NY's Greenest Neighborhood Hosts Earth Day Festival 4/17-25

A diverse coalition of cultural institutions in Battery Park City, New York City's greenest neighborhood, today announced it will present a week-long festival of events celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

From April 17 - 25, NY's Greenest: Battery Park City Celebrates the 40th Anniversary will showcase more than 20 events, from bird watching, film screenings, and poetry readings to workshops and panels on topics like climate change and green architecture. Designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the environment, the events, which are largely free or inexpensive, will take place at institutions throughout Battery Park City.

Setting an environmental standard with the opening of the Solaire, the nation's first ‘green' residential tower in 2003, Battery Park City is New York City's greenest community. With 5 million square feet of green development and 35 acres of parkland, Battery Park City boasts 2,200 green homes and 2.2 million square feet of green office space.

"NY's Greenest will shine a light on Battery Park City's environmental leadership and how it can serve as a model for the rest of New York City and other urban areas around the nation," said William Thompson, Chairman, Battery Park City Authority. "The week-long event provides an exceptional opportunity for the public to explore our beautiful neighborhood, discover its rich cultural offerings, and gain a deeper appreciation of our world and how best to protect it."
Cultural organization's participating in NY's Greenest: Arts World Financial Center, Battery Park City Authority, Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, Mercy Corps Action Center, Museum of Jewish Heritage, National Museum of the American Indian, Battery Park City Branch of the New York Public Library, Poet's House and The Skyscraper Museum.
Highlights of the schedule include:

• U.S. CHILDREN'S POET LAUREATE Mary Ann HOBERMAN READS FROM THE TREE THAT TIME BUILT - U.S. Children's Poet Laureate Mary Ann Hoberman and teacher Linda Winston will share poems from their anthology, The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination. (Poet's House, April 17)

• TRADITIONAL DANCE SOCIAL WITH THE THUNDERBIRD INDIAN DANCERS AND SINGERS - A traditional dance social with a special drum song by Heyna Second Sons, directed by Louis Mofsie (Hopi/Winnebago). (National Museum of the American Indian, April 17)

• BIRD WATCHING - Learn about the birds that nest and rest in the neighborhood's parks. (Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, April 18 & 22)

• CLIMATE CHANGE WORKSHOP - Learn about the global effects of climate change, including desertification, soil erosion, and the relationship between climate change and migration. (Mercy Corps Action Center, April 19 & 23)

• LARGE-SCALE EARTH DAY CHALK DRAWINGS - Three street painting artists create large-scale (15' X 20') chalk drawings relating to Earth Day. (Winter Garden at the World Financial Center, April 20-24)

• ADDICTED TO PLASTIC - A documentary shot in 12 countries on 5 continents explores the environmental impact of plastic, as well as practical and cutting edge solutions to recycling, toxicity and biodegradability. (Battery Park City branch of the New York Public Library, April 20)

• GREEN GIANTS: RETROFITTING THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, THE SEARS TOWER - Emphasizing the urban aspect of environmental awareness, this panel discussion will look at why cities are much more energy efficient than standard American sprawl, and how they can be made much more "green" in the future. (The Skyscraper Museum, April 22)

• FAMILY CELEBRATION AT THE MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE - Enjoy hands-on craft activities that explore Earth Day themes, along with a musical playground/ Earth Worm Disco created by kiddie rocker ShirLaLa. (Museum of Jewish Heritage, April 25)

"This is an exciting line-up of fun and thought-provoking events that will appeal to people of all ages and interests," said Debra Simon, Artistic Director, arts>World Financial Center. "The diversity of institutions participating in NY's Greenest demonstrates the importance of exploring environmental issues from all angles, from film, poetry, and art to history, conversation, and even quiet observation."

The full schedule follows:

April 15-May 12
FOREST
World Financial Center Winter Garden
Created from used clothing, Forest is a landscape, like bonsais, that embodies the beauty and drama of nature on a dwarfed scale. In this installation the viewer is inspired to visually meander, finding peacefulness in the whole and surprises in the details. The fabric patterns create textured foliage including blooming branches and scruffy grass. The multimedia practice of Suzanne and Mathilde Husky explore issues of exploitation of natural resources, landscape use, and globalization. Forest is part of a benefit exhibition for ecoartspace entitled What Matters Most?
FREE www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Saturday, April 17, 2010
DRAWING IN THE PARK
South Cove, Battery Park City
Sketch and paint the river and parks with an artist / educator
FREE www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Saturday, April 17, 2010 11:00am
GRAND OPENINGOF THE CONSTANCE LAIBE HAYS CHILDREN'S ROOM AT POETS HOUSE WITH U.S. CHILDREN'S POET LAUREATE Mary Ann HOBERMAN READING FROM THE TREE THAT THIME BUILT
Poet's House
Join Poet's House for a celebration of its new children's room! Festivities begin at 11:00am with U.S. Children's Poet Laureate Mary Ann Hoberman and teacher Linda Winston sharing poems from their anthology, The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination. The revelry continues with giveaways, creative writing exercises and other surprises.
FREE www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Saturday, April 17, 2010 2:00pm
LANGUAGE AND IDENTITY: THE MIXTECO COMMUNITY IN NEW YORK
National Museum of the American Indian in New York
This panel explores issues of language, culture and identity of the Mixteco community in New York. This program is a collaboration with Mano a Mano: Mexican Cultures Without Borders.
FREE www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Saturday, April 17, 2010 7:00pm - 10:00pm
TRADITIONAL DANCE SOCIAL WITH THE THUNDERBIRD INDIAN DANCERS AND SINGERS
National Museum of the American Indian in New York, Diker Pavilion
The museum will acknowledge Earth Day at its traditional dance social with a special drum song by Heyna Second Sons, directed by Louis Mofsie (Hopi/Winnebago). The Thunderbird Indian Dancers and Singers invite everyone to join them in an evening of traditional social dancing. Bring your family and enjoy the festivities.
FREE www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Sunday, April 18, 2010 11:00am - 12:30pm
Thursday, April 22, 2010, 11:00am-12:30pm
BIRD WATCHING
Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park
Join a birder/naturalist to learn about the birds that nest and rest in the parks. Binoculars and field guides available. Novice and experienced birders welcome.
FREE www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
CHALK DRAWING
World Financial Center, Winter Garden, West Wall, 220 Vesey Street
Three street painting artists create original design relating to Earth Day, measuring 15' x 20' inside the Winter Garden.
FREE www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Sunday, April 18 2010 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Sunday, April 25 2010 12:00pm - 4:00pm
EARTH CELEBRATIONS WORKSHOP AND OPEN HOUSE
World Financial Center, Courtyard Gallery
An interactive sculpture workshop using recycled and reused materials
FREE www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Monday April 19, 2010 4:00pm
EARTH DAY PICTURE BOOK TIME FOR CHILDREN
The Battery Park City Branch of the New York Public Library
Enjoy a special story time featuring books with an Earth Day theme.
www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Monday, April 19, 2010 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Friday, April 23, 2010 3:00pm - 5:00pm
CLIMATE CHANGE WORKSHOP
Action Center to End World Hunger
Participants will learn about the global effects of climate change. Particular attention is placed on issues of desertification, soil erosion, depleting water resources, erratic weather patterns and the relationship between climate change and migration. Participants will be able to determine real life solutions to combat climate change and to create ways in which they can take action at home to mitigate the effects of climate change.
FREE www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Tuesday April 20, 2010 6:00pm - 7:30pm
FILM SCREENING: ADDICTED TO PLASTIC
The Battery Park City Branch of the New York Public Library
Addicted To Plastic is a point-of-view style documentary that encompasses three years of filming in 12 countries on 5 continents, including two trips to the middle of the Pacific Ocean where plastic debris accumulates. The film details plastic's path over the last 100 years and provides a wealth of expert interviews on practical and cutting edge solutions to recycling, toxicity and biodegradability. These solutions - which include plastic made from plants - will provide viewers with a new perspective about our future with plastic.
FREE www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Wednesday April 21, 2010 3:30pm
FOUND ART: REUSE-REDUCE-RECYCLE ARTS & CRAFTS PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN
The Battery Park City Branch of the New York Public Library
Bring your creativity to a special craft time where children make a craft project using environmentally safe adhesives and "found" art from objects that might have otherwise ended up in a landfill.
FREE www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Thursday April 22, 2010 3:30pm
RECYCLED ART: MAKE YOUR OWN DREAMCATCHER! ARTS & CRAFTS PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN
The Battery Park City Branch of the New York Public Library
Celebrate Earth Day as children make their own dreamcatchers using recycled plastic container tops, yarn, string, and beads.
FREE www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Thursday, April 22, 2010 6:30-8:00; Reception 8:00- 9:00 PM
GREEN GIANTS: RETROFITTING THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, THE SEARS TOWER
Lecture at The Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Pl.
Reception at The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Pl.
Earth Day 2010 celebrates the intrinsic "greenness" of cities, led by New York and Chicago, as architects and building owners plan for the energy-efficient retrofits and renaissance of 20th century landmarks such as the proud GREEN GIANTS, the Empire State Building and the Sears (now Willis) Tower.
Lectures and Panel discussion; reception-gallery viewing.
FREE (Reservation required. Please RSVP by going to www.skyscraper.org) www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Thursday, April 22, 2010 6:00pm
NATIVE VIEWS ON SUSTAINABLE FOODS WITH WINONA LADUKE
National Museum of the American Indian in New York
Celebrate Earth Day with Native activist Winona LaDuke (Anishinaabe) and Alex Sando (Jemez Pueblo), a representative of the Native American outreach Program of Native Seeds/SEARCH, an organization committed to the promotion of traditional agriculture and seed saving.
FREE www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Thursday, April 22, 2010 7:00pm
THE OPENING OF THE FIELD: A CONVERSATION WITH NALINI NADKARNI AND LEONARD SCHWARTZ
Poets House
On Earth Day, leading rainforest ecologist Nalini Nadkarni and poet Leonard Schwartz examine how poetic and scientific understandings of nature might be combined to inspire environmental stewardship.
Conversation and q & a. Book signing and reception to follow program
$10, $7 for students and seniors, Free to Poets House Members www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Friday, April 23rd, 2010 7:00PM-9:00pm
Saturday, April 24, 2010 2:00PM-5:00pm
THE OPENING OF THE FIELD: A WORKSHOP WITH NALINI NADKARNI AND LEONARD SCHWARTZ
Poets House
These poetry workshops with tree canopy ecologist Nalini Nadkarni and poet Leonard Schwartz introduce the surprisingly creative language used by scientists to describe ecology and explore commonalities between literary texts and ecosystems.
$200, pre-registration required; space is limited. Call 212-431-7920 or email classes@poetshouse.org
www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Saturday, April 24, 2010 10:30am- 11:30am
FAMILY PROGRAM: GREENING THE CITY
The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Pl
Kids will work together to create a moDel Green building giving them a hands-on understanding of what makes a building green. Ages 8+
$5 suggested donation www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Sunday, April 25, 2010 10:00am - 3:00pm
HANDS-ON CRAFT ACTIVITIES AT THE MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
Families are invited to enjoy hands-on craft activities that explore the themes of Earth Day.
36 Battery Place
FREE with purchase of Museum admission or concert ticket www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest

Sunday, April 25, 2010 1:00pm
THE EARTH WORM DISCO WITH SHIRLALA
Join kiddie rocker ShirLaLa (a.k.a. Shira Kline) to celebrate Earth Day and the wonders of growing up green. She and her band create a musical playground for all of the little rock n' rollers and their grown up friends who love to sing and dance, and love our planet, too!
36 Battery Place
$10, $7 children 12 and under; Museum members: $7, $5 children 12 and under

About NY's Greenest
NY's Greenest is a week-long event held by a coalition of Battery Park City's cultural and civic organizations including, Arts>World Financial Center, Battery Park City Authority, Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, Mercy Corps Action Center, Museum of Jewish Heritage, National Museum of the American Indian, Battery Park City Branch of the New York Public Library, Poet's House and The Skyscraper Museum. www.batteryparkcity.org/nysgreenest.