New York City is home to rare wildflowers and migrating birds—but nature here is disappearing. Mariellé Anzelone, cofounder of New York City Biodiveristy Task Force and urban conservation biologist, says, "We actually highlight RISE as a model in the report 'Oaks, Our City and Us: A Vision for Nature in New York City' (see page 37)!"
"Who is Barbara Hillary?" you might ask. She was the first African American woman to reach both the North Pole and the South Pole. A resident of Arverne, she was a dedicated community activist and advocate for improving life in her neighborhood and others throughout the peninsula.
RISE, PS106Q Lighthouse Elementary School, NYC Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Joseph Edwards from US Congressman Gregory Meeks's office, and community members had a celebratory gathering at the Barbara Hillary sculpture rock in RISE Educational Garden and "Honor Walk Way," 190 Beach 44th Street, on June 12, 2025.
Wear your celebration of RISE's twenty years in the Rockaways with this exclusive specially designed bandanna.
Join RISE in creating a new native plant nursery, to locally grow native shoreline plants for the coastal dunes of the Rockaway peninsula.
