‘Respect’ campaign promoting environmental awareness
and safety in the Rockaways and Jamaica Bay returns
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | JULY 9-JULY 15, 2021 9
BY PAUL JUNIOR PRUDENT
The “Respect” campaign
meant to promote water safety
and raise awareness about
people’s impact on the coastal
ecosystems and communities
of Rockaway and Jamaica Bay
is back for the third year.
Surfrider Foundation
NYC and the Jamaica Bay-
Rockaway Park Conservancy
(JBRPC) teamed up again for
the campaign, which consists
of action-oriented messaging
on posters written in both English
and Spanish. Expressive
rippling type and a colorful
palette with the phrases “Protect
the Beach,” “It’s Their
Home” and “Keep it Clean” are
posted onto boardwalk fences.
Some new additions this
year include “Protect the Bay,”
“Talk Some Trash” and “Don’t
Swim Alone.”
Shanna Blanchard, the
director of strategic partnerships
and projects of JBRPC,
said there is a need to work
together to protect these “special
places,” even with limited
resources.
“We hope the Respect campaign
encourages New Yorkers
and visitors to enjoy these places
while also being respectful
of neighboring communities
and the unique plants and
wildlife that call these parks
and shores home,” she said.
New Yorkers and visitors
can see the campaign
throughout the summer in
multiple locations: across the
entire NYC Ferry fleet, along
the Rockaway boardwalk and
throughout Rockaway-based
NYC Parks, and in parks in the
Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway
National Recreation Area.
New York State Office of
Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation opened 22 beaches,
pools and spraygrounds
across the state for swimming
on Memorial Day weekend.
Those areas returned to normal
operating capacity.
According to authorities,
that has created substantial
challenges when it comes to
managing the levels of trash
and debris, limiting the effects
of human activities on local
flora and fauna and avoiding
water-related incidents that
cost lives each year.
“We believe that we have
a responsibility to protect
our natural resources, just as
much as we have the right to
enjoy them,” said Chair of Surfrider
NYC Nikita Scott.
The core mission of Surfrider
Foundation and JBRPC
is to protect New York City’s
beaches, shorelines and natural
areas in Jamaica Bay and
Rockaway. The collaboration
strives to keep shorelines
clean and healthy while keeping
people safe.
Respect Rockaway and Respect
Jamaica Bay messaging
serve as powerful reminders to
people to make a dedicated effort
to protect and respect the
community, natural resources
and themselves through environmental
stewardship and
responsible action.
Selman, a creative studio
based in New York City with
ties to the Rockaway, created
the colorful palettes that intend
to engage local communities
and all New Yorkers to
create a positive impact on
Jamaica Bay and Rockaway
beyond the summer.
Johnny Selman, the founder
of Selman, said the identity
and messaging system reflects
the voice of the Rockaway community
and embodies the campaign
mission in a “bright and
engaging way.”
“It’s all about how small
acts of respect have a much
larger impact,” Selman said.
To access more information
on these key issues and explore
how you can do your part to respect
Rockaway and Jamaica
Bay, visit respect.nyc.
The “Respect” campaign returns for the third year to the
Rockaways and Jamaica Bay. Photo courtesy of Respect campaign
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