iLAND

Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Art Nature and Dance

ArtsPool Member

Kathleen McCarthy, Ecologist

Kathleen McCarthy is a restoration ecologist working with the Natural Resources Group (NRG) of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. Kathleen plans, manages, and oversees the implementation of wetland, riparian, and aquatic resource restoration projects. She received a Master of Science in Ecology and Evolution from Rutgers University with a concentration on urban ecology. The natural areas in New York City range from renowned habitats of Jamaica Bay to natural areas that are severely impacted by humans. Understanding the complexities of these ecological systems, and how to conserve biodiversity by maintaining or restoring ecosystem functions is the focus of Kathleen’s work. She believes that stewardship of our natural areas helps to inform our understanding of ecosystem functions, the larger environment, and our place within it. Before working as a full time scientist, Kathleen was an award-winning visual artist in New York City. Her work has been published, exhibited internationally, and commissioned for permanent public sites. Her most recent work was an investigation of animal vision.

Creating Habitat, Form & Function

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Thursday June 25 10am-2pm
Soundview Park

A year after the laboratory at Soundview Park’s new salt marsh restoration, join us to examine the water quality of the Bronx River at this site. This iLAND laboratory will explore the function of wetlands in improving water quality and providing habitat. The event will include background readings, a walk through the site discussing the processes and functions of the four ecosystems present, physical interaction with the site by adding to or subtracting from the restoration at various scales, and creating movement which responds to the site physically and conceptually. Additionally, this year human impacts on the restoration may be evident. We will explore evidence of the human footprint and the challenges to protecting biodiversity in an urban environment.

Participants should plan to get dirty. Wear long pants and bring socks to wear with rubber boots (provided). Hats and sunscreen are necessary. Please also bring snacks and/or lunch and water.

Van transportation for 12 people will be leaving from Manhattan. Meet at El Museum del Barrio (1234 Fifth Ave between 104 & 105 St.) at 9am. Please email projects@ilandart.org to reserve a spot!

We encourage you to review these readings about salt marshes and estuaries before Thursday:

https://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/pub/seascience/dynamic.html
Wildlife of NY-NJ Estuary

This workshop is supported by and in partnership with the Natural Areas Volunteers (NAV) of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (http://www.nycgovparks.org/registration/nav). The Soundview Salt Marsh Restoration is funded in part by the New York State Department of State under the Clean Water-Clean Air Bond Act and the City of New York.

River to Creek

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River To Creek was a participatory research project and art action that drew attention to the geographic and ecological connections across the industrial landscape of North Brooklyn, from the wild empty lots at the end of Newtown Creek in Bushwick to the East River at the edge of Greenpoint. The collaborators applied their practices in dance, marine and restoration ecology and visual and installation art to the exploration of natural and human-made elements of the site. Public events included walks, bike rides, plant and bird identification, chemical testing of water, talks on the history of development and pollution, and participatory art and dance experiences along the shores of the East River and Newtown Creek.