Be part of the first community led restoration project in a National Park.

Spend the afternoon planting the future tidal island of Black Wall, Rockaway overlooking the skyline of New York. We'll take small boats out to the island at low tide and plant spartina grass seedlings in the newly restored salty earth. The grasses we plant will help defend Rockaway and all of New York City from future storms by breaking the waves. The newly restored salt marsh will purify the water, help sustain for over 80 species of fish and 330 species of birds and may one day sequester as much carbon as an old growth forest.  Learn more about the project here and benefits of sea and marsh grasses here.

The Black Wall island restoration is part of the first ever community-led restoration project in a National Park. It is led by the American Littoral Society - Northeast Chapter and Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers with support from NYS Department of Conservation, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, the Army Corps of Engineers, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the National Park Service. Special thanks to Toyota Together Green by Audubon, the New York City Audubon Society, OvRride, and the Playland Motel.