New York City is the densest metropolitan area in the United States, making the presence of green space ever more important. Proximity to green spaces, such as community gardens, public parks, and biking trails, help boost mental and physical health. Studies show that gardens can decrease stress, release tension, accelerate physical healing and offer a respite from the thrum and din and urban living.
But all too often, low-income residents live in hotter neighborhoods with higher rates of air pollution and less access to green spaces. For the last 50 years, NYC Parks GreenThumb has worked to turn vacant concrete lots into lush and welcoming places for everyone to gather, grow and breathe. The organization now manages approximately 550 community gardens that range from park plots for rest and relaxation to high-functioning farms churning out fresh food and natural products.
“The past year showed us New Yorkers how important green spaces are for our mental, physical and spiritual health.
That’s why the work of GreenThumb volunteers is so critical for our city’s recovery,” says Vicki Been, New York’s Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development. “With the support of NYC Parks, our city’s gardeners are not only creating more spaces for friends and families to gather—but they’re also designing sanctuaries where New Yorkers can seek refuge, reflect and recharge. By replacing vacant lots with greenery, GreenThumb gardens dramatically transform the nature of our city and its landscape.”
The New York effort comes just ahead of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a global push to revive natural spaces lost to development. Urban areas are considered a key part of that drive. By planting trees, bushes and other vegetation, cities can clean their air and water, counter heat waves and provide recreational opportunities for their residents, say experts.
Groups similar to Green Thumbs are active around New York City. They include the New York Restoration Project, which works to provide New Yorkers with access to nature. The renowned singer Bette Midler launched the organization in 1995 by cleaning up a couple of parks in northern Manhattan. Today, the organization owns and manages 52 community gardens throughout the city’s five boroughs.
The United Nations General Assembly has declared the years 2021 through 2030 the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization, the UN Decade is designed to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. This global call to action will be launched on 5 June, World Environment Day. It will draw together political support, scientific research and financial muscle to scale up restoration with the goal of reviving millions of hectares of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Explore UNEP’s work on preserving ecosystems, including forests, coastlines, peatlands and coral reefs. Find out more on the UN Decade of Restoration here.
Further resources :
Background: UNEP’s work in cities