Building Bridges to the Outdoors

New York City

Great BBTO Event in East Harlem, NYC

On Friday November 6th, The Sierra Club's Building Bridges to the Outdoors program held a special film screening and special reception at El Museo del Barrio, a historic museum of Puerto Rican culture, located in the East Harlem section of New York City. The film, "A Bridge to Puerto Rico," documented a trip to Puerto Rico that BBTO coordinated for New York City Students in April 2009. The special trip gave youth from NYC an opportunity to spend their spring break on an environmental journey through the natural wonders of Puerto Rico and allowed them to participate in the fight to save the leatherback turtle.

About 75 leaders from environmental and community organizations including youth service and education providers heard from BBTO youth leaders and staff about the work that their schools do with BBTO and about how the trip to Puerto Rico help build a connection to the outdoors which were life changing. A five minute version of the film can be seen here.

Unfortunately the night's celebration was forced to turn into action when attendees learned of the latest developments of the Northeastern Ecological Corridor. Leaders from the Puerto Rico chapter shared the grim news that the NEC's status as a nature reserve was overturned by the new governor of Puerto Rico; an unprecedented action. It really stunned the crowd and especially students who just shared how wonderful their time in the corridor was. Luckily we had an action available where attendees were able to sign a petition and take with them information to share with others. Students from several programs have vowed to continue the fight to save the corridor, a place that will always be a part of them.

In support of all of our friends in Puerto Rico who are fighting to curb climate change and protect the environment; we stand in solidarity; and ask that the governor's decision be reversed. Please sign the petition online. Also, please send a message to your local representative for Governor Luis Fortuno to return the Northeast Ecological Corridor to it's status of Nature Reserve and to approve it's management plan.

Also celebrated was the expansion of the BBTO's program in NYC which now supports programs in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan. It is our vision to provide all youth in all communities the opportunity to get outdoors.

-- David Veliz, a friend of the Tinglar (Leather Back Turtle)

Building Bridges to the Outdoors continues to expand its mission to connect youth to the outdoors by supporting youth programs throughout New York City. In addition to working with educators to provide youth with outdoor experiences, we are creating service project opportunities, connecting NYC youth to environmental issues in Puerto Rico, and coordinating a community garden project in the South Bronx.

Featured Program: Bronx Lab School Mountain Program

The Bronx Lab Mountain Program works to prepare a diverse population of Bronx Lab students to be environmental stewards, effective leaders and accountable team members in the outdoors and in their everyday lives through wilderness experiences and environmental studies. Through the Mountain program students participate in day hikes, campouts, rock climbs, canoeing trips and team building activities.

The first experience every Bronx Lab student has in the outdoors is a wilderness "Explore Week" during the first three weeks of the 9th grade year. In advisory groups, every student spends two days in school planning logistics, packing, and learning about their group gear before traveling to the Delaware Water Gap for a three day self-supported backpacking trip.

Partner Program: High School For Leadership and Public Service

Eco Club HSLPS through their partnership with BBTO, were able to get youth outdoors through several outdoor trips where students for the first time experienced such things as hiking, and camping. In addition to traditional outdoor experiences, HSLPS' Eco Club students participated in several service projects in local green spaces near their school community as well as educational projects with key environmental justice organizations in NYC.

Community Garden Project

For the second year, BBTO will coordinate a summer project for youth in a community garden in the South Bronx. Through a partnership with a local youth organization and BBTO, participants get learn about horticulture, sustainable food, and green space advocacy. Community gardens are local green spaces which in some cases provide the only outdoor experiences for youth in that community and serve as tools for job training and mentoring.

NYC in Puerto Rico

Alternative Spring Break: In 2009, In April of 2009, The Building Bridges to the Out Doors Program of the Sierra Club coordinated an alternative spring break trip to Puerto Rico for New York City students. Seven students from two NYC based BBTO sponsored programs participated in the trip and chose to spend their spring break outdoors exploring some of Puerto Rico's natural wonders. Participants took part in several educational and outdoor experiences such as kayaking through a bioluminescent lagoon, hiking through El Yunque rainforest, and biking through natural mangrove forests. Participants were also able to explore the northeastern ecological corridor, a stretch of coastal land, which the Sierra Club chapter in Puerto Rico continues to fight to protect.