Hi, my name is Michael Smoot and I work for the Bronx River Alliance. What made this all possible was the training I received from NYC-MillionTrees in Landscaping, Ecological Restoration, and Arboriculture. My experience in this field of work has been educational and fun. I do gardening work and tree care, as well as water quality and tool maintenance. I have also learned something new working with the Bronx River Alliance. I learned how to install a Rainwater Harvesting system which help prevents flooding during heavy rain fall. I work on projects with the field crew to restore, maintain, and enhance the ecosystem and wildlife in the Bronx River corridor.
I also work with the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). As we work with the SYEP we try to incorporate educational information as they work throughout the day. We teach them how to identify different type of trees, shrubs, and plants. We show them the proper and safe way to handle the tools. During the days with summer youth we clear out areas which are over run by invasive plants and vines. Though we spend only two days a week with the SYEP, we try to make sure they leave with some type of knowledge of what we do and why.
Here are some of the Alliance staff with the city comptroller, John Liu (center).
We were working with volunteers from his office in Muskrat Cove on July 22. I,
Michael Smoot, am at the far right of the photo.
