The 2023-24 school year marks the second year of the monthly community clean-up initiative at Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary. This year’s first clean-up crew was a mix of Upper School students, including Peer Leaders, Environmental Club members, and Cross Country teammates.

“I am always proud to see our students show up on a Saturday morning to help preserve a local habitat,” said Director of Public Purpose Rebecca Drago. “We collected over 100lbs of trash!” 

A highlight of the trip was the conversation the students had with a member of the Westchester Parks Foundation about ways to prevent trash buildup, such as buying less single-use items like plastic water bottles. 

This initiative is a collaboration of the Sustainability and Public Purpose programs at RCDS that aims to highlight the intersection of environmentalism and community engagement. On the first Saturday of every month during the school year, groups of RCDS students, family members, and employees visited the nature preserve to support its environmental well-being. From trash pick-up to trail maintenance and other useful tasks identified by Westchester County’s Department of Parks, the work completed during these trips was a meaningful combination of Sustainability and Public Purpose.

A treasured Westchester park, Edith Read Sanctuary is located on the shore of the Long Island Sound, along a migratory flyway. It has been recognized by the National Audubon Society of New York as an Important Bird Area due to its significant habitats and flyway. In winter months, the 85-acre lake, a mixture of salt and fresh water, hosts over 5,000 ducks.