Day 2: Climate Innovation, Energy & Community Garden Tours with LUNGS

The East Village is home to a vibrant collection of community gardens, each a unique reflection of the creativity and passion of its gardeners. With a deep understanding of climate impacts and a long standing grassroots tradition, these gardens serve as eco-labs to test various climate-friendly solutions. Explore climate endeavors in and around East Village community gardens. Choose a tour to see the solutions, with extra emphasis on the Lower East Side’s unique sustainability features on Saturday and on its energy features on Sunday’s tour. Sustainability on Saturday is led by Magali Regis, community garden advocate and architect. Energy on Sunday Wendy Brawer, Green Mapmaker and ecodesigner (you’ll get a copy of Green Map’s new zine, LES Power, too). Both tours start at El Sol Brilliante at 3pm. Join us as we explore iconic community gardens and storied streets that embody the spirit and creativity of the East Village. Stick around for the music and culture of the LUNGs Harvest Arts Fest either night. Community gardens are not just places to grow food—they are dynamic spaces where community bonds and resilience are nurtured. These distinctive gardens are vital hubs where climate innovation, nature and community flourish. Magali and Wendy are part of the Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens (LUNGS), a grassroots organization bringing together the 55 community gardens of the Lower East Side and East Village. With a strong commitment to their protection and preservation, LUNGS works to ensure these vital community resources remain permanent. This tour is part of the LUNGS Harvest Arts Festival, see lungnyc.org for the 10 day schedule. The organization also offers cultural events, community-supported agriculture (CSA), educational initiatives for children and seniors, and youth employment opportunities.