GRASSROOTS

New York City is home to more than 883,000 trees, and every decade they get their own census. The high-tech gadgets cover the street trees, but the park trees still need hands-on care. Volunteers (like you and me!) can learn to ID species, check their health, and help keep the city’s green spaces thriving.

One Saturday at Inwood Hill Park, I joined volunteers pulling out goutweed, an invasive plant with roots that stretch for meters underground. As my teammate and I dug, we uncovered more than just rhizomes—we found ourselves in a conversation about migration, history, and belonging. The work was humbling, and the questions it raised lingered long after.

On a Saturday morning, I joined NYC Parks’ Tree Stewardship program to care for 19 street trees in my neighborhood. From loosening compacted soil to learning why healthy tree wells matter, I saw how small acts of care can make a city more resilient. Here’s how you can help your local trees—and the streets they shade—thrive.

The story follows a spontaneous gardening effort that, over 24 hours, intersects with conversations about compost, safety, generosity, and what it means to quietly care for overlooked corners of the city.

The fourth annual East Village Zine Fair in New York took up the street of St Marks Pl! Let’s see what interesting zines and pamphlets and more importantly, noticeable artists I found!