Long Island City, NY The Community Environmental Center EcoHouse was the site of Queens council member Jimmy Van Bramer's recent press conference. Joining the council member at the EcoHouse in Dutch Kills Playground were Richard Cherry, the founder and president of Community Environmental Center (CEC); principal Yvonne Leimsider of I.S. 204 Oliver Holmes; I.S. 204 parents; and students from the I.S. 204 green team.
"This is what the EcoHouse is all about," said CEC's Cherry, smiling at the assembled young people. "It's about young people learning how their home works - how they can save energy simply by turning off a light - and how turning off that light helps lessen the effects of the climate change that is causing all this havoc with our weather."
The council member, a long-time advocate for the public schools, libraries and other cultural institutions in his district, praised the educators of I.S. 204 for their innovative curriculum, which is dedicated to teaching about sustainability. "It's an extraordinary school," he said, "doing wonderful things." He congratulated the collaboration that brought I.S. 204 and the EcoHouse together.
Designed and built in 2012 by Community Environmental Center, the EcoHouse resembles a house on wheels. But inside it's a 21st-century environmental classroom, with displays about almost everything that helps a home save energy: cellulose insulation, cfl and LED bulbs, a low-flow showerhead, a solar panel - and much more.
The EcoHouse is supported in part by funds from NYSERDA. On March 17, the EcoHouse will open at Inwood Hill Park, in upper Manhattan and will remain there until April 6, after which it will move to Foley Sq. in lower Manhattan until April 24.
For more information about the EcoHouse please contact Alexis Greene, 718-784-1444, ext. 156.
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