PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sarah Evans, Director of Living Collections at Green-Wood Cemetery, on Climate Change Impacts and Green Infrastructure
2:03:56
·
3 min
Sarah Evans, from Green-Wood Cemetery, discusses the impact of recent drought and intense storm events on green infrastructure, particularly trees. She emphasizes the importance of proactive care for urban forests and the implementation of stormwater management systems to combat climate change effects.
- Green-Wood Cemetery has invested in planting 1,500 drought-tolerant trees and completed a $2 million stormwater infrastructure project.
- The cemetery is experiencing an alarming decline in the health of mature oak and beech trees due to changing climate conditions.
- Their efforts are particularly important for Sunset Park, a designated Environmental Justice area.
Sarah Evans
2:03:56
Alright.
2:03:57
Good morning, members of the committee.
2:03:59
My name is Sarah Evans and I serve as director of the living collections at Greenwood Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark and accredited arboretum in Brooklyn.
2:04:08
And my testimony is actually touching on, something that council member Ressler was getting at.
2:04:16
So this historic drought coupled with intense storm events underscores the importance of green infrastructure like trees and storm water management systems.
2:04:25
Unlike storms or earthquakes, we're seeing that droughts are slow onset disasters, the effects of which are not seen immediately.
2:04:33
The EPA actually advises that the best way to prepare for drought is to develop infrastructure that captures and harvests rainwater so that we reduce the strain on our water systems, promote infiltration into the soil, and recharge the ground water whenever it rains.
2:04:50
Trees play a vital role in this process improving water quality, reducing runoff, and cooling our urban environment.
2:04:57
However, the benefits of trees are obviously diminished when their health is compromised.
2:05:03
This year at Greenwood, we've seen an alarming rate of decline in the health of our mature oak and beech trees, specifically.
2:05:07
They are succumbing to a range of pathogens
Beth DeFalco
2:05:09
due
Sarah Evans
2:05:15
unseasonably warm temperatures.
2:05:18
This is a reality check that even our oldest and most established trees in New York are vulnerable to the changing climate and it highlights the need for proactive care to ensure the longevity of our urban forest.
2:05:31
What we've done with almost $600,000 awarded by the New York State DEC.
2:05:38
We are set to plant 1500 trees over the next year.
2:05:42
And we are prioritizing tree species that are more tolerant and adapted to warmer and drier conditions.
2:05:50
Additionally we have just completed a 2,000,000 comprehensive stormwater infrastructure project that was funded in part by the DEP.
2:05:59
Oh, no.
2:06:00
And the New York story.
Jim Gennaro
2:06:01
Please continue.
Beth DeFalco
2:06:01
Okay.
2:06:02
Please continue.
Sarah Evans
2:06:03
And the New York State Green Innovation Grant Program which, this infrastructure now manages over 51,000,000 gallons of storm water annually.
2:06:14
We are positioned, in Sunset Park primarily and so this is really critical for Sunset Park which is a designated EJ environmental justice area where our efforts to combat the challenges posed by climate change are occurring.
2:06:32
I've included more detail about the green infrastructure projects in this testimony that I will submit online, and the measures we have taken to address the issues posed by drought this year and also storm events.
2:06:44
And, I invite you all, of this committee to visit Greenwood and see the forward looking work we're doing to benefit our community as we adapt responsibly to our changing climate.
2:06:56
Thank you.
