FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2020
Contact:
Alex Zablocki
347-690-0931
alex@jbrpc.org
JAMAICA BAY-ROCKAWAY PARKS CONSERVANCY & FILMMAKER
TEAM UP TO OFFER FREE ONLINE VIEWINGS OF “SAVING JAMAICA BAY”
TO STUDENTS, TEACHERS & ALL NEW YORKERS
Teaching valuable lessons about the environment from a local perspective, film is a perfect tool for hundreds of thousands of parents and educators seeking quality educational content they can view from home
Rockaway, Queens – Jamaica Bay is home to Gateway National Recreation Area encompassing former military bases, New York City’s first municipal airport, marsh islands and wetlands, and the National Park Service’s only self-operated wildlife refuge – also accessible by subway. What you may not know is that Jamaica Bay has a fascinating history and that it took a concerted effort to restore it and create a national urban park.
Starting today through May 1, 2020, New Yorkers can learn more about Jamaica Bay by watching for free the award-winning documentary film Saving Jamaica Bay at www.jbrpc.org/video or directly by visiting https://vimeo.com/403735894. Educators can also arrange for videoconferences with the filmmakers and Jamaica Bay advocates by contacting the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy at info@jbrpc.org.
Saving Jamaica Bay tells the story of how one community fought government inaction and overcame Hurricane Sandy to clean up and restore the largest open space in New York City, which had become a dumping ground for garbage, sewage and bullet-riddled mobsters. Narrated by Academy-Award winning actress Susan Sarandon, the 77-minute documentary underscores the importance of citizen action and the role of urban nature in protecting our cities from the effects of climate change.
“The Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy is grateful to Dan Hendrick for allowing Saving Jamaica Bay to be viewed online for free through the end of April. This film is a must-see for New Yorkers! Learn how local residents are fighting to save Jamaica Bay, clean its waters and restore its marshes, and find out how you can get involved in saving Jamaica Bay. Now is a perfect time to learn more about this amazing estuary right here in New York City,” said Alex Zablocki, Executive Director, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy.
“The women and men fighting to save Jamaica Bay inspired us to make this film. Today, we are proud to give back to them and all New Yorkers by inviting everyone to view Saving Jamaica Bay online for free,” said the film’s producer and writer, Dan Hendrick. “Watching this film is a great way to visit Jamaica Bay virtually and we hope it will inspire New Yorkers to visit this incredible natural gem once this crisis is over.”
"There is nothing like getting to visit a national park in person -- especially when it's right in your backyard. But Saving Jamaica Bay may be the next best thing during this time, and connects us with the human dimension of the fight to protect the health of our natural environment. Many thanks to Dan Hendrick and the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy for making this film available," said Jennifer T. Nersesian, Superintendent, Gateway National Recreation Area.
"Despite the dredging, development and filling in of marshes, Jamaica Bay remains as a viable natural ecosystem struggling to survive in a densely populated urban landscape. As such it's an important refuge for wildlife and people," said Don Riepe, the Jamaica Bay Guardian for the American Littoral Society.
Dan Hendrick, along with filmmaker Trevor Laurence, also produced and directed an online video series for the Conservancy titled, Explore Jamaica Bay: New York City’s Natural Oasis. These short films can also be viewed online for free at www.jbrpc.org/video.
About the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy
The Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JBRPC) is a public-private partnership established in 2013 that is dedicated to improving the 10,000 acres of public parkland throughout Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway peninsula for local residents and visitors alike. With its partners at the National Park Service, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, JBRPC works to expand public access; increase recreational and educational opportunities; foster citizen stewardship and volunteerism; preserve and restore natural areas, including wetland and wildlife habitat; enhance cultural resources; and ensure the long-term sustainability of the parklands.
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