Founded in 1970, Council on the Environment of New York City is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit dedicated to improving New York City’s quality of life through environmental programs that transform communities block by block and empower all New Yorkers to secure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

Description and/or History:
Everyday Council on the Environment of New York City engages citizens in creating a healthier and greener New York City. CENYC's programs include:

Comprehensive education and hands-on experiences are essential tools for empowering youth to solve complex problems. Through our Training Student Organizers program, middle and high school students participate in service learning projects in the areas of conservation, alternative energy, climate change, and habitat restoration. In the Learn It, Grow It, Eat It program, teens participate in hands-on gardening, nutrition education, and conduct public education workshops around nutrition and health.

Creating a greener, healthier NYC requires rolling up our sleeves. Our Open Space Greening does just that in order to create or rejuvenate 60 community gardens throughout the city. Rainwater harvesting, soil, trees, flowers, tools and volunteer and partner organization hours result in well maintained and beautiful green spaces for gardening, and connection with the natural world.

Beginning with just one in 1976, CENYC’s Greenmarket has 49 farmers markets, making it the country’s largest outdoor farmers market program. An aggressive food stamp promotion program, a host of educational offerings for youth, and textile recycling at several markets further serve the community and create vibrant hubs of activity. Supporting the growth of regional farming, the New Farmer Development Project provides training and an outlet for sales to help immigrant farmers start their own farms. Connecting education with a commitment to improving food access, the Youthmarket program is a network of urban farm stands operated by neighborhood youth, supplied by local farmers, and designed to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to communities throughout New York City.

A greener NYC starts at the source: reducing our waste. Our Office of Recycling Outreach and Education staff works in each of the five boroughs to increase the percentage of recyclables diverted from the waste stream and to promote waste reduction, reuse and composting efforts using a community-by-community grassroots approach.

Contact people:

Lindsay Robertson, Administrative Assistant, (212) 513-0311, (email) Amanda Gentile, Communications Director, (212) 341-3717, (email) Julie Walsh, Assistant Director, (212) 788-7909, (email)

Address:

51 Chambers Street, Room 228 New York, NY 10007 (See a map)

Directions:

Our offices are located on 49-51 Chambers Street between Broadway and Park. We are next to Model's and within a one minute walk to the 4/5/6 Brooklyn Bridge stop and the R/W City Hall stop.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 4/5/6 Brooklyn Bridge,   Walk distance (in minutes): one minute