Climate Justice is Powering New Possibilities Across New York City

From our June Newsletter, by Keisha Benjamin, Development Sr. Associate

This summer, Solar One is celebrating how climate justice is powering new possibilities across New York City. From our upcoming community events, exciting new park activities with fishing training and waterfront programming, new workforce success stories, expansions with clean energy partnerships, and the launch of the Solar One Membership Program, discover how you can learn, connect, and take action with Solar One.

JULY 3 SAIL250 EVENT AT STUYVESANT COVE PARK

Friday, July 3, join us to celebrate at one of the best waterfront viewing locations in New York City as historic tall ships sail the East River in commemoration of the 250th American Independence Day. Solar One will transform the waterfront at Stuyvesant Cove Park into an interactive exploration zone focused on science, sustainability, and our growing native plant park. This is a moment to highlight that true independence today means energy independence: solar-powered, community-rooted, and environmental justice for all!

FREE Day-of registration opens on July 3. Discounted pre-purchase drink tickets are available now at https://givebutter.com/sail250

Enjoy interactive activities for all ages, including:

Solar-powered mixology demonstrations and solar toy car racing

Pollinator Puppet play and native plant park & education garden tours

Live DJ A Wobbz and delicious local food trucks

Join Our Solar Star Donor Zone

Elevate your experience by becoming a Solar Star Donor and enjoy exclusive access inside the Solar One Environmental Education Center while supporting environmental education and climate action. Your $125 Solar Star contribution comes with:

• All Day complimentary drinks and snacks
• Indoor seating with premium views of the Tall Ships
• A one-year Goldenrod Membership to Solar One including our newsletter subscription, park plant guides and bloom calendars, along with discounted and early access to future community events

(more info on our new membership program available in this newsletter)

Purchase your Solar Star pass by July 3 at https://givebutter.com/sail250, then stop by the Environmental Education Center to receive your wristband.

Space is limited, so reserve yours early! One wristband access per donation.

Email externalaffairs@solar1.org for under 18 entry information.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you and share our upcoming community programs at Stuyvesant Cove Park!

CITY OF WATER GOES FISHING WITH GREEN DESIGN LAB

Green Design Lab is expanding hands-on waterfront learning! Solar One is now a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)-approved Pop-Up Fishing Clinic provider, and our education team recently completed official training to begin offering family fishing clinics and other exciting water-focused programming at Stuyvesant Cove Park.

Get a first look at what’s to come during City of Water Day on Saturday, July 25, from 10 AM–4 PM, when Solar One and Local Nature Lab host a free, family-friendly celebration of New York City’s waterfront. Explore water quality testing, an introductory fishing clinic, cyanotype art printing, and interactive activities highlighting the ecology and biodiversity of the East River.

Registration is required for Fishing Clinic sessions, and space is limited.

CAREER LABS DIGITAL SKILLS GRADUATION

We’re excited to share that we’ve completed our first Career Labs Digital Skills Training Program! Throughout the program, Solar One students built strong digital literacy skills and confidence using workplace technology, from navigating digital tools and platforms to communicating effectively in online environments. They gained hands-on experience with Microsoft Excel, organizing and analyzing data, and creating clear, professional reports. By the end, students were working more independently and effectively with technology, demonstrating meaningful growth in both digital skills and workplace readiness.

We’re proud of the dedication, resilience, and growth shown by every participant. Watching students build new skills, support one another, and take real steps toward their career goals was truly inspiring. A huge thank you to our partners at Year Up United and Jobs First for their support in making this program a success. We can’t wait to see what this talented group accomplishes next!

SUPPORTING MORE COMMUNITIES THROUGH SOLAR PARTNERSHIPS

Over the past month, the Here Comes Solar (HCS) team was selected to support a new cohort of organizations through the National Community Solar Partnership. HCS staff will provide technical assistance alongside organizations in Illinois, Oklahoma, and New York City that are developing their first community solar projects or exploring community solar development. Support includes financial modeling, solar design guidance, and other pre-development resources to help bring projects from concept to implementation.

The HCS team also reconnected with many of our Qualified Installers—the trusted contractors who receive Solar One’s Requests for Proposals and ultimately work with building owners and communities to install solar projects. These annual check-ins are an important opportunity to share program updates, review active projects, strengthen partnerships, and gather feedback to improve our processes.

Finally, the New York State budget included several policies championed by HCS, including key interconnection reforms that will make community solar projects easier and more affordable to build, along with $200 million for NY-SUN, the state’s rebate program that helps reduce the upfront cost of solar installations and expand access to clean energy for all New Yorkers.

LAUNCHING THE SOLAR ONE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

Join the new Solar One Membership Program and help sustain one of New York City’s most impactful environmental education programs and NYC’s first waterfront native plant park. Your membership supports Solar One’s work to advance clean energy accessibility, climate education, green workforce development, and the stewardship of public green spaces that create healthier, more resilient communities in New York City.

As a Solar One member, you’ll enjoy exclusive experiences, discounted events, early access to programs, and opportunities to engage more deeply with the people, projects, and ideas shaping a greener New York City. Throughout the year, members will receive invitations to volunteer opportunities, networking events, expert-led discussions, sustainability workshops, and unique experiences with community partners and local climate leaders, all while supporting Solar One’s mission to build a more resilient and equitable future.

Sign Up for Membership Experiences & Benefits Here:

https://givebutter.com/s1member

YOUR PERFECT OCCASION STARTS AT THE BRANT

While our Environmental Education Center operates as a beacon for classroom learning and community enrichment, it’s also serves as The Brant Event Space. Offering a memorable place to host your next special moment with stunning views of the East River and the Brooklyn and Queens waterfronts in New York City.

Learn more and start planning your event

UPCOMING EVENTS WITH SOLAR ONE & FRIENDS

Solar One Event: Powering the Possibilities – Sail250 Community Celebration

Friday, July 3, 2026 @ 12:00 PM–4:00 PM

https://givebutter.com/sail250

Solar One Event: City of Water Day – Fish, Print, Explore!

Saturday, July 25, 2026 @ 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

https://givebutter.com/city-of-water-day-fish-print-explore-smvfsg

Foragers in the Foodway

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 @ 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/07/07/foragers-in-the-foodway

Restoration Fridays at Forest Park

Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/07/10/710-restoration-fridays-at-forest-park

Food Demos on the Urban Farm

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 12:00 PM–2:00 PM

https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/07/11/food-demos-on-the-urban-farm

Bike Ride to Waterfront Festival

Saturday, July 18, 2026 @ 11:30 AM–1:30 PM

https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/07/18/bike-ride-to-waterfront-festival

Nocturnal Seining and Shore Exploration

Sunday, July 19, 2026 @ 7:00 PM–8:30 PM

https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/07/19/nocturnal-seining-and-shore-exploration

Wild Apothecary: From Soil to Skin with Imelda Bell

Friday, July 24, 2026 @ 4:00 PM–6:00 PM

https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/07/24/wild-apothecary-from-soil-to-skin-with-imelda-bell

Summer on the Hudson: Birding Tour

Saturday, July 25, 2026 @ 8:00 AM–10:00 AM

https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/07/25/summer-on-the-hudson-birding-tour

About Solar One

Solar One is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to design and deliver innovative education, training, and technical assistance that fosters sustainability and resiliency in diverse urban environments. Solar One facilitates learning that changes the way people think about energy, sustainability, and resilience by engaging diverse program participants across NYC boroughs. Programs help individuals and communities explore new ways of living and working that are more adaptive to a climate-change impacted world. Learn more at solar1.org.

Solar One Media Contact

Daphne Aquije, daphne@solar1.org