NBC Nightly News Feature Story Tonight On Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park SUGi Pocket Healing Forest Planted Last Month - Interview With Local Resident And iDig2Learn Founder Christina Delfico

NBC Nightly News featured local Roosevelt Island resident and iDig2Learn founder Christina Delfico in a story this evening about the Southpoint Park SUGi Pocket Healing Forest that was planted Saturday April 6.

Watch the story.

More info on the Roosevelt Island Healing Forest at the SUGi web site.

Here's my interview with Ms Delfico and SUGi Project Founder Elise Van Middelem during the April 6, 2024 planting.

And you can join iDig2Learn at the May 19 Forest Care Day.

Click here to RSVP.

Miyawaki Method Sugi Pocket Healing Forest Coming To NYC At Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park - Sign Up Right Now To Volunteer And Help With The Saturday April 6 Planting

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SUGi (@sugiproject)

Roosevelt Island resident and iDig2Learn Founder Christina Delfico reports:

BIG NEWS:

Saturday APRIL 6th iDig2Learn teams up with SUGi & the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) to plant a Pocket Forest on Roosevelt Island!

We are thrilled to be creating the first Pocket Forest in NYC using the Miyawaki Method of tight-knit planting of young trees close together proven to boost faster growth. Our partner SUGi is a globally recognized expert and will be leading the way and Roosevelt Island will be their 200th forest, a milestone for them too! 

 

You are invited to witness this historic event and we hope this forest will be the first of many.

The opening ceremony is at 10:30 AM at Southpoint Park and all are welcome - no need to sign up to attend the festivities.

THE EVENT IS 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM (last session planting is at 2 PM, various community organizations will be on hand until 2:30).

From 11 am to 2:00 pm the planting happens and we are thrilled to be creating the first Pocket Forest in NYC using the Miyawaki Method. 

All are invited to witness this historic event and we hope this forest will be the first of many in NYC and beyond.

IMPORTANT:

IF you wish to volunteer and actually plant a plant please sign up in the half hour time slot that works for you using this jotform.

No need to sign up to attend, witness and support.

Read more about it in today’s article by Cara Buckley in NY Times!

And visit the SUGI website for more - see the posting here in iDig2Learn news.

We are also looking for 20 adult plant captains to be on hand for one hour in the afternoon/early evening either Thursday 4/4 or Friday 4/5 to learn about the planting and then shepherd folks during the April 6th planting event. Please email CAPTAIN to iDig2Learn@gmail.com and let us know if Thursday or Friday or both days could work as we select one day for the training best for most.

The Miyawaki Method of tight-knit planting shows the deep rooted connection between young trees which grow better and stronger when closer together. Planting a SUGi pocket forest on Roosevelt Island mirrors the community coming closer together and spotlights all of our relatedness. Good healthy soil feeds trees and flowers. Brings butterflies and birds. It supports and gives joy to humans too. We can’t wait to celebrate these connections for years to come.

Best wishes and see you outside soon.

The Roosevelt Island Miyawaki Pocket Forest Project will be located adjacent to the Strecker Lab 

in Southpoint Park. 

Here's Ms Delfico describing the project during the February 15, 2024 RIOC Real Estate Development Advisory Committee meeting. 

Here's more on the Magic Of Miyawaki Forest,

iDig2Learn and the Sugi Project.

Roosevelt Island Earth Love Day Celebrates Small Steps To Make A Positive Impact On Earth And Local Community - Learn About Some Of The Volunteer Efforts Being Done By RI Residents

Last Saturday, April 22, was Roosevelt Island Earth Love Day. The activities took place at the Rivercross Lawn, across the street by Blackwell Park Plaza and the Riverwalk Commons.

According to Roosevelt Island resident and iDig2Learn founder Christina Delfico

Today is Earth Love Day. We added the word "Love" about five years ago around Earth Day. We want to celebrate All Things to keep our Air, Land, Water and Sky clean which is good for humans of course but it's also good for all that live in the habitat like the birds the bees the butterflies.

You'll find ideas here at Earth's love day that talk about refusing, reducing, reusing. What goes along with that is the protection of the nature we have, protecting planting and the stewardship but also trying not to do too much waste like if you go to take take out food you don't need the forks and knives and spoons you have that in your apartment. There's something called skip the stuff and you just can tell the restaurant no thanks I don't need those. 

So small steps to do better to make a positive imprint on the earth and not a negative one....

Green Roosevelt Island Neighbors (GRIN) Anthony Luongo is concerned about Blackwell Park Trees being cut down by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC). According to Mr Luongo:

We're actually trying to take an inventory of the trees in Blackwell House Plaza. We understand that there's scheduled to be some construction in the future.

 I believe there are 160 kind of substantial trees in the potential construction zone and we'd like to make sure that they know that we care about those trees and that we need these trees. If they need to be taken down or something needs to happen to them, we would hope that there would be a discussion with folks that know about those types of things and a real conversation about that before any of them were taken down ... 

Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Older Adult Center Lisa Fernandez reports;

We received from the Office Of Addiction Services and Supports the proper medicine disposal bags. 

You take your medicine, open the bag, take your meds, dump it in, add a little hot tap water, pour it in,  seal it, shake it, put it in the trash. 

Keeps it out of our ecosystem, out of our water system. Simple.

You might not feel like lugging it to Duane Reade or CVS wherever they have the collection sites. 

Easy Peasy

Roosevelt Island Garden Club member Julia Ferguson with a group of volunteers worked on Riverwlk Commons Plantings and adds:

We're very happy to have worked with Matt Kibby, our Horticultural director on Roosevelt Island. We were able to order a lot of perennials shrubs and flowers... ... We've been hoping to work on this area for some time and this is a great opportunity.... it's been a really fun day...

 

 There was also Yoga Mediation with Roosevelt Island resident and Island Om owner Jax Schott on the Rivercross Lawn

And outdoor chess 

with NY Public Library Roosevelt Island branch Manager Carlos Chavez too.

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!

Tree Pruning And Removal Work Happening This Week On Roosevelt Island - Residents Upset Over Tree Cutting But RIOC Says 2 Trees Are Safety Hazards With Risk Of Falling And Striking An Individual - RIOC Needs To Do Better Communicating With Roosevelt Island Community

Last week, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced in an email Advisory: 

To keep up with RIOC’s commitment to providing the best quality of life possible for those who live, work and visit our community, RIOC will be performing tree work to beautify and remove hazardous trees. The work performed will not affect vehicular traffic or the pedestrian walkway. Parking will be unavailable 7 am - 5 pm at the following locations: 

Tuesday, 11/15 & Wednesday, 11/16, at the rear of 475 Main Street 

Thursday, 11/17, at the rear of 405 to 415 Main Street 

Friday, 11/18, rear of 405 Main Street Friday, 11/18, at the rear of 455 and 465 Main Street 

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience.

Last Monday I asked RIOC President Shelton Haynes and VP of Communications Akeem Jamal:

I’m preparing a story on the tree pruning scheduled to start tomorrow. 

How many trees are being removed and what criteria is used to determine that they are hazardous?

Will the removed trees be replaced?

Has Rioc consulted with any residents regarding the trees being removed and pruned?

No response from RIOC.

Yesterday, a Roosevelt Island Tipster shared this photo and asked:

Tree pruning or tree cutting?

Also yesterday, I spotted this tree cut down on Riverwalk Lawn behind 465 Main Street

and posted the photo on Roosevelt Islander Instagram page. Comments included:

• Consult with the community? Are you new here? That never happens!
• Strange, that was a beautiful tree
• Trees being cut down for no reason, well done. Last time I checked they cut down 2 70-80y/o trees at octagon backyard for falling leaves in people’s lunchboxes
• I can’t believe this is happening
• They removed awesome big tree on the Sportspark and never asked the community
• They never consult with the community!
• This Just. Gives the cry babies on Roosevelt Island more to cry about 

This morning, after investigating the reason for the tree pictured above being cut down, a Riverwalk building ownership representative reported:

Although the base of the tree was looking solid, the upper part of the tree had hallowed out and 2 large branches fell to the ground. Cornell was concerned about the safety issue and the Building Resident Manager was aware of the cutting and involved in it. It seemed as though this was a safety issue and addressed as a safety issue.

This evening, RIOC President Shelton Haynes responded to community concerns about the tree cutting:

Dear Roosevelt Island Community Members,

There have been several inquiries concerning the tree work happening on Roosevelt Island – I hope to provide you with a clearer understanding of why the work must be completed as it is to ensure the well-being and safety of all Islanders. In October of this year, RIOC sought the services of an independent Arborist, Bartlett Tree Experts, after RIOC’s Director of Horticulture, a certified Arborist, deemed two trees on the Island to be ‘hazardous” and a “risk” of falling and possibly striking an individual. According to Bartlett Tree Experts, it was subsequently found that the two trees in question would “pose a certain degree of hazard and risk from breakage, failure, or other causes and conditions.” Simply put, the tree and its branches may not withstand mother nature, and there is a high degree of probability it could fall.

Attached you will find images of the jeopardized trees – shown are trees with comprised foundations, gaping holes, and cracked surfaces, all of which question the tree’s integrity and poses a significant risk to the community.

The safety and well-being of all Islanders are and will continue to be the number one priority for RIOC and my administration.

I appreciate your understanding as we work to keep our Island community safe.

P.S. Removing trees is always the last resort for RIOC, which is why we hire an outside firm to conduct a risk assessment. RIOC has planted 135 trees this year and will continue to work with the community to plant more.

Important Tree Work Announcement: Parking will be unavailable 7 am - 5 pm at the following locations:

- Thurs. 11/17, at the rear of 405 to 415 Main St

- Fri. 11/18, rear of 405 Main St

- Fri. 11/18, at the rear of 455 and 465 Main St pic.twitter.com/FVpnPxXqpw

— Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (@RIOCny) November 16, 2022

Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy adds: 

Shelton-

Thanks for your response to the questions. I know these trees were in bad condition. I have seen branches fall from them frequently and the slit in the side of one trunk seemed to be constantly increasing.

Hopefully some new specimens will be able to fill in the area. These trees were probably planted in about 1939 and have served the island well. I am sure some replacements will be appreciated.

Attached is a photo of what may be the tree or trees 

Photo Credit A Frank

 at the Central Nurses Residence which was on this site.

RIOC needs to be doing a much better job communicating to the Roosevelt Island community before they start cutting down trees as well as on many, many other issues.

RIOC recently hired a new Vice President of Communications. RIOC President Shelton Haynes and Communications VP Akeem Jamal promised improved community communications. So far, not much has changed from prior practices.

Come Join The Roosevelt Island Tree Tally And Celebrate Roosevelt Island Earth Love Day Saturday April 30 At Mediation Lawn And Blackwell Plaza - Plenty Of Activities To Raise Awareness On Ways To Keep Roosevelt Island And Our Planet Green And Clean

Among the activities planned for the 4th Annual 2022 Roosevelt Island Earth Love Day is a Roosevelt Island Tree Tally.

Green Roosevelt Island Neighbors (GRIN) Founder Anthony Longo shares these photos and reports:

Have you seen any Roosevelt Island trees

with small circular metal tag numbers?

Can you think of any trees we have lost? 

Spotted any new ones?

Join us as we begin to find out how many trees we currently have and help us come up with a plan to replace those we have lost. 

1615 Roosevelt Island trees got tagged in 2012. 

We start our Quest on April 30th at 11:00 am on the Rivercross / Mediation lawn. 

Stop by the iDig2learn table at the #EarthLove Day event. Just look for the butterflies and black gold.

iDig2Learn founder Christina Delfico adds:

Celebrate kindness to the Earth and each other at the 4th annual #EarthLove Day on Saturday, April 30th, from 11 AM – 2 PM at the Meditation Lawn and Blackwell Plaza (500 Main St.).

Join us for fun and educational activities, where we will be raising awareness on ways we can help Roosevelt Island and our planet stay green and clean! Community organizations and partners will join RIOC in engaging the public with activities including:

• Native plantings and educational activities with the R.I. Garden Club (sign up your group HERE)
• Free Book Swap sponsored by the R.I. Branch NYPL (bring your gently handled books)
• Clothing Drop sponsored by the Carter Burden/R.I. Senior Center (bring your gently worn clothing in sealed bags for donation)
• Plogging with the R.I. Youth Center- a healthy way to jog or walk around the island while picking up litter polluting our beautiful space (bring your reusable bags)
• Bike New York Bike Repair and Learn to Ride classes (sign up details to come)
• Join iDig2Learn to celebrate nature & fly like a Monarch butterfly & learn about the Tree Tally & Compost with GRIN & Haki
• Yoga/Meditation with Island OM.
• Meet Alternew to give your clothes new life with mending & tailoring demos
• Used Battery recycling drop-off
• Educational tables to learn how you can do more!
• Free reusable giveaways!  
  

Please note that the Roosevelt Island Earth Love Day festivities begin at 11 A.M not 10 A.M as shown in the flyer at top.

Sponsored Post - Roosevelt Island's iDig2Learn Hosts Leafless Or Winter Tree Identification With Dendrologist Carey Russell Virtual Zoom Presentation Monday January 31 - RSVP Now To Secure Your Spot

Happy New Year from iDig2Learn!

 

Thank you for helping us grow. This March 2022 will celebrate 10 joyful years because of you!

And in a few weeks, on January 31st, we are excited that Dendrologist Carey Russell will kick off iDig2Learn's programming with a virtual presentation to help us get the most out of our winter walks. If you have heard Carey before you know how much you will learn, if this is your first chance to tune in, you are in for a treat.

If you are interested in this talk, suitable for a general audience, please RSVP with the subject line: Trees by Saturday, January 29th to idig2learn@gmail.com - and a Zoom link will be sent to you.

Monday, January 31, 2022
7pm - 8:30pm (Last 30 minutes for Q & A)

iDig2Learn presents: 
Leafless or Winter Tree Identification with Dendrologist Carey Russell 

(Free Virtual Presentation on Zoom)

Tree identification without the assistance of leaves is a hugely rewarding process and far easier than you might imagine. That is, if you know what to look for. More than just winter identification alone, this presentation will train your eye beyond leaves alone and toward those less-appreciated characteristics of trees (buds, twigs, bark, and leaf scars) that will serve you all year-round. Come join us online and hone your naturalist’s eye for observing nature, while taking your tree identification skills to the next level!

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.

RIOC Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Project Tour Answers Questions From Assembly Member Seawright, Borough President Brewer And Residents On Crumbling Seawall, Public Access To Waterfront, Removing Trees, Soil Contamination Cat Sanctuary & More - Watch Video Of The Tour To Find Out What's Going On

This AM walkthrough of the Southpoint Park Project that I was proud to secure joined by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and resident stakeholders. RIOC commitments include walkthroughs of the project, public site and a dedicated email for neighbors. pic.twitter.com/haLqschMl0

— Rebecca Seawright (@SeawrightForNY) July 17, 2020

Last Saturday, July 17, NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Chief Financial Officer John O'Reilly together with RIOC staff joined with local residents on a tour of the Southpoint Park Restoration Project. According to Ms Seawright, the purpose of the tour was to:

... better understand and address the RI community concerns of the upcoming Southpoint Shoreline project...

As previously reported, some Roosevelt Island community members, led by the Wildlife Freedom Foundation (WFF) President Rossana Ceruzzi, vigorously oppose the Shoreline Restoration project to fix the crumbling seawall and provide greater waterfront access to the public because they claim the project will:

... destroy 325 Trees and decimate the wildlife living in the area....

RIOC answers that the Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Project:

... preserves the natural habitat and wildlife that currently exist, while also enhancing the surrounding greenspace paths. The required work involves the removal of toxic soil that has been inundated with overgrown landfills, choked with invasive vegetation, that must be removed before the seawall can be repaired. Roughly 99 small trees (ten inches in diameter) will be removed and replaced with 79 trees. The tree removal is necessary to access the area to be remediated. In addition, 870 shrubs, 645 other indigenous plantings, and approximately 14,500 sq. ft. of new grass that will encourage more wildlife to visit the shoreline. This project must be completed in order to prevent further deterioration of the seawall due to the ever-increasing impacts of climate change....

... Due to community concerns of the project’s potential effects on local flora and fauna, we are pushing the start date back. In the interim, RIOC will provide the community with regular updates on the project through meetings, press releases, its website and social media....

Here's portion of the Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Project tour.

Part 1 - Questions raised about need for cutting down trees, soil contamination and moving Cat Sanctuary to a new location.



Part 2 - RIOC shows off new Southpoint Park WFF Cat Sanctuary.

Read more »

Why Were Roosevelt Island Trees On Promenade Cut Down Earlier This Week Ask Residents - RIOC Says It Was For Necessary Rejuvenation Pruning

Or cutting down trees say some residents pic.twitter.com/w9ywUwZSG2

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) July 10, 2020

Roosevelt Island residents care passionately about our trees so when any are spotted being removed alarm bells ring. Last Wednesday was such a day when residents spotted trees and bushes being cut on the waterfront promenade near Eleanor's Pier.

The  Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) explains what was going on:

RIOC Working for You: Rejuvenation Pruning

On Wednesday, July 8th, led by our Director of Landscaping and Horticulture, Matthew Kibby, the RIOC Grounds Department performed rejuvenation pruning of overgrown Ilex glabra (Inkberry) plants in the vicinity of Eleanor’s Pier.

The overgrowth in the area was infringing upon benches and the walkway along the promenade. Inkberry were also shading out other area plantings and inhibiting visibility, including views of the river. RIOC began this process by cutting back half of these Inkberry plants in March 2020. This work was scheduled to be completed Thursday, July 9th.

In addition, tree pruning was also completed from the Ferry Landing north, to the south dog run, which was needed due to minimal visibility in that location.

Pruning is a horticultural and silvicultural practice involving the selective removal of certain parts of a plant, such as branches, buds, or roots. Pruning is an invaluable tool for developing and maintaining woody plants.

Read more »

Roosevelt Island Severe Weather Storm Knocks Down Roosevelt Landings Courtyard Tree Narrowly Missing Apartment Windows Last Evening

A large tree was knocked down in the Roosevelt Landings Courtyard narrowly missing apartment windows during last evening's severe weather rainstorm.

According to a Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) spokesperson:

A tree fell down last night due to the severe weather at the rear of 546 Main Street . There were no injuries and no property damage . The tree is on Urban American Property. and they are notified and responded. They will cut the tree and remove it at some point today.

Here's more pictures of the downed Roosevelt Landings tree.

Dead Roosevelt Island Cherry Trees Being Cut Down From West Promenade Near Cornell Tech Campus Starting Tomorrow - 20 New Cherry Trees Will Begin Being Planted Next Day To Replace Says RIOC

Cutting down trees is a big deal on Roosevelt Island - we love our trees.

Today, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC announced:

Beginning Tuesday, September 24th, RIOC will be removing dead cherry trees from the West Promenade near Cornell Tech. On September 25th, RIOC will begin installing twenty (20) new cherry trees. Please note the work will be performed by a contractor who will be staging small pieces of equipment near the site but will not block traffic. The contractor will also have safety provisions for pedestrians. Work is expected to be concluded on Friday, September 27th. This may be delayed by severe weather. All work will begin promptly at 7:00AM.

As always, if you see any unsafe working conditions, please advise PSD immediately by calling 212-832-4545 or by making a complaint via our Occupant Help Center

For more information, please visit our website.

Take a virtual walk thru the Roosevelt Island Cherry Trees on



West Promenade.

Roosevelt Island Resident Asks Why Is Rivercross Lawn Tree Being Cut Down Today - RIOC Conducting Extensive Island Wide Tree Pruning And Dead Tree Removal This Week

Roosevelt Island residents care passionately about their trees. This afternoon, a Roosevelt Island resident observed this Tree being cut down on the Rivercross Lawn

and wanted to know why?

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Information Office Alonza Robertson:

A Rivercross resident just asked why a tree is currently being cut down on Rivercross lawn.

Is this being done by RIOC or Rivercross.

Any explanation?

Mr Roberson replied:

It’s part of tree pruning work being done by RIOC.

Crews are conducting extensive tree pruning and removing dead trees at Southpoint Park, the Rivercross Lawn and Capobianco Field. Safety areas are set up around the work zones.

(I’d originally set out an advisory about this on September 14).

Mr Roberson added:

BTW, The dead tree at Rivercross a Norway Maple Leaf. We are looking to replace it.

Below is the September 14 RIOC Tree Pruning advisory:

Beginning Monday, September 17 until Monday, September 24 crews will be conducting extensive tree pruning and removing dead trees at Southpoint Park, the Rivercross Lawn and Capobianco Field. Safety areas will be set up around the work zones.

At this time, we do not anticipate any major road or sidewalk closures.

UPDATE 9/27 - Here's what remains of one of the Rivercross Lawn Trees cut down yesterday.

A long time Roosevelt Island resident reacts to the Trees being cut down:

This is heartbreaking. When RIOC's war on our island trees will stop?

I've been observing the mass destruction of our island's trees for the last 16 years. I was hoping RIOC would start repairing the devastation they created. But no! It is just getting worse.

The 2 large OAK trees in the middle of the green lawn South of Rivercross near the Meditation Steps were just chopped down.

They were healthy trees that previous generations left to us to enjoy. Residents and visitors have been resting during the summer in the shade of those old beautiful trees.

Birds were nesting in its brunches, families of squirrels lived there for generations. And now they are gone!

As many, many other trees we used to enjoy along Main Street, along the river and in our yards and parks. When are they going to be replaced? Our future generation has been deprived of those good trees, as it takes 50 plus years to grow a tree.

I have a lot of questions to RIOC:

• Who makes a decision a out which tree has to be cut down?
• Does RIOC have an arborist expert? If yes,
• Is this expert accountable? Can we see reports? Contractors’ report??
• What about residents’ opinions, feelings, attachments, sentiments?
• Are they just cutting trees to reduce the cost of maintenance? It is cheaper for them to cut the grass than take care of brunches.
• Do you call it tree maintenance? It is a holocaust!!
• What about migrating birds?!? We are in the middle of the Atlantic Flyway and there soon will be no trees for birds to rest!
• When are the residents going to speak up aloud their concerns??o
• How many trees were planted to replace the trees cut down? Look along the Main Street: all the tree patches are planted with flowers, not trees.
• Are we getting trees replaced? The same type that was cut down? When is it going to happen?
• Shall the residents organize and re-plant trees themselves and stand guard to them?

It is time for residents to hold RIOC accountable for this horrible environmental damage on our island!

This trees massacre should stop now! And new trees must be re-planted ASAP!

Long time and a highly concerned resident.

UPDATE 9/28 - RIOC issued the following statement this evening:

American sweetgums are among the favorites to replace two dying Norway Maple trees that were removed Thursday from the lawn south of the Rivercross co-op at 531 Main Street.
 

The low-maintenance, deciduous shade tree’s scientific name is Liquidambar styraciflua. It often exudes an aromatic balsam/gum that some describe as liquid amber; thus, its common name of sweetgum. The medium-sized to large tree typically grows anywhere from 50–70 feet tall with trunks measuring two-to-three feet in diameter. The trees, which have a brilliant Fall leaf mixture of yellows, oranges, purples and reds, can live to 400 years.

Red oaks are also being considered as replacements. It is believed both species would grow well in this lawn area. The schedule and exact location for the replacement planning has yet to be finalized.

(Do you have some suggestions on what type of trees should be planted on the lawn as replacements? Email your thoughts to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation c/o Alonza Robertson, alonza.robertson@rioc.ny.gov.)

An ISA-certified arborist did a recent health survey of Roosevelt Island trees at Southpoint Park, Capobianco Field and the lawn near Rivercross. The Mount Vernon-based tree expert was tasked, by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, with identifying dead or declining trees that posed safety hazards.

Two Norway maples, both longtime fixtures at the Rivercross lawn area, were found to be in serious declining health with more than 60 percent of the limbs in the trees’ crowns dead, presenting a major safety hazard to anyone located in the spaces under the trees. Norway maples have a reputation for falling branches and limbs as the tree weakens.

In addition to the dead limbs and subsequent safety hazard, the arborist also found that the trees showed:

• Evidence of stress
• Insect (bores) activity
• Large amounts of deadwood
• Stress cracks along the base of tree
• Weak structure

There is no spray or alternative treatment that would have reversed the condition as their root systems – which tend to grow close to the ground surface – also were girdling or strangling the trees with its own roots.

“We have next weekend’s Fall for Arts Festival taking place on the lawn where the two dead trees were located and we wanted to make sure the hazardous trees were removed prior to the event for safety reasons. The other trees in the area have received pruning as well to remove any other dead branches,” said Susan Rosenthal, RIOC’s president and CEO.

Beautiful Blooming Roosevelt Island Tree With Pink Flowers And A Surprise - Cluster Of Red Flowers Too

Paula Beltrone shares these pictures of a beautiful blooming Roosevelt Island tree and reports:

There is a tree at Manhattan Park blooming

and it has pink flowers (probably a Magnolia Tree)

but in the midst of the pink blooms is a tiny cluster of red flowers.

I thought it was interesting and pretty.

It is both. Thanks for sharing.

Roosevelt Island Mini Urban Orchard Of 5 Fruit Bearing Apple Trees Planted By iDig2Learn, Girl Scouts, Garden Club and Trees New York - Stay Tuned Next Fall For Tasty Apple Pie And Cider

iDig2Learn founder Christina Delfico reports on the November 11 Roosevelt Island Fruit Tree Planting with Trees New York. According to Ms Delfico:

We had the perfect day for planting our mini urban orchard of five fruit bearing apple trees.

Sam Bishop Cheryl Blaylock of Trees New York With Friends Plant Fruit Trees

Trees New York selected the apple varieties – including Crimson Gold, King David, Pink Pearl, Red Summer Rambo, and Tolman Sweet – for their unusualness and taste. As dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties, they are easier to pick, reported Blaylock.

This was a wonderful partnership involving Trees New York, Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, Roosevelt Island Garden Club, Roosevelt Island Girl Scouts (troops 3244 and 3245 sponsored by RI Beacon Youth Program and Brownie and Junior troop 3001 sponsored by Manhattan Park), and iDig2Learn.

Image Of Roosevelt Island Girl Scouts and Trees New York Team

This spring, Trees New York, will return to work with the scouts, leaders from the Roosevelt Island Garden Club, and iDig2Learn to continue the program with lessons on fruit tree maintenance, pollination, and soil science. The FruiTrees program is funded by the Levitt Foundation.

Image Of iDig2Learn, Girl Scouts & Trees New York Roosevelt Island Fruit Tree Team

Stay tuned for a fall apple pie and cider gathering as we watch our trees grow!

Thanks to all who supported this tree stewardship event and came out to volunteer.

Ms Delfico adds:

The Girl Scouts learned that worms are good for Apple Trees,

Image From Aiesha Eleusizov

about composting

and Anthony Longo shows young men pine mulch.

Here's the iDig2Learn press release about November 11 Roosevelt Island Fruit Tree Planting:

Trees New York today provided several types of apple trees to help iDig2Learn continue to build an urban agricultural movement here on Roosevelt Island. The Girl Scouts of Roosevelt Island, leaders from RIOC, and the Roosevelt Island Garden Club also joined to plant the trees, which will help youth learn about plant science and the benefits of urban fruit trees. In addition, the trees will be available for picking by the entire Roosevelt Island community when mature.

“We are looking at future population estimates of nine billion people,” said Christina Delfico, a top ten finalist of TEDxManhattan Changing the Way We Eat and founder of iDig2Learn, an initiative that provides children with hands-on education using plant life. “Solutions to feeding the planet will be vital. Planting fruit bearing trees provides food locally and is a great step towards food justice for our city. If we provide equal access to healthy food, the community will be served for years to come.”

"Trees New York is pleased to partner with iDig2Learn to bring our FruiTrees program to the Girl Scouts of Roosevelt Island,” said Cheryl Blaylock, Director of Youth Programs for Trees New York. "They were enthusiastic participants of our street tree stewardship event last spring. So when we found a location on Roosevelt Island to plant fruit trees, we knew that iDig2Learn, the Girl Scouts, and the Garden Club would be the ideal partners to adopt and take care of them. We look forward to continuing the program with lessons on fruit tree maintenance, pollination, and soil science." The FruiTrees program is funded by the Levitt Foundation.

Trees New York selected the apple varieties – including Crimson Gold, King David, Pink Pearl, Red Summer Rambo, and Tolman Sweet – for their unusualness and taste. As dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties, they are easier to pick, reported Blaylock.

The trees are located between the Roosevelt Island Garden Club and Octagon soccer field. Dr. Ali Schwayri, president of the Tree Board and Roosevelt Island Garden Club, joined Delfico and Blaylock to tour the island for suitable locations in late August. “We are lucky to have some remaining green areas on Roosevelt Island,” Schwayri said. “Fruit trees provide food for body and mind and are a welcome addition to the necklace of cherry trees on Roosevelt Island. I’m glad we’ll be able to put this space to such good use.”

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) supported this endeavor, including by helping to scout planting locations. Said RIOC President and CEO, Charlene M. Indelicato, “We like to support community-based projects like this, encourage island groups to partner together, and attract expertise that can be shared with our residents. Teaching young people the value our natural world strengthens our island community.”

Last April, RIOC had removed the iron grates in the tree pits from eleven trees along the sidewalk across from the post office to pave the way for a tree stewardship effort. Trees New York worked with the Girl Scouts to loosen soil, add flowers, and mulch those trees. The Girl Scouts expressed excitement at partnering up again with iDig2Learn to plant the apple trees.

Aiesha Eleusizov and Heather Smith, Girl Scout leaders of Brownie and Junior Troop 3001, sponsored by Manhattan Park, said, "We really look forward to building our knowledge of these fruit trees. Even better, next autumn we’ll be able to taste the fruits of our efforts."

Janine Schaefer, leader of local Girl Scout Troops 3244 and 3245, sponsored by the Roosevelt Island Beacon Youth Program, added, "It's so important for us to come together and make our little corner of the planet better. We know that nature offers us so much, and this is a hands-on example of what we do together that can benefit so many."
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Groups involved in this project include Trees New York, Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, Roosevelt Island Garden Club, Roosevelt Island Girl Scouts (troops 3244 and 3245 sponsored by RI Beacon Youth Program and Brownie and Junior troop 3001 sponsored by Manhattan Park), and iDig2Learn.

iDig2Learn Teams With Trees New York, Girl Scouts, Garden Club And RIOC For Roosevelt Island Fruit Trees Initiative

iDig2Learn Founder Christina Delfico describes the Roosevelt Island Fruit Tree initiative during the November 4 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Session.



Ms. Delfico reports that 5 Apple Trees will be planted Wednesday November 11 on Roosevelt Island near the Community Garden and in time will give us delicious apples and apple cider.

Trees New York adds:

The urban agriculture movement is picking up steam and TreesNY is getting into the action! Our new FruiTrees New York program is enabling us to plant urban orchards across the Five Boroughs!

I'm looking forward to tasting the delicious apples and cider.

Yum.

5 Roosevelt Island Trees To Be Pruned And Removed On Island House And Westview Grounds Starting Tomorrow

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Please be advised that contractors will begin the pruning & removal of several trees on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 9 AM. The work will begin at the SW corner of the West promenade near 585 (behind the Child School) and head north to 625 and will include 5 trees in total. The work will be completed on Wednesday, August 12th. This project is being undertaken by Mark Greenberg Real Estate Co. LLC (Island House and Westview) and will occur entirely on their property.

Cutting down trees is taken very seriously by Roosevelt Island residents.

The trees in the picture are located in general area of work to be done and are not necessarily those which will be pruned and removed.

Roosevelt Island Girl Scout Brownies Spruce Up And Rejuvenate Roosevelt Island Trees With Help From Trees NY, NYC Department Of Parks And RIOC

Image Of Roosevelt Island Tree Sprucing Team From Christina Delfico

Last Thursday, April 16, Roosevelt Island Girl Scout Brownie Troops 3001 & 3244

worked together with Trees New York and the NYC Department of Parks' Civic Corp to spruce up

and rejuvenate Roosevelt Island Main Street Trees across from the Motorgate Garage, Gristedes and the Post Office.

According to this Press Release from Trees New York

Street Tree Stewardship with TreesNY and the Roosevelt Island Girl Scouts

A beautification and tree stewardship project will take place on Roosevelt Island, on Thursday, April 16th, to rejuvenate an entire city block of trees across from Gristedes and the U.S. Post Office. All thanks to Trees New York and NYC Department of Parks’ Civic Corps team, who will pair up with both Girl Scout troops on Roosevelt Island. Eleven lucky trees will get some serious sprucing up. As the ground they stand in, their tree pits, are cleaned, soil loosened, mulch laid and flowers planted. RIOC has removed the metal grates that confined them and set them free. Maintaining tree pits and loosening their soil helps capture stormwater run-off while giving trees a much needed drink, a real win-win.

“The grates have been an issue for us due to the tree roots pushing the grates upwards. The mulch beds will be a healthier option for the trees and will look amazing once it is complete.”
Erica Spencer-EL, Community Relations Specialist,Roosevelt Island Operating Corp.

“This is a wonderful way that our girls can work together to improve our community and learn how to care for our city trees. Thanks to TreesNY for taking on this event.”
Janine Schaefer & Aiesha Eleusizov, Troop Leaders Girl Scouts Roosevelt Island troops 3001 & 3244

"Trees New York is always happy to connect communities with their local trees. Trees give us so much, but they also need our help to survive within the urban environment and all they have to put up with from us! A little awareness and care makes so much difference. Since 1976, TreesNY has trained over 11,500 adults and 6,000 youth in tree care and stewardship, tree planting and urban forestry management. Become a Citizen Pruner today! www.treesny.org/citizenpruner"
Cheryl Blaylock, Director of Youth Programs, Trees New York

Ms. Blaylock shows the Roosevelt Island Brownie Girl Scouts how to keep trees healthy.



The Roosevelt Island Brownie Girl Scouts tell us what they are doing to spruce up the trees.



Ms. Blaylock and Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Community Relations Specialist Erica Spenser- El describe what is being done.



Good job by the Girl Scout Brownies, Trees NY, RIOC

NYC Department Of Parks  and Christina Delfico

shown above admiring a worm found in the tree soil by one of the Girl Scout Brownies.