Our Mission

To rejuvenate the community garden on 69th street and 35th ave, which will provide beauty and solace for the community there. Importantly, it will also preserve an important pollinator habitat. After fundraising and receiving a grant worth $10,000, we proceeded to plant plants, install paths, and pick up trash. We've installed a bench and also installed a little free library.

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We are a group of 4 IB students who work with students across Queens who volunteer together at this garden. We've involved volunteer groups from more than 4 schools, and both girl and boy scouts, and religious groups.

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Connection to human rights

Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that "Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.” We have a little free library in our garden, allowing for community members to share in the joy of knowledge.

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Article 27 states that “Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.” The garden serves as a center of cultural occasions in the community.

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Process

We started by identifying the need in our community. We had started and had been working at this garden for a few years when it was destroyed. In order to rebuild it, we started to look around for grants and fundraising opportunities. Eventually, we found a pollinator conservation grant from the New York Community Trust that was $10-50,000, and we applied for the lowest amount and received it. Since then, using only volunteer work, we have been planting hundreds of plants and bushes, as well as belgium block-lined and gravel-filled paths. We've included members of the BSGE school community as well.

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Reflections

Umed

Working at the community garden really showed me the power of multiple people working together. The barren, trash-filled wasteland didn't transform into the lush garden it is today through nothing. I worked, and watched, so many volunteers work together to create something great.

 

Anand

While creating and maintaining our garden, I learned how to stick with a project for a long time. A garden is never finished, and the act of maintenance also brings new ideas for improvement. Through this extended period, I've learned how to plan for the future far in advance, like how we've had to plan for our planting days months ahead.

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Luke

At first, I thought the garden would be a futile effort to clean up the city, a goal too far gone. Upon seeing the flowers sprawl and the locals relish in seeing new life sprawl into a once neglected street, I realized that it's still truly worth the time investment. Any opportunity to invest in your community and its health is worthwhile.

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