Macaulay Honors College Receives Discretionary Funding from New York City Council

Funds Will Help Bring the Free Events of City Nature Challenge to More New Yorkers Next Spring 

Macaulay Honors College today announces that the New York City Council has pledged $10,000 in discretionary funding to support the expansion of the college’s participation in the annual City Nature Challenge, taking place in April, 2024. 

Since 2017, Macaulay has been the lead organizer of the New York City segment of City Nature Challenge. The Challenges is a global, four-day celebration of biodiversity, citizen science, and sustainability, centered around making nature observations on your own or at free local events. Nature lovers of all ages are invited to participate in green spaces, parks or wherever they find nature throughout New York City’s five boroughs. The discretionary funding will allow Macaulay to offer City Nature Challenge experiences to many more New Yorkers. 

“Council Member Gale A. Brewer‘s generous support gives Macaulay much-needed funding to expand this wonderful programming to more people and more communities,” said Macaulay Dean, Dr. Dara N. Byrne, “and to engage more students. We’re looking forward to welcoming New Yorkers to fun, free events where they can learn about diverse urban wildlife, take pride in their neighborhood’s unique natural features, and contribute to citizen science.”

Macaulay student volunteers will be on hand at many of these events to teach and guide participants. 

The discretionary funding is part of a commitment by Council Member Brewer to work in partnership with Macaulay to make the city more accessible, equitable, and livable for every resident. Macaulay will use the funds to greatly expand City Nature Challenge participation in 2024 by: 

•       coordinating activities with stewardship groups, parks, conservancies and gardens
•       training student volunteers 
•       promoting the events through a wide range of targeted media 
•       upgrading technology 
•       designing experiences for outdoor sites
•       purchasing supplies

“Understanding, appreciating, and protecting the nature found in our urban environment becomes more critical every day,” said Macaulay Director of Science Forward and NYC City Nature Challenge organizer, Dr. Kelly O’Donnell. “City Nature Challenge contributes to our awareness of urban biodiversity, builds connections between people and nature, and helps us to understand the need for a greener New York City.”