August is a busy month for Groundwork Hudson Valley, which creates sustainable environmental change in urban neighborhoods through community-based partnerships that promote equity, youth leadership and economic opportunity. The Science Barge, Groundwork’s floating urban farm and education center located at 99 Dock Street in Yonkers, will host several special activities for children, lectures for adults and hands-on events for everyone.

This month’s Art & Science Sundays, for children ages 4 to 10, will include Crabbing: Catch and Measure the Famous Blue Claw Crab, on August 5; Jingles and Jangles: Rubik's Cube With Trent, on August 12; Knots of Science and Lots of Science, on August 19; and Oyster and Oyster Art, on August 26. All programs take place from 2 to 4 p.m. There’s a suggested donation of $5 for supplies. To reserve a spot, RSVP to Barge Director Bob Walters at [email protected]. 

Groundwork’s summer lecture series, held Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m., will include Finding Home on the River: Embracing a Place-Based Environmental Ethos, on August 2. Chloe Wang will reflect on her work at Bartram’s Garden in Southwest Philadelphia, where she facilitated environmental and community engagement with neighborhood residents as well as local college students. On August 9, Bob Walters will present The Untold Story: The Birth of the Hudson River Environmental Movement. He will describe how the residents of the Hudson Valley joined together to fight greed and arrogance by some of the most powerful corporations in America. 

Every Thursday through early October, Groundwork Hudson Valley has an Open Harvest on the Science Barge, where people can learn about basic hydroponics and aquaponics with the Groundwork staff and participate in the donation-based U Pick Produce program.

Next month, Groundwork will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Science Barge at its annual Urban River Party, which will take place September 26, from 6 to 9 p.m., at X20 Xaviers on the Hudson, in Yonkers. This year’s party will honor Nanette Bourne of Sam Schwartz Consulting, who leads major urban and environmental planning projects throughout the Hudson Valley; Floyd Myers of the National Park Service; and Anthony Simari of Yonkers law firm Spolzino, Smith, Buss & Jacobs. For tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Sara Brody at [email protected] or 914.375.2151.

For more info about Groundwork Hudson Valley, visit GroundworkHV.org.