Pictured: Youth Organizers Kevin Noguera, Kimberly Cruz, Carolina Martinez, Itzel Hernandez, Ender Martinez, Misael Vasquez, Josias Tejada Cisnado,
Senior Youth Organizers Gabriela Ramirez (in white shirt) & Kaylee Aguilar (with cap), Community Engagement Coordinator Melinda Vega (far right)
Not Pictured: Youth Organizers Frankie Mancia & Christoper Clara
In the past, we have done Environmental Justice Tours, events along the Chelsea Creek, bi-Monthly Concerts, clean ups, stewarding at the Urban Wild, bike tours, mobilized on Environmental Justice issues, and have ran an East Boston Youth Task Force.We currently run a trash initiative campaign, basement flood assessments, clean air campaign, a soccer tournament, free kayaking at Constitution beach and the Urban Wild, monthly youth getties, yearly youth summits, attend monthly community meetings, canvassing and door knocking around the community, leading surveys regarding emergency preparedness, participated in climate conversations, and an ongoing tree canopy campaign.
N-Yo (NOAH Youth Organizers) is a group of youth from the East Boston neighborhood who work to empower and build strong relationships with the community, educate and create public awareness on issues impacting East Boston, transform the Chelsea Creek, fight against environmental racism, create change, and achieve Environmental and Social Justice.
N-Yo's goal with the Tree Canopy Campaign is to increase the number of trees in East Boston. We conducted a research in which we found out that East Boston only has 1,924 trees which is only 15% of the coverage that it could have if a tree was planted every 25 feet. This becomes a major issue in the community because East Boston is missing out on huge ecological, health and economic benefits of a developed tree canopy such as improvement of air quality and energy consumption, reduction of noise pollution, and much more. From the data collected, we found out that if a tree was planted every 25 feet in East Boston, we could have 12,766 trees. Our overall goal is to help plant 2,000 more trees in East Boston in the following years.
In the beginning of this campaign, we worked with the City of Boston to establish where to plant new trees in the neighborhood. Due to this relationship, we were granted money that would help us buy a bike that would allows us to water the trees more efficiently. Back in 2017, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department presented N-Yo with the bike and trailer that we to maintain trees around East Boston. We use this bike to carry our water jugs and other maintenance services to various trees around Eastie.
At this moment, multiple of our youth are watering trees that have been planted throughout the neighborhood in the last 2 years. In order to implement this campaign, we use bikes to go around the community and water the trees. We have asked community members to help us out by becoming water sources so that we can fill up our jugs and go out in the community or by adopting a tree in front of their house or street. Other community residents have agreed to adopt a tree that is around their street.
Did you know that urban tree canopies increase property value?
Pictured: Youth Organizer Juan Camilo Arroyave
Urban tree canopies also intercept & retain rainwater while improving the aesthetic feel of an area.
Pictured: Youth Organizer Brandon Sorto
Did you also know that a general rule for watering trees is to water 10 gallons of water for every inch of the trunk diameter?
Our Garden, located in front of the Mario Umana Academy, is one of our biggest water source providers.
There are multiple ways that community members can get involved in this campaign.
You can also adopt a tree in which you commit to watering those trees that could be around your block! Email us or fill out our Volunteer Form for more information.
Youth Organizers Ender Martinez and Kevin Noguera help a resident in Orient Heights with their freshly plotted tree in the fall of 2018.
Youth Organizer Ender Martinez waters a freshly mulched tree in the Eagle Hill area.
Former Youth Organizer Jacob Espejo heads out in a bike to recruit volunteers and water sources for the 2018 Summer.
Former Youth Organizer Jacob Espejo secures the water jugs to get ready to head out and water.
Senior Youth Organizer, Gabriela Ramirez, presents in 2017 to the Eagle Hill Civic Association meeting about their initial findings about their research and their new tree canopy project.
Stephan Marin and Michael Passaerillo inform the Eagle Hill Civic Association meeting about how the community can get involved.
Youth Organizer, Itzel Hernandez, points to the data collected in 2017 regarding the lack of trees in Eastie.
Youth Organizer, Josias, waters in Eagle Hill.
Youth Organizer Carolina Martinez waters a grassy tree nearby our offices.
Youth Organizer Misael Vasquez waters a newly planted tree in Orient Heights.
Frankie Mancia, Youth Organizer, stands getting ready to water a tree on Trenton Street.
Misael and Josias stand next to a tree planted on Border Street.
Kaylee Aguilar teaches new Youth Organizers how to water a tree.
Youth Organizer Frankie Mancia, pictured above, waters two trees in the Orient Heights neighborhood.
Youth Organizer Chris Clara waters a newly planted tree in the Spring of 2018 in Maverick.
Youth Organizer Josias Tejada Cisnado waters another tree in the Orient Heights neighborhood.
Watering at Trenton Street.
This tree, on Trenton Street, planted in the Spring of 2018 has been adopted by community residents.
@ NOAH YOUTH ORGANIZERS
NoahYouthOrganizers@gmail.com