Come Join iDig2Learn On A Roosevelt Island Walk Amongst The Trees At Lighthouse Park With Arborist Schuyler Borden As He Talks About His Flora Friends

Roosevelt Island resident and iDig2Learn founder Christina Delfico reports: 

Greetings from iDig2Learn, 

We can't wait to see you tomorrow 4/15 at noon at Lighthouse Park on Roosevelt Island for our Tree walk with Schuyler Borden. 

Come meet us near the Weeping Willow tree, just beyond the Monarch butterfly flower beds, as you enter Lighthouse Park on Roosevelt Island on the Queens facing side of the island. You can take the free Red Bus to Octagon and walk 7 minutes north along the Queens-facing side of the island. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring your reusable water bottle. There is a public restroom at the entrance of the park. 

Learn more about the hundred new baby trees and the intentional planting of specific native regional types like Oak, Sugar Maple, Tupelo, Sourwood, Magnolia and Serviceberry. These are all species that are lovely for humans and vital support for birds, butterflies and pollinators in our Mid-Atlantic area.

Schuyler caught the spark for learning about plants from gardening and foraging. Since then it has been his passion to learn from and teach others about the environment we live in. Schuyler is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified Arborist, and holds a Masters of Forestry degree from Yale School of the Environment. Originally from Farmington, Connecticut, Schuyler has lived on Roosevelt Island for 3 years and has made friends with its flora and can't wait to talk about it.

This program is free thanks to generous iDig2Learn support from the NYCT/RIOC grants, the work of NY Trees and Big Reuse with additional support from Citizens Committee for NY and MT Charitable Foundation. Thanks to all the local groups like the RI Garden Club, Coler Hospital, GRIN, Coach Scot's Baseball players, Girl Scouts, residents, and the RIOC grounds team who have guided placement and cared for these trees since planting in 2022. 

See you Saturday!

Celebrating Roosevelt Island Nature With 2 Fascinating Free Virtual Talks Presented By iDig2Learn March 25 & 26 - Super Cool Ants & Making Paella With Coqui The Chef, Plants Behind The Dish

iDig2Learn is Celebrating Roosevelt Island's Nature with 2 fascinating free virtual talks this week and you're invited to attend.

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Thursday, March 25th - 11am to Noon Ants. Super cool. Guest Speaker Chris Johnson from the American Natural History Museum.

RSVP "Ants" to iDig2Learn@gmail.com for GoToMtg link

Christine Johnson is the Curatorial Associate in the Division of Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History, where her focus is to care for and digitize (database & image) the millions of preserved invertebrate specimens in the collection for use by researchers and the public. Originally arriving in NYC to study ballet, her work on social insects focuses on understanding interactions between ant social parasites and their hosts, specializing on raider ants. Away from NYC she conducted post-doctoral research at the University of Helsinki, the Catholic University of Leuven and Ohio State University; back in NYC she is a member of the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board and has been active in the community garden scene, especially in East Harlem.

And:

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Friday, March 26th 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Just in time for National Paella Day. A deep dive into Paella with Coqui the Chef - the plants behind the dish. One guest will win a free cooking class.

RSVP "Paella" to iDig2Learn@gmail.com for Zoom link

Coqui the Chef is a social enterprise with a mission to teach the importance of food culture and eating smart.  We explore all types of food from all over the world. We enjoy teaching how food can be your passport to an amazing culinary experience.  Tania Lopez, founder of Coqui the Chef is listed in the New York Magazine's "The Strategist" as the Best Online Cooking Classes.  Make Food Your Passport!

 

Learn more about Roosevelt Island based iDig2Learn at their website, Twitter Feed and Instagram Page.

Sponsored Post - Celebrating Roosevelt Island Nature With 3 Fascinating Free Virtual Talks Presented By iDig2Learn March 24,25 & 26 - Native & Urban Trees Of Roosevelt Island, Ants, Super Cool & Making Paella With Coqui The Chef, Plants Behind The Dish

iDig2Learn is Celebrating Roosevelt Island's Nature with an upcoming series of three fascinating free virtual talks next week and you're invited to attend.

Wednesday, March 24th - 7pm - 8pm Reacquainting Yourself with the Native & Urban Trees of Roosevelt Island with Carey Russell 

REGISTER in advance using this link & to receive an email with Zoom meeting details:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkdOyprzkjG9Rgs6prK6moAZCe2gYqUVhW 

 

Carey Russell is the host of The Dendro Lab, an online course and soon to be podcast focused on dendrology (the study of trees). He holds a masters degree in landscape ecology and is a certified master naturalist and licensed outdoor guide in New York State. As a naturalist, Carey has worked for the U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, and the Khangai Nuruu National Park of Mongolia. While as a filmmaker, he’s a frequent collaborator with director Terrence Malick, and directed the documentary series Tibetan Stories. Currently, he is at work on a photography series titled Literary Landscapes, which documents the natural histories of real landscapes captured in literary fiction, including: Watership Down and My Side of the Mountain. He lives in New York City where he can often be found botanizing in Central Park.   careyrussell.com  

Thursday, March 25th - 11am to Noon Ants. Super cool. Guest Speaker Chris Johnson from the American Natural History Museum.

RSVP "Ants" to iDig2Learn@gmail.com for GoToMtg link

Christine Johnson is the Curatorial Associate in the Division of Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History, where her focus is to care for and digitize (database & image) the millions of preserved invertebrate specimens in the collection for use by researchers and the public. Originally arriving in NYC to study ballet, her work on social insects focuses on understanding interactions between ant social parasites and their hosts, specializing on raider ants. Away from NYC she conducted post-doctoral research at the University of Helsinki, the Catholic University of Leuven and Ohio State University; back in NYC she is a member of the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board and has been active in the community garden scene, especially in East Harlem.

Friday, March 26th 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Just in time for National Paella Day. A deep dive into Paella with Coqui the Chef - the plants behind the dish. One guest will win a free cooking class.

RSVP "Paella" to iDig2Learn@gmail.com for Zoom link

Coqui the Chef is a social enterprise with a mission to teach the importance of food culture and eating smart.  We explore all types of food from all over the world. We enjoy teaching how food can be your passport to an amazing culinary experience.  Tania Lopez, founder of Coqui the Chef is listed in the New York Magazine's "The Strategist" as the Best Online Cooking Classes.  Make Food Your Passport!

 

Learn more about Roosevelt Island based iDig2Learn at their website, Twitter Feed and Instagram Page.

iDig2Learn Celebrating Roosevelt Island Nature Series Continues With Speaker Beatrice Ajaero, She's A Local Resident, Nigerian Restaurant Owner And RI Farmers Market Vendor - Free Virtual Talk, Our Impact On Earth & Each Other

Roosevelt Island resident and iDig2Learn Founder Christina Delfico reports on the latest Celebrating Roosevelt Island Nature event. According to Ms Delfico:

FREE Virtual Talk

Our Impact on Earth and Each Other 

Guest Speaker: Beatrice Ajaero, IBARI & Nneji 

10am - 11am​ ​Monday,​ ​February 22nd, 2021 Our daily choices play a huge role in the health of people and planet. 

Get inspired by Beatrice Ajaero as she shares practices she uses in business and life. 

RSVP “IMPACT” to: ​idig2learn@gmail.com Virtual talk GoToMeeting link to come. 

All ages welcome. 

10a-11a MON. FEB 22nd we welcome speaker Beatrice Ajaero of IBARI & Nneji for a free talk - Our Impact on Earth & Each Other. Get inspired by someone who walks the walk & consciously puts people & planet first. RSVP “IMPACT” to idig2learn@gmail.com for link. pic.twitter.com/HEZ15kHUVv

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) February 16, 2021

Beatrice Ajaero discussed her views on local sustainability practices in this Engaged RI video for 2020 Climate Week.

According to Ms Ajaero:

As a small business owner sometimes you forget that you make a lot of decisions during the day, but we work hard to see that every product we source and every partnership we kindle is geared towards making a positive impact for the environment for the people.

Ms Ajaero is Roosevelt Island resident and entrepreneur having recently opened a new Nigerian and West African take out restaurant in Astoria, Nneji, 

and sells her meals at the Roosevelt Island Saturday Farmers Market too.

RSVP “IMPACT” to: ​idig2learn@gmail.com Virtual talk GoToMeeting link to come.

You're Invited To Engaged Roosevelt Island Nature Meet Up For Environmental Understanding Wednesday February 12 - Meet Local Naturalist And Discover Hidden Green Spaces On Roosevelt Island, Take The Survey Too

Engaged Roosevelt Island was formed last year:

... to promote environmental understanding and boost sustainable practices on Roosevelt Island. Throughout the year there will be engagement events to foster collaboration with residents, community groups, schools, building managers, island businesses, RIOC, RIRA and elected officials toward a cleaner and healthier neighborhood.

You're invited to attend the next Engage Roosevelt Island event tomorrow evening, February 12, to hear a presentation by local Roosevelt Island naturalist Jack Burkhalter.

Read more »

Roosevelt Island Gardeners - iDig2Learn Unusual Edible Plant Workshop With John Paul Learn Of Mandala Farm Tuesday October 15 - RSVP A Must, Location Revealed Upon Confirmation

As part of the Celebrating Roosevelt Island's Nature series, IDig2Learn is hosting an Unusual Edible Plant workshop tomorrow, October 15.

Island hopping! From Staten to Roosevelt - a few spaces left 4 John Paul Learn of Mandala Farm’s Unusual Edible Plant 6:30p 10/15 workshop on Roosevelt Island. For adult gardeners. Rsvp a must, loc revealed upon confirmation. @Rooseveltisland @RIOCny pic.twitter.com/fWZoDG9BNv

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) October 14, 2019

RSVP to .iDig2learn@gmail.com Subject Line Plant Location.

More info on edible plants from Mandala Farms web site and this video.

You're Invited To Celebrate Roosevelt Island Nature At Lighthouse Park Microscopic Event Sunday August 18 - Get A Close Up View Of Hidden East River Marine Life, Peak At Plankton & More With iDig2Learn & NY Microscopical Scientists

Radiolarian, Tintinnids & Bivalves, Oh My! Come meet the @NYMicroscopical scientists this SUN 8/18 from 2-5p @Rooseveltisland Lighthouse Park we’ll be near the willow tree. Microscopes provided, bring your curiosity! #Science pic.twitter.com/MKE35VCWmP

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) August 16, 2019

iDig2Learn founder Chistina Ddlfico reports:

Join us this Sunday, August 18th at Lighthouse Park from 2-5 pm for a free event with special guests from the New York Microscopical Society. Microscope stations will be set up for a hidden view of river life and the small world that thrives there. Peak at plankton and more. All ages welcome. This event is part of the iDig2Learn Series: Celebrating Roosevelt Island's Nature.

You're Invited To iDig2Learn Celebrates Roosevelt Island Nature Series Meetup, Greening Our World Thursday Evening June 27 - Learn About RI Green Map, Keeping Our Air & Water Clean, Sustainability Tips And What The Heck Is Plogging?

iDig2Learn is continuing it's Celebrating Roosevelt Island's Nature Series with a Green Meetup on Thursday June 27 at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street)

Roosevelt Island Green Meetup 6/27 - Save the Date. Want 2 know what Plogging is? Curious how Artists reimagine waste? Bring used batteries & clean plastic bags & ck out the Green Map, share ur sustainable strategies & hear about free resources. #EarthLove pic.twitter.com/HTjl7SLz4G

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) June 20, 2019

According to iDig2Learn:

Greening Our World ​Thursday,​ ​JUNE 27th, 2019
​
Good Shepherd Church / Roosevelt Island

All Ages Welcome
​
5-6 PM​ - Snacks / Good Shepherd basement
​6-8 PM​ - Meetup / Good Shepherd sanctuary ​Eco-Drop Off from 5 PM until 9 PM

Interested in keeping our air, water & land clean? Curious how art plays a role and local sustainability efforts underway? Wondering what you can do at home, school and work? Have sustainable day-to-day tips to share? Want to know what Plogging is?

Come meet a Big Reuse Food Scrap Drop Off expert too.

Bring used batteries and clean plastic bags no longer needed for proper disposal​ and join iDig2Learn at the Free Public Green Meetup RSVP to ​idig2Learn@gmail.com​ for snack headcount.

iDig2Learn Founder Christina Delfico spoke to the June 5 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Public Session about the Greening of Roosevelt Island. Here's what she had to say.



Also, learn more about iDig2Learn's Roosevelt Island Green programs and initiatives from Ms Delfico's presentation



at the May 28 RIRA Public Purpose  Grants Community Review meeting.

Roosevelt Island Residents Gathered Last Saturday Night To Moonwatch, Stargaze And Search For International Space Station With 2 Very Large Telescopes Courtesy Of iDig2Learn And OB Astronomy

Huge thanks to Chris @OBAstronomy 4 giving Roosevelt Island the moon, jupiter & its four visible moons & even 2 Int’l Space Station (ISS) flyovers! Smiles everywhere as neighbors came out to play. Moon photo taken by Laura Dutilloy #OptOutside pic.twitter.com/5DV5U219Ca

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) May 19, 2019

Excited Roosevelt Island residents, young and a bit older,

gathered on a brisk Saturday evening at the Riverwalk Commons to gaze at the moon, stars and even the International Space Station from two large telescopes

brought to the Riverwalk Commons courtesy of iDig2Learn founder Christina Delfico and OB Astronomy's Chris Vallo.

Young and Older having fun and learning a bit of Roosevelt Island astronomy Tonight at Riverwalk Commons. @iDig2Learn @OBAstronomy pic.twitter.com/9CS2edYg84

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) May 19, 2019

Christina Delfico, iDig2Learn’s founder who organized the event as part of the Celebrating Roosevelt Island’s Nature series reports over a hundred folks came out and definitely wants to invite Chris back. Ms Delfico adds:

Saturday night’s clear skies were all we needed for OBAstronomy’s visiting expert Chris Vallo to grab his high-powered telescope and set up on Roosevelt Island.

The night was cooler than expected but no one wanted to leave and with the telescope still on the hand truck crowds of curious residents of all ages were gathering wanting to look. Chris likes to say, patience and hope are key traits of budding astronomers and that was true as we waiting until 8:30 pm for the giant pink colored full moon to peak up

Image From Arsha Antony

over buildings in Long Island City.

Riverwalk Commons, the area between Fuji East restaurant and Duane Reade, provided great viewing grounds as old and new friends came out and patiently lined up twenty-five at a time behind each telescope for a glimpse of our Moon’s craters.

One very young viewer learning to talk uttered a few words as she squealed with delight saying, “Big, big, balloon,” and motioned her hands as if to hug the moon.

Friends we see on the sidewalk stopped and stayed for hours getting to know each other better.

As if the bright full moon weren’t enough, seeing Jupiter rising added to the excitement. One freelance casting agent said she had been at the home office all week and she just had to come out to see this. As she looked through the lens she noticed that the four moons of Jupiter were visible.

Luke a young resident savvy to all things space including the International Space Station’s flyover times and about 40 viewers shouted and pointed as it’s bright lights whizzed by making the arch between buildings in less than two minutes.

Read more »

Celebrate Roosevelt Island Nature And Explore Our Outdoors With IDig2Learn - Upcoming Birding Workshops, Sustainablility, Composting, Clothing & Electonic Recycling Info Too

According to Roosevelt Island based environmental advocacy non profit organization iDig2Learn:

iDig2Learn unites the community around the idea that children benefit greatly from time spent outdoors in nature exploring science and the origin of food through plant life.

iDig2Learn believes that working together to create green spaces, including science gardens, builds knowledge and creates another source of interest that will strengthen the bonds of friendship in diverse communities for years to come.

iDig2Learn provides memorable experiences in real-world settings allowing children and families to grow food and to connect with nature...

Roosevelt Island resident and iDig2Learn founder Christina Delfico reports:

We are proud to announce the upcoming iDig2Learn Series: Celebrating Roosevelt Island's Nature which will invite islanders of all ages to explore the island outdoors.

Islanders are lucky to be surrounded by open green space, mature flowering trees, community and teaching gardens, estuary waters and vast sky, and this series will welcome the public to discover our natural treasures. Throughout a series of workshops and experiences islanders will learn how habitat supports life. For example, plants support butterflies, bees and birds and pollinators are vital to much of the fruit and vegetables we eat. Plus our waters, land and air play a vital role in the health of all living things, including us. So whether we are learning about our sun's role in life on earth, or how to grow our own micro-greens, or which plants welcome birds and butterflies come join us outdoors to explore together.

Look out for the iDig2Learn Series: Celebrating Roosevelt Island's Nature activities throughout the spring and summer. Email iDig2Learn@gmail.com to sign up. Space is limited. The May 19 workshop is full but spaces still available for April 23 and 26.

Ms Delfico adds:

Also please Save the Date...

Saturday, April 27 #EarthLove event during the farmers market at Good Shepherd Plaza. Save the date and join us for a compost giveback, sustainable giveaways, and earth-friendly activities. Stay tuned for more details from RIOC and island groups.

You have the power! Plant choices for birds & pollinators. Thanks @AudubonNY https://t.co/IVBAUY5hv3

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) April 9, 2019

During the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Meeting Public Session, Ms. Delfico reported on the Saturday April 27 Roosevelt Island Earth event as well as additional Roosevelt Island sustainability, composting, and electronic/clothing recyclying opportunities.



Ms Delfico asked the Common Council Members if they knew how many plastic bags are used each Saturday at the Farmers Market - the answer was .... 7 thousand plastic bags.

In order to reduce the number of plastic bags, 1 thousand re-usable tote bags will be given away at the Saturday April 27 Farmers Market as well as a drawing to give away 10 kitchen countertop compost bins.

For more info check out the iDig2Learn web site, twitter feed or email Ms Delfico.