructure risk study in flood risk areas (in Committee).
• Int 1244-2025. Would amend the city code in relation to the creation of a groundwater flood risk area map (in Committee).
• Int 1351-2025. Would adjust the thresholds that the Department of Environmental Protection uses to require permits for stormwater pollution on small construction activities (in Committee).
• Int 1352-2025. Would require that roofs on certain covered buildings drain onto a permeable surface in accordance with DEP rulemaking (in Committee).
• Int 1397-2025. Would amend the administrative code of the City of New York in relation to establishing resilient construction standards for tanks in stormwater flood risk areas (enacted).
• S.187A/A.7738. Comprehensive PFAS Ban: Phases out PFAS in everyday items like non-stick cookware, dental floss, children’s products, ski wax, cleaning products, fabric treatments, rugs, paint, and household textiles by January 1, 2027 (passed Senate, in Assembly committee).
• S1239E/A1556. Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act prohibits certain food additives and food color additives (passed Senate, in Assembly Committee).
• S2057A/A2054. Beauty Justice Act: Bans PFAS and a list of other known toxins, such as lead and formaldehyde, from personal care and cosmetic products (passed Senate, in Assembly Committee).
• S3163/A1819. Monarch Preservation Act requires the DEC to take feasible actions to conserve monarch butterflies and their unique habitats (signed by Governor).
• S3207A/A8634. establishes maximum contaminant levels for PFAS in drinking water (passed Senate, in Assembly Committee).
• S3852A/A7594. prohibits the sale of playground surfacing materials that contain PFAS or lead (passed Senate, in Assembly committee).
• S4289/A4997. Horseshoe Crab Protection Act prohibits the taking of horseshoe crabs for commercial and biomedical purposes (signed by Governor).
• S4574B/A5832. PFAS Discharge Disclosure Act requires certain industries and treatment works to conduct PFAS monitoring and disclose the results (passed Senate, on floor calendar of Assembly).
• S7839A/A1430. PFAS in Medical Adhesives and Bandages prohibits the sale of these if they contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (in Senate Committee).

You can access an ARCHIVE OF PAST COMMENTARIES here.

This Archive is an excellent resource for research and review of

environmental issues that are part of our daily lives.

EVENTS

You can assume an event is online if no location is listed. For ongoing events, please check first with the sponsoring organization for their status.

Sometimes we're notified of events after we send you the current bi-monthly issue. Be sure to check here on our website to see any updates.

Electronic & Textile Recycling

(See also our Hard-to-Recycle List)

REMINDER: According to New York State recycling laws it is illegal to put any electronic waste into your trash. Residential buildings will be fined for violations of this law.

Free Electronics Recycling Events

Hosted by Lower East Side Ecology; (212) 477-4022; events occur rain or shine.  

Accepted (unless otherwise noted): Computers and peripherals (monitors, printers, faxes/scanners, keyboards, mice, wires, etc.); TVs; stereo and A/V equipment, VCRs, DVD players; cell and wall phones.

Not Accepted: Microwaves, small appliances, refrigerators, air conditioners, smoke or carbon monoxide detectors. If you're not sure about a given item, check with Lower East Side Ecology before you bring it (212-477-4022).

• Sunday, January 11, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Union Square, North Plaza (17th Street, between Broadway & Park Avenue South). Info: Lower East Side Ecology, (212) 477-4022
• Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Church of the Holy Name of Jesus/St. Gregory the Great, Amsterdam Avenue between West 96th & 97th Streets. Info: Lower East Side Ecology, (212) 477-4022; CM Shaun Abreu, (212) 928-6814; AM Micah Lasher, (212) 866-3970

DSNY Community E-Waste Events (check for future events; many are co-sponsored with Lower East Side Ecology)

• Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Church of the Holy Name of Jesus/St. Gregory the Great, Amsterdam Avenue between West 96th & 97th Streets. Info: DSNY; Lower East Side Ecology

Free Textile Recycling Events

(See also our Hard-to-Recycle List)

• Sunday, January 11, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Union Square, North Plaza (17th Street, between Broadway & Park Avenue South). Info: Lower East Side Ecology
• Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Church of the Holy Name of Jesus/St. Gregory the Great, Amsterdam Avenue between West 96th & 97th Streets. Info: Lower East Side Ecology
• Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Recycle Textiles, Morningside Park Down-to-Earth Farmers Market, 110th Street & Manhattan Avenue. Info: Down to Earth
• Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Recycle Clothing and Other Textiles at both 106th Street & Amsterdam and 991 Amsterdam (in front of the Columbus Amsterdam BID Office). Info: info@columbusamsterdambid.org; 212-666-9774

DSNY Community Textile Events (check for future events; many are co-sponsored with Lower East Side Ecology)

• Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Church of the Holy Name of Jesus/St. Gregory the Great, Amsterdam Avenue between West 96th & 97th Streets. Info: DSNY; Lower East Side Ecology, 212-477-4022

Wearable Collections will pick up from your building (for more details see our Hard-to-Recycle List).

Accepted by Wearable Collections: clean and dry textiles, including clothing, pairs of shoes, hats, handbags, belts, blankets, sheets, curtains, towels, etc.

Not Accepted: Fabric scraps, pillows, comforters, luggage or rugs/carpeting.

Check the Grow NYC website for an up-to-date list of locations and hours to recycle textiles (212-788-7964). Events occur as scheduled, rain or shine.

Currently open:

• 77th/79th Street Greenmarket [77th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West], 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Sundays
• Inwood Greenmarket [Isham Street between Seaman Avenue and Cooper Street], 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m, Saturdays

Also, United War Veterans Council, Salvation Army, and Goodwill will pick up from residential buildings. So will re-fashion NYC (you need to submit an application). See the Textiles Section of our Hard-to-Recycle List for more specific information.

Other Recycling/Solid Waste 

(See also our Hard-to-Recycle List)

• Thursday, January 1, 2026 (no end date), DSNY pickup of Christmas trees and wreaths. Set trees and wreaths at the curb next to other compostable materials; no decorations and no plastic wrapping; trees and wreaths are treated similarly to the other material DSNY collects for composting. Info: DSNY
• Thursday, January 1, to Saturday, January 31, 2026, Tree-cycle; drop your tree at any Riverside Park entrance to be chipped and used in the park as mulch, on pathways and in tree pits. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, 212-870-3070
• Saturday, January 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.: Shred-A-Thon – What Better Way to Begin 2026 Edition, St. Stephen’s Greenmarket, 82nd Street between First and York Avenues. Info: AM Rebecca Seawright, 212-288-4607, seawrightr@nyassembly.gov
• Saturday, January 10, and Sunday, January 11, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., NYC Mulchfest 2026 Chipping Weekend. Bring your tree to a chipping site and get a bag of mulch for your backyard or a street tree. 
  Local chipping sites include:
   - Central Park: West 81st Street and Central Park West, at the bridle path
   - Riverside Park: West 83rd Street and Riverside Drive
   - Inwood Park: Isham Street and Seaman Avenue 
  Click here for a map of chipping sites. Info: NYC Parks; Riverside Park Conservancy
• Daily, 2026, 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Hell's Kitchen Commons Food Scrap Drop Off, Matthews Palmer Park, 445 West 45th Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues). Info: (212) 477-4022, Lower East Side Ecology
• Second Wednesday of each month, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., (location varies), Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board Meeting (online). Info: Manhattan SWAB
• Second Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., 350NYC WasteNot Working Group Meeting (online). Info: 350NYC
• CVS and Duane Reade Pharmacies: Safe disposal of unused medications; drop your unwanted, unused or expired medications in their medication disposal kiosk; no sharps
• DSNY hosts SAFE Disposal Events. For a full list of accepted goods and more information see DSNY or call 311.

Climate Change & Energy

• Monday, January 12, to Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., LEAP Winter 2026 Momentum Bootcamp in Climate Data Science, Teachers College, 525 West 120 Street, Russell Hall, 4th Floor - Smith Learning Theater. Info: lnz2104@columbia.edu, Columbia Climate School, 212-854-0641 
• Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Climate LIVE K12: When Waters Rise: How Flash Flood Preparedness Strengthens Communities (online). Info: Columbia Climate School, lnz2104@columbia.edu, 212-854-0641
• Thursday, January 15, to Saturday, January 17, 2026, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., LEAP Hackathon: URBAN FUTURES: Co-Creating Climate Resilience in NYC, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79 Street. Info: leap@columbia.edu, Columbia Climate School
• Wednesday, February 18, to Thursday, February 19, 2026, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Midwinter Climate Institute (for teachers). Info: Center for Sustainable Futures, Teachers College, Columbia University
• Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Climate LIVE K12: Voices for the Future: Climate Communication that Connects & Empowers (online). Info: Columbia Climate School, (212) 854-0641, lnz2104@columbia.edu
• Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Climate LIVE K12: Careers for a Changing Climate: Starting Your Journey in Sustainability (online). Info: Columbia Climate School, (212) 854-0641, lnz2104@columbia.edu
• Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Climate LIVE K12: The Heart of Climate Justice, (online), Info: Columbia Climate School, (212) 854-0641, lnz2104@columbia.edu
• Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Climate LIVE K12: Youth-focused Climate Solutions (online). Info: Columbia Climate School, (212) 854-0641, lnz2104@columbia.edu
• Second Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., 350 NYC Buildings, Energy & Transportation Working Group (online). Info: 350 NYC
• Fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., 350 NYC General Meeting, The Ethical Culture Society, 2 West 64th Street. Info: 350 NYC
• Fourth Sunday of each month, 1:30 p.m., Climate Change Circles, The Ethical Culture Society, 2 West 64th Street, Room 514. Info: The Ethical Culture Society, (212) 874-5210

Urban Greening

• Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Inwood Hill Forest Restoration, Seaman Avenue and Isham Street. Info: NYC Parks 
• Saturday, January 17, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Winter Tree ID, West 218th Street and Indian Road in Inwood Hill Park. Info: NYC Parks, (212) 304-2277
• Monday, January 19, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., MLK Day Harlem Street Tree Care, 139th Street and Lenox Avenue in Fred Samuel Playground. Info: NYC Parks
• Saturday, February 7, 2026, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Highbridge Park Super Steward: Pathkeeper Training, West 164th Street & Park, Edgecomb Avenue. Info: Natural Areas Conservancy; NYC Parks 
• Sunday, February 22, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Indoor Gardening 101, West 218th Street and Indian Road in Inwood Hill Park. Info: NYC Parks, (212) 304-2277 
• Saturdays, February 28, and March 28, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Gardening at Ralph Ellison Memorial, Riverside Park Conservancy. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, 212-870-3070
• First Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m., CB9 Landmarks Preservation & Parks Committee Meeting [via Zoom]. Info: CB9, (212) 864-6200
• Third Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., New York City Community Garden Coalition Monthly Meeting, Neighborhood Preservation Center, 232 East 11th Street. Info: NYC Community Garden Coalition, (212) 228-2781

Environmental - Miscellaneous

• Saturday, January 3, 2026, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Intro to Birding with the NYC Bird Alliance in Central Park (location disclosed when you register). Info: NYC Bird Alliance
• Sunday, January 4, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Birding: Bald Eagle Watch, Seaman Avenue and Isham Street in Inwood Hill Park. Info: NYC Parks, (212) 304-2277
• Second Saturday of each month, January 10 to October 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Broadway Beautification, Info: Fort Tryon Park Conservancy
• Sunday, January 18, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Nature Exploration Hike, Margaret Corbin Circle in Fort Tryon Park. Info: NYC Parks
• Monday, January 19, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Inwood Hill Wetland Restoration, Gaelic Field in Inwood Hill Park. Info: NYC Parks 
• Sunday, January 25, and Saturday, February 7, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:20 p.m., Birding: Winter Waterfowl, West 90th Street and Central Park West in Central Park. Info: NYC Parks
• Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p. m., Mending the Living World, Buell Hall, Columbia University, 515 West 116th Street, New York. Info: Columbia University Center for Science and Society
• Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 7:00 p.m., Webinar: "The Problem with Plastic" Book. Info: Beyond Plastics
• Saturday, January 31, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Geology: Fort Tryon Rocks!, Broadway and Arden Street in Fort Tryon Park. Info: NYC Parks 
• Friday, February 6, 2026, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Birding the MET, (time & location disclosed when you register). Info: Linnaen Society 
• Saturday, February 7, 2026, 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Birding in Central Park: Ramble to Reservoir with Tod Winston; $28.00 Member Admission; $42.00 General Admission; (location disclosed when you register). Info: NYC Bird Alliance
• Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Climate LIVE K12: The Secret Life of a Dress (online). Info: Columbia Climate School, lnz2104@columbia.edu, 212-854-0641
• Sunday, February 15, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Love in Nature Hike, West 100 Street and Central Park West in Central Park. Info: NYC Parks, (212) 304-2277
• Saturday, February 28, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Outdoor Skills: Animal Tracking, West 100 Street and Central Park West in Central Park. Info: NYC Parks, (212) 304-2277
• Sunday, March 1, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., March Comes in Like a Lion Weather Walk, West 77th Street and Central Park West in Central Park. Info: NYC Parks, (212) 304-2277
• Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Climate LIVE K12: Biodiversity Finance 101¸(online). Info: Columbia Climate School, lnz2104@columbia.edu, 212-854-0641
• Winter 2026, Tours of the Research Vessel Robert Gray at Pier 25, West & North Moore Streets (guests can go aboard this working research vessel and learn about ocean science). Info: Hudson River Park Conservancy, 212-627-2020,
• Third Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m., CB 7 Parks & Environment Committee Meeting, 250 West 87th Street, 2nd floor. Info: (212) 362-4008; office@cb7.org
• Second Wednesday of each month, CB9 Health & Environment Committee Meeting, 16-18 Old Broadway. Info: (212) 864-6200; info@cb9m.org
• Third Thursday of each month, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Food and Water Watch Meeting (via Zoom). Info: Food and Water Watch, (347) 778-2743; Ethical Culture Society, (212) 874-5210
• Second Saturday of every month, (except July, August, and December), WE ACT Membership Meeting, 1854 Amsterdam Avenue (at 152nd Street), 2nd Floor. Info: WE ACT, membership@weact.org, (212) 961-1000
• Fourth Sunday of each month, 1:15 p.m., Environmental Stewardship Committee (via Zoom). Info: Ethical Culture Society, (212) 874-5210

The UWSR Eco Letter is made possible by generous funding from

City Council Member Gale Brewer.