The Trust for Governors Island Announces ‘Year of Milkweed’ Initiative
New Yorkers invited to participate through educational programs and participatory events that highlight the importance of native plants in encouraging biodiversity in urban spaces
Trust to plant 5,000 milkweed plants throughout 2024 and will unveil a new demonstration garden that will create habitat for monarch butterflies
NEWYORK, NY (April 26, 2024) – The Trust for Governors Island has dubbed 2024 as the “Year of Milkweed,” a yearlong initiative that will engage New Yorkers with programs that will highlight the power of native plants in the fight against biodiversity loss. Presented through Governors Island Nature, the initiative will shine a light on the horticulture practices that have helped transform this former military outpost into a resilient, immersive, thriving locale for plants, wildlife, and New Yorkers alike.
Events announced today include guided nature walks, nighttime insect ecology events, and volunteer opportunities in partnership with the Friends of Governors Island — where participants of all ages can help propagate milkweed plants and learn about their benefits — in addition to other horticultural happenings to honor this vibrant plant. The Trust will also unveil a new demonstration garden in Liggett Terrace this summer, which will feature 750 individual milkweed plants and be open year-round for education and relaxation. All event details are available at www.govisland.org.
“It’s the Year of Milkweed on Governors Island, and we couldn’t be more excited to shine a light on the incredible work our team does to care for the Island’s diverse natural areas,” said Clare Newman, President &CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “Our commitment to 5,000 plants is designed to educate and directly involve Island visitors in growing native habitats and empower all New Yorkers to help create a greener, healthier city for all.”
“Milkweed is such a special plant, and we can’t wait for it to find a home in the imagination of all New Yorkers this year,” said Leo Frampton, senior gardener at the Trust for Governors Island. “Its partnership with Monarch butterflies shows that, by finding a place for native plants, anyone can help our environment recover. Whether you have plants at home, participate in your neighborhood’s community garden, or have never even heard of a native plant, we hope you’ll join us on Governors Island to celebrate the Year of Milkweed.”
Year of Milkweed Spring/Summer Event Schedule
Guided nature walks exploring relationship between native plants and wildlife: May 30, June 27, July 25, August 29, September 26, October 31, November 21
Insect Light Trapping: May 14, June 11, July 16, July 23, August 13, September 10
Since the Island’s 43-acre, award-winning park was completed in 2016, the Trust’s horticulture team has helped cultivate these areas as robust native habitats through ecological horticulture — a practice that prioritizes biodiversity and sustainability. The Year of Milkweed initiative marks the first major effort to directly involve all New Yorkers in the Trust’s habitat creation work.
The Hills, the crowning feature of the Island’s park designed by West 8, showcase the potential for urban spaces to build back biodiversity. While the original plantings — many of which were native to the New York City region — worked to establish themselves shortly after the park’s completion, ecologically damaging plants like mugwort and bindweed invaded. Through innovative and experimental methods of weed control like solarization, where areas full of invasive plants are covered with a clear plastic tarp to harness solar power to cook the roots and seeds, the Trust’s horticultural team has successfully eliminated invasive plants in more than 5,000 square feet throughout the Hills and introduced 52 plants native to the New York City region, benefiting pollinators and other local wildlife.
Planting efforts as part of the Year of Milkweed will focus on three species native to New York City’s eco-region: Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed, selected as WildflowerNYC’s 2023 New York City Wildflower of the Year), Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed), and Ascelpias incarnata (swamp milkweed). They will be planted throughout the Island’s 120 acres of open space, with a focus on Hammock Grove, the Hills, and the Governors Island Historic District, in addition to the new demonstration garden in Liggett Terrace — an area on the Island known for its landscaped gardens, water features, and seasonal food vendors.
These plants were carefully chosen for the benefits they provide to monarch butterflies, whose caterpillar larvae feed exclusively on milkweed leaves. With their striking orange and black wings, Eastern monarchs are abundant on Governors Island during their migration in late summer and fall, but their populations have been experiencing significant decline throughout the United States over the past several years; the Xerxes Society for Invertebrate Conservation reports an 80% decline in Eastern monarch populations. Integrating this volume of milkweed plants into Governors Island’s green spaces will allow monarchs to safely complete their life cycles while increasing native plant habitats for all Island wildlife.
The Year of Milkweed is presented through the Trust’s Governors Island Nature program, which fosters visitor engagement with Governors Island’s 120 acres of natural and built open spaces and promotes horticulture practices employed by the Trust’s team that support biodiversity. Through learning, public programs, and stewardship projects, Governors Island Nature aims to educate New Yorkers about horticulture and the impacts of climate change on our natural surroundings, while promoting Governors Island as a sanctuary for all beings. In-person events and activities are accompanied by a suite of digital resources at www.govisland.org/nature that includes an interactive tree map, a “Plant Watch” page, and more.
Governors Island has undergone a tremendous transformation over the last two decades, including the creation of a resilient 43-acre park, a growing arts and cultural program, year-round public access, and remarkable growth in audience. The Island is home to a diverse number of year-round tenants, including the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Billion Oyster Project, Beam Center, the Institute for Public Architecture, and QCNY, as well as the soon-to-open Buttermilk Labs — a new multi-tenant hub for coastal climate solutions.
In April 2023, following a two-year competitive process, Mayor Eric Adams and the Trust for Governors Island announced the selection of a new anchor institution for the Center for Climate Solutions on Governors Island. The New York Climate Exchange, led by Stony Brook University, will be a first-of-its-kind, cross-sector nonprofit organization dedicated to climate research, solution development, education, workforce training, and public programs on Governors Island. The Trust also recently announced the Governors Island Living Lab, a new platform for research, partnerships, and programs to amplify climate action that includes an annual climate solutions challenge open to nonprofit organizations, entrepreneurs, and start-ups; the launch of climate field trip programs; and an interim community convening space on the Island.
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About the Trust for Governors Island
The Trust for Governors Island is the nonprofit corporation created by the City of New York that is responsible for the redevelopment and operation of 150 acres of Governors Island. The Trust’s mission is to realize the full potential of Governors Island for the inspiration and enjoyment of all New Yorkers, demonstrating a bold vision for public space. For more information, visit www.govisland.org
New York City may not be in the path of totality for the solar eclipse on April 8, but New Yorkers can still expect a pretty spectacular sight. Visibility is estimated to start at 2:10pm, with maximum visibility at 3:25pm and the eclipse ending at 4:36pm.
Governors Island is open from 7am-6pm on Monday, April 8. Hop on the ferry — we suggest nothing later than the 2:30pm ferry from the Battery Maritime Building — and head to one of our hand-picked eclipse viewing spots, listed below. Free, ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses, courtesy of Warby Parker, will be distributed to safely view this celestial spectacle.
Western waterfront esplanade, near the entrance to Collective Retreats or alongside Castle Williams.
The Play Lawns (baseball fields) in the South Island Park.
The top of Outlook Hill, or one of the switchbacks in the ADA-accessible path.
The ridgeline of Discovery Hill.
Picnic Point, the southern-most point on the Island.
The Parade Ground, located in between Nolan Park and Colonels Row.
We selected those spots for maximum sky visibility, but you really can’t go wrong with any wide open area on Governors Island. Visitors can pick up a pair of glasses (one per person) inside the Security Office at Building 140 as soon as they get off the ferry at Soissons Landing. Glasses are first come, first served as supplies last. Please remember to only view the eclipse while wearing ISO-certTified solar eclipse glasses or looking through a pinhole projector.
Click here to learn more about viewing the solar eclipse in New York.
The Trust for Governors Island and Governors Island Arts announced today the hiring of Lauren Haynes as their new Head Curator and Vice President for Arts and Culture — marking an exciting step forward for one of New York City’s most unique cultural destinations. A world-renowned arts expert with decades of experience, Haynes comes to Governors Island following a successful stint as Director of Curatorial Affairs and Programs at the Queens Museum.
“New York City remains the global capital for the arts, a haven for cultural expression, and the home of the best and brightest talent from around the globe. With Lauren Haynes joining Governors Island, New York City is proving that our reputation still stands true,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Lauren brings decades of experience that will only elevate the ongoing work at Governors Island and open new, exciting doors. I welcome her to the team and look forward to seeing how she will transform Governors Island into her own bold, visionary canvas.”
“I am thrilled to join the team at The Trust for Governors Island and Governors Island Arts at this key moment in the organization’s trajectory,” said Lauren Haynes, Head Curator and Vice President for Arts and Culture at the Trust for Governors Island. “I look forward to developing programming and working with artists to create projects and exhibitions for New Yorkers and everyone who visits our city.”
“We are honored to have a true visionary at the helm of our arts and culture programming, and we welcome Lauren Haynes to her new home at Governors Island,” said Clare Newman, President &CEO of The Trust for Governors Island. “Our cultural offerings have grown significantly over the past five years, and Lauren is the best person to continue our expansion as an arts destination for both New Yorkers and visitors from around the globe. We look forward to welcoming the public to enjoy her innovative, thoughtful programming selections in the near future.”
“As Governors Island continues to expand access to the arts through innovative and immersive public art projects, I am thrilled to have Lauren Haynes join the team as their new curator,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “Lauren will bring new programming to a unique destination in the middle of New York Harbor, further cementing our city’s status as a world-leading cultural hub and supporting our efforts to diversify our workforce.”
“Encompassing both New York’s storied history with a viewpoint directed towards the future, Governor’s Island has grown into a treasured cultural resource for all New Yorkers,” said Erika Mallin, Executive Director of the New York State Council on the Arts. “On behalf of the staff and Council, congratulations to Lauren Haynes. We all look forward to experiencing your vision and talents at this incredible destination.”
“Governors Island shows us the incredible power of the arts to transform our city’s public spaces into vibrant sites for transformative experiences and community engagement,” said NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “With her deep experience in NYC’s arts community and track record of visionary leadership, I can’t wait to see what Lauren Haynes can accomplish in collaboration with the extraordinary team at Governors Island.”
“Lauren Haynes will be an exceptional addition to Governors Island, ushering in a new era of artistic programming,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “Bringing her decades of visionary work in the arts, she will undoubtedly continue to advance the Trust’s commitment to bold and inclusive arts initiatives.”
“I’ve been so inspired to watch Governors Island flourish as a hub for New York artists, and I know Lauren Haynes will continue to grow and nurture the Island’s vibrant cultural community,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “This sort of care and dedication to the arts is more important than ever, and I’m grateful to the Trust for Governors Island and Governors Island Arts for their vision and leadership.”
“Governors Island, with its rich history and evolving cultural landscape, continues to assert its position as a cornerstone of New York City’s artistic and public space innovation,” said Assemblyman Charles D. Fall. “I congratulate Lauren on her new role and am confident that under her guidance, Governors Island will continue to be a place where art and community intersect in dynamic and meaningful ways.”
“I extend my warmest congratulations to Lauren Haynes as she leads the next phase of Governor Island’s arts and culture programming. Governor’s Island is a respite for New Yorkers and visitors, offering an opportunity to enjoy world-class events and exhibitions in a uniquely beautiful setting,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera (D‑02). “As Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries, I look forward to working together in coalition to keep New York City a beacon for creativity and expression.”
“We’re delighted to hear that Lauren Haynes will join our Governors Island community as the new curator for TGI’s Governors Island Arts and bring her creative vision to one of the most dynamic places in NYC. Since 2019, LMCC has provided artist residencies and public programs at our Arts Center as a key cultural partner to Island-based organizations working in sustainability, education and the arts. We extend a warm welcome to Lauren from LMCC’s vibrant community of artists and innovators,” said Craig T. Peterson, President of Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC).
During her time at the Queens Museum, Haynes was responsible for the overall vision for the museum’s exhibition program and supervising its exhibitions, public practice, and community engagement teams. Haynes has overseen exhibitions and curated projects including Tracey Rose: Shooting Down Babylon (2023) and Caroline Kent: A short play about watching shadows move across the room (2023). Haynes is also the co-curator of Lyle Ashton Harris: Our first and last love, which will be on view at the Queens Museum in May.
Originally from East Tennessee, Haynes moved to New York City when she was 12 years old. In 2023, President Joseph R. Biden appointed Haynes to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House, on which she currently serves.
Prior to joining the Queens Museum, Haynes was the Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, where she curated Beyond the Surface: Collage, Mixed Media and Textile Works from the Collection (2022−23) and co-curated The Power of Portraiture: Recent Acquisitions (2022−23) and Reckoning and Resilience: North Carolina Art Now (2022).
From 2016 – 2021, Haynes was Director of Artist Initiatives and Curator of Contemporary Art at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary in Bentonville, Arkansas. Haynes led the curatorial team for State of the Art 2020, which opened at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary in February 2020. Haynes’s curatorial projects at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary included Kenny Rivero: The Floor is Crooked (2021); Crystal Bridges at 10 (2021; co-curator); Sarah Cain: In Nature (2021); Nick Cave: Until (2020−21; institutional curator); Crystals in Art: Ancient to Today (2019; co-curator) and The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art (2018; co-curator). Haynes was the institutional curator for the first United States presentation of Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power when it traveled to Crystal Bridges in 2018. Haynes also led the development of the visual arts team and program at the Momentary (a satellite contemporary art space of Crystal Bridges) prior to its opening in February 2020.
Before joining Crystal Bridges, Haynes spent nearly a decade at The Studio Museum in Harlem where she held multiple positions, including Associate Curator for the permanent collection. As a specialist in contemporary art by artists of African Descent, Haynes curated dozens of exhibitions at the Studio Museum and contemporary art institutions in New York. At the Studio Museum, Haynes oversaw the care and collection of the permanent collection as well as acquisitions and exhibitions.
As Associate Curator, Permanent Collection, for the Studio Museum Haynes curated four main space exhibitions, including Alma Thomas (2016; co-curator); Speaking of People: Ebony, Jet and Contemporary Art (2014−15); Trenton Doyle Hancock: Skin and Bones, 20 Years of Drawing (2015; institutional organizer) and Stanley Whitney: Dance the Orange (2015). As an assistant curator at the Studio Museum, Haynes oversaw the Artist-in-Residence program in 2011-12, 2012 – 13 and 2013 – 14. She also curated over a dozen exhibitions, including Carrie Mae Weems: The Museum Series (2014), Kira Lynn Harris: The Block/Bellona (2011−12), and Spiral: Perspectives on an African-American Art Collective (2011). At the Studio Museum, Haynes co-curated several exhibitions, including Fore, the fourth display of emerging artists in the Studio Museum’s groundbreaking “f” show series, which includes Freestyle, Frequency, Flow and Fictions.
As part of her curatorial practice, Haynes has authored and co-authored several catalogs, including Lyle Ashton Harris: Our first and last love; State of the Art 2020; The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art; Alma Thomas, The Bearden Project, Speaking of People: Ebony, Jet, and Contemporary Art and Stanley Whitney: Dance the Orange.
Haynes has participated in many panels and lectures about contemporary art and artists. She has also lectured at venues around the United States, including The Whitney Museum of American Art; The Brooklyn Rail; Lamar Dodd School of Art; Artadia; and Texas State University, San Marcos. She has been a jurist for various art prizes and exhibitions across the US, including the David C. Driskell Prize; the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition; Lyndon House Arts Center; the Yeck Young Painters Competition; and ArtPrize. Haynes has written on leading contemporary artists including Jordan Casteel; Leonardo Drew; Trenton Doyle Hancock; Jennifer Packer; and Nari Ward. Haynes is on the board of the Association of Art Museum Curators and the AAMC Foundation and serves as Vice President of Fundraising. Haynes is on the visiting committee for the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Haynes was a 2018 Center for Curatorial Leadership fellow and a recipient of a 2020 ArtTable New Leadership Award.
Since opening to the public in 2005, Governors Island has become a beloved cultural resource for New York City. In an effort to expand arts programming, the Trust hired its first Head Curator and Vice President for Arts and Culture Meredith Johnson in 2016. Since then, the program has grown exponentially in its offerings for Island visitors, artists, other cultural practitioners — including temporary and long-term public art commissions by artists including Rachel Whiteread, Susan Philipsz, David Brooks, Jacob Hashimoto, Shantell Martin, Duke Riley, Richard Move, Sam Van Aken, Mark Dion, and Charles Gaines; an annual Organization in Residence program in the Island’s historic houses; and free public programs and events in partnership with a wide range of cultural organizations.
Governors Island Arts presents its program with the visionary support of the Ford Foundation, as well the Mellon Foundation, the Charina Endowment Fund, Donald R. Mullen Family Foundation, Stavros Niarchos Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Gottesman Fund, Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
The Trust for Governors Island announced today the winners of the inaugural Climate Solutions Challenge, presented through its Living Lab program. Through this initiative, the Trust makes the Island available as a site for local small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits to test and demonstrate urban climate solutions for cities and their diverse communities.
Dubbed the “Water Abundance Challenge,” this initial call for proposals sought projects that utilize water to help power climate solutions that grow blue and green jobs and create healthier communities. Each of the six New York City-based innovators will receive a site to demonstrate their projects, grant awards of up to $25,000, and access to a common pool of additional funds to support pilot implementation. Their pilot sites will also provide valuable opportunities to engage with the Island’s rapidly growing audience of nearly one million annual visitors through public demonstrations, workshops, training opportunities, and other initiatives.
“Where some people see challenges, New Yorkers see opportunities, and Governors Island’s ‘Climate Solutions Challenge’ is the perfect example of how New Yorkers’ creativity and ingenuity will continue to shape our world,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “By giving these climate solutions a chance to pilot, we will continue to grow New York City’s green economy, address climate change, and begin to create the good-paying, accessible ‘green-collar’ jobs of the future.”
“Building on the recently announced Green Economy Action Plan and the creation of the New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island, I am excited by today’s announcement and the selection of six organizations to participate in the inaugural Climate Solutions Challenge,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic, and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “New York City is and will continue to be a leader in the green economy by enabling pilot programs — like Governors Island Living Lab — to test high-impact climate tech, advancing world-class research and development, and implementing strategies that create both equity and economic value through green collar jobs.”
“Governors Island is the perfect place to test and showcase climate projects that will create a more sustainable and equitable city for all, and we are thrilled to be able to offer a totally unique environment to these six teams,” said Clare Newman, President and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “The Water Abundance Challenge winners represent innovative water-based solutions being developed by New Yorkers, for New Yorkers, and we cannot wait for them to share their work with Governors Island’s engaged — and growing — annual audience of nearly one million people.”
“We are thrilled to support these innovators and to shine a light on how climate solutions move from concept to prototyping to a scalable product,” said Lauren Wang, Director of Climate Programs at the Trust for Governors Island. “These founders and nonprofit leaders are working creatively and thoughtfully every day to improve the city’s relationship with water. We are looking forward to all New Yorker joining us on the Island this summer for demonstrations and workshops led by these teams.”
“Governors Island is more than a special place in New York City. Now, it’s becoming a symbol of our values and an incubator for climate solutions aimed at solving the globe’s most pressing challenge. At a time when the impacts of the climate crisis grow more apparent, the innovative pilot projects that will soon launch on the Island will undoubtedly move New York – and the world – forward as we work to make our city the epicenter of action,” said Dr. Stephen Hammer, CEO of The New York Climate Exchange. “The Exchange could not be more proud to call Governors Island home, greatly values our partnership, and looks forward to working with partners across the five boroughs to address the climate crisis.”
“To address the climate challenges of the future, we must invest today in a diverse group of innovators working on new projects and technologies that will protect New York City’s ecosystem,” said Abby Jo Sigal, Executive Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development. “The six winners of the Climate Solutions Challenge are just the ones we need to safeguard our waterways and harbors. They will also create well-paying green collar jobs, which is key to making our City more resilient, not just environmentally but also economically, for all New Yorkers.”
Duro UAS – A South Bronx-based company with the goal of improving how environmental data is collected and shared through advanced, affordable, and easy-to-use water monitoring systems and data services. On Governors Island, they will pilot their Nearshore Sonde, a portable water monitoring device and cloud-based data dashboard.
Just EcoCities – A nature-based solutions consultancy working to improve water quality, expand habitat, and promote engagement with New York City’s waterways. On Governors Island, they will partner with Biohabitats, an ecological design firm whose mission is to restore the Earth and inspire ecological stewardship, to pilot a Tidal Planter that creates salt marsh while removing pollutants from New York Harbor.
LÆRO – A small business founded in collaboration with experts across fields of water advocacy, manufacturing, and electromechanical engineering, working to reduce the levels of untreated wastewater that enter New York City’s waterways. On Governors Island, they will pilot Cycleau, their compact greywater treatment system at water refill stations and restrooms.
Object Territories – A critical design practice based in New York and Hong Kong that works at the intersection of architecture, landscape, and urbanism. Their pilot on Governors Island will test their Intertidal Objects, habitat-friendly coastal protection units designed in collaboration with the Center for Architecture, Science, and Ecology (CASE) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Fort Miller Group and after NATURE.
RETI Center – A Red Hook-based nonprofit that works to educate, train, and work with local youth, experts, professionals, and community members to transform our coastal city from one that is driven by fossil fuels to one balancing equity, ecology, and economy. On Governors Island, they will pilot their Floating BlueBlocks Gardens, integrated ecological systems that can be installed in any body of water, in collaboration with thread collective.
Seaweed City – A nonprofit citizen science initiative exploring the benefits of seaweed aquaculture in New York City’s waterways. On Governors Island, they will pilot their urban kelp farming infrastructure. The project is fiscally sponsored by Newtown Creek Alliance.
Of the selected pilots, 100 percent are locally based, 50 percent are women-led, and 33 percent are minority-led. Pilots will be installed on Governors Island over the coming months for periods spanning six to 18 months, with an inaugural public Demo Day to be held in early summer 2024. They will join ongoing piloting projects led by Vycarb, a Brooklyn-based company working to measure and mitigate carbon dioxide in New York Harbor; Circular Economy Manufacturing, a Brooklyn-based company that transforms post-consumer plastics into upcycled products through scalable solar-powered technology; and South Bronx Unite, a Bronx-based community organization that is piloting a street-level air quality monitoring network. For more information on the pilots, visit www.govisland.org/living-lab.
The Climate Solutions Piloting Program is a key component of Pilot:NYC, an initiative announced by Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams as part of the “New” New York Plan that seeks to make New York City a hub for urban innovation. The Piloting Program includes two components: the themed annual Climate Solutions Challenge and a general rolling call. Through the annual challenge, a selected cohort of companies receives piloting project sites, grant awards, deployment support, and public engagement opportunities. The Trust also offers a year-round general application for self-funded piloting proposals across all disciplines. Non-profit organizations, entrepreneurs, and start-ups are invited to apply to the general rolling call at any time at www.govisland.org/challenge.
The pilots announced today will complement an existing group of businesses and nonprofit organizations that are currently showcasing innovative climate solutions on Governors Island, including Con Edison, GrowNYC, Earth Matter NY, the Bee Conservancy, Billion Oyster Project, and others.
“Duro is thrilled to partner with Governors Island to launch the first IoT (Internet of Things) water monitoring network in New York Harbor. This exciting initiative, featuring a public data
dashboard and workshop series, will generate unprecedented insight into the Harbor ecosystem, strengthen the existing body of research, support the growth of keystone species, and much more,” said Brian Wilson and Gabriel Foreman, CEO and Vice President, respectively, at Duro UAS.
“Just Ecocities is thrilled to partner with Biohabitats to pilot a Tidal Planter climate solution on
Governors Island. The Tidal Planter will improve water quality and expand salt marsh habitat,
with a modular design that can be adapted for waterways throughout the region. We look forward to engaging with youth and community groups in monitoring and maintenance of the planter, building local capacity and training the climate workforce of the future,” said Jamie Ong, Founding Principal of Just Ecocities.
“We’re excited to show the possibilities of diversifying greywater treatment across New York City, and to piloting a scalable solution capable of restoring access to safe waterfronts in some of New York’s most underserved neighborhoods,” said Noemi Florea, founder and director of LÆRO.
“RETI Center is proud and excited to launch our Floating BlueBlocks Gardens at Governors Island. We see the creation of natural habitats and support of biodiversity as a crucial element in climate adaptation. All visitors to the Island, no matter their age or experience level, are welcome to come help us build and launch our gardens this summer,” said Tim Gilman-Sevcik, Executive Director of RETI Center.
“Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation is a proud supporter of the Governors Island Living Lab and congratulates the winners of the inaugural Climate Solutions Challenge. We are excited by the possibilities of these pilot projects and the positive impact they can bring to New York City’s vulnerable communities and beyond,” said Lisa Talma, Vice President of Philanthropic Initiatives in the Community Development Finance Group at Deutsche Bank.
“As a strong partner in ushering our state’s clean energy transition, we’re proud to support The Trust for Governors Island’s unique Climate Solutions Challenge initiative that places New York City at the forefront of cutting-edge research tackling the greatest challenges posed by climate change,” said Tim Cawley, Chairman and CEO of Con Edison. “These innovative projects will pave the way for a more sustainable future for our city while boosting green jobs, economic growth, and healthier communities.”
“As we continue to work to close the racial wealth gap and address other disparities that affect New York’s underserved neighborhoods, we must not ignore the role climate issues can play in exacerbating these inequalities through the ways they disproportionately harm communities of color,” said Valerie White, Senior Executive Director of LISCNY. “Programs like the Climate Solutions Challenge on Governors Island not only encourage innovation that can provide tangible community-centric climate initiatives but also offer diversely owned start-ups access to key resources that will enable success. We look forward to seeing the water-based solutions this cohort creates and the ways their work will ultimately benefit New Yorkers.”
“The New York Community Trust is proud to support Governors Island’s evolution into a hub for practical, innovative solutions to the challenges presented by accelerating climate change. From improving data collection to experimenting with seaweed aquaculture in New York City’s waterways, the variety and ingenuity of these projects gives me hope,” said Arturo Garcia-Costas, Senior Program Officer, Local, National and International Environment, The New York Community Trust.
“At Amazon, we’re actively working to reduce emissions to reach net zero carbon by 2040, and are excited to continue our partnership with Governors Island to showcase what sustainable and resilient cities can look like. The emerging businesses announced today are demonstrating innovative approaches to tackling the global climate crisis that are poised to scale, and we’re proud to support their work as part of the Climate Solutions challenge,” said Carley Graham Garcia, Head of Community Affairs and Public Policy, Amazon New York.
Today’s announcement marks an exciting step forward in Governors Island’s growth as a resource for climate demonstration and innovation. Announced in June 2023, the Living Lab is a new program led by the Trust that provides a platform for partnerships and programs to amplify climate action. In addition to the Climate Solutions Piloting Program, the Living Lab includes a climate field trip program launching this spring and a community convening space for climate on the Island. The Living Lab is made possible with the generous support of Amazon, Con Edison, Deutsche Bank, Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust, LISC, and the New York Community Trust.
The New York Climate Exchange, a research and educational institution led by Stony Brook University and a cross-sector consortium of universities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, was announced as the anchor partner for the Center for Climate Solutions by Mayor Eric Adams and the Trust for Governors Island in April 2023. The Exchange will create a state-of-the-art, $700-million, 400,000-square-foot campus on Governors Island dedicated to researching and developing innovative climate solutions that will be scaled across New York City and the world and that will equip New Yorkers to hold the green jobs of the future. The Exchange will also create thousands of permanent green jobs and generate $1 billion in fiscal impact for New York City.
The Trust for Governors Island and the Friends of Governors Island today announced the return of two iconic spring events to Governors Island: the annual Egg Hunt and Earth Day celebrations. The Egg Hunt will feature 50,000 eggs hidden around Governors Island and take place on Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 10am to 3pm. The Earth Day Celebration, highlighting the importance of native plants with stewardship activities, arts, and education, will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 10am to 3pm.
“We’re looking forward to celebrating spring on Governors Island with the return of these two fan-favorite events,” said Clare Newman, President and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “Egg Hunt and Earth Day both provide visitors with incredible opportunities to explore our 120 acres of open space and come together to celebrate the return of warm weather. Whether you’re coming out to hunt for eggs or help us create native plant habitats, we can’t wait to see you on the Island this spring.”
“The Friends of Governors Island is excited to welcome visitors to the Island this season for two spectacular spring programs: our 2nd annual Egg Hunt on March 30 and our Earth Day celebration on April 20,” said Patti Davis, Executive Director of the Friends of Governors Island. “These free, family-friendly public events highlight all that is special and unique about Governors Island with fun-filled activities, tours, and opportunities to give back.”
Back for a second year, this popular springtime event will see 50,000 candy-filled eggs spread across several areas of Governors Island, along with an Island-wide scavenger hunt that everyone can take a crack at and an additional hunt for children ages 5 and under. The celebration will take place on Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 11am to 3pm in Colonels Row and will also include performances from Bubbledad and WonderSpark Puppets, spring-themed arts and crafts with Red Hook Art Project, “Meet the Chickens” with Earth Matter NY, and more to be announced. Food will be available for purchase onsite from Governors Island vendors Makina Café and Little Eva’s, alongside food trucks including ANAO’s Caribbean Flavors, Yankee Doodles, Paradise Taquilla, and Deploy Coffee. Visitors will also be able to meet and take pictures with a Spring Bunny.
The egg hunt is first come, first served as supplies last, and will take place continuously throughout the day. No pre-registration is required, and the event is rain or shine. The Governors Island Egg Hunt is co-presented by the Trust for Governors Island and the Friends of Governors Island, with generous support from Tony’s Chocolonely. Additional support provided by New York Cares.
Governors Island’s third annual Earth Day celebration will celebrate the power of native plants through free educational activities and workshops for all ages, guided tours through the Island’s open space, a participatory mural inspired by the relationship between milkweed and Monarch butterflies, and volunteer stewardship projects. The festivities will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 10am to 3pm, and will also include cyanotype printing activities, seed ball workshops, free bike lessons with Bike New York, and more.
Earth Day on Governors Island is co-presented by the Trust for Governors Island and the Friends of Governors Island, with programming support from Student Conservation Association, Circular Economy Manufacturing, Wind Support, Bike New York, Earth Matter NY, the National Park Service, and Bee Conservancy. Earth Day is sponsored by AECOM, Daiwa Capital Markets America Inc., and Lazard. Generous support for Governors Island’s green spaces is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies and Blackstone Charitable Fund.
Governors Island Arts and Times Square Arts are pleased to announce artist Lovie Pignata’s Smitten sculpture as the champion of the Third Annual Ice Sculpture Show, held on Saturday, February 3rd on Governors Island. The winning sculpture depicts two cozy mittens with knit details touching to form a heart, referencing the beginning stages of love in the cold winter season. On February 14th in Times Square, the sculpture will be realized as a large-scale installation carved by Okamoto Studio as part of the district’s Valentine’s Day Events, where visitors will celebrate love with surprise proposals, weddings, and vow renewal ceremonies on the Square’s iconic Red Steps.
Lovie Pignata’s ode to newly kindled love, Smitten, was selected by a jury panel including creative agent at large and media personality Jenna Lyons, writer and editor Miya Lee, New York City Council Member Chi Ossé. Runner ups included Azikiwe Mohammed’s King Kong work, which won People’s Choice for the 10-foot-tall interpretation of King Kong. Art Domantay and Roberto Flores were awarded Most Ambitious for their multi-dimensional, kinetic heart sculpture titled Move Me, Rock Me Until I Break/My Movement, My Heart activated by human touch. The Artist’s Choice award went to Sally Twin, whose sculpture Game of Love portrays a dynamic take on shuffleboard, allowing visitors to physically interact with the ice sculpture’s playable pieces.
The third annual Ice Sculpture Show was presented by Governors Island Arts and Times Square Arts, in partnership with the Friends of Governors Island. Generous support provided by New York Water Taxi.
Times Square Arts will present “Smitten” on February 14th at the annual Love in Times Squareevent where real life love stories unfold in front of the winning sculpture. Couples will tie the knot in Duffy Square; renew vows on the Red Steps; and surprise marriage proposals under the iconic American Eagle screen. Click here for more information.
Today, Governors Island Arts and Times Square Arts announce selected finalists and jury members for Governors Island’s third annual Ice Sculpture Show, set to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 12 to 5p.m. This unique annual event provides New Yorkers and visitors from around the world with the singular opportunity to experience live ice carving alongside the open space, and cultural, educational, and historic resources and attractions that Governors Island offers year-round. The festive winter event will coincide with the Times Square Arts’ annual Love in Times Square celebration on February 14, 2024, which celebrates Valentine’s Day with weddings, surprise proposals and vow renewals.
The Governors Island Ice Sculpture Show is presented by Governors Island Arts and Times Square Arts, with lead support from the Friends of Governors Island. Generous support for the event is provided by New York Water Taxi.
This year’s esteemed jury panel that will select the winners includes creative agent at large and cast member of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York CityJenna Lyons, writer and editor Miya Lee, Chair of the New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations Council MemberChi Ossé, and Hollis Kam, Senior Vice President of People and Culture at Times Square Alliance and decade-long ordained wedding officiant for Love in Times Square.
2024 Ice Sculpture Show Finalists:
Art Domantay and Roberto Flores (@domantayart) — Domantay is known for his fabrication work on ambitious public art projects. . In his collaboration with Flores, they propose a multi-dimensional, kinetic heart sculpture activated by human touch.
Azikiwe Mohammed(@misterace12) — As a native New Yorker, Mohammed plans to depict the notorious King Kong, paying homage to the ape’s tale as an immigrant and his complicated yet legendary love story with New York City.
Katerina Sokolovskaya (@katerina.sokolovskaya.art)— For her ethereal concept, hands and legs emerge from a cloud as two hidden people embrace within it. Sokolovskaya aims to take an abstract and escapist approach to the theme of love.
Lloyd Foster (@_lloydfoster) — Foster frequently features angels in his work, and plans to use this motif as a symbol of love for his art piece. Hearts will replace the angel’s wings for his “Love Angels” sculpture.
Zeelie Brown (@zeeliebrownlovesyou) — Brown poses a sculpture that reflects her focus on Black love, soul, and New York City’s natural and architectural landscapes. The piece aims to instill passersby with a sense of freedom, love, and connection to nature and place.
Lovie Pignata (@iLovieNY) — For her piece titled “Smitten,” Pignata depicts two cozy mittens with knit details touching to form a heart, referencing the beginning stages of love in the wintry months.
Josef Pinlac (@Istillheartnewyork)— Two hands conjoin to form a heart for Pinlac’s work — a now viral worldwide symbol stemming from Japan — in which visitors have the opportunity to step inside the frame for a special moment of love. Pinlac is a member of Con Artist Collective in the Lower East Side.
Parastoo Ahovan (@parastooahovan) — Ahovan’s design represents a tree in an abstract form to suggest the interconnectedness of life and love. Each branch and leaf is symbolic of growth and life’s meandering journey, while the roots delve into the rich soil of tradition and resilience.
Akira Yoshimura(@akirayoshimura_) — Yoshimura demonstrates his love for New York City where he met his wife and friends with an ode in the shape of the King and Queen of hearts — the Queen’s card depicting the Statue of Liberty and the King’s card donning a quintessential NYC street vending cart.
Sally Twin (@thesallybeauty) — Twin’s “Game of Love” is a dynamic take on love and the game of shuffleboard, allowing visitors to physically interact with the sculpture’s playable pieces for an immersive experience.
“For the third winter season in a row we have been able to offer New Yorkers and visitors a unique opportunity to witness live ice carving and to experience interactive public art right here on the Island,” said Clare Newman, President and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “The Ice Sculpture Show is a unique example of all the fun winter activities that visitors can enjoy during the colder season. We welcome visitors of all ages to enjoy music and warm drinks, while experiencing the thrill of carving ice live with a chainsaw.”
“Governors Island has become home to a plethora of unique and engaging public arts programming, allowing visitors to experience and discover the creative visionaries from all over the world that innovate and design on the Island,” said Juan Pablo Siles, Associate Curator of Arts & Culture for the Trust. “We cannot wait to see what this incredible group of selected artists creates and look forward to welcoming visitors to vote on their favorite ice carved works while getting to experience a one-of-a-kind arts experience on the Island.”
“We can’t wait to see the winning design melt hearts in Times Square and become the sparkly and ephemeral anchor for our supersized celebration of love on Valentine’s Day,” said Jean Cooney, VP of Arts & Culture for the Times Square Alliance.
Ten finalist artists were chosen and each finalist was awarded $2,000 and paired with a professional ice carver from Okamoto Studio, where sculptures will be carved in a free public event on Governors Island on Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 12 to 5 p.m. Visitors are invited to witness this real-time ice carving from 12 to 2 p.m., vote on their favorite sculpture for the “People’s Choice Award: from 2 to 2:30 p.m., and enjoy an awards ceremony and reception from 2:30 to 5 p.m. This year’s Ice Sculpture show will take place in historic Colonels Row and will also feature the district’s lawn games, fire pits, and art exhibitions, along with food and drink year-round Governors Island vendor Makina Café and select additional food trucks.
A larger-scale version of the winning sculpture will then be carved and installed by Okamoto Studio in Times Square as a visual anchor for the district’s annual Valentine’s Day events, where New Yorkers and visitors alike will celebrate love through surprise proposals, weddings, and a vow renewal ceremony on the Square’s iconic Red Steps. Submission links to be a part of the festivities are below:
During the winter months, Governors Island is open to the public daily from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Trust for Governors Island-operated ferries run daily between the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street in Lower Manhattan and Soissons Landing on the Island. For schedules and ticketing information, visit www.govisland.org. For the event on February 3, special one-day service will be provided from Red Hook/Atlantic Basin and Pier 6/Brooklyn Bridge Park to Governors Island, with tickets and schedules to be available on Governors Island’s website in the days leading up to the event.
Round-trip ferry tickets cost $4 for adults. Governors Island ferries are always free for children 12 and under, older adults ages 65 and up, residents of NYCHA, IDNYC holders, current and former military service members, and Governors Island members. Ferries before noon on Saturdays and Sundays are free for all. There is no surcharge for bicycles or strollers at any time.
NYC Ferry is temporarily bypassing Governors Island for several weeks due to planned maintenance. NYC Ferry riders traveling to Governors Island from Brooklyn can take the ferry to Wall Street/Pier 11 and transfer to Trust-operated ferries at 10 South Street.
Governors Island’s award-winning park is open to the public every day, along with recreation activities like bike rentals, a Community Climbing Boulder, Hammock Grove, The Hills, Picnic Point, and more. Governors Island Arts public art commissions, including work from Duke Riley, Sam Van Aken, Rachel Whiteread, Mark Dion, Sheila Berger, and Mark Handforth are also currently on view throughout the Island.
This winter also marks the return of Winter Dog Days, where dogs are allowed on Governors Island daily from December 1 through the end of April. Dogs must be leashed while on Governors Island except for in the Winter Dog Park, located in Colonels Row.
The Trust for Governors Island and the Friends of Governors Island are excited to release our 2023 Year in Review. From groundbreaking arts and culture to incredible events and celebrations to major milestones in creating a hub for climate education and research, 2023 was an unforgettable year on Governors Island, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Read on for highlights, and click here to read the full report.
INNOVATIONINCLIMATE&THEENVIRONMENT
Cities around the world are becoming increasingly confronted with the impacts of climate change. In 2023, Governors Island made tremendous progress in the vision for a Center for Climate Solutions, announcing the selection of the New York Climate Exchange as the initiative’s anchor institution. We also made history in New York Harbor with the announcement of our new hybrid-electric ferry, setting sail in summer 2024, and launched a new platform to amplify climate action. Read more →
OPENSPACEFORALLNEWYORKERS
Cities around the world are becoming increasingly confronted with the impacts of climate change. In 2023, Governors Island made tremendous progress in the vision for a Center for Climate Solutions, announcing the selection of the New York Climate Exchange as the initiative’s anchor institution. We also made history in New York Harbor with the announcement of our new hybrid-electric ferry, setting sail in summer 2024, and launched a new platform to amplify climate action. Read more →
EXPANDEDCULTURALEXPERIENCES
Governors Island is a hub for New York City’s most unique arts and cultural experiences. In 2023, Governors Island Arts expanded its programming, welcomed new public art commissions, celebrated an astonishing 10 months of Charles Gaines’s Moving Chains, and hosted the largest cohort ever of seasonal Organizations in Residence in Nolan Park and Colonels Row. Read more →
A GROWINGYEAR-ROUNDCOMMUNITY
Governors Island is home to a diverse group of educational, nonprofit, and commercial tenants that enliven the Island year-round. Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Arts Center at Governors Island granted artist residencies and presented three exhibitions, QCNY welcomed 100,000 visitors, the Institute for Public Architecture expanded their residency programming year-round, and more. Read more →
The Trust for Governors Island announced today the arrival of the newest members of the Island’s working dog team – Atlas and Reed. Atlas is a two-year-old blue merle border collie, while Reed is a five-month-old border collie puppy. They join the Trust’s two veteran border collie employees, Chip and Aspen. The four pups will work together to help control the geese population on the Island and prevent the birds from befouling public areas.
“Our beautiful lawns and public spaces would not be in the amazing condition they are today without the efforts of our working dogs,” said Clare Newman, President &CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “Atlas and Reed are welcome additions to the team, and we look forward to watching all four members of our working dog team bound around our campus, keeping us free of geese and allowing our visitors to enjoy our pristine green spaces.”
“Ruff, ruff, ruff, ruff!” said Atlas and Reed, Governors Island’s newest working dogs, in a joint statement expressing their collective excitement about joining the team.
Atlas has already begun chasing geese on the Island several days a week, and Reed will officially begin his full-time employment on his first birthday. Right now, Reed is getting accustomed to riding the ferry back and forth, training alongside his new colleagues, and going on adventures. All of the working dogs are rescues; Reed, Chip, and Aspen come to Governors Island from the Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue, a boutique breed-specific rescue uniquely qualified to improve the lives of misplaced border collies by placing them into homes matching the individual needs of each dog. You can learn more about their work by visiting https://mabcr.org/.
Reed is named in honor of the late Jim Reed, a longtime member of the Governors Island family who was intricately involved in building and caring for the Island’s park and grounds – including “hiring” the first pack of working dogs in 2015 to humanely keep visiting geese off of the Island’s lawns and public spaces.
The Trust for Governors Island tried many different methods of goose control and found working dogs to be the most sustainable, humane, and adorable solution. Herding dogs like border collies make great guardians against flocks of geese. Their natural herding instincts urge them to control, but never to harm, large groups of geese, effectively chasing the birds away. While herding dogs make for a powerful goose deterrent, geese are persistent, and so the Island’s pooches must remain ever vigilant. The dogs take turns staying overnight on the Island, typically making the rounds (with a human caretaker in tow) at dawn and dusk daily.
You can follow the work of these dogs at their official Instagram page, @giworkingdogs.
Atlas, Reed, Chip, and Aspen aren’t the only pups who can take advantage of Governors Island’s numerous cultural offerings. The Island’s Winter Dog Days run through April 30, 2024, with dogs welcomed to visit Governors Island every weekday with their human companions beginning at 10:00 a.m. This winter the Island features an expanded off-leash dog park open daily in Colonels Row with plenty of space for dogs to run and play outside and maybe even chase a few geese of their own.
The Trust for Governors Island and Governors Island Arts announced today that it will host its inaugural Winter Solstice Celebration on December 16, 2023. Come celebrate the shortest day of the year and the rebirth of the winter season with a (short) day-long festival featuring art installations, performances, a scavenger hunt, and more, all free of charge. The event will take place from 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
The Governors Island Winter Solstice Celebration will culminate in Sally Beauti Twin’s Solstice Species Sashay, a lantern parade featuring beats by Fogo Azul — New York City’s most powerful women, trans, and non-binary community drumline — and presented by Governors Island Arts.
“Even the shortest day of the year is a fantastic time to visit Governors Island and join us for a day of free fun for the entire community,” said Clare Newman, President &CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “This celebration, kicking off the week of the solstice, will feature innovative and provocative performances and installations alongside the traditional fun activities Governors Island is known for, and we invite all New Yorkers to join us for this wonderful inaugural event.”
Visitors coming to the event can enjoy food, fire pits, and games at Colonels Row, DJ sets from the Lower Eastside Girls Club, a collaborative art activity with Red Hook Art Project, the opening of the House to Sky winter art exhibition, a Governors Island Nature Scavenger Hunt, a workshop and performance from Cora Dance, guided walking tours with the Friends of Governors Island, and the opening of the community-driven, collaborative art installation Paggank Wik (Nut Island Home).
The Solstice Species Sashay will take place at 3:30 p.m. The event was created by Sally Beauti Twin, a trans woman artist living in New York City. Her practice includes creation and curation of visual art, music, and theater. Her art has recently been shown at Tomato Mouse Gallery, Spring/Break Art Fair, Mizuma and Kips and Stephen St Gallery. She received her arts education at Tulane University. Solstice Species Sashay features Fogo Azul, New York City’s most powerful women, trans, and non-binary community drumline. This is third in a trilogy of island species celebratory parades Sally Beauti Twin has brought to Governors Island this year.
Paggank Wik (Nut Island Home) will open at 3:00 p.m. This will be a structure built from a combination of various types of elm, cedar, chestnut, and evergreens all harvested from Governors Island. Its design is inspired by the original inhabitants of the Island’s ancient dwellings, known as Wigwam. Paggank wik is being installed by a semi-elusive local story artist with the spiritual support of fellow local artists of the First Nations/Native American/Indigenous communities, including a group of Elders who sparked the idea and the enthusiasm for learning to build off the land expressed by the community. This structure is presented for everyone to experience an ancient way of living designed by original inhabitants of this and the surrounding islands and will be on view through the spring.
The House to Sky winter art exhibit will open during the event and will be on view through March 30, 2024. This installation includes several works by Sally Beauti Twin and other collaborators, including Ben Eden, Nicole Schonitzer, Alexander Zev, and Chelsea Browne.
Prepare to get spirited away via projection art from Camilla Padgitt-Coles, Giselle Angeles, and more artists. The Projection Party at Liggett Arch will kick off at 4:00 p.m. and will illuminate and animate the archway and walls of historic Liggett Hall in the most beautiful, moving, and colorful ways.
During the winter months, Governors Island is open to the public daily from 7am to 6pm. Trust for Governors Island-operated ferries run daily between the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street in Lower Manhattan and Soissons Landing on the Island. During the winter months, dogs are permitted on Governors Island daily beginning at 10am. Dogs require individual free ferry reservations, available online. For schedules and ticketing information, visit www.govisland.org.
Round-trip ferry tickets cost $4 for adults. Governors Island ferries are always free for children 12 and under, seniors 65 and up, residents of NYCHA, IDNYC holders, current and former military service members, and Governors Island members. Ferries before noon on Saturdays and Sundays are free for all. There is no surcharge for bicycles or strollers at any time.
NYC Ferry also serves Governors Island daily on the South Brooklyn route. For ticketing information and full schedules for NYC Ferry, visit www.ferry.nyc.