Responding to Climate Change Museums React Moderator, Kate Fermoile, Director of Interpretation and Exhibitions, Botanic Garden Session Agenda

I. Case Studies

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* Wildlife Conservation Society

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* Brooklyn Historical Society

II. Questions

II. Small Group Discussion

III. Reports How do we encourage our institutions to take political stand in response to climate change?

Goals for How can programming Session environmental stewards? Are we achieving these goals? How Think about which topic you do we evaluate? would be interested in exploring further... What can we do to promote social and environmental justice in our programs? Climate Change in NYC

Wikipedia: Climate Change in City could affect buildings/structures, wetlands, water supply, health, and energy demand, due to the high population and extensive infrastructure in the region.[1] New York is especially at risk if the sea level rises, due to many of the bridges connecting to boroughs, and entrances to roads and rail tunnels. High-traffic locations such as the airports, the Holland Tunnel, the Lincoln Tunnel, and the New York Passenger Ship Terminal are located in areas vulnerable to flooding.[2] Flooding would be expensive to reverse.[3][4] Rising temperatures could bring a higher risk of heat related deaths from heat waves and increased concentrations of ground-level ozone (potentially causing asthma and other health concerns). Molly Kerker, BBG, Manager of Continuing Education

Responding to needs of the public/creating environmental stewards Over the years, we’ve had classes about climate change

“Warming temperatures are affecting the abundance of many wildflower species including this Viola Brittoniana. You can learn more at a BBG lecture tonight ‘Wildflowers, Climate Change, and Walden Pond’ that compares data Henry David Thoreau collected at Walden Pond from 1851 to 1858 with modern observations.” –2010 …and classes about environmental stewardship

“With half of the world's 9 billion people predicted to live in cities by the year 2050, it is critical that functional habitat be integrated into cities, suburbs, and towns. This workshop will show you how to create landscapes that are both beautiful and ecologically advantageous.” – Gardening for Wildlife, 2013 …and there has been a push towards encouraging action.

“Climate change is here, and it's affecting our landscapes and the species around us. Learn how to use regional native plants and alternative landscaping practices to reduce the impact of climate change and improve the immediate environment.” – The Climate Change Warrior’s Garden, 2018 But how can we serve as a resource for gardening in this time of uncertainty?

“I think what is frustrating to me as a gardener who is interested in conservation (and in broader terms, figuring out how to navigate a changing ecosystem in an ethical way) is the sense that there isn't enough information out there to respond to this crisis. I've planted gardens in several places around Brooklyn and in with selections of native plants based on what I understand to be their usefulness as food source and habitat, their water needs etc., but as the climate here changes I don't know what I should be aiming for…”

“I read a lot, but I'm a layperson, and the only opinions I trust at the end of the day are those that are based on research by people who have made this their life's work... I think this is the time for more high level research and more collaboration, not less, so that non-specialists can make the best possible decisions with information that is current and informed by the wealth of historical data BBG possesses.” Pulling in outside experts

Melanie Sifton, Brooklyn Botanic Garden vice-president of Horticulture, points out brown conifers damaged by saltwater spray during Hurricane Sandy to climate scientist Allan Frei from Hunter College. Photo by Sarah Schmidt. …work closely with curators to identify what we are already doing at BBG, to share with the public more intentionally

Laura Powell, Rock Garden Curator, gives a tour. Photo by Blanca Begert. …and continuing to hold classes for different audiences.

“Of all Earth’s inhabitants, the human species has the greatest impact on our planet…The course will also cover topics on the importance of biodiversity, conservation, global climate and waste management. NYC will be used as a setting for case studies and will be supplemented with lab activities and active discussion utilizing multimedia delivery.” – Our NYC Environment: Environmental Science 101, Fall 2018 Dave Johnston, Manager of Professional Development, Wildlife Conservation Society

Shifting Political Stances in Response to Superstorm Sandy

Bill Elliston, Curator of Education, Prospect Park Zoo

Responding to needs of the public/creating environmental stewards Discover, Inspire, Protect Camps Empathy, Interest, Action, Emily Potter Ndiaye, Director of Education, Brooklyn Historical Society

Social and Environmental Justice Brooklyn Historical Society

1863 - Founded as Long Island Historical Society

1881 - Building opened

1985 - Changed our name and embraced social history methods

2011 - Launched School Programs at the Brooklyn Navy Yard

2012 - Collected photographs documenting Hurricane Sandy

2017 - Opened satellite location in DUMBO - Global sea rise and impact of sewers on oysters key themes. Brooklyn Navy Yard

Opened BLDG 92 - an multi-use center and galleries in 2011 and inaugurated education partnership with Brooklyn Historical Society.

Founded 1801

300-acre industrial park

330+ tenants

7,000+ workers, and growing Brooklyn Historical Society DUMBO

Waterfront, opened January 2018 So how and why is a historical society teaching environmental sustainability and justice?

Coney Island, before and after Hurricane Sandy, in photographs by Robin Michals, 2012 We don’t do it alone! We don’t do it alone! Historical thinking can answer and provide much needed context to environmental issues.

Why do heavy rains overflow our sewer systems and pollute our waterways like at Coney Island? Using BLDG 92 and the Navy Yard as a living case study, we teach 4 core topics in urban environmental studies:

Habitat loss Combined Sewer Overflow & Urban Heat Island Effect Manufacturing waste & solutions such as modular construction Seeing Green: Bee Hotels Seeing Green: Bee Hotels Teen Innovators at BLDG 92

“New York is filled with immigrants who sometimes feels their accent of speaking and their background/race would affect where they would get appointed...trust me Brooklyn Navy Yard is a place where your skills would be judged not your race or accent. Loved being here!”

- 2017-2018 Teen Innovator

http://teeninnovatorsbldg92.tumblr.com

Questions! Small Groups

How can we encourage our Are we achieving these goals? How institutions to be more politically do we evaluate? active? What can we do to promote social How can programming create and environmental justice in our environmental stewards? programs?