The Riverdale Nature Preservancy
Annual Meeting 2023
Longstanding supporters.
New faces. Community leaders.
On Thursday night April 20, 2023 we came together at the Riverdale Y to discuss strategy for long-term planning in our area.
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How can we preserve historic sites and green space in the northwest Bronx for future generations? We learned from the success stories of Daylighting Tibbetts Brook and acquiring Edgehill Church. Together we shared concerns and laughs, engaging in a community conversation which was respectful and enlightening.
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Our Speakers:
Jessica Haller, President Riverdale Nature Preservancy
How citizens can support SNAD
Christina Taylor, Deputy Director, Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
Daylighting Tibbetts Brook
Nick Dembowski, President, Kingsbridge Historical Society
Edgehill Church & rural Spuyten Duyvil
Eric Dinowitz, Council Member District 11
Q&A
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See more information and links to video highlights on our blog!
Annual Meeting, 2021
Community Education: The Preservancy hosted an online forum leading up to the District 11 City Council Special Election in 2021. Candidates in the election were invited to participate in a discussion with board members Sherida Paulsen, FAIA and Barry Wilner, Esq. Using a question and answer format, candidates shared views on issues including long-term development and preservation of local ecology.
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The forum is available in entirety on Youtube, here and here.
Annual Meeting, 2019
Community Education: Proposed changes to the Special Natural Area District (SNAD) text were the topic or our annual meeting. The proposed changes affected the scope of regulations from applying at the neighborhood level to property by property, shifted agency responsibility from City Planning to the Department of Buildings, and made changes in discretionary vs. as-of-right review of planned developments. Our annual meeting hosted a panel discussion including Paula Luria Caplan (AICP), Sherida Paulsen (FAIA), Robert Fanuzzi (Ph. D.) and journalis Bernard Stein. The proposed amendements were not adopted.
Annual Meeting, 2017
Community Education: Led by the RNP board and City Council member Andy Cohen, attendees discussed a proposed development by The Hebrew Home. The proposed development included an exemption from existing regulations on a property zoned for low-density use. Community members discussed long-term vision for community development, and the direct and big picture implications of providing an exemption to the regulations for the Hebrew Home's planned project. The project ultimately approved for construction on the property was significantly smaller than originally proposed, and in keeping with the regulations established to protect the community from short-sighted development.
Annual Meeting, 2015
Community Education: Led by the board of RNP, CIty Council member Andy Cohen, and NYS Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, attendees discussed proposed changes to city-wide zoning. One notable change would be Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH), which would require 20% of units in new developments to rent at a rate of no more than 1/3 of the Area Median Income (AMI). An additional change would be Zoning for Quality and Affordability (ZQA) which seeks better residential design, opportunity for seniors to stay in their communities, and reduced parking requirements for development near public transit. The meeting hosted a thoughtful discussion of the effect of these changes on local ecology, character, and historical preservation.
Click above to view slideshow
Annual Meeting 2014
People. Pets. Environment: How to Keep a Non-Toxic Home
Members and friends came together in April 2014 to consider the hazards of landscaping and lawn care that relies on pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilizers.
Panel:
Dr. Maya Shetreat-Klein, Integrative Pediatric Neurologist.
An integrative pediatric neurologist, board-certified in Adult and Pediatric Neurology as well as in Pediatrics, and a lifelong environmental activist, Maya’s passion is to understand the connection between food, environmental exposures and health.
Jack DePietro, Organic Gardener
Jack specializes in sustainable Garden Design, installation and aftercare. His company, JD Garden Pro, is based in Riverdale N.Y. and has clients from Bridgehampton to Rhinebeck.
Ken Almstead, Certified Arborist and Organic Land Care Professional
Ken's practice of arboriculture ranges from caring for trees on small residential properties to large campuses. He is known for his diagnostic insight and holistic understanding of the life cycle of trees and plants, as well as for his expertise in tree risk assessment.
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2012 Annual Meeting
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Panel Discussion on Community and Growth
On April 4, 2012, the Preservancy hosted a community meeting and panel discussion to begin a positive conversation between local institutions and community members on the topics of creating, enhancing and preserving the cultural, social and natural assets of our neighborhoods as our community and institutions grow.
In the course of meeting their mission, community facilities make decisions about land use, transportation and architecture. These decisions contribute in important ways to the quality of the neighborhoods surrounding each facility.
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Panel:
Paula Luria Caplan, PLC Urban Planning & Policy and former Deputy Director of Planning and Development for the Bronx Borough President
Helen Morik, Vice President, Government & Community Affairs, New York-Presbyterian Hospital
Howard Waldman, Science Teacher, Green Dean, Ethical Culture Fieldston School
Damian McShane, Former Chairman, Bronx Community Board 8
A facilitated discussion with all attendees followed the panel presentations.
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