WHAT IS iDig2Learn? 

iDig2Learn is a grassroots organization founded on Roosevelt Island (Manhattan), New York City that connects the public to the wonders of nature and spotlights smart waste reduction practices that bring neighbors together to support a healthy environment. Celebrating ten years of service to communities throughout New York City, iDig2Learn is a project of Open Space Institute (OSI), a nonprofit 501(c)3 public charity which serves as the organization’s fiscal sponsor. iDig2Learn is honored to be fiscally sponsored by OSI and grateful for grants, foundations and individual donors supporting its programming.

 

WHAT IS iDig2Learn’s PHILOSOPHY? 

When we have positive experiences in nature, and build our expertise together, we are more likely to care for our world and each other.

WHAT PROGRAMMING DOES iDig2Learn Offer?

• Professional Development Sessions for Teachers - Bringing Nature Indoors

• Youth Enrichment Pre-K, K-12 including garden education

• Workshops promoting Environmental Stewardship, Health & Nature - All Ages

• Nature Walks including Bird & Tree Talks - All Ages

• Community Beautification Events - All Ages

• Tree Planting & Tree Care Events - All Ages

• Pollinator Attracting Planting & Care - All Ages

• Community Waste Reduction Events - All Ages

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CAN iDig2Learn SPEAK, PRESENT OR GIVE WORKSHOPS AT MY ORGANIZATION?

Yes, we love spreading the word about the wonders of Nature and how our daily actions can have a big impact on our health and the health of our environment and neighbors.  iDig2Learn is available for one-off sessions or a series of workshops.  Here are some of the places we have been honored to present:

• United Nations in a 2019 panel highlighting Sustainable Practices in the Film, Food and Waste industries

• MSWAB (Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board) on waste reduction practices in NYC's Media industry

• GreenThumb Grow Together Conferences 

• New York Public Library: 67th Street Branch; Webster Library at 77th St., NYPL Roosevelt Island Branch  

• Queens Public Library  

• Girl Scouts 

• United Nations, United Nations International School (UNIS) Middle School Environmental Club 

• Socrates Sculpture Park - Ecological Field Guide Series

 

WHAT HAS iDig2Learn ACCOMPLISHED IN THE PAST DECADE? 

With the encouragement of the communities we serve and the donors and volunteers who have supported our programming, it is truly amazing what iDig2Learn has accomplished in its first decade, including the following: 

• Created school environmental learning gardens & public nature series with stargazing nights & bird walks.  

• Garnered $1.95 Million for School Green Roof by mobilizing community win of Participatory Budget funds. 

• Advocated for local weekly Food Scrap Drop Off since 2015 hosted by Big Reuse, NYC Compost Project. 

• Created a Monarch butterfly corridor by planting milkweed & nectar flower beds to restore habitat. 

• Partnered with Big Reuse for the Annual Pumpkin Smash composting event and hosted Earth Day events. 

• Teamed up with Trees New York for youth-led “FruiTrees” stewardship program with Girl Scouts ages 7–15. 

• Created a small-scale Edible Food Forest project to introduce the permaculture concept.

• Named Top Ten TEDx Manhattan Finalist for “Changing the Way We Eat” 

• Chosen as Guest Speaker and Moderator leading a February 14, 2019, United Nations Sustainability Panel  

• Advocated for NYC Film Green initiative to reduce waste in media as Producers Guild Green Committee Chair 

• Joined the NYC Working Pollinator group to advocate for educational awareness & habitat protection

• Planted 100 trees with Trees New York to expand the tree canopy & urban forest on Roosevelt Island

• Kicked off a new initiative Bellies, Bins & Beauty to promote the value of food 

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WHAT IS THE HISTORY of iDig2Learn? 

In 2012, Christina Delfico founded iDig2Learn because she recognized the need for a local organization that would connect children and their families, living in an urban community, with nature. Leveraging her expertise in producing award-winning children’s educational television, she saw the need to disconnect children from their screens and get them outside. Developing and facilitating enriching opportunities for children and their families to explore science and the origin of food through plant life is a core component of iDig2Learn offerings. 

 

iDig2Learn TODAY
As iDig2Learn’s free programs grew in popularity, Christina expanded the organization’s focus incorporating the community’s positive feedback. As a result, iDig2Learn has increased its scope to offer programming for all members of the public - the young and young-at-heart - throughout communities in New York City. While the organization continues to focus on connecting communities with nature, it now also seeks to educate and provide the means for these same communities to engage in smart waste reduction practices including composting, plogging and the annual GrowNYC “Stop N' Swap” goods reuse event.  iDig2Learn's public workshops aim to boost environmental stewardship while celebrating nature and getting neighbors outdoors.

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ABOUT THE FOUNDER - Christina Delfico

In addition to her two primetime Emmy Award nominations as Executive Producer of shows hosted by Katie Couric, Queen Latifah, John Mayer, Al Roker and Big Bird, Christina has garnered over 40 awards in media production. She has served as VP and EP with Sesame Workshop, collaborated with CBS, PBS and others. Christina has produced concerts with the Hollywood Bowl and created international productions in China, Germany, Spain, and Greece.  While Chair of the Green Committee of the Producers Guild of America she supported NYC Film Green to reduce waste in media, a nation's first.

 

Honored to present at the United Nations in a 2019 panel highlighting Sustainable Practices in the Film, Food and Waste industries she continues to advocate to protect nature.