Fwd: Newark Science and Sustainability & Essex County 4-H
Alinkage APS
My name is Tobias A. Fox and as many of you know, I help organize the Newark Science and Sustainability Working Group or SAS and I have some truly amazing news to share with you.
But first, I’d like to give you an update as to where we were, where we are, and where we’re heading. Our purpose is to ensure that every individual is given unlimited opportunity to make the most of himself/herself, and to assist with the creation of self-sustainable communities. You’ve been a tremendous support helping our small steps lead to some big local victories.
Where we were.....
SAS was created in February 2012 in a very organic fashion. In response to an email I sent out, about 10 local green enthusiasts came together for a common purpose: to help improve the quality of life in our communities by promoting the cultivation of community gardens/urban farms, and exploring the use of clean alternative energy as a means to help make our communities more sustainable. We achieve this by partnering up with residents, local organizations, and the local business community.
Since February 2012, we’ve conducted workshops on solar technology and beekeeping, organized tours to local farms, and assisted with the cultivation of The People’s Garden, a community garden located at 86 ½ Garside Street, Newark, NJ, making healthy, organic, and locally grown food accessible to residents.
We also encourage painting sidewalks and rooftops white as a means to help reduce greenhouse gases and bring the problem of urban island heat effect to the attention of neighbors. Our most recent project is organizing the upcoming Sustainable Living Empowerment and Enrichment Conference in June 2013.
We not only gained the support of the residents but also of Carol Harris and other administrators in Newark City Hall, Greater Newark Conservancy, which has been beyond supportive, Kean University’s “Be The Change” headed by Norman Bowe, Capt. Gary Holmes of Newark’s Fire Department, Kimi Wei from Green Drinks, Alex Marcoulides of the Greater Newark Charter School, Richfield Farms who has helped us tremendously by donating soil and plants, and so many others who donated their time, labor, and gardening experience. I’m humbly grateful and look forward to so many more green adventures with all of you.
Where we are.....
We’ve recently partnered with Urban Farmer Carla Green and Builder Fat-ah “Frank” Ibrahim, organizers of The Green Garden. We’ve also partnered with nutritionist Marieliz Monclova, organizer of the North Newark Urban Garden, and electrical engineer and solar technician Damian Decaires of Grid Link Systems. Together, we will host outdoor educational programs, which will include an ecological construction program where local youth and young adults will learn how to build using simple materials, and be an even greater service to their community. We aim to facilitate hands-on agricultural education in urban environments to help residents better understand horticulture and encourage awareness of their personal relationship with nature. Through this process, we believe we can help create a local green economy.
And here’s more exciting news…..
Where we're going.....
As of Monday, May 13, 2013, I've been working closely with Essex County 4-H Agent Rebecca Kalenak as their Urban Youth Farm Coordinator, along with helping to develop curriculum for various youth programs in the areas of community gardening, urban farming, wellness and nutrition education. We are even looking to establish 4-H clubs at The People’s Garden and the North Newark Urban Garden as a means to engage more Latino neighborhoods. This partnership between SAS and 4-H couldn't have come at a better time. I've already begun reaching out to others to play a more active role in this collaboration, but the opportunity is open for anyone to get involved.
Let’s continue moving onward and upward……
Tobias A. Fox
Newark Science and Sustainability
SAS Organizer
Cell: 646-399-0337