NY Sun Works Youth Conference 2019

NY Sun Works (NYSW), a non-profit organization that builds innovative science labs in urban schools, held its eighth annual Youth Conference on May 20. Through its Greenhouse Project Initiative, NYSW use hydroponic farming technology to educate students and teachers about the science of sustainability. The Youth Conference offers a platform for students to share their scientific creativity while celebrating the Greenhouse Project, which promotes urban sustainability through science education and approaches sustainability science by studying the interaction between humans, technology, and the environment.

As a company committed to community, education, and environmental sustainability, Broadway Stages is proud to support this initiative and hopes that it will serve to encourage a "...generation of environmental innovators, empowered to create solutions to global resource challenges."

Check out a live stream of the event here and a photo gallery below.

Spring Has Sprung at Kingsland Wildflowers Rooftop Garden

It’s official. Spring has sprung, and that was evident this weekend at Kingsland Wildflowers at Broadway Stages, the interactive and educational green rooftop garden, designed by Alive Structures and managed by NY City Audubon and Newtown Creek Alliance.

The weekend began with Field Day Friday, which included tours of the green roof and an opportunity to participate in discussions and workshops focused on conservation, stewardship, and ecology. Later that evening a screening of the documentary film by Sidney Beaumont, From Paris to Pittsburg, was shown. The film explores the national and worldwide effects of climate change and was narrated by Emmy Award-winning actress Rachel Brosnahan.

Open House Saturday followed, with tours of the native plant garden and our community engagement space. It was a great way to spend a weekend in nature right in our own backyard. Just in case you missed it, take a look at the photo gallery and then check out the events calendar. We welcome you to visit Kingsland Wildflowers at Broadway Stages.

Connect With Local Business at the SIEDC Green & Clean Festival

SUSTAINABILITY - now more than ever, it's important to understand the value and importance it makes on our world, and how you can make a difference. On June 6, the State Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) will host their annual Green & Clean Festival. Intended to spread information about sustainability and environmental awareness, the festival is a day-long marketplace where more than 40 sustainable businesses and organizations showcase their services, and where environmentally conscious individuals gather to learn how to incorporate sustainability into their lives.

As a member of the SIEDC, Broadway Stages encourages you to attend, and we invite you to come by our table to learn about green roofs from the NY City Audubon and Alive Structures, two organizations that make our 20,000 square foot Kingsland Wildflowers rooftop possible. And you can hear about the work underway to expand our green roof corridor by an additional 1.4 acres! General admission to the festival is free, but you are encouraged to register. For more information, click here.

WHERE: Staten Island Zoo @ 614 Broadway WHEN:  June 6th – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Experience the Kingsland Wildflowers Rooftop Garden in Full Bloom

The Kingsland Wildflowers rooftop garden at Broadway Stages will host their monthly open house this Saturday, May 18. Open houses are held on the third Saturday of every month and are an excellent opportunity to see, firsthand, one of the many efforts to bring greenery and its many benefits to our community. Tour the native plant garden and visit our community engagement space to learn more about the rooftop and how you can get involved in the green movement. Events are held on the rooftop garden until July so make sure you stay current on our blog for more updates. No registration is required, and this event is free for all ages, so bring the whole family to see the future of environmental progress in Brooklyn. We can't wait to see you all there!

WHERE: Roof of 520 Kingsland Ave, Brooklyn, NY

WHEN:  Saturday, May 18, 2019 - 12:00 p.m.  3:00 p.m.

For more information about events, click here to go to the Kingsland Wildflowers event page.

Celebrating Earth Day 2019 - Doing Our Part to Protect the Environment

Observed every year on April 22, Earth Day promotes environmental literacy and awareness. U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day as an environmental teach-in held in 1970. Many consider this event the genesis of the "Going Green" movement. Coordinated by the Earth Day Network, there are now annual events held in 193 countries around the world to promote the idea that we, as humans, should protect the environment.

At Broadway Stages we're doing our part to raise awareness about environmental sustainability and we're walking the talk with the use of renewable technologies. From our green roofs, currently totaling 27,000 square feet, that help to advance ecosystem services that are critical to our habitat and community, to 50,000 square feet of solar panels that help improve air quality and decrease power grid demand. And later this year we'll be expanding our green roof garden program [Broadway Stages Green Corridor] by an additional 1.4 acres — or almost 61,000 square feet — thanks to a grant from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation's Green Innovation Grant Program, and the support of Alive Structures who will design and implement the green roofs.

There is so much that each of us can do to protect our earth, and we encourage you to lend a hand. It's easy and fun. Consider implementing a recycle, reduce, reuse approach, or plant some green. Earth Day is a great time to plant a tree or even add a plant to your home or office. Not only does a plant add some color to a room, but it also helps to clean the air.

Check out the Earth Day Network to see what other initiatives are underway and how you can get involved.

Broadway Stages Receives $1.5 Million Grant for 1.4-Acre Green Roof

New York State AssemblyMan joe lentol

city councilman rafael espinal

Assemblyman Joe Lentol announced that Broadway Stages was awarded a $1.5 million grant by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation's Green Innovation Grant Program for the installation of  a 1.4-acre green roof. The project will be designed, installed, and managed by Alive Structures atop three of Broadway Stages' film production studios in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The almost 61,000 square feet of green rooftops will be called Broadway Stages Green Corridor and will help to advance ecosystem services that are critical to habitat and community.

kingsland wildflower rooftop

The announcement was made at the Kingsland Wildflowers green roof garden, a successful project that Alive Structures, along with New York City Audubon and the Newtown Creek Alliance, helped to create and transform upon one of Broadway Stages' production studios located on Kingsland Avenue in Greenpoint. Attendees at the event included Marni Majorelle, Principal, Alive Structures; Kathryn Heintz, Executive Director, New York City Audubon; New York City Councilman Rafael Espinal; Sol Kjøk resident artist and founder of NOoSPHERE Arts; Willis Elkins, Executive Director, Newtown Creek Alliance; and Paul Samulski, President, North Brooklyn Chamber.

kingsland wildflowerS rooftop SPHERE

kingsland wildfloweRS rooftop

kingsland wildflowerS rooftop

"Broadway Stages is thrilled to have been chosen in cooperation with Alive Structures for this prestigious grant," said Gina Argento, President and CEO of Broadway Stages. "Our commitment to community and environmental sustainability is a cornerstone of our business philosophy. Through green infrastructure and renewable energy projects such as Kingsland Wildflowers at Broadway Stages, Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, and our solar rooftop that spans 50,000 square feet, we are able to utilize our sound stages in a way that brings mutual value to our operations, our environment, and our community. We are excited to embark on this green roof garden project and continuing to do our part to contribute to the health of our environment."

For additional information about the announcement, view media reports at Greenpointers.com by Aaron Simon, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Patch.com by Anna Quinn, Brooklyn Paper by Julianne McShane, and Brooklyn News 12.

Third Annual Kingsland Wildflowers Festival on Broadway Stages' Green Rooftop

Plans are underway for the third annual Kingsland Wildflowers Festival on Saturday, September 22, from noon to 4 p.m. Fun and educational, the festival is free and offers an opportunity to learn about the rooftop garden atop our sound stage at 520 Kingsland Avenue in Greenpoint, and other conservation initiatives underway in our community. Additional activities include tours of the green roof, interactive activities for kids, live music, food, and amazing views of our beautiful city.  

ABOUT OUR GREEN ROOF
Three years ago Broadway Stages collaborated with the New York City Audubon, Alive Structures, and Newtown Creek Alliance to create the half-acre green roof. Broadway Stages donated the space and, along with initial funding from the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund, continues to provide financial support for the infrastructure and garden maintenance.  

The design of the garden, led by Marni Majorelle and Alive Structures, features native grasses and wildflowers designed to attract birds and other wildlife species. The NYC Audubon manages the project and oversees the wildlife, monitoring through bat and bird microphones and swallow houses installed on the green roof. The organization is also responsible for managing the year-round educational programs. For more information about greening your rooftop, visit Alive Structures. For more information about the festival, check out NYC Audubon or Kingsland Wildflowers.

Kingsland Wildflowers Rooftop Garden at Broadway Stages

Kingsland Wildflowers green rooftop project, hosted by Broadway Stages, is in full bloom and open to the public. To read the full article covered by Spectrum News NY1 click here.  

Broadway Stages Encourages Hydroponic Learning

Hydroponic systems have exploded in popularity over the past few years, with more New Yorkers joining in on the revolutionary urban agricultural era. The demand for fresh, high-quality produce by urban dwellers has helped drive innovation and technology in designing new urban hydroponic systems.

Hydroponic systems overcome traditional obstacles of large-scale agriculture by reimagining ways to utilize space, water, and nutrients for plants. One of the advantages of hydroponic farming is that it consumes up to 90 percent less water than traditional agricultural methods. The systems resemble connected channels in which nutrient-rich water flows through so it can be absorbed by plants.

Broadway Stages President Gina Argento is a big fan of the hydroponic movement. When first introduced to the concept, Gina was ecstatic to learn how she could help younger generations learn about the amazing innovations in healthier agriculture.

Her search led her to partner with NY Sun Works, an organization that works with educational institutions to teach young scholars about hydroponic systems, solar energy, and fish farms. Since 2016, Gina has worked with NY Sun Works by sponsoring various events and donating to promote its educational programs. Working with NY Sun Works has helped make it possible for dozens of schools across the five boroughs to have hydroponic system learning labs. Under the name Project Greenhouse, the hydroponic labs come fully equipped with modern technology and processes for growing plants. Students are able to learn hands-on with each one of them monitoring and nurturing their very own plant using the hydroponic system. The best part of the whole partnership as summed up by students is that the whole process lets them explore with their own hands! As long as the students are excited, Gina says she is excited to continue to support NY Sun Works and its green education!

Broadway Stages Is Solar Power Prepared

Summer will be in full swing within the month! With that in mind, Broadway Stages would like to share how we are utilizing the natural solar output of the sun to power our sound stage operations. As a green leader in New York's film and television sound stage industry, Broadway Stages has always sought to be a sustainable energy consumer. Following the installation of dozens of solar panels above our sound stages, our solar energy consumption has helped tremendously offset our electrical demands from traditional power grids.

During peak summer months, electrical energy output is at its highest, with a majority of the solar energy converted for use by lighting, heat, and air conditioning. These energy demands would generally place a great strain on our electric grid, however, through the use of solar energy, Broadway Stages is partly self-sustainable. In fact, the decreased draw on the power grid has an overall positive effect on the environment by reducing our reliance on carbon-emitted energy resources. This only continues to benefit the environment and natural biomes.

The experience of producing your own power feels amazing. We encourage you to lead your community and do the same! On one hand, the energy is directly from the sun, and on the other you are in control of your power production. It is a win-win situation, and now is the perfect time to make the switch as summer approaches. So join us in going solar!

Broadway Stages Celebrates Earth Day 2018!

Welcome to Earth Day 2018! It has been over 365 days of energy saving, water conservation, and more by you and members of your community! For a quick recap, let's talk about some of the things that have helped make this Earth Day incredible.

This year, the U.S. has increased solar and wind generation projects while also using fewer non-renewable energy sources, such as coal. These projects reduce carbon emissions in the air, decreasing the greenhouse effect and helping to combat global warming. These projects also clear the air of dangerous chemical pollutants that are the byproducts of coal plants.

And most importantly, global citizens are making being green a trend through social media. This year has marked one of the most unified efforts for global citizens to become environmentally conscious. The progressive movement toward a global system of responsible energy use brings us one step closer to making non-renewable energy sources obsolete.

To encourage and continue the Earth Day celebration, Broadway Stages will share some more tips and tricks to help encourage a greener environment.

1. Reduce, reuse, recycle…. and repair!
   Everyone knows the 3R's reduce, reuse, and recycle, but not many people know its cousin repair. Repairing goods instead of replacing them can significantly reduce your footprint and save you money. For example, durable goods will last longer than lower quality items that need to be replaced more often.

2. Start the compost station!
   A large percentage of most trash in U.S. households is denoted to organic compounds and foods that can be composted. It is time to start considering the benefits of composting. Composting relieves your trashcan of most of its weight and size. Key benefits include replacing your trash bags less often and producing fertile soil that helps your garden grow!

3. Keep the paper in the trees!
   With modern technologies, paper could be made obsolete by writing on tablets or other devices. As deforestation continues to destroy whole ecosystems, global citizens need to protect our precious forests and trees. So next time you are thinking of writing down anything, make an effort to leave no paper trail!

Broadway Stages Urges You to Conserve Water for Earth Day

Over 70 percent of the Earth is covered by water, however only 2.5 percent of that is fresh water. A majority of the planet's fresh water is locked away in glacier ice, which is melting at a rapid rate. The rest comes from underground and ground-level lakes. Humans have access to less than 1 percent of all water on Earth. With the finite water reserves that we possess, it is imperative that we learn to not waste any of it.

To help you save water and our planet, here are some tips:

1. Turn off the tap
   
   Remember to turn off the tap to stop the water from running. Whether it is brushing your teeth, cleansing your face, or washing the dishes, don't forget to turn off the faucet when the water is not in use.
   

2. Flash shower
   
   Shower like the Flash. When showering, try to conserve as much water as possible by showering as quickly as possible. Save your singing routine for another time.
   

3. Buy WaterSense-approved appliances
   
   Like Energy Star products, WaterSense-approved appliances are tested for water efficiency rather than electricity. In fact, WaterSense appliances save on average 20 percent or more water than traditional appliances.

Next time you are using water, keep these tips in mind; a small effort will go a long way!