Greenpoint has been plagued by environmental issues for decades, but a fund established in 2011 has helped mitigate some of the damage.
Now, in honor of Climate Week, New York State Attorney General Letitia James and Interim DEC Director Sean Maher recently announced the completion of the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund.
The fund was established as part of a 2010 settlement with ExxonMobil, the company responsible for the largest oil spill in history that contaminated Greenpoint. Matching funding from grant recipients has more than tripled the fund to just over $68 million. Community members have played a key role in the decision-making process, establishing a local advisory committee and frequently voting on the program’s grant recipients.
The North Brooklyn Community Boathouse team did a public paddle, made possible by the fund. Image from the website.
“Throughout its 13 years, GCEF has implemented a wide range of public space expansions, infrastructure improvements, and environmental education programs, including a state-of-the-art public library, an environmental education center, a tree planting program, and extensive park renovations,” the press release states. “In total, GCEF has awarded 77 grants ranging from $5,000 to more than $5 million to initiatives selected with input from the Greenpoint community.”
While the Greenpoint Library may be the most visible example of funding put to use, the program has also helped Greenpoint residents in smaller, less obvious ways, such as a birdwatching club in McGollick Park, tree planting and beautification at about 20 parks, and an increase in canoe trips from the North Brooklyn Community Boathouse.
Although much work remains to be done to address environmental issues, it is clear that the community has received value for its investment from the GCEF.
