In addition to attending FIHP stewardship events, there are numerous ways to care for and steward green spaces throughout New York City and beyond! Below a sample of information including ways to get involved, basic identification of plants, and other avenues of learning; it is an ever-evolving list and we encourage you to use this as a springboard to greener and greater things!
If there is a resource you would like to see added here, please contact us at info@inwoodhillpark.org
NYC Parks – Become a Super Steward!
The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation trains and permits advanced volunteers known as Super Stewards. The Super Stewards work independently by taking the lead on caring for their neighborhood parks and spreading the word about the benefits of nature in the city. Super Stewards can work on their own, lead other volunteers, host projects, apply for mini-grants, network with other volunteers, and get a sneak peek at the inner-workings of the agency. Learn more about the process of becoming a Super Steward through NYC Parks here!
Many volunteers in Inwood Hill Park have completed the Super Steward training and are supported by FIHP in their work! Please be aware that FIHP does not formally train or issue permits to Super Stewards, but we can provide tools and other material support upon request.
New York Restoration Project
New York Restoration Project (NYRP) was founded in 1995 by beloved actress and New Yorker Bette Midler by picking up trash in a park. Over the past three decades, NYRP has evolved into an environmental justice nonprofit and citywide nature conservancy preserving community gardens and other green spaces. They have numerous resources on tree care and identification, urban agriculture, and environmental education.
Natural Areas Conservancy
The Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC) administers the Pathkeeper program as part of the Super Steward training. They are the leading organization in NYC for natural areas and have a fantastic blog, Understories, that details all-season information about forests, wetlands, trails, and all the creatures big and small that can be found on them.