By Karl Palmquist, Chair, Sierra Club New York City Group

Fellow Sierrans,

The summer in New York City reminds us of the harsh realities of extreme heat, as well as the cooling power of nature. Sierra Club works to ensure that nature—both within the city and in the surrounding area—is accessible to all. This goal is realized through actions that promote urban conservation and also through increasing access to nature outside the city.

Recently, one of our partner organizations, Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth, honored the Sierra Club’s past President, Ramón Cruz, for the Sierra Club’s expansion of youth outings during Cruz’s tenure on the national Board. Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth, in partnership with the Sierra Club’s ICO, brings hundreds of kids into nature every year. Your support of the New York City Group helps make these outings and opportunities possible. In the following issue, you will have the chance to learn about some of the exciting work being done by Sierra Club’s ICO program.

Within New York City’s own borders, we fight for nature equity by protecting and promoting urban green spaces such as parks and community gardens. In this issue, you will also read about efforts to promote local composting, which helps create healthy soils and resilient urban environments. In collaboration with local environmental groups, the Sierra Club has worked to support community composting initiatives over the years. In the future, we will also be announcing some progress on our initiatives to use community science and science education to help youth find new ways to access and understand nature, including through the role that nature plays in the urban soundscape, and how healthy soils benefit urban biodiversity.