Project Description:
Onondaga Environmental Institute worked with the Onondaga Earth Corps to design and install the demonstration projects as well as engage additional members of the community.
With the kind of experience that only comes from living and working in the same neighborhood, the Onondaga Earth Corps played a key role in identifying potential demo project sites. The youth evaluated over half a dozen sites as potential demo project sites. OEI staff worked with the OEC to develop preliminary green infrastructure plans for the best sites.
The Barnabas Center is operated by the Salvation Army and serves high risk youth from the Southside of Syracuse as well as from other areas of Onondaga County. At the Barnabas Center, modifications were made to the existing gutter to send the water from the roof through a pipe underneath the driveway to a rain garden. Previously, the water was flowing from the roof on to the sidewalk and into a storm drain. Green wall boxes were planted by OEC youth and youth at the Barnabas Center and hung on the fence as an example of what a green wall could look like.
The Onondaga Earth Corps is a youth development and green job training program that employs youth ages 15-20 from the City of Syracuse to work on community beautification, environmental improvement and outreach projects. Onondaga Environmental Institute is a non-profit environmental organization whose mission is to advance environmental research, education, planning and restoration in Central New York. Their staff have extensive experience with the Onondaga Lake Watershed, green infrastructure and community engagement.
Download the report on 2011 OEC demonstration projects for Save the Rain (prepared by Onondaga Earth Corps and Onondaga Environmental Institute):
