Green Card

In Jackson Heights, Queens, green plays hide and seek in a tapestry of grey asphalt & brown buildings.

As a neighborhood, Jackson Heights ranks next to last in New York City for public green space. Without trees, birds find it hard to make home. E-birders report up to 293 species of birds in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. In Jackson Heights, only 32 species have been reported.  A lack of trees means a dearth of places birds can call home.

Through the participatory, cross-generational Make Justice Normal Street Works Earth festival kicking off Climate Week 2024, we asked community members: What makes Jackson Heights/Queens/NYC home for you? What would make Jackson Heights a better home for birds? What is your favorite bird or spot in Jackson Heights?

Together we made origami swans while exploring how green space helps increase clean air, limits heat index, and gives space for our feathered friends (and people!) to nest & soar.