A Taste of Natural Healing

Monday, January 26, 10:00 am to 10:30 am
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Alexandra G. Taggart, certified instructor of Dragon's Way Qigong®, leads a FREE weekly thirty-minute class. The Four Energy Gates is a practice to awaken the body's energy flow. Think almost like an acupuncture treatment, but you are the practitioner! Each week we will share tidbits of the concepts behind traditional Chinese medicine and enjoy the benefits of group practice.

MasterFitness Complete™

Monday, January 26, 11:00 am to 11:45 am
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Ann Fosteris teaches a FREE exercise class. She embraces making a positive impact and living a wholesome lifestyle, which includes staying active and maintaining a healthy weight. Join neighbors of all ages and fitness levels. You will feel good and look great in no time.

Core on the Floor

Monday, January 26, 11:45 am to 12:15 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Clean Beaches 101: Marine Debris and the Ecology of Jamaica Bay

Thursday, February 5, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Webinar

Join RISE, NYC H2O, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and New York Sea Grant for a virtual workshop, "Clean Beaches 101." This session will focus on the ecology of Jamaica Bay and its ecological and social value, the impact of marine debris and the various methods for its disposal, and waste reduction bills in the New York State Legislature intended to reduce marine debris and promote sustainable local beaches.

Featured speakers include Jeanne DuPont, RISE Executive Director; Brett Branco, Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay Executive Director; and Patrick McClellan, New York League of Conservation Voters, Policy Director.

REGISTER to receive the webinar link.

Jamaica Bay Community Cleanup

Saturday, March 21, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Dubos Point, De Costa Avenue & Beach 65th Street

Join RISE for a cleanup along Jamaica Bay. Local residents and visitors (adults and children) are encouraged to participate in this stewardship event. We will be clearing the area of all litter. As appreciative citizens of the Rockaways, we need to do our part to keep the bay clean for us and for all the wildlife.

Students may receive community service hours for their efforts. Registration is encouraged. This event will happen rain or shine!

Special thanks to National Sea Grant Marine Debris Community Action Coalition.

Community Dune Planting

Saturday, April 11, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Beach 44th Street & the Boardwalk

Join RISE for a community planting of "Greater Rockaway" Coastal Resilience Plan. To strengthen our natural protective buffer of dunes, we are establishing native grasses and shrubs along the east end of the Rockaways.

Adults and children are welcome to participate, and students may receive community service hours for their efforts!

Please dress accordingly. Registration is encouraged.

Special thanks to National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

20th Annual Earth Day Rockaway

Saturday, May 2, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Enjoy a day of fun in the Rockaways with FREE activities and programs for children of all ages!

This year's event includes live music, face painting, free giveaways, cooking demonstrations, plantings, fire safety, water testing, and arts and crafts!

All activities are intended to raise awareness of the natural resources along the Rockaway shoreline and to learn how to appreciate and conserve Earth's resources.

Community Dune Planting

Saturday, May 9, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Beach 44th Street & the Boardwalk

Join RISE for a community volunteer day, culminating in a celebration of the land and the water.

We will be cleaning the shoreline and planting native plants and shrubs as part of "Greater Rockaway" Coastal Resilience Plan, to create a natural protective buffer of dunes along the east end of the Rockaways.

All are welcome to participate, and students may receive community service hours for their efforts! Please dress accordingly.

Special thanks to National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Mother's Day Foraging Tour with "Wildman" Steve Brill

Sunday, May 10, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Join RISE for a FREE Mother's Day foraging tour with America's go-to guy for foraging, "Wildman" Steve Brill.

We will be exploring Arverne East Nature Preserve, which has an abundance of wild plants and wildlife. The sandy soil of the Rockaways is poor, limiting tree and grass growth, but it benefits other species that can take advantage of the sun and nutrient-poor soil. Wild greens grow great here, and there are dozens of species that thrive. Field garlic is a very tasty relative of onions and garlic.

Registration is required.