Hello,
You may have been wondering as you come into the dentist’s office these past 7 months, what is happening next door with all those vegetables and flowers?
I’m happy to introduce myself (although my dad has probably told you many stories over the years about all 3 of his sons)!
My name is Jonny Dubowsky and I am the Founder and Executive Director of Rock ‘n Renew. Rock ‘n Renew is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that teaches students, businesses and their communities how to live and act sustainably. Using art, music and science, we create programs that get students excited to learn about their natural environment and resources. As I am also a professional musician, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing artists over the years. Fro, Debby Harry (Blondie), Meatloaf, Everclear, Fountains Of Wayne, and many more, I’ve bee fortunate to have these artists take part in creating Rock ‘n Renew.
Working with over 40 schools in NYC and N.j, (including Bayonne’s School 14) Rock ‘n Renew has turned the lot adjacent to the dental office into a vibrant ecology center that is a living classroom.
I get to work with students on-site at their schools to develop projects that turn even just 5 sq ft at each school into a Rock ‘n Renew “Satellite Garden”.Then we bring these projects to life at the Rock ‘n Renew ecology center in Bayonne. Throughout the year students work on a varied array of projects that include:
Gardening
Composting
Compost Tea Brewing
Renewable Energy
Watershed Restoration
Ecological Restoration
Habitat Restoration
Native Plants
Climate Justice
Sustainable Design (Fashion Design, Industrial Design)
Architecture
Civic Engineering
Each Rock ‘n Renew project helps students to understand the relationship between the health of our planet and their own physical health. Rock ‘n Renew also connects students to mentors that are practicing sustainability methods in a wide variety of career fields. The end result provides the blueprints to help communities become sustainable from the ground up.
When students first begin the endeavor of growing a garden, this becomes an essential metaphor for a journey of personal growth and discovery. As their efforts yield blossoms, and they harvest their fruits and vegetables they also reconnect to the harmony of the natural world. This connection provides essential problem-solving skills and leads to a healthy life. When a student has had the opportunity to experience the complete cycle of growing and harvesting an abundance of food, this helps to fill the rest of their life with the same sense of abundance and joy.
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