GreenWorks in the City

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• Subject: New Threads, a clothing recycling and job creation program

• Location: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

• Program Spotlight: New Threads is a non-profit organization that employs and trains unemployed and under-employed persons to recycle used clothing that would otherwise be thrown away. New Threads collects clothing, resells some of it, sends some of it overseas to developing countries, and retailors some of it into beautiful value-added textile products.

• Take-Home message: The biggest challenge of recycling is creating markets for the recycled products, which is why it is important that people buy from organizations like New Threads. Recycling, job creation, and urban empowerment go hand in hand.
  

Youth Cycle and Recycle Gives City Kids Skills

• Subject: The Youth Cycle and Recycle program of the Bicycle Coalition of the Delaware Valley

• Location: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

• Program Spotlight: Through Youth Cycle and Recycle, city kids get unwanted bikes, learn how to fix them up, ride them safely and then keep them. The program not only heightens their skills-it provides constructive after-school activities for the local community.

• Take-Home message: These kids learn valuable skills and help reduce the waste stream at the same time, proving that recycling and other social goals are a good fit.
  

Sea Change, Organic Farming in the City's Heart

• Subject: Sea Change Horticultural Center

• Location: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

• Program Spotlight: Sea Change Horticultural Center is an organic farm in the middle of the state's biggest city! It is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program, which means that members of the community buy shares of the farm and in return receive weekly allotments of fruits and vegetables, grown locally and free of pesticides.

• Take-Home message: Sea Change is on land that used to be an abandoned lot, and now looks like a farm. It enhances the community, exposes urban residents to agriculture and horticulture, and delivers produce that is fresh from the farm and pesticide free, as healthy and tasty as it can be.
  

Speaking for the Trees in Norris Square

• Subject: Arbor Day Celebrations for the Latino Community in Norris Square Park

• Location: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

• Program Spotlight: Norris Square was once called "Needle Park," a place too dangerous for children to play. Today, the community has rallied to clean it up. Norris Square is now safe and serves as a center for cultural activities, such as the Arbor Day celebration featured in this video.

• Take-Home message: Natural areas in urban settings are very important. They serve us for relaxation, social events, and recreation. With community participation, areas that are abandoned and dangerous today can become clean and beautiful tomorrow.
  

All Aboard the A.J. Meerwald!

• Subject: Teaching urban students about river life on a vintage oyster schooner.

• Location: The Delaware River, Philadelphia County

• Program Spotlight: Aboard the A.J. Meerwald, a restored 1928 oyster schooner, Philadelphia kids learn about life on the high seas, as well as life under the water. They learn about the effects of urbanization on aquatic ecosystems and water supplies, and also do some sailing.

• Take-Home message: This fun, interactive adventure is a successful approach to teaching students about their connection to the water, as much of the city's drinking water comes from the Delaware River.

Get Involved:
Bicycle Coalition of the Delaware Valley
252 South Eleventh St.
First Floor
Philadelphia, PA, 19107
Phone: (215) BICYCLE
Fax: (215) 829-0426

Delaware Bay Schooner Project
2800 High St. Bivalve
Port Norris, NJ, 08349
Phone: (609) 785-2060
Fax: (609) 785-2893

New Threads
2448 Coral St.
Philadelphia, PA, 19125
Phone: (215) 425-4024

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Rachel Carson State Office Building, 14th Floor
Harrisburg, PA, 17105-8472
Phone: (717) 787-7382

Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Philadelphia Office
117 South 17th Street
Suite #2300
Philadelphia, PA, 19103
Phone: (215) 563-0250

Sea Change Horticultural Center
1608 N. Carlisle Street
Phone: (215) 822-7975
George Ware, Farm Manager
(215) 276-3630 or (215) 548-2118