How does CENYC support its programs?
How do I make a donation to CENYC?
What is CENYC's organizational structure?
What is CENYC?
The Council on the Environment of NYC (CENYC) is a hands-on non-profit organization that has been improving New York Citys environment for over thirty years. CENYCs dedicated staff green our neighborhoods, create the environmental leaders of the future, promote waste prevention and recycling, and run the largest farmers market program in the country.
How did CENYC start?
The Council on the Environment of New York City (CENYC), formed in 1970 by an Executive Order of Mayor John Lindsay, is a privately funded citizens organization in the Office of the Mayor.
What does CENYC do?
CENYC is dedicated to increasing environmental awareness among New Yorkers and developing practical solutions to environmental problems. CENYC conducts four ongoing programs and special projects including:
THE OPEN SPACE GREENING PROGRAM (OSG), created in 1975, empowers people in neighborhoods throughout the city to create, manage and sustain community gardens and park/playgrounds. OSG provides best practices workshops, services, tools, donated plant material, and open space planning/mapping information and other services. Grow Truck provides tools, donated supplies, plants and horticultural advice and assistance to gardening groups all over New York City. The Plant-A-Lot (PAL) Project gives substantial material and technical assistance to several new gardens each year and helps the 45 extant gardens created in prior years.
GREENMARKET, established in 1976, is largest and most successful open-air farmers markets program in the country connects local farmers with city residents by delivering fresh healthy produce to all five boroughs. Greenmarkets 44 market locations allow New Yorkers to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, and other locally produced products straight from regional farmers. By directly connecting farmers and producers to New Yorkers, Greenmarket supports family farms, preserves farm land, delivers fresh healthy produce to those who need it most, and reduces the environmental effects that result from food traveling across the country or world. Greenmarket has set the standard for farmers markets for 30 years, and continues to grow and serve new communities.
The New Farmer Development Project (NFDP), created in 2000, identifies, educates, and supports immigrants with agricultural experience to become local producers and establish small farms in the region. By training the next generation of regional farmers, the NFDP is helping preserve local farmland and rural farm communities, strengthen farmers markets and regional food security, and expand public access to high-quality, locally-grown farm products.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION Started in 1979, Training Student Organizers (TSO) creates the environmental leaders of the future though academically based service learning programs. TSO educates young people about the environmental consequences of their choices, teaches them to improve the environment in which they live, and increases their interest in environmental sciences and issues. Through TSOs hands-on programs, middle and high school students directly connect with and improve the urban ecosystem by planting trees in the watershed, building model green buildings, and identifying environmental hazards in their communities.
Formed in 2005, Learn It, Grow It, Eat It is a collaborative effort of three CENYC programs (Open Space Greening, Greenmarket, Environmental Education) aimed at improving the health of young people through nutrition education and improved food access in their schools and communities. The project encourages young people to take control of their health on the cusp of adulthood through knowledge, choices and action. Learn It, Grow It, Eat It gives students nutrition information that goes beyond memorizing the USDA food pyramid; helps them make the connection between the environment and food consumption through hands-on gardening; and introduces healthy food choices that they can incorporate into their diet with in-school food preparation and offerings featuring Greenmarket produce.
OFFICE OF RECYCLING OUTREACH AND EDUCATION (OROE) The new Office of Recycling Outreach and Education (OROE) was created in 2006 by the New York City Council, when it passed Mayor Bloomberg's landmark Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP). Under the SWMP, CENYC was selected by the Mayor and City Council to operate the new Office. OROE staff will work with the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to increase the percentage of recyclables diverted from the waste stream and to promote waste reduction, reuse and composting efforts. The office's primary focus will be to train and educate building service personnel and occupants on the methods, requirements and importance of recycling, including conducting building specific waste audits. OROE will provide information and training on other waste reduction, reuse and composting programs offered by the City and various not-for-profit organizations. OROE staff will promote DSNY's recycling and waste reduction programs throughout the City and help ensure that the importance of recycling, waste reduction and composting receive proper media attention and remain an integral part of the Citys overall sustainability efforts. OROE will also partner with DSNY and other organizations to develop electronic recycling programs, waste reduction targets, hazardous waste reduction efforts and the promotion of recycling in parks, schools, and public housing projects.
CENYC also conducts public education through brochures and the media on a variety of topics including noise abatement, alternatives to household toxics, resource conservation and more; we respond to individual queries on environmental issues by offering information and referrals.
How does CENYC support its programs?
Through public support in the form of grants and contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations; government grants and contracts, and fees for certain services.
The Council on the Environment, Inc. a 501-C-3 tax-exempt organization receives and administers funds for CENYC. The 2006/2007 Operating Budget is $4,017,000.
How do I make a donation to CENYC?
Donations are tax deductible. Checks may be made payable to: Council on the Environment, Inc. and sent to: 51 Chambers Street, #228, New York, NY 10007. Donations may also be made online through Network For Good.
What is CENYC's governance?
Up to 35 Members are appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of the Mayor of New York City. Members play a vital role in the Council: advising, assisting, fundraising, advocating, securing services and more. Members Meetings are held four times per year. A Program Committee meets four times per year to focus on the individual programs and other initiatives in greater depth.
What is CENYC's organizational structure?
The Council on the Environment of New York City is a privately funded citizens organization in the Mayors Office. The Council on the Environment, Inc. receives and administers the funds. Members of CENYC elect to be Members of the Council on the Environment, Inc. which has an 11-person Board of Directors which also serves as CENYCs Executive Committee. The CE, Inc. Board of Directors is elected by CENYC Members.
How large is CENYC's staff?
CENYC has 36 full time; fifteen part time/seasonal employees.