Earth Day in Stuyvesant Square: Community Care for Our City—and Its Wildlife
Join the Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA) for a vibrant Earth Day celebration in partnership with Council Member Harvey Epstein and State Senator Kristen Gonzalez. This community gathering brings together neighbors, city agencies, and local leaders for a day of practical resources, environmental education, and hands-on stewardship.
Council Member Epstein’s office will be on site distributing free dog waste bags and hand sanitizer, sharing information about composting, and presenting official proclamations alongside Senator Gonzalez. The New York City Department of Sanitation will also be present with helpful materials, including decals, pens, flyers about the city’s bin mandate, and additional dog waste bags—tools to help residents keep our neighborhood clean and sustainable.
We’re also excited to welcome Local Nature Lab, a longtime leader in urban nature education and biodiversity monitoring. Since beginning their work in Washington Square Park in 2013 and formally incorporating in 2021, they’ve expanded citywide—partnering with organizations and creatives to design educational programs, outreach initiatives, and hands-on experiences that deepen people’s relationships with nature. Their work is rooted in a simple but powerful mission: nurturing a love for nature while supporting biodiversity conservation right here in New York City.
As part of the day’s programming, don’t miss a special hands-on session focused on urban wildlife care:
Helping NYC Pigeons: Understanding and Preventing Stringfoot
Join licensed wildlife rehabilitators and volunteers with the Wild Bird Fund and NYC Bird Alliance, Amanda Parsels and Katie Figueroa, for an educational workshop on “stringfoot,” a common and preventable injury in city pigeons caused by hair or debris becoming tightly wound around their feet.
Participants will learn how to:
Recognize pigeons in distress
Understand the causes and impacts of stringfoot
Take simple, safe, and responsible steps to help
This unique session offers a deeper look at the lives of the birds that share our city—and empowers you to help protect them.
Come celebrate Earth Day with your neighbors, connect with local leaders, and take meaningful action to help create a healthier, more compassionate urban environment.