Neighborhood Environmental Demonstration Sites (NEDS)

The Neighborhood Environmental Demonstration Site is a unique site full of educational potential. It started off as one of Groundwork Bridgeport’s visions to create a safe and educational green space that focuses on subjects that would enhance science and ecology lessons for youth and the public through hands-on environmental education. 

The site was chosen with the assistance and approval of the city to take a once vacant blighted lot and transform it into an educational tool through experimental learning. The end result of Groundwork’s efforts was the Neighborhood Environmental Demonstration Site or “NEDS.”

The NED Site is home to many indigenous plants that are native to the coastal region of New England. All of the plants play a key role in our environment’s regenerative. The site is used as an outdoor classroom in which urban youth learn about the importance of plant life and its connection to a clean environment

The 7th graders of Luis Marin’s “Science Club” have developed discussion topics that will promote environmental prevention efforts by educating the public on how contaminants travel through Soil, Water and Air and how native plants work to remediate such contaminants from the environment. Other information will detail the importance of waste reduction and the benefits of recycling. The site is even equipped with two large compost bins.  

The need exists for this site and its program in that there are no other educational hands on learning sites such as this in the city of Bridgeport.  Its location (479 Helen Street Bridgeport, CT) and ease of access from Luis Marin School is a key to its success in educating the youth today about the importance of environmental issues that affect everyone in the community of Bridgeport.

Groundwork Bridgeport would like to extend an open invitation to visit this remarkable learning space. It is open year round, so please feel free to drop by any time!