Master Composter Pilot Workshop: Rebuilding NYC Soil

Thursday, January 20, 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Virtual Workshop (Zoom)

The Master Composter course is back this year! In preparation for its
return, the NYC Compost Project, hosted by Queens Botanical
Garden in collaboration with RISE is offering a sneak-peek
presentation of one of the Master Composter workshops to the
public. This class will also count towards your Master Composter
Certificate when the course starts later this year.

Please check out the Queens Botanical Garden's Composting Program website to learn more or reach out to Community Program Manager, Nirmala Singh at: nsingh@riserockaway.org if you have any questions!  

Register for the workshop below to receive the zoom login credentials!  

AMSEAS Virtual Marine Wildlife First Responder Training #1

Wednesday, February 9, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Zoom Link to follow

Ever wonder what you should do if you are the first person to come across a sick, injured of dead seal, sea turtle, dolphin or whale on your local beach? Join RISE and Atlantic Marine Conservation Society for hands-on First Responder Training! Learn about what to do if you see a sick, injured or deceased seal, sea turtle, dolphin or whale on a beach in your neighborhood.

AMSEAS biologists will discuss stranding responses and demonstrate some of the techniques, data collection procedures and proper protocol a first responder should follow when arriving on the scene of a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle. Become a registered Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle First Responder and do your part to protect marine life! 

This virtual training is the first step to becoming a trained Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle First Responder.

This is one of two virtual opportunities for community members to train how to become a marine wildlife First Responder (12 - 1 pm and 6:30 - 7:30 pm).

Register below for this event and participants will receive zoom link in advance. 

AMSEAS Virtual Marine Wildlife First Responder Training #2

Wednesday, February 9, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Zoom link to follow

Ever wonder what you should do if you are the first person to come across a sick, injured of dead seal, sea turtle, dolphin or whale on your local beach? Join RISE and Atlantic Marine Conservation Society for hands-on First Responder Training! Learn about what to do if you see a sick, injured or deceased seal, sea turtle, dolphin or whale on a beach in your neighborhood.

AMSEAS biologists will discuss stranding responses and demonstrate some of the techniques, data collection procedures and proper protocol a first responder should follow when arriving on the scene of a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle. Become a registered Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle First Responder and do your part to protect marine life! 

This virtual training is the first step to becoming a trained Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle First Responder.

This is one of two virtual opportunities for community members to train how to become a marine wildlife First Responder (12 - 1 pm and 6:30 - 7:30 pm).

Register below for this event and participants will receive zoom link in advance. 

Edgemere Community Visioning Forum 3

Saturday, February 12, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
RISE Center 5803 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Rockaway, NY 11692

This is the third forum for the Edgemere Community Visioning Process to engage Edgemere residents and stakeholders in creating a Community Agreement for the use of nearly 60 vacant lots. The goal of this forum is to prioritize solutions and identify next steps.

Register below for this event!

Community Clean Up

Saturday, March 12, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
RISE Center 5803 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Rockaway, NY 11692

Come join RISE this Spring for a cleanup to help make your community a cleaner place for everyone. With the weather finally starting to clear up RISE is encouraging everyone to go outside and get their hands a little dirty. To insure a safe and effective cleanup RISE will be handing out gloves and bags to all participants. RISE appreciates everyone taking the time to help make a difference in our community. 

Adults and kids alike are welcome to participate in this event. This event is hosted rain or shine! Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. Hope to see you out there!

Registration is not required but students looking to do community service hours are encouraged to bring paperwork from their schools.

Special thanks to NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation for sponsoring this event.

AMSEAS In-person Marine Wildlife First Responder Training

Saturday, March 26, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
RISE Center 5803 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Rockaway, NY 11692

Ever wonder what you should do if you are the first person to come across a sick, injured of dead seal, sea turtle, dolphin or whale on your local beach? Join RISE and Atlantic Marine Conservation Society for hands-on First Responder Training! Learn about what to do if you see a sick, injured or deceased seal, sea turtle, dolphin or whale on a beach in your neighborhood.

AMSEAS biologists will discuss stranding responses and demonstrate some of the techniques, data collection procedures and proper protocol a first responder should follow when arriving on the scene of a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle. 

Become a registered Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle First Responder and do your part to protect marine life! Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. 

Spring Dune Planting

Saturday, April 2, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Beach 44th St and Rockaway Beach Boardwalk

Come join RISE for a community volunteer day culminating in a celebration of the land and water. For this dune restoration, we will be planting native grasses and shrubs to create a natural protective buffer of dunes along the east end of the Rockaways. Adults and kids alike are welcome to participate in this event. Dress accordingly.

Registration is not required but students looking to do community service hours are encouraged to bring paperwork from their schools.

Special thanks to NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation for sponsoring this event.

Community Clean Up & Planting

Saturday, April 16, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
RISE Center 5803 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Rockaway, NY 11692

We will be sprucing up the area by the Beach 60th St subway entrance; picking up debris, removing weeds and planting native plants. 

Shore Corps students will also be present to table small planting projects for the public to take home with them.

To ensure a safe and effective cleanup, RISE will be handing out gloves and bags to all participants. Join us in making a difference in Rockaway!

Adults and kids alike are welcome to participate in this event. Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. 

Registration is not required but students looking to do community service hours are encouraged to bring paperwork from their schools.

Special thanks to NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation for sponsoring this event.

2nd Annual Community Plant Swap

Saturday, April 16, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
RISE Hip Hop Garden (58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd)

Rise will be hosting our 2nd Annual Community "Plant Swap"!
Come out and join plant enthusiasts from the five boroughs to swap and share - plants, tools, pots, soil, tips and more!

RISE will be providing a limited number of plants for community members to swap. Please bring your own to swap out. 

RISE 15th Annual Earth Day Rockaway

Saturday, May 7, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
RISE Center, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd

Come out and enjoy a day of fun in Rockaway with free environmental activities and programs for families and kids of all ages.

This year's event will include: Live music, the "climate clash" entertainment and food along with activities like kite-making, recycling Olympics, mock dolphin rescue, plantings, composting, face painting, water testing, raptor demonstration, firehouse safety obstacle course, and art-related booths to learn how to appreciate and conserve the earth's resources.

All activities are free and intended to raise awareness of the natural resources along the Rockaway shoreline. No registration required. 

Organizations interested in participating or tabling at this event are encouraged to contact Community Program Manager, Nirmala Singh at: nsingh@riserockaway.org

Mother's Day Foraging Tour with Wildman Steve Brill

Sunday, May 8, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
RISE Center, 5803 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Rockaway, NY 11692

For Mother's Day, RISE will be hosting a foraging tour with America's go-to guy for foraging, "Wildman" Steve Brill.

The sandy soil of the Rockaways is poor, limiting tree- and grass growth, but benefiting other species that can take advantage of the unblocked sun and nutrient-poor soil. Wild greens will be doing great here, and there are dozens of species that thrive. Field garlic is a very tasty relative of onions and garlic. 

Advanced registration is required as space is limited to ensure social distancing is maintained. Participants are required to wear masks to this event. 

Rockaway Stop 'N' Swap!

Saturday, May 14, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Beach 60th St subway entrance & Rockaway Freeway

Join and RISE and Grow NYC for the Rockaway "Stop N Swap"! 

Stop ‘N’ Swap is one way we pursue our mission to reduce waste and promote reuse in NYC.  By participating in community swaps, New Yorkers simultaneously reduce their contribution to landfills and prevent the waste that comes from the production, packaging and transportation required to get new things. It's also an opportunity to engage with NYC communities about recycling resources in their neighborhood and the services of GrowNYC's zero waste programs funded by the NYC Department of Sanitation.  Our goal is to hold a swap in every community district in NYC every year, so that we can give everyone in the city an opportunity to reduce and reuse right where they live!

Please check out GROW NYC FAQ on Stop N Sway for more information or reach out to Community Program Manager, Nirmala Singh at: nsingh@riserockaway.org if you have any questions!  

World Environment Day: Community Clean Up & Kayak Paddle

Sunday, June 5, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Dubos Point- Beach 65th St & Decosta Ave (Jamaica Bay)

Come join RISE for our first cleanup & introductory paddle of 2022 in honor of World Environment Day. Now that summer is approaching it's that time of year when people are getting ready to come down to enjoy the Rockaway shoreline. This event will be a community volunteer day in a celebration of the land and water that makes up the Rockaways. 

For this cleanup, we will be clearing the Jamaica Bay shoreline of litter to prevent marine debris from polluting our oceans. RISE staff will also be on hand to lead a marine science seining activity for the public to do along the shore and learn about the native habitat of Jamaica Bay.

We will have a limited number of kayaks for the public to use at no cost. Kayaks will be assigned on a first-come first-served basis to those who participate in the clean up. 

Participants are required to sign waivers on the day of the event. Children under 18 must have a parent present to sign their waiver. Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. 

Registration is not required but students looking to do community service hours are encouraged to bring paperwork from their schools.

Special thanks to NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation for sponsoring this event.

10th Annual Rockaway Bike Parade

Saturday, June 11, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
RISE Center 5803 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Rockaway, NY 11692

Join us for the 10th Annual Rockaway Bike Parade to promote human powered transportation and raise awareness about the importance of physical health and exercise! Walk, skate or bike your way along the parade route.  Individuals, friends, businesses and local organizations are encouraged to join in. Participants must bring their own mode of transport (bikes, skates, scooters or floats) to travel the parade route and are encouraged to come dressed in costume!

The parade will depart at 12 noon from Beach 60th St, and travel along Rockaway Freeway to the Beach Boardwalk, where there will be a judged costume competition taking place at the end by the Beach 17th St Beach concession. All costumed participants in the parade, are eligible to win a "Best of Rockaway" Award trophy. 

This event is FREE. Anyone participating in the bike parade is required to sign in at the beginning of the parade. Children under 14 must have a parent or guardian present with them and to sign their waiver on the day of the event. All participants will receive a free Bike Parade t-shirt for participating.

This event is made possible by the Queens Council on the Arts with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Jamaica Bay Kayak Paddle & Shoreline Cleanup

Saturday, July 16, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Dubos Point - Beach 65th St & Decosta Ave (Jamaica Bay)

Join RISE for a clean up and paddle day along Jamaica Bay. Local residents and children of all ages are encouraged to participate in this stewardship event.

There will be a limited number of kayaks for the public to use at no cost. Kayaks will be assigned on a first-come first-served basis to those who participate in the clean up. Participants are required to sign waivers on the day of the event. Children under 18 must have a parent present to sign their waiver. Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. 

Special thanks to NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation for sponsoring this event.

Community Cleanup

Saturday, July 30, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
RISE Center 5803 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Rockaway, NY 11692

Come join RISE for a cleanup to help make your community a cleaner place for everyone. We will be cleaning the vacant lot areas east of the RISE Center for our future Native Plant Nursery.

To insure a safe and effective cleanup RISE will be handing out gloves and bags to all participants. Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. Registration is not required. 

Jamaica Bay Community Cleanup & Kayak Paddle

Saturday, August 6, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Dubos Point - Beach 65th St & Decosta Ave (Jamaica Bay)

Join RISE for a clean up and paddle day along Jamaica Bay. Local residents and children of all ages are encouraged to participate in this stewardship event.

There will be a limited number of kayaks for the public to use at no cost. Kayaks will be assigned on a first-come first-served basis to those who participate in the clean up. Staff will also lead a marine science seining to do onshore for those who do not want to go on the water.
Participants are required to sign waivers on the day of the event. Children under 18 must have a parent present to sign their waiver. Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. 

Special thanks to NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation for sponsoring this event.

International Coastal Cleanup

Saturday, September 17, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Beach 59th St and Rockaway Boardwalk

Join RISE for the annual International Coastal Cleanup in partnership with the American Littoral Society. People of all ages are encouraged to participate. All trash collected at this event 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.

Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. Registration is not required. This event is hosted rain or shine! 

Special thanks to NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation for sponsoring this event.

Jamaica Bay Community Cleanup

Saturday, September 24, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Dubos Point - Beach 65th St & Decosta Ave(Jamaica Bay)

Join RISE for a clean up along Jamaica Bay. Local residents and children of all ages are encouraged to participate in this stewardship event. For this cleanup we will be clearing the area of any litter in order to prevent marine debris in our waterways.  As active members of our community we need to do our best to keep our bay clean for all visitors and wildlife. 

Students can receive community service hours for their efforts. Registration is not required. This event is hosted rain or shine! 

Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained.

Special thanks to the New York State Dept of Environmental Conservation for sponsoring this event.

Foraging Tour with Steve Brill

Saturday, October 1, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
RISE Center: 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

RISE will be hosting a tour with America's go-to foraging team, "Wildman" Steve Brill and his daughter Violet. The vastly under appreciated natural habitat of the Rockaways offers all the best wild foods of the seashore.

The sandy soil of the Rockaways is poor, limiting tree and grass growth, but benefiting other species that can take advantage of the unblocked sun and nutrient-poor soil. Wild greens will be doing great here, and there are dozens of species that thrive. 

This event is free but registration is required, as this event fills up fast. This event is rain or shine. Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. 

Daffodil Giveaway

Saturday, October 1, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Beach 60th St & Rockaway Freeway

Join the 21st anniversary of the Daffodil Project – sign up now to get free bulbs! This event is in partnership with New Yorkers for Parks. A living memorial to the victims of 9/11 and the largest civic effort in city history, the Daffodil Project gives out bulbs for free to plant in public spaces across all five boroughs. RISE is hosting one of the Queens distribution sites. Advanced registration is required. 

Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. Supplies will be distributed to those who registered in advance. 

Registration will open later this year. Check back in the fall. 

Beach 60th St Community Cleanup

Saturday, October 1, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Beach 60th St by subway entrance & Rockaway Freeway

Come join RISE this Fall for a cleanup to help make your community a cleaner place for everyone. To insure a safe and effective cleanup, RISE will hand out gloves and bags to all participants. 

Adults and kids alike are welcome to participate in this event.  Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. 

Registration is not required but students looking to do community service hours are encouraged to bring paperwork from their schools.

Special thanks to NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation for sponsoring this event.

9th Annual Hip Hop Halloween & Harvest Celebration

Saturday, October 15, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
RISE Center 5803 Rockaway Beach Blvd

Join RISE for our 9th Annual Hip Hop Halloween & Harvest Celebration, as we celebrate Halloween with family and friends in the RISE Community Garden. Come take part in painting a pumpkin, face painting, music, dancing, festive food and more!

This event is free and open to the public. No registration required.

Sandy Anniversary Clean Up & Planting

Saturday, October 22, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Beach 44th St & Beach Boardwalk

For the 9th Anniversary of Storm Sandy, RISE is bringing people of all ages together to care for our shoreline and create a natural protective buffer for the Rockaway community.

As we learned from the storm, the natural vegetation and dunes that exist off our shores serve as a protective buffer to the homes and businesses in the area. Many of these dunes are compromised by storms and shoreline erosion and need to be cared for to be effective.

Families and people of all ages are welcome to participate in this dune planting & restoration project. Students can receive community service hours. No registration is required. This event is rain or shine, so please dress accordingly. Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. 

Special thanks to L&M Development and Bluestone Group for supporting this event.