UWSR Eco Letter

May/June 2025

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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:

Shade Trees of New York City

A tree is a wondrous thing, and some 7 million of them grow in New York City, forming a canopy that covers 21 percent of the City’s land. About 670,000 of them line our streets and the rest fill our parks, run along waterways and live in other open spaces.

They are vitally important to all of us. Trees fight climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, and they send out oxygen. They help prevent water pollution by capturing stormwater runoff. They also absorb solar radiation and provide shade, both of which help lower temperatures during hot summer days while also reducing energy demand. Tree leaves “breathe,” helping cool by evaporation and transpiration. Their roots aerate compacted soil.

All these trees provide habitat and food for wildlife such as birds and other animals or important pollinators like bees. They beautify the streetscape and increase property values. They mask unsightly views, muffle sound, and reduce glare. Trees can make people happier and help reduce the incidence of mental problems. Significantly, neighborhoods that are barren have a greater incidence of violence than their greener counterparts.

There are approximately 150 different species of trees in NYC and the vast majority of them are deciduous. This means that, in order to conserve energy and help survive adverse conditions, they shed their leaves every year, typically in the fall, and then grow new leaves in the spring. It’s impossible to cover them all, so we’ll just focus on 15 of the larger and more common species you find here, then briefly discuss street-tree maintenance.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL COMMENTARY

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).

• Saturday, May 10, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., NYC Aids Memorial Park at St. Vincent’s Triangle Greenwich Avenue, between 11th & 12th Streets. Info: Lower East Side Ecology, 212-477-4022
• Saturday, June 7, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Manhattan Plaza, 400 West 43rd Street, between 9th & 10th Avenues. Info: Lower East Side Ecology, 212-477-4022

Hosted by NYC Department of Sanitation

• Saturday, May 3, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Chelsea, London Terrace Towers, 468 West 24th Street. Rain Date: Sunday, May 4, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Info: DSNY
• Sunday, May 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Avenue at 76th Street. Info: Councilmember Gale Brewer, 212-873-0282, DSNY
• Saturday, June 7, 2025, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Hamilton Heights, Johnny Hartman Plaza, West 143rd St (between Amsterdam Avenue and Hamilton Place). Rain Date: Saturday, June 21, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Info: DSNY

Hosted by Others



• Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Spring 2025 E-Waste Recycling Drive, Duffy Square (on the corner of 46th Street and 7th Avenue). Info: Broadway Green Alliance 

Free Textile Recycling Events

(See also our Hard-to-Recycle List)

• Sunday, May 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Avenue at 76th Street. Info: Councilmember Gale Brewer, 212-873-0282: Green Tree Textiles, (347) 391-7189
• 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

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

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 [79th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West], 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Sundays
• Columbia University Greenmarket [Broadway and 116th Street], 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 (new enrollments are on hold, but you may now 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)

• Saturday, May 3, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Free paper shredding event (please remove paper clips and binder clips in advance), Inwood (Isham Street corner of Seaman Avenue). Info: AARP NY
• Mondays, May 5 to December 15, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Volunteer at the Compost Compound, 95th Street in Riverside Park (under the overpass). Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, mail@riversideparknyc.org, 212-970-3070
• Thursday, May 8, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.. Big Shred Upper West Side (please remove paper clips and binder clips in advance), 563 Columbus Avenue (between 87th and 88th Streets) Info: Councilmember Gale Brewer’s Office, 212-873-0282; AARP NY
• Saturdays, May 10 & June 14, 2025, 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., A Community Composting Event, Frank White Memorial Garden, 506 West 143rd Street. Info: NYC Parks, gjm@brotherhood-sistersol.org
• Sunday, June 22, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Free West Side Shred Day!, in front of Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal’s office, 230 West 72nd Street (between Broadway and West End Avenue). Info: rosenthall@nyassenbly.gov, 212-873-6368 
• Daily, 2024, 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 (except July & August), 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.

Climate Change & Energy

• Friday, May 2, 2025, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Climate Business & Investment Conference: Climate × Risk, Columbia Business School, David Geffen Hall, 645 West 130th Street. Info: socialenterprise@gsb.columbia.edu, Columbia Climate School 
• Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11 a.m., Rethinking Heat with Thermal Energy Networks (online). Info: Urban Green Council
• Thursday, May 8, 2025, 11:00 a.m., Climate and Fascism, Part 2: Climate Movements at the Intersections (webinar). Info: 350 NYC
• Thursday, May 8, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy Seminar: Juerg Matter, Mudd Hall, 1045 Meeting Room, 500 West 120 Street. Info: zl2453@columbia.edu, Columbia Climate School
• Monday, May 12, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., The Transmission & Interconnection Crises Blocking NY Climate Goals (online). Info: in2273@columbia.edu, Columbia Climate School
• Wednesday, May 14, 2025. 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Climate LIVE K12, The Role of Blue Carbon in Combating Climate Change and Restoring Biodiversity (online). Info: Columbia Climate School, lnz2104@columbia.edu, 212-854-0641
• Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 12:15 p.m.- 1:30 p.m., Monthly overview of IRI's Global Seasonal Climate, Forecasts and ENSO Status and Forecast (online). Info: Columbia Climate School, (212) 854-3830, Seminar@iri.columbia.edu
• Thursday, May 22, 2025, 7:00 p.m., Climate and Fascism, Part 3: What We Take Forward (Webinar). Info: 350 NYC
• Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Climate LIVE K12, Soil Solutions: Regenerative Agriculture & Climate Change, (online). Info: Columbia Climate School, lnz2104@columbia.edu, 212-854-0641
• Monday, June 16-Wednesday, June 18, 2025, MR2025: Mobility, Adaptation, and Wellbeing in a Changing Climate (conference), Columbia University. Info: Columbia Climate School, amd155@columbia.edu, sheehan.moore@columbia.edu, (845) 365 8936
• Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., 16th NYC Solar+ Storage Summit, John Jay College, 524 West 59th Street, Gerald Lynch Theatre. Info: NYSEIA 
• Wednesdays, June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15 & November 19, 2025, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., IRI@CCSR Climate and Forecast Briefing (online). Info: Columbia Climate School, (212) 854-3830, Seminar@iri.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

• Fridays, May 2 to July 18, 2025, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Volunteer in South Park (meet at West 68th Street & Riverside Blvd.) Info: Riverside Park Conservancy , 212-870-3070
• Saturday, May 3, 2025, I Love My Park Day (various events). Info: Parks & Trails New York 
• Saturday, May 3, 2025, 10 a.m.-1:00 p.m., RiverKeeper Sweep 2025 (various locations). Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, mail@riversideparknyc.org, 212-870-3070
• Sundays, May 4, June 1, July 13, August 3, September 7 & October 5, 2025; Fridays, May 16, June 13, July 18, August 15, September 19 & October 17, 2025, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Volunteer: Highbridge Forest Park (Park entrance at 190th Street and Amsterdam Avenue). Info: New York Restoration Project, 212-333-2552
• Wednesdays, May 7 to November 19, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Volunteer at Sakura Park (north of West 122nd Street between Riverside Drive and Claremont Avenue). Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, 212-870-3070
• Wednesdays, May 7 to November 19, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Volunteer in Section1: 72nd to 96th Streets (various locations in Riverside Park & Drive). Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, 212-870-3070
• Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Tree Identification: Buds, Blooms and Leaves with Will Thomson, East 79th Street and Fifth Avenue in Central Park. Info: NYC Parks, fabiola.caceres@parks.nyc.gov
• Thursdays, May 8 & 22, June 12, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Island Vibes: Restoring the Riverside Drive Islands, West 110th Street and Riverside Drive. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, mail@riversideparknyc.org, 212-870-3070
• Thursday, May 8, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Preparing for Open Garden NYC, Family Community Garden, 156 East 111th Street and Fifth Avenue in Central Park. Info: NYC Parks, fabiola.caceres@parks.nyc.gov
• Saturday, May 10, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Inwood Hill Park Forest Restoration, Isham Street and Seaman Avenue in Inwood Hill Park. Info: NYC Parks, stewardship@parks.nyc.gov 
• Saturday, May 10, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Urban Forest Plan Community Workshop, Inwood Hill Park, Inwood Hill Nature Center, 600 West 218th Street. Info: Natural Areas Conservancy, (212) 360-3356 
• Second and Fourth Saturdays, May 10 through November 8, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Broadway Beautification Days, in Fort Tryon Park (meet at Broadway Greeting Garden at the Arden Street/Broadway entrance). Info: Fort Tryon Park Trust
• Sunday, May 11, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Planting the Native Garden, West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park). Info: NYC Parks, 212-304-2277  
• Mondays, May 12 & June 16, 2025, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m., Summer on the Hudson: Horticulture Tour of Riverside Park, Peter Jay Sharp Volunteer House at 107th Street (in Riverside Park). Info: NYC Parks, 212-870-3089, soh@riversideparknyc.org
• Saturdays, May 17, June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13, October 11 & November 8 and Fridays, May 30, June 27, July 25, August 22, September 26 & October 24, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Volunteer at the Riley-Levin Demonstration Garden, Sherman Creek Park, 3703 10th Avenue. Info: New York Restoration Project, 212-333-2552
• Sundays, May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19, November 16 & December 21, 2025. 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Fort Tryon Park Sunday Stewardship, Heather Garden’s Margaret Corbin Circle Entrance. Info: Fort Tryon Park Trust, (212) 795-1388
• Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., West Side Tree Care Clinic, Big ReUse at Goddard Riverside Older Adult Center, 593 Columbus Avenue (between 88th and 89th Streets). Info: CM Gale Brewer’s office, 212-873-0282  
• Fourth Saturday of each month, May 24 to December 27, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Gardening, Ralph Ellison Memorial, 730 Riverside Drive (West 150th Street). Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, mail@riversideparknyc.org, 212-870-3070
• Mondays, June 2 & 16, July 7 & 21, August 4 & 18, 2025, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Fort Washington Clean Up, Discovery Playground (along Hudson River at approximately West 163 Street). Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, mail@riversideparknyc.org, 212-870-3070
• Thursday, June 5, 2025, 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Friday, June 6, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Saturday, June 7, 2025, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Sunday, June 8, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., 2025 National GrowTogether Conference: Planting Seeds of Resilience, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue. Info: NYC Parks
• Fridays, June 6 & 20, July 18, August 1 & 15, September 5 & 19, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Goat Patrol at West 143rd Street (and Riverside Drive). Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, mail@riversideparknyc.org, 212-870-3070
• Fridays, June 13 & 27, July 11 & 25, August 8 & 22, September 12, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Riverside Valley Garden Clean Up, 699 West 138th Street. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, mail@riversideparknyc.org, 212-870-3070
• Monday, June 16, 2025, 12:00 p.m-1:00 p.m., Riverside Park Horticulture Tour, meet at Peter Jay Sharp Volunteer House (near entrance at West 108th Street & Riverside Drive). Info: 212-870-3089, Riverside Park Conservancy, soh@riversideparknyc.org
• First Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m., CB9 Landmarks Preservation & Parks Committee Meeting [via Zoom]. Info: CB9, (212) 864-6200

Environmental - Miscellaneous

• First Saturday of each month, May 3 to December 6, 2025, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 a.m., Volunteer at the Bird Sanctuary, meet at 120th Street and Riverside Drive. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, mail@riversideparknyc.org, 212-970-3070
• Saturdays, May 3, May 17, June 7, June 21, July 5, July 19, August 2, August 16, September 6 & September 20, 2025, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Billion Oyster Project Presentation (Pier at 125th Street). Info: NYC Parks 
• Sunday, May 4, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Birding: Spring Migration, West 81st Street and Central Park West in Central Park. Info: NYC Parks, (212) 360-1444 
• Fridays, May 9, July 11 & September 12, 2025, 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Summer on the Hudson: Birding Walk, 120th Street and Riverside Drive in Riverside Park. Info: NYC Parks, soh@riversideparknyc.org, 212-870-3089
• Thursday, May 15, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Microplastics’ Impact on the Brain & Heart (Webinar). Info: Beyond Plastics
• Saturdays, May 31, June 28, July 26, August 30, September 27, October 25 & November 22, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Riverside Park Birding Club, 116th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park). Info: NYC Parks, soh@riversideparknyc.org
• Saturday, June 7, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-12 :00 p.m., Summer on the Hudson: World Fish Migration Day, 172nd Street Beach in Fort Washington Park. Info: NYC Parks, 212-870-3089, soh@riversideparknyc.org
• Saturday, June 28, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-4 :00 p.m., Summer on the Hudson: Hudson River Fishing Clinic, West Harlem Piers Park, 125th Street. Info: NYC Parks, (212) 870-3089, soh@riversideparknyc.org 
• 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.