Thursday, July 17, 2025
It wasn’t just another day for students from Connolly and Landing Elementary schools at Big Ralph Park. ReWild Long Island , an organization that promotes sustainable landscaping, visited the park, leaving behind valuable information and a greener space. Students learned firsthand about the organization that supports native and food gardens, sparking a newfound passion for protecting their local environment.
Rewild, a Long Island organization on that has six other chapters on the island, are dedicated to restoring Long Island’s native plant life. Last year, the organization gave a grant to establish a native garden on the perimeter of the Youth Community garden at Big Ralph Park.
Rewild’s Gardens Project Manager, Samantha Jo, expressed enthusiasm for their mission to restore native plants to Long Island, aiming to attract butterflies, pollinators, and migratory birds. “Our mission is to have happy beautiful butterflies, pollinators, and migratory birds, ” Jo stated, highlighting the environmental benefits for their project.
Rewild’s work not only enhances biodiversity but also plays a crucial role in purifying local water sources. Supported by community volunteers, the organization operates with the belief that community involvement is essential to their success. With several events all across the Island their main goal is to make it a greener Long Island. Their initiative involves community collaboration to protect and enhance Long Island’s ecosystem. They achieve this through practical demonstrations and educational programs, showcasing important garden techniques in various settings.
Gabriela Rivas, a four-year student at the Youth Bureau, shared her positive experience planting and harvesting vegetables, emphasizing the event’s enriching impact. “I liked gardening and making fresh salads with fresh vegetables with my mom before this,” Rivas said. “But this event made me like it even more.”
Courtney Rios, an after-school program teacher, joined The Youth Bureau because of her passion for working with children. She believes the recent event with ReWild was ideal for the city’s youth, providing an opportunity to learn about planting, harvesting and environmental stewardship while collaborating with one another.
“This event is perfect for children because this is the right age for them to learn about the importance of planting fruits and vegetables and keeping places greener all while working with one another.” Rios said, emphasizing the event’s focus on teamwork and environmental awareness.
