This summer, Newtown Creek Alliance welcomed back the TIDALS Fellowship program, our hands-on summer internship exploring the impacts of shoreline restoration in Newtown Creek through water quality testing, science communication, wildlife surveys, and more.
This paid, 10-week, part-time research fellowship is designed for New Yorkers aged 18 to 25.Through hands-on research, site visits, and field work, Fellows built an understanding of how intertidal marshes support biodiversity, improve water quality, and contribute to long-term revitalization efforts in the Creek.
The program is designed for young adults interested in environmental restoration, urban ecology, and community-led sustainability initiatives. Fellows explored the role of green infrastructure in mitigating urban environmental challenges while developing skills in scientific inquiry, data collection, and habitat restoration. The fellowship concluded with a research project and presentation of findings.
This summer, our Fellows took on a set of projects:
The Creek Cart
NCA staff and Fellows refurbished an old cargo bike, transforming it into a mobile environmental education station. Newtown Creek is often difficult to get to, and it’s even harder to spot the critters who live in it, so the Cart brings the Creek to neighborhoods around the watershed, popping up at parks and events across Brooklyn and Queens throughout the summer.
Dutch Kills Marsh Surveys
Fellows conducted weekly surveys of our salt marsh restoration site along the shoreline of Dutch Kills, recording saltmarsh cordgrass health and coverage, evidence of grazing by geese, and debris accumulation. With the help of a trail camera, Fellows also monitored wildlife activity in and around the marsh, capturing photos of wading birds and Canada geese. This section of marsh was originally established by NYC Water in 2018 and has been replanted by NCA in recent years following challenging winter seasons. These surveys help document the process of restoring an impaired waterbody and deepen our understanding of restoration practices over time.
Fish Trap Survey
Fellows ran a general fish survey on the Creek, checking traps weekly and recording what they found, building a clearer picture of the aquatic life calling Newtown Creek home.
The program is designed for young adults interested in environmental restoration, urban ecology, and community-led sustainability initiatives. Fellows explored the role of green infrastructure in mitigating urban environmental challenges while developing skills in scientific inquiry, data collection, and habitat restoration.
Questions? Email us at hart@newtowncreekalliance.org.
Funding for this project was provided from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund as administered by a grant from the New York State DEC Environmental Justice Community Impact Grant Program.