UWSR Eco Letter

September/October 2026

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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:

Squirrels and Chipmunks

It’s very likely that when you walk in our parks, you’ll see at least a few eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) scampering about, chasing other squirrels or darting up and down tree trunks, perhaps perched on the back of a bench nibbling nuts or seeds they’ve scavenged. For some of us, they’re the epitome of cuteness, speeding around only to stop suddenly and take in everything with their dark eyes, before starting off again with their bushy tails waving behind them. These tree-dwelling animals have even become something of an unofficial mascot for our parks. They rarely seem entirely at ease – maybe it’s all the dogs that want to chase them – but the city’s pace seems to suit them.

And let’s not forget the chipmunks. Smaller and shyer, with reddish-brown fur marked with dark and light stripes, they still have their own attitude and are equally appealing, even if less furry.

Both ramp up their activity in the fall as they gather food for winter when you’ll see cheeks ballooned out by the seeds, nuts, and any other snacks they’ve found and stored there before depositing them in their winter food hiding places. 

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).

• Sunday, September 13, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., 215 East 99th Street, PS 109, El Barrio Artspace (will include community repair service). Info: Lower East Side Ecology, (212) 477-4022 

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

• Sunday, September 20, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Manhattan SAFE Disposal Event, Union Square, North Plaza, South side of 17th Street (electronics, light bulbs, rechargeable batteries, household cleaners, automotive and medical products). See DSNY for a full list of accepted goods and more information or call 311

Free Textile Recycling Events

(See also our Hard-to-Recycle List)

• Sunday, September 13, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., 215 East 99th Street, PS 109, El Barrio Artspace. Info: Lower East Side Ecology, (212) 477-4022
• Sunday, December 6, 2026, National Clothing Swap Day. Info: Environment America
• 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, 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). Info: DSNY

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 and AARP Paper Shredding

• Mondays, September 7 - November 16, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Volunteer at the 95th Street Compost Compound, West 95th Street highway underpass. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, (212) 870-3070
• Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., TRASH! A Garbageman’s Story, New York Society for Ethical Culture. Info: Manhattan SWAB; tickets; New York Society for Ethical Culture, (212) 874-5210
• Saturday, September 12, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Compost Processing at Jenny’s Garden, 699 West 138th Street. Info: Lower East Side Ecology, (212) 477-4022
• Monday, September 14, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Compost Socks with Riverside Park Conservancy, 95th Street Compost Compound, West of 96th Street underpass. Info: Lower East Side Ecology, (212) 477-4022
• Thursday, September 17, 2026, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., Compost Giveaway at St. Nicholas Miracle Garden, 127th Street & St. Nicholas Avenue. Info: Lower East Side Ecology, (212) 477-4022
• Sunday, September 20, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Manhattan SAFE Disposal Event, Union Square, North Plaza, South side of 17th Street (electronics, light bulbs, rechargeable batteries, household cleaners, automotive and medical products). See DSNY for a full list of accepted goods and more information or call 311
• Thursday, September 24, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Paper Shredding Event, West 104th Street & Broadway. Info: Assemblymember Micah Lasher, (212) 866-3970, lasherm@nyassembly.gov
• Saturday, September 26, 2026, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Compost Processing at Morris-Jumel Community Garden, 162nd Street & Amsterdam Avenue. Info: Lower East Side Ecology, (212) 477-4022
• Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Paper Shredding Event. Info: check with State Senator Erik Bottcher for exact location, (212) 633-8052, bottcher@nysenate.gov
• October or November 2026, Paper Shredding Event. Info: call Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal's office after October 1st for date and time; (212) 873-6368
• Sunday, November 15, 2026, New York Recycles Day. Info: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
• 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: Lower East Side Ecology, (212) 477-4022
• 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

• Thursday, September 3, 2026, 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Summer on the Hudson: Climate Film Festival, 102nd Street Field House in Riverside Park. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, NYC Parks, soh@riversideparknyc.org, (212) 870-3989
• Thursday, September 10, 2026, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Columbia Climate School Research Seminar Series - Jyoti Singh, From Extreme Rainfall to Crop Losses: Understanding Waterlogging Risk Across Scales (online and in-person), Hogan Hall A-level Conference Room, 2910 Broadway. Info: Columbia Climate School, eaa2127@columbia.edu 
• Thursday, September 10; Tuesdays, September 15 & 22; Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m., What’s New in the NYS Energy Code (online). Info: Urban Green Council
• Friday, September 18, 2026, 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Immorality of Inaction: Voicing Truth on Climate, Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive. Info: Center for Earth Ethics, (212) 280-1425
• Sunday, September 20, through Sunday, September 27, 2026, Climate Week NYC (various events). Info: Climate Week NYC  
• Sunday, September 20, 2026, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Reawakening Humanity’s Sacred Connection with Earth (online and in person), Lee Bollinger Forum, Columbia University, 601 West 125th Street. Info: Fetzer Institute 
• Monday, September 21, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Columbia Fashion, Energy, and Climate Summit, Pulitzer Hall, 2950 Broadway, 3rd Floor Lecture Hall. Info: Columbia Climate School, yq2245@columbia.edu 
• Monday, September 21, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Frontline Resource Institute Climate Justice Hub, Fordham University at Lincoln Center, 113 West 60th Street. Info: Environmental Defense Fund, FRI@edf.org 
• Monday, September 21, 2026, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., The Future of Climate Tech: Innovation, Careers, and Connections, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, 31 West 52nd Street. Info: Columbia Climate School, energypolicyevents@columbia.edu
• Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Sustainable Energy, Resources, and Environmental Solutions, Schapiro Center (Davis Auditorium), Columbia University, 530 West 120th Street. Info: Columbia Center for Science and Society, (212) 854-0666, engineeringevents@columbia.edu 
• Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Who Pays For Power? Indigenous Sovereignty, Data Centers & the New Energy Sacrifice Zones, West 38th Street. Info: Who Pays For Power  
• Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m., Innovation for Climate and Clean Air Progress in the Global South, Innovation Hub (2nd Floor), Columbia University, 2276 12th Avenue. Info: Columbia University Center for Science and Society, (212) 854-0666, engineeringevents@columbia.edu
• Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Power to the People Energy 101 Workshop, The People’s Forum, 320 West 37th Street. Info: Power to the People Workshop 
• Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 1:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Sustainable Energy Catalyst: The Master Minds Roundtables, Innovation Hub (2nd Floor), Columbia University, 2276 12th Avenue. Info: Columbia Climate School, engineeringevents@columbia.edu  
• Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Reducing Risk, Building Resilience, a Jewish climate action agenda, Marlene Meyerson JCC, 334 Amsterdam Avenue at West 76th Street. Info: Register here
• Thursday, September 24, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Climate Desk Live: AI, Energy, and Our Fight for Democracy and a Healthy, Affordable Future, New School, Tishman Auditorium, 63 Fifth Avenue. Info: The New School 
• Thursday, September 24, 2026, 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., The Rise of Agentic AI: What It Means for Climate Innovation, Innovation Hub (2nd Floor), Columbia University, 2276 12th Avenue. Info: Columbia University Center for Science and Society, (212) 854-0666, engineeringevents@columbia.edu
• Thursday, September 24, 2026, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Beyond the Forecast: El Niño, Society, and Climate Action, The Forum at Columbia University, 601 West 125th Street. Info: Columbia Climate School, events@climate.columbia.edu  
• Thursday, September 24, 2026, 2:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Fusion Research Symposium: Optimizing Symmetry in Fusion Plasmas, Schapiro Center (Davis Auditorium), Columbia University, 530 West 120th Street. Info: Columbia Climate School, engineeringevents@columbia.edu
• Thursday, September 24, 2026, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Building Cross-Sector Ecosystems for Climate Action Panel Discussion, The Arsenal Gallery, 830 Fifth Avenue at 64th Street, Third Floor Gallery, in Central Park. Info: NYC Parks, ArtandAntiquities@parks.nyc.gov 
• Friday, September 25, 2026, 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., 2026 IEEE/CCAE Symposium on Advanced Electrification Systems (focus on Energy Storage Systems), Schapiro Center (Davis Auditorium), Columbia University, 530 West 120th Street. Info: Columbia Climate School, engineeringevents@columbia.edu
• Friday, September 25, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Maximizing the Climate Potential of NYC’s Natural Areas, 102nd Street Field House, Riverside Park. Info: Natural Areas Conservancy, info@naturalareasnyc.org, (908) 912-6113
• Saturday, September 26, 2026, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Climate Fest (Explore the Climate Learning Lab), American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West. Info: American Museum of Natural History, (212) 769-5100
• Sunday, October 11, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Nature in a Warming World, West 218th Street and Indian Road, in Inwood Hill Park. Info: NYC Parks, Urban Park Rangers, (212) 304-2277 
• Thursday, October 22 - Friday, October 23, 2026, 3:00 p.m., Climate Riskscapes: An Interdisciplinary Conference on Living and Knowing Under Environmental Precarity, (online and In-person), Fayerweather Hall (Room 513), Columbia University, 1180 Amsterdam Avenue. Info: Center for Science and Society, Columbia Climate School, (212) 854-0666, scienceandsociety@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

• Tuesday, September 1, 2026, 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Riverside Library Plant Swap, 127 Amsterdam Avenue. Info: Riverside Public Library, (212) 870-1810, riverside@nypl.org
• Tuesday, September 1, through Friday, November 20, 2026 (various times and locations throughout the West Side), PlacePartner Opportunities - weeding, vine pulling, forest restoration, and invasive species removal. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, (212) 870-3070
• Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Trees Count at Holcombe Rucker Park, Park entrance at Frederick Douglass Blvd. and 155th Street. Info: NYC Parks 
• Fridays, September 4 & October 9, 2026; Sundays, September 20 & October 18, 2026, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Volunteer: Highbridge Forest Park, Park entrance at 190th St. and Amsterdam Avenue. Info: New York Restoration Project, (212) 333-2552 
• Wednesday, September 9 & Saturday, September 26, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Nature Exploration Hike (plants & animals), West 218th Street and Indian Road in Inwood Hill Park. Info: NYC Parks; Urban Park Rangers, (212) 304-2277 
• Fridays, September 11, 18 & 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2026, 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Goat Patrol, Jenny’s Garden, 699 West 138th Street at 12th Avenue. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, (212) 870-3070
• Saturday, September 12, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Inwood Hill Park Forest Restoration, Seaman Avenue and Isham Street in Inwood Hill Park. Info: NYC Parks, stewardship@parks.nyc.gov 
• Saturdays, September 12 & 26, October 10 & 24, November 14 & 28, December 26, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Broadway Beautification, Arden Street/Broadway entrance to Fort Tryon Park. Info: Fort Tryon Park Conservancy, (212) 795-1388
• Saturdays, September 12, October 3, November 14, 2026, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Volunteer at Sherman Creek Park, 3703 10th Avenue. Info: New York Restoration Project, (212) 333-2552
• Sunday, September 13, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Heather Garden Highlights. Info: NYC Parks; Urban Park Rangers, (212) 304-2277
• Sundays, September 20, October 18 & November 15, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Fort Tryon Park Sunday Stewardship, Heather Garden’s Margaret Corbin Circle Entrance. Info: Fort Tryon Park Conservancy, (212) 795-1388
• Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Climate Week NYC — Beyond the Goldenrod: Sharing Stories of Native Plant Gardens (on Zoom). Info: City Parks Foundation, (212) 360-1399
• Friday, September 25, 2026; Saturdays, October 3, October 17, November 14, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Volunteer at the Riley-Levin Teaching Garden, Sherman Creek Park, 3703 10th Avenue. Info: New York Restoration Project, (212) 333-2552
• Saturday, September 26, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Harlem Street Tree Care, West 145 Street and Malcom X Blvd (bordering Brigadier General Charles Young Playground). Info: NYC Parks, stewardship@parks.nyc.gov 
• Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., National Public Lands Day, General Grant National Memorial, West 122nd Street and Riverside Drive. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, (212) 870-3070
• Saturday, October 3, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., City of Forest Day: Meet the West Harlem Forest, Riverbank (Camel) Playground, 675 Riverside Drive at 142nd Street. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, (212) 870-3070 
• Saturday, October 3, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., City of Forest Day: Great Trees of Inwood Hill Park, West 218th Street and Indian Road, in Inwood Hill Park. Info: NYC Parks, Urban Park Rangers, (212) 304-2277
• Saturday, October 3, 2026, City of Forest Day 2026 (various events). Info: City of Forest Day
• Sunday, October 4, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Street Tree Care on the Upper East Side, 520 East 90th Street. Info: Big Reuse, (718) 725-8925
• Tuesday, October 6, 2026, A Day in the Life of the Hudson & Harbor (school groups and education partners learn directly from the river; register before the September 15th cut-off deadline). Info: Columbia Climate School, director@ldeo.columbia.edu 
• Saturday, October 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., It’s My Park Day, various locations. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, (212) 870-3070 
• Saturday, October 17, 2026, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Seeds of Restoration: Collecting Native Seeds for Biodiversity, West 87th Street Park & Garden, between Columbus Avenue & Central Park West. Info: NYC Parks, helen.chirigos@parks
• 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

• Tuesdays, September & October 2026, 7:30 a.m., Central Park Fall Migration Walk, meet just inside the park at the NE corner of 72nd Street and Central Park West. Info: The Linnaean Society, deborramullins3@gmail.com
• Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.; Thursday, September 3, 2026, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., DEC Pop-up Fishing Clinic at Harlem Meer, Northeast Central Park. Info: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (District 2), fwfish2@dec.ny.gov
• Thursdays, September 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2026, 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Big City Fishing Free Fishing Clinic at Pier 97, West 57th Street. Info: Hudson River Park, info@hudsonriverpark.org; (212) 757-0981
• Saturday, September 5, 2026, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Intro to Birding in Central Park with NYC Bird Alliance (after your registration is confirmed, the Registrar will share directions, the exact meeting place). Info: NYC Bird Alliance 
• Saturdays, September 5 and 19 & October 3, 2026, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Billion Oyster Project Presentation, Pier at West 125th & Marginal Streets. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, (212) 870-3089, soh@riversideparknyc.org 
• Saturday, September 5, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Discovery Hike: Ecosystem Engineers, West 108th Street and Riverside Drive in Riverside Park. Info: NYC Parks; Urban Park Rangers, (212) 360-1444
• Friday, September 11, 2026, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m., Nature Talks at Bryant Park Reading Room: Environmental History of Parks, 42nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Info: NYC Parks, (903) 343-3374
• Saturday September 12, 2026, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Shoreline Cleanup, Inwood Canoe Club, west end of Dyckman Street. Info: NYC Parks, info@inwoodhillpark.org 
• Saturday, September 12, 2026, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Summer on the Hudson: Nature Explorers!, 102nd Street Field House in Riverside Park. Info: NYC Parks, soh@riversideparknyc.org, (212) 870-3089
• Monday, September 14, 2026, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m., Co-Designing Community-Centered AI for Environmental Science, Fayerweather Hall, 1180 Amsterdam Avenue, Room 513. Info: Columbia Climate School, (212) 854-0666, scienceandsociety@columbia.edu
• Mondays, September 14 - October 12, 2026, 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Evening Birding in Central Park with Gabriel Willow (after your registration is confirmed, the Registrar will share directions, the exact meeting place). Info: NYC Bird Alliance 
• Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., The Social Cost of Plastic (webinar). Info: Beyond Plastics, NRDC, (212) 727-2700 
• Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Birds & Brews: Nighthawk Edition in Central Park (after your registration is confirmed, the Registrar will share directions, time, and the exact meeting place). Info: The Linnaean Society
• Thursday, September 17, 2026, 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Introducing Educators to Billion Oyster Project. Info: Billion Oyster Project, educate@billionoysterproject.org
• Friday, September 18, 2026, 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  
• Saturday, September 19, 2026, Central Park North End Fall Migration Walk with Jeff Kimball (after your registration is confirmed, the Registrar will share directions, time, and the exact meeting place). Info: The Linnaean Society 
• Saturday, September 19, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Fantastic Fungi Mushroom ID Hike, Seaman Avenue and Isham Street in Inwood Hill Park. Info: NYC Parks; Urban Park Rangers, (212) 304-2277
• Mondays, September 21, October 19 & November 16, 2026, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., PlacePartner Opportunity: It’s a Shore Thing – Trash Clean Up, Discovery Playground, Fort Washington Park. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, (212) 870-3070 
• Monday, September 21, 2026, 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., NYC Climate Week 2026: Sustainable Sports & Entertainment, The Forum at Columbia University, 601 West 125th Street. Info: Columbia Climate School, sah2201@columbia.edu  
• Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Envisioning the Future of the Environmental Justice Movement, Lee C. Bolinger Forum, 601 West 125th Street, Columbia University. Info: We Act for Environmental Justice
• Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Gotham Foundry Symposium: Regenerative Materials Across Industries, Schapiro Center (Davis Auditorium), Columbia University, 530 West 120th Street. Info: Columbia Climate School, engineeringevents@columbia.edu 
• Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 12:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m., CEEC Fall Symposium 2026 (electrochemistry deployable at scale), Schapiro Center (Davis Auditorium), Columbia University, 530 West 120th Street. Info: Columbia Climate School, engineeringevents@columbia.edu
• Sunday, September 27, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Birding: Fall Migration, West 116th Street and Riverside Drive in Riverside Park. Info: NYC Parks; Urban Park Rangers, (212) 304-2277 
• Thursday, October 1, 2026, 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late (Karenna Gore, book talk), Union Theological Seminary, Burke Library (3rd floor), 3041 Broadway. Info: Beyond Plastics, Center for Earth Ethics, (212) 280-1425
• Sunday, October 4, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Urban Wildlife: The Big City Trio (pigeons, rats, and squirrels), West 72nd and Central Park West in Central Park. Info: NYC Parks, Urban Park Rangers, (212) 360-1444
• Saturday, October 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., WMBD: Fall Birding in Morningside Park, 110th Street and Manhattan Avenue. Info: NYC Bird Alliance
• Saturday, October 10, 2026, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saltwater Fishing, West 125th Street and Marginal Street, in West Harlem Piers. Info: NYC Parks, Urban Park Rangers, (212) 304-2277
• Saturdays, October 10 & 24, 2026, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., WMBD: Accessible Birding in Fort Tryon Park with Alex Wang, main entrance of Fort Tryon Park on Margaret Corbin Circle. Info: NYC Bird Alliance
• Sunday, October 11, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Historic Harlem Parks Super Hike (ecology & geology), Manhattan Avenue and West 110th Street in Morningside Park. Info: NYC Parks, Urban Park Rangers, (212) 360-1444
• Saturday, October 24, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Birding: Fall Migration, West 116th Street and Riverside Drive, in Riverside Park. Info: NYC Parks, Urban Park Rangers, (212) 304-2277  
• Sunday, October 25, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Geology: Central Park Rocks!, Harlem Meer, 110th Street and Lenox Avenue, in Central Park. Info: NYC Parks, Urban Park Rangers, (212) 360-1444
• Friday, October 30, 2026, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., New York State Conference on the Environment (recycling, climate), Cornell Tech, 2 West Loop Road, Roosevelt Island. Info: NYS Association of Conservation Commissions, conference@nysacc.org
• Saturday, October 31, 2026, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Inwood Hill Park After Dark Hike, West 218th Street and Indian Road, in Inwood Hill Park. Info: NYC Parks, Urban Park Rangers, (212) 304-2277
• Fall 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.