Join us for our first Environmental Equity Today webinar, presented by EarthShare NJ with guest speakers Shiryn Lopez and Hailey Benson from Union City Community Garden.
Description
Join us for an inspiring discussion on the journey of building the Union City Community Garden, the city’s first volunteer-led green space dedicated to food security, sustainability, and community connection. Learn about the process of working with local officials, securing funding and volunteers, and the role of the community gardens in advancing food justice. Located at senior housing, the garden fosters intergenerational connections, bringing together youth and elders to share knowledge, experiences, and a love for nature. We’ll explore how green spaces empower neighborhoods, foster environmental awareness, and create lasting change.
About The Speakers
Shiryn Lopez
Shiryn Lopez, a longtime Union City resident, is dedicated to community engagement and grassroots organizing. She began by canvassing for political campaigns and helping residents register to vote. Her work at the Union City Community Garden deepened her commitment to urban greening, leading her to join the Hudson County Tree Allies and the Combined Sewer Overflow Community Advisory Board. Shiryn is passionate about fostering environmental and social change through collaborative action.
Hailey Benson
As a Hudson County native, Hailey is committed to helping her local community thrive through sustainable initiatives and eco-minded funducation. They are fiercely dedicated to uplifting, organizing, and collaborating on social and environmental movements both in their community, via their founded organization, NB Earth Talks, and on social media platforms. Hailey is a compassionate leader and community partner. They recognize that revolutionary change requires power in numbers, and one-on-one connection and local movements are necessary to create massive systemic change.
