Queens environmental groups receive $200K in state grants

Environmental effort along the Rockaway Peninsula have helped restore the local population of humpback whales and other animals. Photo via Pixabay.

By Jonathan Sperling

Two Queens environmental justice organizations will receive $200,000 in state funding as part of a statewide grant program announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo Monday. The groups were among 21 statewide to receive funding through the Environmental Justice Community Impact Grant program.

Eastern Queens Alliance, Inc. received a $100,000 award to fund an initiative that assess airport-related air and noise pollution in Southeast Queens project,. The project which will collect air and noise pollution data to provide a better understanding of levels of pollution and community health concerns.

Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, Inc. also received $100,000 to go toward its “Shore Corps,” an Open Space Green Stewards Youth Internship and Workforce Development Program. The program provides internships to 90 low-income young people between ages 14 and 18 in Far Rockaway.

“When we support grassroots efforts to build a greener, healthier, and more sustainable New York, everyone benefits,” Cuomo said in a statement. “This newest round of Community Impact Grants will make a positive difference in the lives of all New Yorkers through innovative and successful initiatives that promote environmental justice and a better quality of life.”

The state has awarded more than $11 million in grants to fund environmental justice-related initiatives since 2011. 

Other New York City-based recipients of this latest round of grants include The Bronx is Blooming, Friends of Van Cortlandt Park, Human Impacts Institute, Gowanus Canal Conservancy, Inc., West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc. and Neighbors Allied for Good Growth.