Monthly Archives: November 2011

Getting our Feet Wet: Winter Waterfowl Survey

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Chrissy Word | Leave a comment | on-water group programs

Satellite Academy service learning interns at Rocking the Boat get their feet wet at Pugsley Creek Park observing winter waterfowl. The park is currently undergoing restoration including installation of native grasses called spartina that will benefit native birds and other wildlife.  The interns are collecting data as a part of a 5-year monitoring project following the restoration.  The data will be used by scientists and technicians at the Natural Resources Group of the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation.  The views are beautiful not all easily accessible since the site is not yet fully open to the public.  One student, Jose, said it’s “like taking a ride on the Magic School Bus!”

Rocking the airwaves

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Rocking the Boat | Leave a comment | all programs

In the WFUV studio with Stephanie and Rachel

On November 19th, Fordham University radio station WFUV aired a full 30 minute program on Rocking the Boat!

We’ve received lots of print and television attention over the years, but this is Rocking the Boat’s first mainstream radio coverage. Have a listen!

Fordham Conversations on WFUV

Shake and Bake!

Posted on November 21, 2011 by On-Water Program | Leave a comment | boatbuilding, on-water

Marcus and Anajess baking up a storm!

 

On-Water and Boatbuilding students had an awesome day before Thanksgiving working on the boat and cooking in the kitchen.  We made some awesome pumpkin spice cookies.  They started like this:

 

pumpkin spice cookie batter

 

And ended like this:

 

We also made some pretty amazing guacamole (go, Aurea!) and green bean casserole.  Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Rocking the Boat!

Rocking the Boat meets U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Rocking the Boat | Leave a comment | all programs

Rocking the Boat Program Assistants and Executive Director Adam Green with U.S. Rep. Jose Serrano (far left) and U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar (third from right)

In October, Rocking the Boat was invited by the National Park Service to attend the launch of the New York component of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership at Roberto Clemente State Park, in the Bronx.

NY Daily News article – Sunday, October 30, 2011: Natural resources czar visits the Bronx

Rocking the Boat’s Service Learners

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Chrissy Word | Leave a comment | on-water group programs

The Satellite Academy Service Learning group is a program of Rocking the Boat’s On-Water Groups Program.  This group of 8 high school students are participating in an extended program in which they assist in Rocking the Boat’s environmental restoration projects while earning high school science credit.  This semester they have been trained to monitor Bronx River water quality and oyster gardens.  They will also complete a winter waterfowl survey for the Natural Resources Group of the Parks Department and build nest boxes for local tree swallows.  The interns can use this experience for college applications and resumes.  For them, science has never been like this!

Progress on the Whaleboat

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Geoff | Leave a comment | boatbuilding job skills

Over the past few months job skills apprentices have been getting a handle on the whaleboat we are building for the Charles Morgan. It is a big project and has such a unique history. There is a few hours of video that we have from Mystic Seaport when they documented the building of the same boat. We have also been talking with Independence Seaport Museum to work through problems.

Our goal for this semester to to have the keel, stems and molds set up as well as all of the frames bent. The boat is being built right side up and the molds will be held in place with supports attached to the ceiling. One of the biggest challenges for us so far has been the keel rabbet. We typically build boats upside down and lay the keel into the molds. The molds then guide the process of cutting the rabbet for the first or garboard plank. We have templates we have made of the plank fitting into the keel that we have been using to cut the rabbet. It is a conceptually challenging process. Steam bending the frames and the stems is something that we have heard is laced with difficulity.

Job Skills Bronx River Bike Ride

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Rocking the Boat | Leave a comment | boatbuilding job skills, environmental job skills

During the fall semester, part of the challenge is shorter days and not getting to spend enough time outdoors.  So in order to get a new perspective of the Bronx River and explore a bit of its rich history, the Job Skills Apprentices took advantage of their day off of school to tour the Bronx River- by bike!

The 10 mile, 3 hour bike ride started and ended at Rocking the Boat, taking advantage of new bike paths in Soundview Park, visiting the old Cass Gilbert Station in Concrete Plant Park and making our way to Crotona Park (quoted as an Apprentice as being the “Central Park of the Bronx”).  The Apprentices learned about how Soundview Park got its name, the history and restoration of Starlight Park, and the controversy of the Sheridan Expressway- all while having fun and getting to know one another better.

Job Skills Apprentices at the start of the bike tour.

 

On the path through Soundview Park

View from the 174th Street bridge of the Rocking the Boat students canoeing

On our way to Concrete Plant Park