SWINY EVENT

SWINY Canoes the Bronx River!

The Bronx River is one of New York City's hidden gems. It begins up in Westchester at the Kensico Dam and flows south to the East River at Hunt's Point. SWINY is helping organize a canoe trip (sponsored by the Bronx River
Alliance) down a four-mile section of the river from 219th Street in the Bronx to the Concrete Plant Park near the mouth of the river. Along the way, we will pass through some of the last old-growth forest remnants in the city as well as the grounds of the New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo. And, yes, our trip will pass through the heavily urbanized landscape of the South Bronx. You will not be bored.

There will also be science aplenty to be seen. The relatively new and growing field of urban restoration ecology is meeting one of its toughest challenges on the Bronx River as a dedicated group of community activists and city employees work to reestablish something of the original natural ecosystem of the Bronx. There is even something for medical writers here, as the South Bronx has one of the highest childhood asthma rates in the country, but one of the city's lowest proportions of open space. Representatives from the Bronx River Alliance will accompany us to explain the work they are doing. This trip will be fun, educational, enlightening, and, yes, inspirational.

Trip Details

* Sunday September 26 from 10:00 to around 2:00
* Beginning at 219th St. and the Bronx River (near the 219th St. stop on the 2 line)
* Ending at the Concrete Plant Park (near the Whitlock Ave. stop on the 6
line)
* Limit of 15 paddlers
* The trip is about four miles long with three portages where paddlers have to carry their own boats. One portage is between 300 and 400 yards long.
* Participants must bring their own lunch and water and should be prepared to get wet and muddy.
* Cost is $30 per person. You are officially registered when I receive your check.

If you are interested, send a check (made out to "Science Writers in New
York) for $30 per person to:

Ken Kostel
510 West 123rd St, Apt. 51
New York, NY 10027

Include your name, address, phone #, e-mail address, and the name(s) of anyone you are bringing along.

Question? Call me at 917-743-3454 or drop me an e-mail at kkostel@nasw.org.