Newtown Creek Alliance (NCA) is excited to announce the Turning Industrial Developments into Active Living Shorelines (T.I.D.A.L.S.) Fellowship program. This summer internship will focus on researching the restoration of intertidal wetland habitats in Newtown Creek. The 3.8-mile brackish waterway is in the early stages of its Superfund Cleanup process following hundreds of years of industrial abuse and pollution. Despite the Creek’s history, there are many opportunities for nature-based restoration to continue to improve the waterbody for all.

The T.I.D.A.L.S. Fellowship will comprise research on the impact of shoreline restoration in Newtown Creek and mapping locations where future salt marsh and intertidal habitats can be created to support the natural ecology of the Creek. Fellows will conduct research on the impact of current salt marsh pilots and marine habitats in Newtown Creek. This research will include water-quality testing, plant matter sampling, soil testing (of floating/off bottom installations), nutrient testing, wildlife tracking (plankton, birds, and other intertidal organisms), and visual research on the state of the salt marsh. Fellows will also maintain current salt marsh structures under the guidance of Newtown Creek Alliance trained staff. This will include being trained on how to maintain salt marshes and habitats, learning about salt marsh ecology and why salt marshes are vital to restoring Newtown Creek, understanding why salt marsh habitats have been placed within the Creek, and being trained in safe boating protocols.

The research conducted during the T.I.D.A.L.S. Fellowship represents a vital step in NCA’s work to restore Newtown Creek via native habitat restoration, and in turn, combat the environmental harms faced by the surrounding residential and industrial communities. At the close of the summer program, our fellows will present their research findings and propose how organizations like NCA, as well as city, state, and federal agencies, can use this data to continue to restore and create intertidal wetland habitats on Newtown Creek and improve the water quality and biodiversity of the Newtown Creek Watershed.

This paid, 10-week, part-time research fellowship is intended for New Yorkers aged 18-25. Through hands-on research, site visits, and field work, fellows will gain an understanding of how intertidal marshes can support biodiversity, improve water quality, and contribute to long-term revitalization efforts in the Creek. This program is designed for young adults interested in environmental restoration, urban ecology, and community-led sustainability initiatives. Fellows will explore the role of green infrastructure in mitigating urban environmental challenges, while also developing skills in scientific inquiry, data collection, and habitat restoration.

Our ideal candidates have an interest in or a relationship to Newtown Creek and its surrounding neighborhoods and have not completed a bachelor’s degree. Fellows are expected to be able to commit to a Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. schedule from June 10 to August 15. Fellows will be paid $16.50/hour. Rolling applications close May 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (EST).

Funding for this project was provided from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund as administered by a grant from the New York State DEC Environmental Justice Community Impact Grant Program.