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The People's Money (2024-2025)

Play your part: Your Money, Your Community, Your Vote!

Phase 2 of 4
Borough Assemblies 11/20/2024 - 04/30/2025
Process phases Apply Now

Changes at ""We Grow Life" is a citywide initiative to cultivate life and community, transform neglected spaces and protect endangered species—and save ourselves."

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  • -["
    Do you have specific Neighborhood(s) in mind?
    All suitable locations will be considered.
    Which group(s) does your idea focus on? Select as many as apply.
    Youth
    Older Adults
    Public Housing Residents
    Justice Impacted People
    People with Disabilities
    Limited English Speakers
    Immigrants/ Migrants
    Veterans
    LGBTQ+ People
    Parents
    Unhoused People
    Low Income People
    Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color
    Describe the challenge you want to address:
    \"We Grow Life\" is a call to action, an invitation to nurture life in all its forms. We grow vibrant pollinator gardens that transform neglected urban spaces into havens of beauty and biodiversity. We grow life itself, raising endangered monarch butterflies from tiny eggs to magnificent winged creatures, releasing them to help grow the endangered migration. We grow local communities, uniting people through a shared love of nature and a commitment to caring for these precious creatures and the waystations to sustain them. And in doing so, we grow a citywide network of pollinator pathways, where these iconic creatures can thrive once more as a model for a nationwide “Wings Without Borders” community. \n\nThe Problem:\n\"We Grow Life\" acknowledges multiple existential environmental issues facing urban communities:\n1. The Nature Deficit: Residents in many communities suffer a lack of access to open green spaces and meaningful nature experiences. We walk by derelict tree beds filled with feces and garbage, rubble filled abandoned lots or subjected to increasing impact of development and new construction on an industrial scale. This harms our connection to the natural world with profound consequences:\nDiminished well-being: The lack of access to nature increases stress, degrades mental health, and discourages healthy physical activity. \nLimited environmental awareness: Without first hand experiences in nature, it's difficult to cultivate an understanding of environmental issues, empathy for nature and a sense of responsibility for the planet.\nReduced opportunities for learning: Nature provides a rich context for exploration, discovery, and hands-on nature learning experiences that are desperately needed in environmental justice areas. \n2. The Extinction of the Monarch Butterfly: Monarch butterflies, indicators of ecological balance and environmental health, are facing a precipitous decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use, urban development and climate change. The loss of monarch butterflies signals the dwindling number of pollinator species threatens the health of ecosystems, the future of food security, and the health of humanity.\n3. The Need for Community Building: Urbanization leads to social isolation and a lack of community cohesion. “We Grow Life” creates shared spaces and collaborative gardening projects to foster a sense of belonging and empower residents to work together towards a common goal.\n\nIn essence, \"We Grow Life\" aims to bridge the gap between urban communities and the natural world, while contributing to the conservation, preservation of the most important endangered species, ourselves. By transforming neglected marginal spaces into vibrant pollinator gardens and engaging residents in the process, we can foster environmental stewardship, enhance urban biodiversity, and create a more connected and resilient city.
    What is the solution to the challenge?
    1. Transform Neglected Spaces into Vibrant Habitats:\nReclaim vacant lots, tree beds, and underutilized areas, transforming them into pollinator gardens and monarch waystations. This not only provides crucial habitat for monarchs but also beautifies neighborhoods and creates opportunities for community engagement.\n2. Foster Environmental Stewardship:\nEmpower residents to become active participants in conservation by providing education and resources on sustainable gardening practices, habitat restoration, and citizen science initiatives. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for local green spaces.\n3. Invest in Environmental Education:\nIntegrate monarch conservation and broader environmental awareness into school curricula and community programs. Hands-on learning experiences can cultivate a deeper understanding of ecological systems and inspire future environmental leaders.\n4. Advocate for Policy Change:\nPush for increased funding for urban greening initiatives, stricter regulations on pesticide use, and greater protection for urban wildlife habitats. Support policies that prioritize environmental justice and ensure equitable access to nature for all communities.\n5. Promote Green Infrastructure:\nIncorporate green roofs, green walls, and permeable pavements into urban design to mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and create connected habitats for pollinators.\n6. Support Urban Agriculture:\nEncourage community gardens, rooftop farms, and other forms of urban agriculture that promote biodiversity, provide access to fresh produce, and strengthen community food systems.\n7. Reduce Pesticide Use:\nPromote organic gardening practices and advocate for city-wide restrictions on harmful pesticides that threaten pollinators and human health.\n8. Celebrate Urban Nature:\nOrganize community events, festivals, and educational programs that celebrate the beauty and importance of urban nature, fostering a sense of connection and appreciation for the natural world.\n9. Foster Intergenerational Connections:\nCreate opportunities for youth and elders to share knowledge and experiences related to nature and environmental stewardship, strengthening community bonds and promoting cultural transmission of ecological wisdom.\n10. Embrace Citizen Science:\nEngage community members in citizen science initiatives, such as monarch tagging, habitat monitoring, and data collection, to contribute to scientific research and empower individuals to become active participants in conservation efforts.\nBy implementing these solutions, we can address the interconnected challenges facing both human communities and monarch butterflies in urban environments. \"We Grow Life\" provides a framework for this transformation, fostering a healthier, more resilient, and connected city for all.
    Please provide your Zip Code
    10310
    "]
  • +["
    Do you have specific Neighborhood(s) in mind?
    All suitable locations will be considered.
    Which group(s) does your idea focus on? Select as many as apply.
    Youth
    Older Adults
    Public Housing Residents
    Justice Impacted People
    People with Disabilities
    Limited English Speakers
    Immigrants/ Migrants
    Veterans
    LGBTQ+ People
    Parents
    Unhoused People
    Low Income People
    Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color
    Open to all people of all ages, races, beliefs, orientations.
    Describe the challenge you want to address:
    Many residents of New York City are facing an existential threat. Our lives, especially those in environmental justice areas, are impacted by a convergence of ecological imbalances, changing climate and critical issues stemming from high density populations, industrial activity and rampant development. Such is life in the big City.\n###\nThe Parallel Decline: Human & Monarchs in Peril:\n“We Grow Life” approaches this crisis showing how urbanization and the extinction of monarch butterflies are deeply intertwined through cascading effects of environmental degradation. In low-income urban areas, derelict spaces remain filled with debris, feces and waste creating toxic microenvironments hostile to both human health and butterfly habitats. The systematic loss of green spaces through aggressive urban development, neglect, and lack of care simultaneously damages human wellbeing and destroys critical pollinator corridors that monarch butterflies require for migration and reproduction.\n###\nMonarch butterflies, once common to New York City, are on the brink of extinction, due to catastrophic habitat loss as their ecosystems vanish beneath concrete, pesticide use and the collapse of their migratory numbers. Their accelerating decline serves as a critical warning sign - these butterflies are indicator species whose disappearance signals broader environmental issues that also harm human life. The same forces driving monarchs toward extinction - habitat fragmentation, chemical contamination, and climate change - create toxic urban conditions that increase human stress, health problems and social isolation.\n###\nThis environmental deterioration creates a devastating feedback loop: As urban residents lose access to nature, their connection to and understanding of ecological systems weakens. This nature deficit disorder manifests in declining mental health and reduced environmental awareness, particularly among youth. Without direct exposure to natural spaces and creatures like monarchs, urban communities struggle to develop the ecological literacy needed to recognize and care about environmental threats.\n###\nThe fragmentation of ecosystems and communities, driven by relentless urban sprawl, disrupts the migratory corridors that monarchs rely on to complete their life cycles. This fragmentation also isolates human communities, eroding social cohesion and limiting access to shared green spaces. Both species suffer from this disconnection, weakening their resilience and ability to thrive in an increasingly challenging environment.\n###\nLimited access to nature fosters a cycle of disengagement. Children grow up without experiencing the benefits of the natural world, mirroring the disruption of monarch breeding cycles. This generational disconnect erodes ecological understanding and hinders community resilience.\n###\nThe decline of monarch butterflies in NYC mirrors the decline in the quality of life for many residents, particularly in underserved communities revealing a stark reality: the fate of humans and monarchs in cities like New York is inextricably linked. \n###\n
    What is the solution to the challenge?
    1. Transform Neglected Spaces into Vibrant Habitats:\nReclaim vacant lots, tree beds, and underutilized areas, transforming them into pollinator gardens and monarch waystations. This not only provides crucial habitat for monarchs but also beautifies neighborhoods and creates opportunities for community engagement.\n2. Foster Environmental Stewardship:\nEmpower residents to become active participants in conservation by providing education and resources on sustainable gardening practices, habitat restoration, and citizen science initiatives. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for local green spaces.\n3. Invest in Environmental Education:\nIntegrate monarch conservation and broader environmental awareness into school curricula and community programs. Hands-on learning experiences can cultivate a deeper understanding of ecological systems and inspire future environmental leaders.\n4. Advocate for Policy Change:\nPush for increased funding for urban greening initiatives, stricter regulations on pesticide use, and greater protection for urban wildlife habitats. Support policies that prioritize environmental justice and ensure equitable access to nature for all communities.\n5. Promote Green Infrastructure:\nIncorporate green roofs, green walls, and permeable pavements into urban design to mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and create connected habitats for pollinators.\n6. Support Urban Agriculture:\nEncourage community gardens, rooftop farms, and other forms of urban agriculture that promote biodiversity, provide access to fresh produce, and strengthen community food systems.\n7. Reduce Pesticide Use:\nPromote organic gardening practices and advocate for city-wide restrictions on harmful pesticides that threaten pollinators and human health.\n8. Celebrate Urban Nature:\nOrganize community events, festivals, and educational programs that celebrate the beauty and importance of urban nature, fostering a sense of connection and appreciation for the natural world.\n9. Foster Intergenerational Connections:\nCreate opportunities for youth and elders to share knowledge and experiences related to nature and environmental stewardship, strengthening community bonds and promoting cultural transmission of ecological wisdom.\n10. Embrace Citizen Science:\nEngage community members in citizen science initiatives, such as monarch tagging, habitat monitoring, and data collection, to contribute to scientific research and empower individuals to become active participants in conservation efforts.\nBy implementing these solutions, we can address the interconnected challenges facing both human communities and monarch butterflies in urban environments. \"We Grow Life\" provides a framework for this transformation, fostering a healthier, more resilient, and connected city for all.
    Please provide your Zip Code
    10310
    "]
  • -["<xml><dl class=\"decidim_awesome-custom_fields\" data-generator=\"decidim_awesome\" data-version=\"0.10.2\"><dt name=\"text-1727190723263-0\">Do you have specific Neighborhood(s) in mind?</dt><dd id=\"text-1727190723263-0\" name=\"text\"><div>All suitable locations will be considered. </div></dd><dt name=\"checkbox-group-1727190854919-0\">Which group(s) does your idea focus on? Select as many as apply.</dt><dd id=\"checkbox-group-1727190854919-0\" name=\"checkbox-group\"><div alt=\"Youth\">Youth</div><div alt=\"Older Adults\">Older Adults</div><div alt=\"Public Housing Residents\">Public Housing Residents</div><div alt=\"Justice Impacted People\">Justice Impacted People</div><div alt=\"People with Disabilities\">People with Disabilities</div><div alt=\"Limited English Speakers\">Limited English Speakers</div><div alt=\"Immigrants/ Migrants\">Immigrants/ Migrants</div><div alt=\"Veterans\">Veterans</div><div alt=\"LGBTQ+ People\">LGBTQ+ People</div><div alt=\"Parents\">Parents</div><div alt=\"Unhoused People\">Unhoused People</div><div alt=\"Low Income People\">Low Income People</div><div alt=\"Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color\">Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color</div></dd><dt name=\"textarea-1727191113616-0\">Describe the challenge you want to address:</dt><dd id=\"textarea-1727191113616-0\" name=\"textarea\"><div>\"We Grow Life\" is a call to action, an invitation to nurture life in all its forms. We grow vibrant pollinator gardens that transform neglected urban spaces into havens of beauty and biodiversity. We grow life itself, raising endangered monarch butterflies from tiny eggs to magnificent winged creatures, releasing them to help grow the endangered migration. We grow local communities, uniting people through a shared love of nature and a commitment to caring for these precious creatures and the waystations to sustain them. And in doing so, we grow a citywide network of pollinator pathways, where these iconic creatures can thrive once more as a model for a nationwide “Wings Without Borders” community. \n\nThe Problem:\n\"We Grow Life\" acknowledges multiple existential environmental issues facing urban communities:\n1. The Nature Deficit: Residents in many communities suffer a lack of access to open green spaces and meaningful nature experiences. We walk by derelict tree beds filled with feces and garbage, rubble filled abandoned lots or subjected to increasing impact of development and new construction on an industrial scale. This harms our connection to the natural world with profound consequences:\nDiminished well-being: The lack of access to nature increases stress, degrades mental health, and discourages healthy physical activity. \nLimited environmental awareness: Without first hand experiences in nature, it's difficult to cultivate an understanding of environmental issues, empathy for nature and a sense of responsibility for the planet.\nReduced opportunities for learning: Nature provides a rich context for exploration, discovery, and hands-on nature learning experiences that are desperately needed in environmental justice areas. \n2. The Extinction of the Monarch Butterfly: Monarch butterflies, indicators of ecological balance and environmental health, are facing a precipitous decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use, urban development and climate change. The loss of monarch butterflies signals the dwindling number of pollinator species threatens the health of ecosystems, the future of food security, and the health of humanity.\n3. The Need for Community Building: Urbanization leads to social isolation and a lack of community cohesion. “We Grow Life” creates shared spaces and collaborative gardening projects to foster a sense of belonging and empower residents to work together towards a common goal.\n\nIn essence, \"We Grow Life\" aims to bridge the gap between urban communities and the natural world, while contributing to the conservation, preservation of the most important endangered species, ourselves. By transforming neglected marginal spaces into vibrant pollinator gardens and engaging residents in the process, we can foster environmental stewardship, enhance urban biodiversity, and create a more connected and resilient city.</div></dd><dt name=\"textarea-1727191235485-0\">What is the solution to the challenge?</dt><dd id=\"textarea-1727191235485-0\" name=\"textarea\"><div>1. Transform Neglected Spaces into Vibrant Habitats:
  • -Reclaim vacant lots, tree beds, and underutilized areas, transforming them into pollinator gardens and monarch waystations. This not only provides crucial habitat for monarchs but also beautifies neighborhoods and creates opportunities for community engagement.
  • -2. Foster Environmental Stewardship:
  • -Empower residents to become active participants in conservation by providing education and resources on sustainable gardening practices, habitat restoration, and citizen science initiatives. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for local green spaces.
  • -3. Invest in Environmental Education:
  • -Integrate monarch conservation and broader environmental awareness into school curricula and community programs. Hands-on learning experiences can cultivate a deeper understanding of ecological systems and inspire future environmental leaders.
  • -4. Advocate for Policy Change:
  • -Push for increased funding for urban greening initiatives, stricter regulations on pesticide use, and greater protection for urban wildlife habitats. Support policies that prioritize environmental justice and ensure equitable access to nature for all communities.
  • -5. Promote Green Infrastructure:
  • -Incorporate green roofs, green walls, and permeable pavements into urban design to mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and create connected habitats for pollinators.
  • -6. Support Urban Agriculture:
  • -Encourage community gardens, rooftop farms, and other forms of urban agriculture that promote biodiversity, provide access to fresh produce, and strengthen community food systems.
  • -7. Reduce Pesticide Use:
  • -Promote organic gardening practices and advocate for city-wide restrictions on harmful pesticides that threaten pollinators and human health.
  • -8. Celebrate Urban Nature:
  • -Organize community events, festivals, and educational programs that celebrate the beauty and importance of urban nature, fostering a sense of connection and appreciation for the natural world.
  • -9. Foster Intergenerational Connections:
  • -Create opportunities for youth and elders to share knowledge and experiences related to nature and environmental stewardship, strengthening community bonds and promoting cultural transmission of ecological wisdom.
  • -10. Embrace Citizen Science:
  • -Engage community members in citizen science initiatives, such as monarch tagging, habitat monitoring, and data collection, to contribute to scientific research and empower individuals to become active participants in conservation efforts.
  • -By implementing these solutions, we can address the interconnected challenges facing both human communities and monarch butterflies in urban environments. \"We Grow Life\" provides a framework for this transformation, fostering a healthier, more resilient, and connected city for all.</div></dd><dt name=\"number-1727191411855-0\">Please provide your Zip Code</dt><dd id=\"number-1727191411855-0\" name=\"number\"><div>10310</div></dd></dl></xml>"]
  • +["<xml><dl class=\"decidim_awesome-custom_fields\" data-generator=\"decidim_awesome\" data-version=\"0.10.2\"><dt name=\"text-1727190723263-0\">Do you have specific Neighborhood(s) in mind?</dt><dd id=\"text-1727190723263-0\" name=\"text\"><div>All suitable locations will be considered. </div></dd><dt name=\"checkbox-group-1727190854919-0\">Which group(s) does your idea focus on? Select as many as apply.</dt><dd id=\"checkbox-group-1727190854919-0\" name=\"checkbox-group\"><div alt=\"Youth\">Youth</div><div alt=\"Older Adults\">Older Adults</div><div alt=\"Public Housing Residents\">Public Housing Residents</div><div alt=\"Justice Impacted People\">Justice Impacted People</div><div alt=\"People with Disabilities\">People with Disabilities</div><div alt=\"Limited English Speakers\">Limited English Speakers</div><div alt=\"Immigrants/ Migrants\">Immigrants/ Migrants</div><div alt=\"Veterans\">Veterans</div><div alt=\"LGBTQ+ People\">LGBTQ+ People</div><div alt=\"Parents\">Parents</div><div alt=\"Unhoused People\">Unhoused People</div><div alt=\"Low Income People\">Low Income People</div><div alt=\"Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color\">Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color</div><div>Open to all people of all ages, races, beliefs, orientations.</div></dd><dt name=\"textarea-1727191113616-0\">Describe the challenge you want to address:</dt><dd id=\"textarea-1727191113616-0\" name=\"textarea\"><div>Many residents of New York City are facing an existential threat. Our lives, especially those in environmental justice areas, are impacted by a convergence of ecological imbalances, changing climate and critical issues stemming from high density populations, industrial activity and rampant development. Such is life in the big City.\n###\nThe Parallel Decline: Human &amp; Monarchs in Peril:\n“We Grow Life” approaches this crisis showing how urbanization and the extinction of monarch butterflies are deeply intertwined through cascading effects of environmental degradation. In low-income urban areas, derelict spaces remain filled with debris, feces and waste creating toxic microenvironments hostile to both human health and butterfly habitats. The systematic loss of green spaces through aggressive urban development, neglect, and lack of care simultaneously damages human wellbeing and destroys critical pollinator corridors that monarch butterflies require for migration and reproduction.\n###\nMonarch butterflies, once common to New York City, are on the brink of extinction, due to catastrophic habitat loss as their ecosystems vanish beneath concrete, pesticide use and the collapse of their migratory numbers. Their accelerating decline serves as a critical warning sign - these butterflies are indicator species whose disappearance signals broader environmental issues that also harm human life. The same forces driving monarchs toward extinction - habitat fragmentation, chemical contamination, and climate change - create toxic urban conditions that increase human stress, health problems and social isolation.\n###\nThis environmental deterioration creates a devastating feedback loop: As urban residents lose access to nature, their connection to and understanding of ecological systems weakens. This nature deficit disorder manifests in declining mental health and reduced environmental awareness, particularly among youth. Without direct exposure to natural spaces and creatures like monarchs, urban communities struggle to develop the ecological literacy needed to recognize and care about environmental threats.\n###\nThe fragmentation of ecosystems and communities, driven by relentless urban sprawl, disrupts the migratory corridors that monarchs rely on to complete their life cycles. This fragmentation also isolates human communities, eroding social cohesion and limiting access to shared green spaces. Both species suffer from this disconnection, weakening their resilience and ability to thrive in an increasingly challenging environment.\n###\nLimited access to nature fosters a cycle of disengagement. Children grow up without experiencing the benefits of the natural world, mirroring the disruption of monarch breeding cycles. This generational disconnect erodes ecological understanding and hinders community resilience.\n###\nThe decline of monarch butterflies in NYC mirrors the decline in the quality of life for many residents, particularly in underserved communities revealing a stark reality: the fate of humans and monarchs in cities like New York is inextricably linked. \n###\n</div></dd><dt name=\"textarea-1727191235485-0\">What is the solution to the challenge?</dt><dd id=\"textarea-1727191235485-0\" name=\"textarea\"><div>1. Transform Neglected Spaces into Vibrant Habitats:
  • +Reclaim vacant lots, tree beds, and underutilized areas, transforming them into pollinator gardens and monarch waystations. This not only provides crucial habitat for monarchs but also beautifies neighborhoods and creates opportunities for community engagement.
  • +2. Foster Environmental Stewardship:
  • +Empower residents to become active participants in conservation by providing education and resources on sustainable gardening practices, habitat restoration, and citizen science initiatives. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for local green spaces.
  • +3. Invest in Environmental Education:
  • +Integrate monarch conservation and broader environmental awareness into school curricula and community programs. Hands-on learning experiences can cultivate a deeper understanding of ecological systems and inspire future environmental leaders.
  • +4. Advocate for Policy Change:
  • +Push for increased funding for urban greening initiatives, stricter regulations on pesticide use, and greater protection for urban wildlife habitats. Support policies that prioritize environmental justice and ensure equitable access to nature for all communities.
  • +5. Promote Green Infrastructure:
  • +Incorporate green roofs, green walls, and permeable pavements into urban design to mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and create connected habitats for pollinators.
  • +6. Support Urban Agriculture:
  • +Encourage community gardens, rooftop farms, and other forms of urban agriculture that promote biodiversity, provide access to fresh produce, and strengthen community food systems.
  • +7. Reduce Pesticide Use:
  • +Promote organic gardening practices and advocate for city-wide restrictions on harmful pesticides that threaten pollinators and human health.
  • +8. Celebrate Urban Nature:
  • +Organize community events, festivals, and educational programs that celebrate the beauty and importance of urban nature, fostering a sense of connection and appreciation for the natural world.
  • +9. Foster Intergenerational Connections:
  • +Create opportunities for youth and elders to share knowledge and experiences related to nature and environmental stewardship, strengthening community bonds and promoting cultural transmission of ecological wisdom.
  • +10. Embrace Citizen Science:
  • +Engage community members in citizen science initiatives, such as monarch tagging, habitat monitoring, and data collection, to contribute to scientific research and empower individuals to become active participants in conservation efforts.
  • +By implementing these solutions, we can address the interconnected challenges facing both human communities and monarch butterflies in urban environments. \"We Grow Life\" provides a framework for this transformation, fostering a healthier, more resilient, and connected city for all.</div></dd><dt name=\"number-1727191411855-0\">Please provide your Zip Code</dt><dd id=\"number-1727191411855-0\" name=\"number\"><div>10310</div></dd></dl></xml>"]
Deletions
  • -["
    Do you have specific Neighborhood(s) in mind?
    All suitable locations will be considered.
    Which group(s) does your idea focus on? Select as many as apply.
    Youth
    Older Adults
    Public Housing Residents
    Justice Impacted People
    People with Disabilities
    Limited English Speakers
    Immigrants/ Migrants
    Veterans
    LGBTQ+ People
    Parents
    Unhoused People
    Low Income People
    Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color
    Describe the challenge you want to address:
    \"We Grow Life\" is a call to action, an invitation to nurture life in all its forms. We grow vibrant pollinator gardens that transform neglected urban spaces into havens of beauty and biodiversity. We grow life itself, raising endangered monarch butterflies from tiny eggs to magnificent winged creatures, releasing them to help grow the endangered migration. We grow local communities, uniting people through a shared love of nature and a commitment to caring for these precious creatures and the waystations to sustain them. And in doing so, we grow a citywide network of pollinator pathways, where these iconic creatures can thrive once more as a model for a nationwide “Wings Without Borders” community. \n\nThe Problem:\n\"We Grow Life\" acknowledges multiple existential environmental issues facing urban communities:\n1. The Nature Deficit: Residents in many communities suffer a lack of access to open green spaces and meaningful nature experiences. We walk by derelict tree beds filled with feces and garbage, rubble filled abandoned lots or subjected to increasing impact of development and new construction on an industrial scale. This harms our connection to the natural world with profound consequences:\nDiminished well-being: The lack of access to nature increases stress, degrades mental health, and discourages healthy physical activity. \nLimited environmental awareness: Without first hand experiences in nature, it's difficult to cultivate an understanding of environmental issues, empathy for nature and a sense of responsibility for the planet.\nReduced opportunities for learning: Nature provides a rich context for exploration, discovery, and hands-on nature learning experiences that are desperately needed in environmental justice areas. \n2. The Extinction of the Monarch Butterfly: Monarch butterflies, indicators of ecological balance and environmental health, are facing a precipitous decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use, urban development and climate change. The loss of monarch butterflies signals the dwindling number of pollinator species threatens the health of ecosystems, the future of food security, and the health of humanity.\n3. The Need for Community Building: Urbanization leads to social isolation and a lack of community cohesion. “We Grow Life” creates shared spaces and collaborative gardening projects to foster a sense of belonging and empower residents to work together towards a common goal.\n\nIn essence, \"We Grow Life\" aims to bridge the gap between urban communities and the natural world, while contributing to the conservation, preservation of the most important endangered species, ourselves. By transforming neglected marginal spaces into vibrant pollinator gardens and engaging residents in the process, we can foster environmental stewardship, enhance urban biodiversity, and create a more connected and resilient city.
    What is the solution to the challenge?
    1. Transform Neglected Spaces into Vibrant Habitats:\nReclaim vacant lots, tree beds, and underutilized areas, transforming them into pollinator gardens and monarch waystations. This not only provides crucial habitat for monarchs but also beautifies neighborhoods and creates opportunities for community engagement.\n2. Foster Environmental Stewardship:\nEmpower residents to become active participants in conservation by providing education and resources on sustainable gardening practices, habitat restoration, and citizen science initiatives. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for local green spaces.\n3. Invest in Environmental Education:\nIntegrate monarch conservation and broader environmental awareness into school curricula and community programs. Hands-on learning experiences can cultivate a deeper understanding of ecological systems and inspire future environmental leaders.\n4. Advocate for Policy Change:\nPush for increased funding for urban greening initiatives, stricter regulations on pesticide use, and greater protection for urban wildlife habitats. Support policies that prioritize environmental justice and ensure equitable access to nature for all communities.\n5. Promote Green Infrastructure:\nIncorporate green roofs, green walls, and permeable pavements into urban design to mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and create connected habitats for pollinators.\n6. Support Urban Agriculture:\nEncourage community gardens, rooftop farms, and other forms of urban agriculture that promote biodiversity, provide access to fresh produce, and strengthen community food systems.\n7. Reduce Pesticide Use:\nPromote organic gardening practices and advocate for city-wide restrictions on harmful pesticides that threaten pollinators and human health.\n8. Celebrate Urban Nature:\nOrganize community events, festivals, and educational programs that celebrate the beauty and importance of urban nature, fostering a sense of connection and appreciation for the natural world.\n9. Foster Intergenerational Connections:\nCreate opportunities for youth and elders to share knowledge and experiences related to nature and environmental stewardship, strengthening community bonds and promoting cultural transmission of ecological wisdom.\n10. Embrace Citizen Science:\nEngage community members in citizen science initiatives, such as monarch tagging, habitat monitoring, and data collection, to contribute to scientific research and empower individuals to become active participants in conservation efforts.\nBy implementing these solutions, we can address the interconnected challenges facing both human communities and monarch butterflies in urban environments. \"We Grow Life\" provides a framework for this transformation, fostering a healthier, more resilient, and connected city for all.
    Please provide your Zip Code
    10310
    "]
Additions
  • +["
    Do you have specific Neighborhood(s) in mind?
    All suitable locations will be considered.
    Which group(s) does your idea focus on? Select as many as apply.
    Youth
    Older Adults
    Public Housing Residents
    Justice Impacted People
    People with Disabilities
    Limited English Speakers
    Immigrants/ Migrants
    Veterans
    LGBTQ+ People
    Parents
    Unhoused People
    Low Income People
    Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color
    Open to all people of all ages, races, beliefs, orientations.
    Describe the challenge you want to address:
    Many residents of New York City are facing an existential threat. Our lives, especially those in environmental justice areas, are impacted by a convergence of ecological imbalances, changing climate and critical issues stemming from high density populations, industrial activity and rampant development. Such is life in the big City.\n###\nThe Parallel Decline: Human & Monarchs in Peril:\n“We Grow Life” approaches this crisis showing how urbanization and the extinction of monarch butterflies are deeply intertwined through cascading effects of environmental degradation. In low-income urban areas, derelict spaces remain filled with debris, feces and waste creating toxic microenvironments hostile to both human health and butterfly habitats. The systematic loss of green spaces through aggressive urban development, neglect, and lack of care simultaneously damages human wellbeing and destroys critical pollinator corridors that monarch butterflies require for migration and reproduction.\n###\nMonarch butterflies, once common to New York City, are on the brink of extinction, due to catastrophic habitat loss as their ecosystems vanish beneath concrete, pesticide use and the collapse of their migratory numbers. Their accelerating decline serves as a critical warning sign - these butterflies are indicator species whose disappearance signals broader environmental issues that also harm human life. The same forces driving monarchs toward extinction - habitat fragmentation, chemical contamination, and climate change - create toxic urban conditions that increase human stress, health problems and social isolation.\n###\nThis environmental deterioration creates a devastating feedback loop: As urban residents lose access to nature, their connection to and understanding of ecological systems weakens. This nature deficit disorder manifests in declining mental health and reduced environmental awareness, particularly among youth. Without direct exposure to natural spaces and creatures like monarchs, urban communities struggle to develop the ecological literacy needed to recognize and care about environmental threats.\n###\nThe fragmentation of ecosystems and communities, driven by relentless urban sprawl, disrupts the migratory corridors that monarchs rely on to complete their life cycles. This fragmentation also isolates human communities, eroding social cohesion and limiting access to shared green spaces. Both species suffer from this disconnection, weakening their resilience and ability to thrive in an increasingly challenging environment.\n###\nLimited access to nature fosters a cycle of disengagement. Children grow up without experiencing the benefits of the natural world, mirroring the disruption of monarch breeding cycles. This generational disconnect erodes ecological understanding and hinders community resilience.\n###\nThe decline of monarch butterflies in NYC mirrors the decline in the quality of life for many residents, particularly in underserved communities revealing a stark reality: the fate of humans and monarchs in cities like New York is inextricably linked. \n###\n
    What is the solution to the challenge?
    1. Transform Neglected Spaces into Vibrant Habitats:\nReclaim vacant lots, tree beds, and underutilized areas, transforming them into pollinator gardens and monarch waystations. This not only provides crucial habitat for monarchs but also beautifies neighborhoods and creates opportunities for community engagement.\n2. Foster Environmental Stewardship:\nEmpower residents to become active participants in conservation by providing education and resources on sustainable gardening practices, habitat restoration, and citizen science initiatives. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for local green spaces.\n3. Invest in Environmental Education:\nIntegrate monarch conservation and broader environmental awareness into school curricula and community programs. Hands-on learning experiences can cultivate a deeper understanding of ecological systems and inspire future environmental leaders.\n4. Advocate for Policy Change:\nPush for increased funding for urban greening initiatives, stricter regulations on pesticide use, and greater protection for urban wildlife habitats. Support policies that prioritize environmental justice and ensure equitable access to nature for all communities.\n5. Promote Green Infrastructure:\nIncorporate green roofs, green walls, and permeable pavements into urban design to mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and create connected habitats for pollinators.\n6. Support Urban Agriculture:\nEncourage community gardens, rooftop farms, and other forms of urban agriculture that promote biodiversity, provide access to fresh produce, and strengthen community food systems.\n7. Reduce Pesticide Use:\nPromote organic gardening practices and advocate for city-wide restrictions on harmful pesticides that threaten pollinators and human health.\n8. Celebrate Urban Nature:\nOrganize community events, festivals, and educational programs that celebrate the beauty and importance of urban nature, fostering a sense of connection and appreciation for the natural world.\n9. Foster Intergenerational Connections:\nCreate opportunities for youth and elders to share knowledge and experiences related to nature and environmental stewardship, strengthening community bonds and promoting cultural transmission of ecological wisdom.\n10. Embrace Citizen Science:\nEngage community members in citizen science initiatives, such as monarch tagging, habitat monitoring, and data collection, to contribute to scientific research and empower individuals to become active participants in conservation efforts.\nBy implementing these solutions, we can address the interconnected challenges facing both human communities and monarch butterflies in urban environments. \"We Grow Life\" provides a framework for this transformation, fostering a healthier, more resilient, and connected city for all.
    Please provide your Zip Code
    10310
    "]
Deletions
  • -["<xml><dl class=\"decidim_awesome-custom_fields\" data-generator=\"decidim_awesome\" data-version=\"0.10.2\"><dt name=\"text-1727190723263-0\">Do you have specific Neighborhood(s) in mind?</dt><dd id=\"text-1727190723263-0\" name=\"text\"><div>All suitable locations will be considered. </div></dd><dt name=\"checkbox-group-1727190854919-0\">Which group(s) does your idea focus on? Select as many as apply.</dt><dd id=\"checkbox-group-1727190854919-0\" name=\"checkbox-group\"><div alt=\"Youth\">Youth</div><div alt=\"Older Adults\">Older Adults</div><div alt=\"Public Housing Residents\">Public Housing Residents</div><div alt=\"Justice Impacted People\">Justice Impacted People</div><div alt=\"People with Disabilities\">People with Disabilities</div><div alt=\"Limited English Speakers\">Limited English Speakers</div><div alt=\"Immigrants/ Migrants\">Immigrants/ Migrants</div><div alt=\"Veterans\">Veterans</div><div alt=\"LGBTQ+ People\">LGBTQ+ People</div><div alt=\"Parents\">Parents</div><div alt=\"Unhoused People\">Unhoused People</div><div alt=\"Low Income People\">Low Income People</div><div alt=\"Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color\">Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color</div></dd><dt name=\"textarea-1727191113616-0\">Describe the challenge you want to address:</dt><dd id=\"textarea-1727191113616-0\" name=\"textarea\"><div>\"We Grow Life\" is a call to action, an invitation to nurture life in all its forms. We grow vibrant pollinator gardens that transform neglected urban spaces into havens of beauty and biodiversity. We grow life itself, raising endangered monarch butterflies from tiny eggs to magnificent winged creatures, releasing them to help grow the endangered migration. We grow local communities, uniting people through a shared love of nature and a commitment to caring for these precious creatures and the waystations to sustain them. And in doing so, we grow a citywide network of pollinator pathways, where these iconic creatures can thrive once more as a model for a nationwide “Wings Without Borders” community. \n\nThe Problem:\n\"We Grow Life\" acknowledges multiple existential environmental issues facing urban communities:\n1. The Nature Deficit: Residents in many communities suffer a lack of access to open green spaces and meaningful nature experiences. We walk by derelict tree beds filled with feces and garbage, rubble filled abandoned lots or subjected to increasing impact of development and new construction on an industrial scale. This harms our connection to the natural world with profound consequences:\nDiminished well-being: The lack of access to nature increases stress, degrades mental health, and discourages healthy physical activity. \nLimited environmental awareness: Without first hand experiences in nature, it's difficult to cultivate an understanding of environmental issues, empathy for nature and a sense of responsibility for the planet.\nReduced opportunities for learning: Nature provides a rich context for exploration, discovery, and hands-on nature learning experiences that are desperately needed in environmental justice areas. \n2. The Extinction of the Monarch Butterfly: Monarch butterflies, indicators of ecological balance and environmental health, are facing a precipitous decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use, urban development and climate change. The loss of monarch butterflies signals the dwindling number of pollinator species threatens the health of ecosystems, the future of food security, and the health of humanity.\n3. The Need for Community Building: Urbanization leads to social isolation and a lack of community cohesion. “We Grow Life” creates shared spaces and collaborative gardening projects to foster a sense of belonging and empower residents to work together towards a common goal.\n\nIn essence, \"We Grow Life\" aims to bridge the gap between urban communities and the natural world, while contributing to the conservation, preservation of the most important endangered species, ourselves. By transforming neglected marginal spaces into vibrant pollinator gardens and engaging residents in the process, we can foster environmental stewardship, enhance urban biodiversity, and create a more connected and resilient city.</div></dd><dt name=\"textarea-1727191235485-0\">What is the solution to the challenge?</dt><dd id=\"textarea-1727191235485-0\" name=\"textarea\"><div>1. Transform Neglected Spaces into Vibrant Habitats:
  • -Reclaim vacant lots, tree beds, and underutilized areas, transforming them into pollinator gardens and monarch waystations. This not only provides crucial habitat for monarchs but also beautifies neighborhoods and creates opportunities for community engagement.
  • -2. Foster Environmental Stewardship:
  • -Empower residents to become active participants in conservation by providing education and resources on sustainable gardening practices, habitat restoration, and citizen science initiatives. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for local green spaces.
  • -3. Invest in Environmental Education:
  • -Integrate monarch conservation and broader environmental awareness into school curricula and community programs. Hands-on learning experiences can cultivate a deeper understanding of ecological systems and inspire future environmental leaders.
  • -4. Advocate for Policy Change:
  • -Push for increased funding for urban greening initiatives, stricter regulations on pesticide use, and greater protection for urban wildlife habitats. Support policies that prioritize environmental justice and ensure equitable access to nature for all communities.
  • -5. Promote Green Infrastructure:
  • -Incorporate green roofs, green walls, and permeable pavements into urban design to mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and create connected habitats for pollinators.
  • -6. Support Urban Agriculture:
  • -Encourage community gardens, rooftop farms, and other forms of urban agriculture that promote biodiversity, provide access to fresh produce, and strengthen community food systems.
  • -7. Reduce Pesticide Use:
  • -Promote organic gardening practices and advocate for city-wide restrictions on harmful pesticides that threaten pollinators and human health.
  • -8. Celebrate Urban Nature:
  • -Organize community events, festivals, and educational programs that celebrate the beauty and importance of urban nature, fostering a sense of connection and appreciation for the natural world.
  • -9. Foster Intergenerational Connections:
  • -Create opportunities for youth and elders to share knowledge and experiences related to nature and environmental stewardship, strengthening community bonds and promoting cultural transmission of ecological wisdom.
  • -10. Embrace Citizen Science:
  • -Engage community members in citizen science initiatives, such as monarch tagging, habitat monitoring, and data collection, to contribute to scientific research and empower individuals to become active participants in conservation efforts.
  • -By implementing these solutions, we can address the interconnected challenges facing both human communities and monarch butterflies in urban environments. \"We Grow Life\" provides a framework for this transformation, fostering a healthier, more resilient, and connected city for all.</div></dd><dt name=\"number-1727191411855-0\">Please provide your Zip Code</dt><dd id=\"number-1727191411855-0\" name=\"number\"><div>10310</div></dd></dl></xml>"]
Additions
  • +["<xml><dl class=\"decidim_awesome-custom_fields\" data-generator=\"decidim_awesome\" data-version=\"0.10.2\"><dt name=\"text-1727190723263-0\">Do you have specific Neighborhood(s) in mind?</dt><dd id=\"text-1727190723263-0\" name=\"text\"><div>All suitable locations will be considered. </div></dd><dt name=\"checkbox-group-1727190854919-0\">Which group(s) does your idea focus on? Select as many as apply.</dt><dd id=\"checkbox-group-1727190854919-0\" name=\"checkbox-group\"><div alt=\"Youth\">Youth</div><div alt=\"Older Adults\">Older Adults</div><div alt=\"Public Housing Residents\">Public Housing Residents</div><div alt=\"Justice Impacted People\">Justice Impacted People</div><div alt=\"People with Disabilities\">People with Disabilities</div><div alt=\"Limited English Speakers\">Limited English Speakers</div><div alt=\"Immigrants/ Migrants\">Immigrants/ Migrants</div><div alt=\"Veterans\">Veterans</div><div alt=\"LGBTQ+ People\">LGBTQ+ People</div><div alt=\"Parents\">Parents</div><div alt=\"Unhoused People\">Unhoused People</div><div alt=\"Low Income People\">Low Income People</div><div alt=\"Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color\">Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color</div><div>Open to all people of all ages, races, beliefs, orientations.</div></dd><dt name=\"textarea-1727191113616-0\">Describe the challenge you want to address:</dt><dd id=\"textarea-1727191113616-0\" name=\"textarea\"><div>Many residents of New York City are facing an existential threat. Our lives, especially those in environmental justice areas, are impacted by a convergence of ecological imbalances, changing climate and critical issues stemming from high density populations, industrial activity and rampant development. Such is life in the big City.\n###\nThe Parallel Decline: Human &amp; Monarchs in Peril:\n“We Grow Life” approaches this crisis showing how urbanization and the extinction of monarch butterflies are deeply intertwined through cascading effects of environmental degradation. In low-income urban areas, derelict spaces remain filled with debris, feces and waste creating toxic microenvironments hostile to both human health and butterfly habitats. The systematic loss of green spaces through aggressive urban development, neglect, and lack of care simultaneously damages human wellbeing and destroys critical pollinator corridors that monarch butterflies require for migration and reproduction.\n###\nMonarch butterflies, once common to New York City, are on the brink of extinction, due to catastrophic habitat loss as their ecosystems vanish beneath concrete, pesticide use and the collapse of their migratory numbers. Their accelerating decline serves as a critical warning sign - these butterflies are indicator species whose disappearance signals broader environmental issues that also harm human life. The same forces driving monarchs toward extinction - habitat fragmentation, chemical contamination, and climate change - create toxic urban conditions that increase human stress, health problems and social isolation.\n###\nThis environmental deterioration creates a devastating feedback loop: As urban residents lose access to nature, their connection to and understanding of ecological systems weakens. This nature deficit disorder manifests in declining mental health and reduced environmental awareness, particularly among youth. Without direct exposure to natural spaces and creatures like monarchs, urban communities struggle to develop the ecological literacy needed to recognize and care about environmental threats.\n###\nThe fragmentation of ecosystems and communities, driven by relentless urban sprawl, disrupts the migratory corridors that monarchs rely on to complete their life cycles. This fragmentation also isolates human communities, eroding social cohesion and limiting access to shared green spaces. Both species suffer from this disconnection, weakening their resilience and ability to thrive in an increasingly challenging environment.\n###\nLimited access to nature fosters a cycle of disengagement. Children grow up without experiencing the benefits of the natural world, mirroring the disruption of monarch breeding cycles. This generational disconnect erodes ecological understanding and hinders community resilience.\n###\nThe decline of monarch butterflies in NYC mirrors the decline in the quality of life for many residents, particularly in underserved communities revealing a stark reality: the fate of humans and monarchs in cities like New York is inextricably linked. \n###\n</div></dd><dt name=\"textarea-1727191235485-0\">What is the solution to the challenge?</dt><dd id=\"textarea-1727191235485-0\" name=\"textarea\"><div>1. Transform Neglected Spaces into Vibrant Habitats:
  • +Reclaim vacant lots, tree beds, and underutilized areas, transforming them into pollinator gardens and monarch waystations. This not only provides crucial habitat for monarchs but also beautifies neighborhoods and creates opportunities for community engagement.
  • +2. Foster Environmental Stewardship:
  • +Empower residents to become active participants in conservation by providing education and resources on sustainable gardening practices, habitat restoration, and citizen science initiatives. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for local green spaces.
  • +3. Invest in Environmental Education:
  • +Integrate monarch conservation and broader environmental awareness into school curricula and community programs. Hands-on learning experiences can cultivate a deeper understanding of ecological systems and inspire future environmental leaders.
  • +4. Advocate for Policy Change:
  • +Push for increased funding for urban greening initiatives, stricter regulations on pesticide use, and greater protection for urban wildlife habitats. Support policies that prioritize environmental justice and ensure equitable access to nature for all communities.
  • +5. Promote Green Infrastructure:
  • +Incorporate green roofs, green walls, and permeable pavements into urban design to mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and create connected habitats for pollinators.
  • +6. Support Urban Agriculture:
  • +Encourage community gardens, rooftop farms, and other forms of urban agriculture that promote biodiversity, provide access to fresh produce, and strengthen community food systems.
  • +7. Reduce Pesticide Use:
  • +Promote organic gardening practices and advocate for city-wide restrictions on harmful pesticides that threaten pollinators and human health.
  • +8. Celebrate Urban Nature:
  • +Organize community events, festivals, and educational programs that celebrate the beauty and importance of urban nature, fostering a sense of connection and appreciation for the natural world.
  • +9. Foster Intergenerational Connections:
  • +Create opportunities for youth and elders to share knowledge and experiences related to nature and environmental stewardship, strengthening community bonds and promoting cultural transmission of ecological wisdom.
  • +10. Embrace Citizen Science:
  • +Engage community members in citizen science initiatives, such as monarch tagging, habitat monitoring, and data collection, to contribute to scientific research and empower individuals to become active participants in conservation efforts.
  • +By implementing these solutions, we can address the interconnected challenges facing both human communities and monarch butterflies in urban environments. \"We Grow Life\" provides a framework for this transformation, fostering a healthier, more resilient, and connected city for all.</div></dd><dt name=\"number-1727191411855-0\">Please provide your Zip Code</dt><dd id=\"number-1727191411855-0\" name=\"number\"><div>10310</div></dd></dl></xml>"]
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Avatar: Inwood Butterfly Sanctuary Inwood Butterfly Sanctuary
Version created at 24/11/2024 21:37

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