Senator Roxanne Persaud Hosts Jamaica Bay Boat Tour for Brooklyn Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2025

Senator Roxanne Persaud Hosts Jamaica Bay Boat Tour for Brooklyn Students

BROOKLYN, NY – On Friday, May 23, 2025, Senator Roxanne J. Persaud joined Terri Carta, the executive director of the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JB-RPC), Dr. Suri Duitch, the president of Kingsborough Community College (KCC), Dr. Brett Branco, the executive director of the Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay and students from the Academy for Conservation and the Environment, along with Wetlands Fellows from JB-RPC, for a unique educational boat tour of Jamaica Bay. This special event was made possible through a collaborative effort between the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy and Kingsborough Community College, providing students with a hands-on opportunity to explore and learn about the rich ecology of the bay.

The tour offered students an immersive experience in the ecology of Jamaica Bay, one of New York City's most essential natural habitats. In addition to learning about local environmental systems, students had a unique opportunity to explore Jamaica Bay aboard the R/V CUNY 1, a state-of-the-art hybrid propulsion catamaran that provides educational and scientific excursions in Jamaica Bay and the New York Harbor estuaries. This 63-foot-long vessel, which can accommodate 49 passengers, is docked at its home pier at Kingsborough Community College in Manhattan Beach.

“This is a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity,” said Senator Persaud. “It’s important that our young people not only learn about environmental conservation in the classroom, but also see and feel the ecosystems they’re studying. I’m proud to partner with JB-RPC and Kingsborough Community College to make this possible.”

"Most people don't realize that Jamaica Bay and its surrounding parklands comprise NYC's largest natural area -- 44 square miles, or twice the size of Manhattan," said Terri Carta. "I'm so grateful to Senator Persaud and President Duitch for making today's boat tour possible, highlighting this unparalleled outdoor classroom, learning laboratory, and center for career exploration and development.”

"Offering students a hands-on boat tour of Jamaica Bay provides an invaluable educational experience," said Dr. Duitch. "This opportunity allows them to fully engage with the bay's rich ecology, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for this vital natural resource right in our backyard. It’s an experience that extends beyond the classroom, connecting theoretical knowledge with the vibrant reality of our local environment and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.”

The tour included a guided boat ride on the R/V CUNY 1, featuring an educational overview of Jamaica Bay's history. Highlights of the tour included Floyd Bennett Field, Canarsie Pier, Shirley Chisholm State Park, and the surrounding areas. Students gained a deeper understanding of Jamaica Bay's diverse wildlife, vital wetlands, and the importance of environmental stewardship.

Senator Persaud proudly secured $250,000 in the 2024-2025 State Budget to support the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy's (JB-RPC) essential work in protecting Jamaica Bay's unique ecosystems and advancing environmental conservation and community education initiatives.

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