nyc compost project composting calendar

Please keep checking back on this page as we add workshops and programs.

workshops & composting events | master composter training

WORKSHOPS & COMPOSTING EVENTS

The NYC Compost Project, funded by the NYC Department of Sanitation, offers a variety of workshops on indoor and outdoor composting and also participates in various environmental events throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Check the links below for more information.

bronx | brooklyn | manhattan | queens | staten island

Bronx Compost Project
The New York Botanical Garden
Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Rd.
Bronx, NY 10458-5126
compost helpline: (718) 817-8543
web: www.nybg.org/compost
directions to the garden: www.nybg.org/visit_the_garden/directions.php
email: bronxgreenup@nybg.org

home gardening center compost demonstration • Visit The New York Botanical Garden’s Compost Demonstration in the newly opened Home Gardening Center. Learn how to compost in a 3-part compost bin that was constructed by the Bronx Green-Up staff and Master Composters. You will also see examples of other composting bins suitable for backyards, as well as community gardens and school gardens. A Master Composter usually visits weekly and may be available to answer your questions. Please consult www.nybg.org for a schedule of Home Gardening demonstrations.

compost bins • The Bronx Compost Project does not stock compost bins for sale. See compost bins at reduced prices for NYC residents to find out where to purchase outdoor compost bins and worm bins.

compost workshops • If you belong to a community or school garden that is registered with Bronx Green-Up and would like to host a class at your site, please call Bronx Green-Up at (718) 817-8543, or email bronxgreenup@nybg.org.

note: Except where indicated, the following workshops are provided at no charge, or for a nominal fee, thanks to the funding provided by the DSNY Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling.

For a complete schedule of events and activities at The New York Botanical Garden, please visit www.nybg.org. Grounds admission is free to everyone all day on Wednesdays and from 10 am to 12 pm on Saturdays.

bring your fall leaves to drew gardens!
Drew Gardens, East Tremont Avenue, just east of Boston Road

Even though Sanitation suspended fall leaf composting collection this year, you can still do your part and compost your leaves. Bring bagged leaves to this Bronx community garden and Drew gardeners will turn it into rich compost. To arrange a drop-off, call (718) 817-8026 or email jplewka@phippsny.org.

Wednesday, July 1, noon to 2 pm
bronx green-up & compost project information table: farmers market
The New York Botanical Garden, inside the Mosholu Gate on Kazimiroff Boulevard

Stop by for free tip sheets, pamphlets, and workshop schedules designed to help gardeners increase their horticultural, composting, and recycling knowledge. Included in Garden admission. Grounds admission is free to everyone on Wednesdays and from 10 am to noon on Saturdays.

Wednesday, July 8, 10 to 11 am
community garden compost workday
Fordham Bedford Lotbusters Garden, 2592 Bainbridge Avenue, at East 193rd Street

Join Bronx Green-Up in helping community gardeners build a greener, healthier, and more sustainable city. Pitch in at this community garden while learning hands-on tips and techniques for recycling garden trimmings and kitchen scraps into compost.

Sunday, July 12, 10 am to noon
compost Q&A
The New York Botanical Garden, Home Gardening Center

Master Composters will provide you with the practical tips, advice, and encouragement you need to take composting to the next level, whether you are just starting out or have been digging in for years. Included in Garden admission.

Wednesday, July 29, 10 am to 3 pm
bronx green-up & compost project information table
West Farmers Market, intersection of East Tremont & Boston Road

Stop by for free tip sheets, pamphlets, and workshop schedules designed to help gardeners increase their horticultural, composting, and recycling knowledge.

Wednesday, August 18, 11 am to 1 pm
bronx green-up & compost project information table
La Familia Verde Farmers Market, East Tremont Avenue In Tremont Park

Stop by for free tip sheets, pamphlets, and workshop schedules designed to help gardeners increase their horticultural, composting, and recycling knowledge.

Wednesday, August 26, noon to 2 pm
bronx green-up & compost project information table: farmers market
The New York Botanical Garden, inside the Mosholu Gate on Kazimiroff Boulevard

Wednesday, September 23, noon to 2 pm
bronx green-up & compost project information table: farmers market
The New York Botanical Garden, inside the Mosholu Gate on Kazimiroff Boulevard

Wednesday, October 21, noon to 2 pm
bronx green-up & compost project information table: farmers market
The New York Botanical Garden, inside the Mosholu Gate on Kazimiroff Boulevard

Application due by Friday, February 20
master composter certificate course
The New York Botanical Garden

If you’re interested in spreading compost know-how and enthusiasm with people in the Bronx, consider the Master Composter Certificate Course. This train-the-trainer course is designed to promote the practice of home composting and the reduction of our city’s solid waste. The course consists of 25 hours of classroom training (including two field trips) and 30 hours of volunteer outreach service in compost education and promotion. For more information and the online application, see Master Composter Certification Course.

application deadline: February 20
class dates and time: 6 Tuesdays, 6 to 9 pm: March 31, April 7, 21, 28, May 5, 12
field trips: Two Saturdays in April 2009 (Dates: TBA)

Brooklyn Compost Project
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
1000 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225
compost helpline: (718) 623-7290
workshop registration: (718) 623-7220
website & directions to the Garden: www.bbg.org
email: compost@bbg.org

compost workshops in brooklyn neighborhoods • The Brooklyn Compost Project will come to your Brooklyn community to present compost classes. Please contact us if you would like us to offer a workshop for your community garden, neighborhood association, or civic group in Brooklyn.

compost bins • The Brooklyn Compost Project offers compost bins at reduced prices to NYC residents. “Wormshop” participants receive a coupon to purchase a worm bin, including 1 lb of worms, at cost for $40 from the Manhattan Compost Project.

teacher workshop: worm composting in the classroom • Looking for a way to introduce your class to ecology and recycling? Try composting with worms! Kids love it. This class may be held at any Brooklyn school for a group of ten or more NYC teachers. Call us for more information.

home composting exhibit • Come see how to compost at BBG's home composting exhibit near the Cranford Rose Garden. The display includes a variety of compost bins, different stages of decomposition, and new signs in both English and Spanish to explain the process.

note: Except where indicated, the following workshops are provided at no charge, or for a nominal fee, thanks to the funding provided by the DSNY Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling.

Sunday, June 28, noon to 5 pm
summer streets on vanderbilt avenue
Vanderbilt Avenue (between Park Place and Dean St.)

Master Composters will share information about composting at this street fair, offering literature and answering questions.

master composter certificate course
Brooklyn Botanic Garden

If you’re interested in spreading compost know-how and enthusiasm with people in Brooklyn, consider the Master Composter Certificate Course. This train-the-trainer course is designed to promote the practice of home composting and the reduction of our city’s solid waste. The course consists of 2 sessions of classroom training, two field trips, and 30 hours of volunteer outreach service in compost education and promotion. For more information and the online application, see Master Composter Certification Course.

class dates and times:
Session 1: 4 Thursdays, 6 to 9 pm: March 12, 19, 26, April 2
Session 2: 4 evenings to be determined, 6 to 9 pm: September 2009
field trips:
One Saturday in Spring 2009
One Saturday in Fall 2009

Manhattan Compost Project
Lower East Side Ecology Center
P.O. Box 20488
New York, NY 10009
Rotline: (212) 477-3155
web: www.lesecologycenter.org
email: info@lesecologycenter.org

ongoing • Working with residents, schools, community gardens and civic organizations, the Manhattan Compost Project offers workshops on vermicomposting (indoor composting with worms) and rat-proof, Manhattan-style backyard composting. Please see below for a schedule of workshops, or contact us if you want to arrange for a workshop for your school or organization.

compost bins • The Manhattan Compost Project offers worm bins, worms, and outdoor compost bins at reduced prices for NYC residents.

worm corps • Worm Corps is a group of compost experts who volunteer to go two by two out into the world to bring Wormshops (worm workshops) to students at schools all over Manhattan. All workshops are free of charge. Interested? Contact Carey through the RotLine at (212) 477-3155 or carey@lesecologycenter.org

note: Except where indicated, the following workshops are provided at no charge, or for a nominal fee, thanks to the funding provided by the DSNY Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling.

Wednesday, July 15, 6 to 8 pm
outdoor composting workshop
6th and B Community Garden, south west corner of 6th Street and Avenue B

Workshop will cover composting basics, set-up options, compost application, and troubleshooting. NYC-specific composting issues will also be addressed. Outdoor compost bins will be available for purchase at reduced prices. Registration required. Contact the Manhattan Compost Project.

Wednesday, August 5, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
children's composting workshop
Whole Foods Tribeca, 270 Greenwich Street, upstairs seating area

Children's workshop covers the process of decomposition, worm anatomy, and caring for the worms. Each participant will make and bring home a mini wormbin. For ages 5 and over; children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required. Contact the Manhattan Compost Project.

Registration opens May 2009; Application due Saturday, August 15
master composter certificate course
Whole Foods Bowery, 95 East Houston Street, upstairs culinary center

If you’re interested in spreading compost know-how and enthusiasm with people in Manhattan, consider the Master Composter Certificate Course. This course is designed to promote the practice of home composting and the reduction of our city’s solid waste. The program consists of 20 hours of classroom training (including two field trips) and 30 hours of volunteer outreach service in compost education and promotion. For more information and the online application, see Master Composter Certification Course.

application period: opens May 2009
application due: Saturday, August 15, 2009
orientation: September 29, 6 to 8 pm
class dates and time: 5 Tuesdays, 6 to 9 pm: October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3
class location: Whole Foods Bowery, 95 East Houston Street, upstairs culinary center
field trips: Two weekend days in November 2009

Queens Compost Project
Queens Botanical Garden
43-50 Main Street
Flushing, NY 11355
compost helpline: (718) 539-5296
website & directions to the Garden: www.queensbotanical.org
email: compost@queensbotanical.org

compost workshops in Queens communities • If you belong to a community garden, neighborhood association, or civic group, or if you are group of ten or more (the more the better), why not invite the Compost Project to come to your Queens neighborhood to present compost classes? Please contact us at (718) 539-5296 to schedule a workshop and we can come out and offer you not only composting tips, but tips on gardening and lawn care.

teacher workshop: worm composting in the classroom • Want to have animals in the classroom? Or looking for a way to introduce your class to ecology and recycling? Try composting with worms! Kids love it. This class may be held at any Queens school for a group of five or more NYC teachers. Teachers receive texts and may purchase a worm bin including a voucher for 1 lb or worms at cost for $40. Call us for more information.

compost bins • The Queens Compost Project offers compost bins at reduced prices to NYC residents. “Wormshop” participants may purchase a worm bin and a voucher for 1 lb of worms, at cost for $40.

note: Except where indicated, the following workshops are provided at no charge, or for a nominal fee, thanks to the funding provided by the DSNY Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling.

Thursday, July 16, 6 to 8 pm
composting in the city
SculptureCenter, 44-19 Purves St., Long Island City

Leaves, kitchen scraps, garden trimmings, and weeds can all become garden gold through composting. This class covers the essentials on composting, both outside in city yards and inside your apartment using a worm bin. See how making dark, rich, crumbly compost doesn’t take much time, work, or space. Registration is encouraged. This workshop takes place at the SculptureCenter as a part of The University of Trash, an experiment in alternative architecture, urbanism, and pedagogy taking place in SculptureCenter's main space. Workshop is outdoors and will not take place if raining.

Application due Friday, February 6
master composter certificate program

If you’re interested in spreading compost know-how and enthusiasm with people in Queens, consider the Master Composter Certificate Program. This program is designed to promote the practice of home composting and the reduction of our city’s solid waste. The program consists of 23 hours of classroom training (including two field trips) and 30 hours of volunteer outreach service in compost education and promotion. For more information and the online application, see Master Composter Certification Course.

application due: Friday, February 6
orientation: March 3, 6 to 8 pm
class dates and time: 7 Tuesdays, 6 to 9 pm: March 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7, 21, 28
field trips: Two weekend days in Spring 2009

Staten Island Compost Project
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
1000 Richmond Terrace
Staten Island, NY 10301
compost helpline: (718) 425-3558
workshop registration: (718) 425-3557
email: compost@snug-harbor.org
web: www.snug-harbor.org

compost bins • The Staten Island Compost Project offers compost bins at reduced prices to NYC residents. “Wormshop” participants receive a coupon to purchase a worm bin including 1 lb of worms at cost for $40 from the Manhattan Compost Project.

composting 101 in the classroom • The Staten Island Compost Project offers a one-hour, hands-on class for grades 1-8 on the importance of recycling and composting. The class includes free texts, interactive projects, and a LIVE worm bin to show students the science of composting in action. Call (718) 425-3557 for more information or to arrange a workshop for your classroom.

teacher workshop: worm composting in the classroom • Looking for a new way to introduce your class to ecology, environmental science, and recycling? Try composting with worms! Learn how to set up a worm bin, maintain the system effectively, and discover creative ways to incorporate composting into your science, math, and language arts curriculum. This class may be held at any Staten Island school for a group of five or more teachers. Teachers receive texts and the opportunity to purchase a worm bin including a voucher for 1 lb or worms at cost for $40. Call (718) 425-3557 for more information or to arrange a workshop for your classroom.

compost workshops for staten island community groups • Do you belong to a Staten Island based community garden, neighborhood association, or civic group that is interested in composting? The Staten Island Compost Project will come to your community (groups of 10 or more) to present a hands-on workshop on a variety of composting topics. Call (718) 425-3557 for more information or to schedule a workshop.

note: Except where indicated, the following workshops are provided at no charge, or for a nominal fee, thanks to the funding provided by the DSNY Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling.

Saturday, July 11, 2 to 4 pm
backyard composting 101
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden

Learn different ways to compost, the science behind the decomposition process, how to ensure a healthy compost bin, and how to troubleshoot common issues. Supplemental texts will be provided. Compost bins and compost cranks will be available for purchase after the class. Registration required.

Saturday, July 25, noon to 5 pm
composting with worms!
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden

Discover the fun and ease of setting up and maintaining a worm bin. Learn the science behind the process, the basics of maintaining a bin, and how to troubleshoot common issues. Supplemental texts will be provided. Registration required.

Saturday, August 1, noon to 2 pm
backyard composting 101
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden

Wednesday, August 5, noon to 1 pm
kids composting
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden

Discover how this hands-on, inquiry-based activity can teach your students about biology, ecology, environmental science, recycling, and responsibility. Learn about the science behind the decomposition process, and how to set up and maintain a trouble-free worm-bin. Discover creative ways to incorporate worm composting into science, math, and language arts. Registration required.

Wednesday, August 26, 2 to 4 pm
teacher workshop: composting in the classroom
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden

This interactive class introduces children to the importance of composting, and the science behind the decomposition process. Each child will have the opportunity to construct and care for their very own mini-compost bin. For ages 5 and over; children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required.

Application due by Friday, February 20
master composter certificate course
Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306

If you’re interested in spreading compost know-how and enthusiasm with people in Staten Island consider the Master Composter Certificate Course. This train-the-trainer course is designed to promote the practice of home composting and the reduction of our city’s solid waste. This course consists of 25 hours of classroom training (including two field trips), and 30 hours of volunteer outreach service in compost education and promotion. For more information and the online application, see the Master Composter Certificate Course.

application deadline: February 20
class dates and time: 7 Wednesdays, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm: March 18, 25, April 1, 7, 15, 22, 29
field trips: Two Saturdays in Spring 2009 (dates TBA)

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