Photo by Allyse Pulliam for The Times Herald
Outdoor Promise’s Environmental Justice Fellowship was featured for its innovative, community-centered approach to rebuilding Newburgh’s urban tree canopy. The article highlights how local fellows—young residents passionate about improving their city—are planting dozens of new street trees each year while learning environmental leadership skills. It also showcases stories like Kathryn McKenzie’s, a former fellow whose experience planting trees deepened her connection to Newburgh and inspired her continued work in environmental advocacy.
Media coverage like this underscores the importance of empowering local youth to lead environmental change in their own neighborhoods. In a city facing extreme heat, air pollution, and historic underinvestment, community-driven greening efforts are essential to advancing environmental justice. Through the Environmental Justice Fellowship, Outdoor Promise is helping cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards while restoring tree canopy, improving public health, and strengthening neighborhood pride.