ASEZ Hike & Clean in the Bronx

On Sunday, February 25, 2024, ASEZ university student volunteers in the Bronx hosted a Hike and Clean event to help with caring for their community’s urban forests. 20 ASEZ volunteers, from different colleges such as Monroe College, Lehman College, Westchester Community College, Mercy University, and the Fashion Institute of Technology, actively engaged in the event.

ASEZ Volunteers Restore Ecological Health of John Muir Trail

Urban forests accumulate significant amounts of trash over extended periods of time, detracting from their natural beauty and degrading the ecological health. The 2-hour hike focused on addressing this issue, as the volunteers walked along the rocky trail.  Equipped with trash bags, gloves, and trash pickers, they gathered at the entrance of the John Muir Trail in Van Cortlandt Park. By the end of the trail, the volunteers collected 12 bags of trash.  

Bennet Cass, one of the volunteers, summed up the event, stating, “I thought the ASEZ Hike and Clean at Van Cortlandt Park was a great experience. It felt extremely rewarding to clean up the litter on the ground and help the environment. I also had a really fun time connecting with the members of ASEZ that participated in the clean-up. The hike and clean-up was an awesome experience, and I would definitely love to do another one of these clean-ups again!”

Hikers Appreciate Volunteers’ Efforts During the Hike and Clean

Leshly Lopez, ASEZ Club President at Monroe College, was thankful for being part of ASEZ and participating in the hike and clean event. She said, “I’m deeply grateful for being part of ASEZ and joining the hike and clean event. I’m thankful for tidying up the trail we selected. It was heartening to receive appreciation from hikers along the way for our efforts. It truly boosted our morale! Witnessing guests alongside ASEZ members enjoying the journey made this event even more fulfilling. I eagerly anticipate participating in future events to sustain our impact.”