NEW YORK, July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The Noya Fields Family group of charitable funds (www.noyafieldsfamily.org) spreads its roots to Brooklyn by providing a grant to the floating urban food forest Swale NY for general program support. Conceived of by artist Mary Mattingly, the Swale Project provides a unique educational experience that connects people to the water and provides public access to fresh food. It suggests that when treated as a commons, food production can be less polluting, and food access can be more just. An edible landscape, Swale is built on a hopper barge that utilizes marine common law in order to circumvent local public land laws.
“The idea behind Swale aligns well with our desire to support hands on projects that provide practical experience, explore solutions that combine with education and community outreach,” commented Ken Fields. “Being able to step on to this floating garden in the midst of the hustle and bustle of New York City and learn about urban permaculture and foraging around for and eating what’s growing right in front of you is an amazing way to connect with our food sources and our environment.”
Swale has been at Governor’s Island and Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier Six. On June 31st, 2017 it moved to Concrete Plant Park in the Bronx where it will finish off the summer.
About Swale NY:
Swale (www.swaleny.org) is a floating food forest built atop a barge that travels to piers in New York City, offering educational programming and welcoming visitors to harvest herbs, fruits and vegetables for free. Swale strives to strengthen stewardship of public waterways and land, while working to shift policies that will increase the presence of edible perennial landscapes.
About Noya Fields Family Funds:
The Noya Fields Family Group of charitable funds supports by way of direct grants and strategic partnerships a wide range of philanthropic endeavors with a focus on the environment, human civil liberties, education and the arts.
