Congratulations to our First Photo Contest Winner!

Congratulations, Nevin Cohen; you’ve been selected as our winner for this month’s “A Greener Apple” photo contest! Your photo will go into our collection for this year’s Ecology: A Look at New York City. Ecology is a documentary photo project and year-long contest with monthly winners that seeks to increase awareness and environmental stewardship throughout the New York metro area. In December 2011, submissions will be compiled and linked on the EPA Region 2 website for everyone to peruse and appreciate the environment around us. Next summer we plan to host an honorary photo exhibit of the monthly winners in the lobby of our building at 290 Broadway.

A short blurb from the photographer about the photo:

In Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Eagle Street Rooftop Farm is a 6,000 square foot green roof organic vegetable farm atop a warehouse building. With gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline, the farmers at Eagle Street supply a community supported agriculture (CSA) program, an onsite market, and they bicycle fresh produce to area restaurants. In addition, the farm hosts educational and volunteer programs. In this photo, taken at the start of the growing season, volunteers tend to the “fields” planting and weeding. The photo (shot with a Lumix LX-3) was meant to illustrate the varied ways urban agriculture can be woven into the fabric of even the densest cities. Green roofs reduce stormwater runoff, conserve building energy, and create habitat for insects and birds, while providing a source of fresh vegetables to the community.

Our contest continues next month, and September’s theme is, “Urban Waters.” Submit your photos starting September 1^st here.

Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.