Project Underway

Saturday, May 17, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Beach 60th Street under the Elevated

Join RISE and Living City Project in this student-led community event. We will be painting Seaside Strong, a permanent mural on the roadbed, under the A-train's elevated tracks. All are welcome!

Being with Christine

Tuesday, May 20, 11:00 am to 11:45 am
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Christine Walker, formerly from the Y, will offer a free movement class. She describes her class as seated and standing chair movement. For more information, visit www.beingwithchristine.com. All are welcome!

Barbara Hillary Day

Thursday, June 12, 10:30 am to 11:30 am
190 Beach 44th Street, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Join us for a celebratory gathering at the Barbara Hillary sculpture rock in RISE Educational Garden and "Honor Walk Way," to honor and remember Hillary's contributions to the Rockaways.

"Who is Barbara Hillary?" you might ask. She was the first African American woman to reach both the North Pole and the South Pole. A resident of Arverne, she was a dedicated community activist and advocate for improving life in her neighborhood and others throughout the peninsula.

RISE petitioned local elected officials to dedicate June 12, her birthday, as “Barbara Hillary Day.”

All are welcome to attend the reception and festivities!

A Fundraiser for RISE

Friday, June 13, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Connolly's, 155 Beach 95th Street, Rockaway Park, NY 11694

Kick-start summer with the second annual "Coladas for a Cause," a fundraiser hosted by Connolly's for RISE's youth educational programs: Shore Corps, Living Classroom, and Environmentor. $20 entry includes one FREE drink. There will be a 50/50, a raffle with RISE swag, and other great prizes.

Community Bird Walk

Saturday, June 14, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

Join RISE for a FREE birding tour led by NYC Plover Project's knowledgeable and experienced staff. Please wear proper footwear and bring bug repellent. Binoculars will be provided on a first-come-first-serve basis. Whether you are an expert birder or just starting out, all are welcome!

Photo courtesy of NYC Plover Project.

International Coastal Cleanup

Saturday, September 13, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary, 60-3 De Costa Avenue (Beach 65th Street)

Join RISE for the annual International Coastal Cleanup in partnership with American Littoral Society. People of every age are encouraged to participate. All trash collected will be entered into the national database, which goes to help establish legislation to reduce trash along our shores.

Students can receive community service hours for their efforts.

This event will take place rain or shine!

Special thanks to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Fall Dune Planting

Saturday, September 20, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Beach 44th Street & Edgemere Avenue

Join RISE for hands-on dune restoration as part of "Greater Rockaway" Coastal Resilience Plan during Climate Week NYC. The initiative focuses on long-term enhancement and maintenance of coastal dunes to mitigate climate impacts.

Families, friends, and neighbors are welcome to help plant native plants and shrubs to build and restore a natural protective buffer along the east end of the Rockaways. Students can receive community service hours and are encouraged to bring paperwork from their schools.

This event is rain or shine, so please dress accordingly. Registration is encouraged, in case of changes on the day.

Special thanks to National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Foraging Tour with "Wildman" Steve Brill

Saturday, October 4, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

"Wildman" Steve Brill will lead a FREE session on plant identification, the natural habitat of the Rockaways, and all the best wild foods of the seashore.

The sandy soil limits tree and grass growth, but it benefits other species that can take advantage of the sun and nutrient-poor soil. Wild greens and dozens of species thrive here.

This event will happen rain or shine. Registration is required.

Sandy Anniversary Planting

Saturday, October 11, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Coastal Conservation Center, 190 Beach 44th Street

For the thirteenth anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, RISE is bringing people of all ages together to care for our shoreline and create a natural protective barrier for the Rockaway community.

As we learned from the hurricane, the natural vegetation and dunes that exist off our shores serve as a buffer to the homes and businesses in the area. Many of these dunes are compromised by storms, shoreline erosion, and human disturbance, including marine debris and trash, so they need to be cared for to be effective.

Families, friends, and neighbors are welcome to participate in this shoreline cleanup and beach grass dune planting. Students can receive community service hours. This event is rain or shine, so please dress accordingly. Registration is encouraged, in case of changes.

Special thanks to National Sea Grant Marine Debris Community Action Coalition, City Parks Foundation NYC Green Fund, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.