Who Are We?

Minds in the Gutter is a program of the Stormwater Infrastructure Matters (S.W.I.M) Coalition, an alliance of over 50 groups dedicated to ensuring swimmable waters around New York City through natural, sustainable storm water management practices in our neighborhoods. This approach is environmentally and fiscally responsible because it utilizes storm water, currently viewed as waste, as a resource. S.W.I.M. members endorse a truly sustainable view of watershed management; one that restores ecological systems, creates local economic opportunities and equitably distributes the benefits of Green Infrastructure in NYC.

Initially, we didn’t know who had their mind in the gutter.  We assembled the following jury of professionals who were somehow related to the issues of stormwater and public space.

OUR ESTEEMED JURY:

Nette Compton, Senior Project Manager for Design at NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and Design Trust Fellow for Designing Parks for the 21st Century

Karen Engel, Green Infrastructure Coordinator at NY State Department of Environmental Conservation

Christine Gaspar, Executive Director of the Center for Urban Pedagogy

Aaron Koch, Policy Advisor for Water at the Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability

Wade R McGillis, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University

John McLaughlin, Director of the Office of Ecological Service in the Bureau of
Environmental Planning and Analysis for NYC Department of Environmental Protection

Margaret Newman AIA, LEED AP, Chief of Staff for NYC Dept Of Transportation

Alexandros E. Washburn, AIA, Chief Urban Designer for NYC Department of City Planning

We received submissions from a wide range of folks, and got a better idea of who had their mind in the gutter:

Our esteemed jury curated the final exhibit that serves a s a showcase of innovative ideas for managing stormwater in the public right of way. The exhibit reflects only a sampling of the greater community of bright minds in the gutter.  Join us and contribute your ideas!

The New York City Environmental Fund was established in 1994 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Hudson River Foundation to foster active community stewardship of waterways, shorelines, park lands and open spaces in and around New York City. NYCEF has generously provided funding for this project.