Mayoral Forum on Community Gardens

[Magali Regis]

Hello all,
Hope you can make it. Feel free to forward to your networks.

cheers,

Magali

INVITATION TO COMMUNITY GARDENERS CITY-WIDE

MAYORAL FORUM  
on COMMUNITY GARDENS AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IN NYC:
Reclaiming the Commons in the Service of Environmental & Social Justice

The New York City Community Garden Coalition (NYCCGC) and Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens (LUNGS) will host a Community Gardens' Mayoral Forum on Saturday, May 24th, Noon to 2:00pm, at St. Mark’s Church-on-the-Bowery, 131 East 10th Street, Manhattan.

Use either of these links to REGISTER to attend (courtesy of our partner Green Guerillas):

• Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mayoral-forum-community-gardens-environmental-policy-tickets-1319526582529?aff=oddtdtcreator 
• Short registration url: t.ly/RXxFQ 

As the city prepares for its next mayoral election, we seek to hear candidates’ views on the future of green spaces and environmental policies. The event will highlight the role of community gardens in New York City’s sustainability and environmental future.

The forum, moderated by internationally acclaimed food justice advocate Karen Washington,* aims to provide an open, educational platform engaging with important issues surrounding green spaces, urban agriculture, food insecurity, and climate resilience.

We will address the vital role of community gardens in New York’s infrastructure, followed by a moderated Q&A with mayoral candidates. The event will also challenge the narrative that community gardens obstruct affordable housing development, exploring solutions to balance urban growth and green space preservation.

This forum offers candidates the opportunity to share their vision for a sustainable New York City and engage with voters passionate about community gardens, environmental justice, and sustainable urban policies.

We hope you can join us for this important conversation.

For more information, please contact:
Raymond Figueroa                                      Charles Krezell
rfig...@pratt.edu                                c...@wingflix.com
(646) 337-1087                                             (917) 514-2917
NYCCGC                                                        LUNGS

About NYCCGC & LUNGS:
The New York City Community Garden Coalition (NYCCGC) and Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens (LUNGS) are dedicated to advocate for the protection, growth, and accessibility of community gardens throughout New York City, empowering residents and cultivating a sustainable urban environment.

*Karen Washington, Co-Founder of Black Urban Growers, La Familia Verde/Garden of Happiness & NYCCGC past president

[Magali Regis]

Hello all,
Hope you can make it. Please REGISTER asap and feel free to forward to your networks.

cheers,

Magali

[Magali Regis]

This is a gentle reminder to register for the upcoming Mayoral Forum. We really need to boost attendance for a strong showing. The church has a capacity of 350. We'd like to fill it; and with your help we will be able to.

Please send an email blast to your mailing lists, share with your networks, on your social media to encourage people to register to attend. 

INVITATION TO COMMUNITY GARDENERS CITY-WIDE

MAYORAL FORUM  
on COMMUNITY GARDENS AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IN NYC:
Reclaiming the Commons in the Service of Environmental & Social Justice

The New York City Community Garden Coalition (NYCCGC) and Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens (LUNGS) will host a Community Gardens' Mayoral Forum on Saturday, May 24th, Noon to 2:00pm, at St. Mark’s Church-on-the-Bowery, 131 East 10th Street, Manhattan.

Use either of these links to REGISTER to attend (courtesy of our partner Green Guerillas):

• Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mayoral-forum-community-gardens-environmental-policy-tickets-1319526582529?aff=oddtdtcreator 
• Short registration url: t.ly/RXxFQ 

As the city prepares for its next mayoral election, we seek to hear candidates’ views on the future of green spaces and environmental policies. The event will highlight the role of community gardens in New York City’s sustainability and environmental future.

The forum, moderated by internationally acclaimed food justice advocate Karen Washington,* aims to provide an open, educational platform engaging with important issues surrounding green spaces, urban agriculture, food insecurity, and climate resilience.

We will address the vital role of community gardens in New York’s infrastructure, followed by a moderated Q&A with mayoral candidates. The event will also challenge the narrative that community gardens obstruct affordable housing development, exploring solutions to balance urban growth and green space preservation.

This forum offers candidates the opportunity to share their vision for a sustainable New York City and engage with voters passionate about community gardens, environmental justice, and sustainable urban policies.

We hope you can join us for this important conversation.

About NYCCGC & LUNGS:

[Magali Regis]

The Forum is this coming Saturday. Would you please share again with your networks? We're encouraging people to arrive by 11:45 so that we can start promptly at noon. Time is tight.

Thanks so much,

Magali

[Magali Regis]

It's finally here!

[Magali Regis]

Hello all,

Thank you for attending the Forum and contributing to such a meaningful community conversation around gardens, housing and environmental stewardship. Your presence and outreach helped elevate the importance of protecting community gardens and investing in public green space without pitting them against our housing needs. This dialogue made a difference. Just one week later Mayor Adams announced a new “pocket Gardens” initiative which we believe, was directly influenced by our engagement and our united voice, and today Elizabeth Street Garden is saved! We especially want to thank our sponsors for their outreach to the community, their ongoing support and their commitment to ensuring that it's not housing versus gardens - It's both. Together we will continue to build a future rooted in care, justice, and shared stewardship.

 Video of the Mayoral Forum, St Marks Church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jB1-xZ3BCo

New York City wants to turn vacant lots into pocket parks – Gothamist
https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-wants-to-turn-vacant-lots-into-pocket-parks

And last but not least, Don't forget to vote tomorrow!

https://www.nyclu.org/resources/campaigns-actions/campaigns/2025-nyc-mayoral-candidates-on-the-record
https://vote.nyc/

Elizabeth Street Garden
https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethStreetGarden

Warm regards,

Magali

Magali Regis, AIA, LEED AP BD + C
Board of Directors

New York City Community Garden Coalition

Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens
(917)805-6472
fleur...@mindspring.com