BGI Greenway Stewardship Volunteer Orientation

Keeping the Greenway clean and green isn't easy, but with your help, together we can keep the Greenway litter-free and enjoyable for all! We're excited to welcome the public to join BGI staff and gardeners to steward the Naval Cemetery Landscape and adjacent Greenway for regular stewardship days. Join Brooklyn Greenway Initiative for an orientation with meadow cutback and greenway stewardship afterward! The event will be Saturday, April 5, 10:00am -12:30pm. Registration is required. There will be another orientation on May 3 if you cannot attend this one!

This year, join BGI gardeners in keeping the greenways green!  Learn invasive plant management and about the benefits of native perennials and street trees as we steward the Greenway!  As a non-profit organization we operate the Naval Cemetery Landscape to showcase the impact of well-maintained green space along pedestrian and cyclist pathways, on both community members’ wellness and biodiversity of other species. We’ll train volunteers on aspects of the care of the NCL and advocate for that level of care on the NYC’s greenways with a focus on expanding seasonal stewardship to the greenways adjacent to the NCL area. Learn about the Naval Cemetery Landscape (NCL), greenways in Brooklyn, and how community groups and members can support their beauty and accessibility for everyone! BGI will guide volunteers in identification and targeted removal of invasive species in the Naval Cemetery Landscape as well as street tree stewardship, including weeding and aerating tree pits and removing trash from the tree pits and the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway.

We’ll recruit stewards for this program starting in the early spring! If you are interested in helping our advocacy organization to steward the greenway, join our orientation and attend the Earth Day stewardship event to see our work!

2025 Greenway Stewardship Orientation

When: Saturday, April 5 @ 10 am-12:30

Participants will meet the Director of Horticulture and Greenway Stewardship, hear more about our stewardship work, and get a chance to ask questions before training and stewarding the NCL and adjacent greenway! 

Earth Day Stewardship at the NCL

When: Saturday, April 26th Time: 10AM-12:30PM

See the eventbrite for this event to register and for details

Greenway Stewardship at the NCL and Orientation

When: Saturday, May 3rd @ 10AM-1PM

Participants will meet the Director of Horticulture and Greenway Stewardship, hear more about our stewardship work, and get a chance to ask questions before training and stewarding the NCL and adjacent greenway! 

Volunteer Requirements:

• We are looking for those who can work outside in various weather conditions.
• Age 18+
• Available May - November, first and third Saturdays of the month

BGI will provide necessary tools. We encourage participants to bring their own gloves, but gloves will also be available on site. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and sign a participant waiver. We recommend wearing sunscreen, a sun hat, and comfortable clothing in layers. While weather can be unpredictable in spring and summer, we will work in light rain and only cancel if heavy rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast. We also recommend bringing a water bottle and snacks as there is no water on work sites.

Located on the eastern edge of the Brooklyn Navy Yard and accessed from the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway at 63 Williamsburg Street West between Kent and Flushing Avenues. We highly recommend taking public transportation, biking or walking to NCL.

The Naval Cemetery Landscape is fully operated and open-to-the-public by Brooklyn Greenway Initiative through the generosity of our supporters, The Leon Levy Foundation, Con Edison, and Nature Sacred and many Greenway users across Brooklyn.

Host or Publisher Brooklyn Greenway Initiative