Green Jobs Driving Economic and Climate Resilience in Yonkers
This article is originally from the Yonkers Ledger OpEd with our Executive Director, Oded Holzinger.
As extreme heat waves grow more frequent, longer-lasting, and deadlier, the link between socioeconomic inequality and climate vulnerability is becoming increasingly evident. In urban areas like Yonkers, the impacts of climate change hit communities with fewer resources the hardest. Addressing this disparity through equitable climate adaptation is essential, not only to mitigate these challenges but also to foster economic development and strengthen the bonds between residents and local governments.
The City of Yonkers is already taking significant steps to make this vision a reality. In June 2023, Mayor Mike Spano released the Yonkers Climate Action Plan, a comprehensive, 158-page document aimed at making Yonkers a more resilient city. In the plan, the City makes a bold commitment to plant 5,000 trees over the next 25 years to expand its urban tree canopy and to create 1,000 new jobs in the Green Economy.
To help support these investments in the community, Groundwork Hudson Valley is working with the City to focus the lens on environmental equity and to prepare local residents—particularly out-of-school young people aged 18-24—for well-paying green jobs in their hometown. In partnership with Westchester Community College (WCC), Yonkers Public Schools, and other local organizations, Groundwork is launching an innovative Urban Forestry Professional Certificate Program. This program addresses both climate resilience and workforce development, setting a precedent for other cities facing similar challenges.
Starting in September 2025, this program will provide young adults from Southwest Yonkers with a pathway into the rapidly growing field of urban forestry. The program consists of six months of classroom instruction at WCC, where participants will gain industry-aligned knowledge and skills, followed by six months of paid internships with reputable partners such as Davey Tree Experts, Con Edison, and the City of Yonkers. These internships will immerse participants in hands-on forestry projects, including tree maintenance, habitat restoration, and urban forest management—many of which will take place in their own communities. Funding for this project is provided by USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program. Groundwork Hudson Valley is an equal opportunity employer.
To make sure participants can thrive, the program provides stipends and a range of support services that otherwise may not be available to them. This approach allows participants to focus on building their futures without being held back by other challenges.
Empowering Yonkers residents to shape a greener city while building meaningful careers is critical to the success of climate resilience initiatives. It’s not just about adapting to climate change; it’s about transforming communities. Yonkers isn’t simply planting trees; it’s cultivating resilience, opportunity, and equity for generations to come.
Did you know? You can request a tree planted in your yard. Find out more here!