Project Background:
The Industrial Business Zones (IBZs) surrounding the English Kills and cheap propecia East Branch tributaries of Newtown Creek are among the hottest areas of New York City. Characterized by large industrial buildings, heavy truck traffic, and minimal vegetation, the IBZs are hotspots for the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, leading to significantly higher temperatures than surrounding areas. These neighborhoods—East Williamsburg, Maspeth, West Bushwick, and Ridgewood—are identified as disadvantaged communities (DACs) with high Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI) ratings by the City of New York. Residents and workers in the IBZs face increased risks of heat-related illnesses and mortality due to a combination of higher temperatures, lower income levels, limited access to air conditioning, and a lack of green spaces. While climate resiliency efforts often focus on residential areas, industrial communities are frequently overlooked.
Project Goals:
This project aims to advocate for increased tree coverage in the IBZs surrounding English Kills and East Branch tributaries, focusing on two key initiatives: (1) increasing public street tree plantings and (2) promoting tree plantings on private properties, particularly along the Newtown Creek shoreline. The project goal is to raise community awareness regarding UHI, strengthen climate obtain viagra without prescription resilience along Newtown Creek, and improve local wildlife habitats.
Research Overview:
In the summer of 2024, Newtown Creek Alliance (NCA) conducted a comprehensive survey of the 171 street trees within the project study area, utilizing data from the 2015 NYC Street Tree Census. NCA documented the health and status of these trees, identifying challenges and opportunities for maintenance and new plantings.
Additionally, cheap cialis without rx NCA assessed 513 private properties within the study area, creating a map of key sites for tree planting opportunities.
Community Engagement & Collaboration:
In September 2024, NCA has hosted two tree stewardship events in collaboration with local organizations and elected officials to introduce UHI and its impacts, highlight the lack of vegetation in the IBZs, discuss the challenges that street trees face in industrial areas, and identify suitable locations for potential tree plantings.
Furthermore, NCA has presented this project to the two community boards overlapping the study area—Brooklyn Community Board 1 and Queens Community Board 5—to foster broader engagement and support.
NCA plans to conduct further outreach to businesses, community stakeholders, and elected officials about this project. Stay posted!
This project is made possible by the generous support of The Hudson River Foundation and the New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program. Many thanks to our project partners from Trees New York, Evergreen Exchange, and Maspeth Industrial Business Association.