On October 21st, 2021 Newtown Creek Alliance celebrated our 4th annual Tidal Toast benefit event. Local neighbors and businesses gathered to support NCA’s work and celebrate our 2021 honorees (see below). The outdoor event was hosted by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection at the newly opened phase 3 of the Newtown Creek Nature Walk.
Drinks: Dandelion Wine + Greenpoint Beer & Ale Music: The Milkman & Suns
See all event photos here. (via Valantis Skoufris)
Laura Hofmann (Restore Award)
For over 30 years, Laura has worked tirelessly to both bring attention to environmental and health hazards in Greenpoint and the Newtown Creek watershed, while also fighting for the inclusion of the community’s voice in city, state and federal plans that directly impact local neighbors and workers. In addition to her work with NCA, Laura has been an outspoken member in local groups including the Newtown Creek Monitoring Committee, Organizations United for Trash Reduction & Garbage Equity (O.U.T.R.A.G.E.), the Kosciuszko Bridge Stakeholders Advisory Committee, and the Superfund CAG to name a few. As a founder of NCA we are eternally grateful for her vision, activism and stewardship of the waterway. Laura is the embodiment of the Restore Award, and we are so excited to present her with this recognition.
George Trakas (Revitalize Award)
George Trakas is a renowned environmental sculptor whose work recycles derelict urban spaces in order to explore relationships between nature, the built environment, and human presence. We honor George for his hard work in envisioning, designing, and executing the beloved Newtown Creek Nature Walk, the first public investment made to reconnect surrounding communities to Newtown Creek. Not only does the space provide public waterway access, artistic interpretations and educational components, but it is also a model of successful community planning where George worked closely with the DEP and NCMC members for over a decade in a collaborative fashion. The final phases of the Nature Walk opened in April of this year, completing 22 years of community collaboration and work. We applaud George for his diligence and commitment to environmentally-centric design.
Sane Energy & the No NBK Pipeline (Reveal Award)
Sane Energy Project and the No North Brooklyn Pipeline Coalition are leading the ongoing fight against the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in the Newtown Creek watershed. Their work to stop National Grid’s North BK fracked-gas pipeline and related expansion at the Newtown Creek LNG facility has included a diverse group of stakeholders and activists along the route and brought national media attention to this environmental justice issue.They’ve staged numerous successful protests, garnered support from nearly 100 elected officials statewide, filed lawsuits and legal challenges, engaged in the prolonged Rate Case arguing for and exposing the injustice of having local residents pay for destructive fossil fuel infrastructure, and also organized a rate-hike strike for local customers. We are honored to recognize Sane Energy and the broad coalition of pipeline activists for leading this uphill battle.
Thanks to Our Generous 2021 Sponsors:
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