W A S H I N G T O N H E I G H T S G R E E N
Go Green
Welcome to the
all new Northern NYC publication committed to exploring the "green
scene" in Inwood and Washinton Heights Manhattan. New York City is
going to be treated to a wonderful event soon with coverage to appear
here.
Washington Heights and Inwood Manhattan
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My wife sent me out for a light bulb. There had been one missing near the door of our Inwood Manhattan condo and I had forgotten repeatedly to get one on my past several outings. I was determined to remember this time. First stop was to attend YM & YWHA 's Go Green Extravaganza which was walking distance away in Washington Heights, and then get the bulb.
Go Green was terrific, lots of vendors, lots of people, lots of interesting ideas and conversations. I spoke with Shara Perlman, who was one of the key organizers of the event and we spoke of gardening, recycling and taking care of the Earth. She had been awarded a Green Fellowship and is committed to going green with the YM & YWHA. As she told us
“I've always been interested in taking care of the world. I'm the camp director here and enjoy the outdoors. I think taking care of the Earth is really important.”
As I began to circulate and talk to everyone behind the booths and in front, the thing that struck me was the passion and focus regarding stewarding our planet. A word that came up again and again was “education”. The idea that the next generation will grow up learning about the ways of green and it will be routine for them.
And in the Washington Heights, Inwood Manhattan, Northern NYC area the YM & YWHA is a formidable force in this regard. They are integrating green education into every aspect of their programs including early childhood through to the seniors.
And the great news is that taking care of the Earth has lots of benefits beyond actually having a planet around for years to come. These include saving money, saving energy and the fact it can be fun. This is partly why kids of the new generation are embracing going green.
As Victoria Neznansky puts it:
“It starts with the kids, it starts at home. My six year old son separates the trash at home - he separates paper from plastic.”
Victoria also mentioned her son's interest in electricity and energy efficient light bulbs. Light bulbs. There was that word. Thank you Victoria, my wife Alison thanks you as well as my daughter Lily, this means we'll have light because first thing after I leave this green extravaganza I'm going to get that bulb.
But before that, I have one more person to speak to Martin G. Englisher. He's the vice president of the YM&YWHA and he's been doing what he does for more than thirty years. I figured he was a terrific final interview before I went bulb seeking.
And indeed he was. He filled me in on Shara's fellowship she had gotten to study ecology and the process of taking a building green. Shara apparently attended the fellowship for a year and a half. This was a big commitment on her part and will finish it up with her actual award accomplished in June. Martin was quite proud of her and of his staff.
He told me about how Shara went department to department within the YM&YWHA and met with everyone regarding their participation in a green program. From the sound of it everyone embraced the project with enthusiasm.
As Martin G. Englisher put it:
“Shara was getting ideas on how she could engage the staff to form a green team. She held meetings with department heads, people really enjoyed it and liked the idea – embraced it from the beginning”
Martin and I then discussed recycling, teaching kids, planting, green life, recycling, healthy food and more.
So much to learn and think of how good you'll feel doing it. I reviewed these things in my head, remembering there was something I was supposed to recall.
As I left I passed Scott Stringer, who was represented at one of the booths. His office has been working toward positive change with his office.
Then something amazing happened, as I was walking, Rosemonde Pierre Louis (Deputy Borough President) passed me a free eco light bulb. Now I'm going to start saving energy.
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Martin G. Englisher (Executive Vice President) and Shara Perlman (Youth, Family and Camping
Services Director)
Victoria Neznansky (Chief Program Officer) and her son