Fil-Am assemblyman leads Earth Day cleanup in NYC
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NEW YORK CITY — Over 100 volunteers gathered for the second annual Earth Day of Action in Queens, led by Assemblyman Steven Raga.
On April 19, the neighborhoods of Woodside, Elmhurst, and Jackson Heights came alive with community effort at this event, a collaboration between the office of Assemblyman Raga and nearly a dozen grassroots organizations, was more than just a cleanup – it was a testament to community power and a reflection of Earth Day’s enduring legacy.
Assemblyman Raga, representing the 30th District and the first Filipino American elected to public office in New York State, lauded the strong turnout.
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“Our neighbors and I deeply love our community – and the turnout we had is evidence of that,” he said in a statement. “Cleaner, greener spaces mean healthier, happier residents. I look forward to our next community cleanup in Assembly District 30!”
Volunteers spread across 19 locations, including Diversity Plaza, the 74th Street Station and Moore Homestead Park, to tackle graffiti, restore flower beds and remove litter.
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The results were impressive! Over 55 bags of trash were collected from 18 public sites, and 450 pounds of debris were cleared from Rusty Wheelbarrow Farm alone. The efforts extended along key corridors like Roosevelt Avenue and Broadway, transforming public spaces and fostering neighborhood pride.
Earth Day, celebrated every April 22, started in 1970 as a grassroots movement in response to environmental disasters and increasing pollution. The inaugural event mobilized 20 million Americans and led to landmark legislation such as the Clean Air Act and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Today, Earth Day is observed in 192 countries by over a billion people, making it the world’s largest secular civic event.
The 2025 theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” calls for a united effort to triple renewable energy production by 2030, emphasizing the urgency of clean, equitable and sustainable energy solutions.
However, despite global progress, more than 3.8 billion people still lack access to adequate electricity, highlighting the importance of ongoing action.
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The Queens Earth Day event was made possible through partnerships with organizations like Woodside on the Move, Rusty Wheelbarrow Farm, Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens and the Woodside Neighborhood Association.
“Community service has always been at the heart of Woodside On The Move,” said William Jourdain of Woodside on the Move. “On this Earth Day, we were proud to join forces with Assemblyman Steven Raga, his dedicated team, neighbors and volunteers to give back to Mother Earth.”
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Benji Lucas of Rusty Wheelbarrow Farm emphasized the tangible impact. “Between removing over 450 pounds of trash, planting native wildflowers, and improving the soil, we accomplished a lot thanks to the volunteers who showed up!”
Since its inception, Earth Day has not only raised awareness but also driven real change. It has inspired generations to take action – from passing environmental laws to organizing local cleanups like the one in Queens.
“It was a great opportunity to share who we are, what we do and to forge new partnerships,” said Pastor Joe Mantovani of the Woodside Neighborhood Association. “Plus, care for our shared spaces and make our community cleaner and neater.”
Meanwhile, in celebration of Earth Week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that since 2020, New York State has dedicated nearly $125 million to conservation projects across the state.
These initiatives, supported by programs like the Climate Resilient Farming Grant, have significantly reduced carbon emissions – equivalent to removing over 154,000 cars from roads for a year – and invested in sustainable farming practices that protect soil, water quality and natural resources.
