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Sustain MMC Tours Central Park’s Northern Woodlands

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The student club Sustain MMC on a field trip in Central Park.
On Monday, October 10, students in Marymount Manhattan’s environmental sustainability club, Sustain MMC, toured the northern parts of Central Park under the guidance of Peter M. LeTourneau, Ph.D., adjunct professor of Environmental Science.

“Professor LeTourneau is such an amazing and passionate professor,” said Abigail Abbott-White, co-president of Sustain MMC. “We are so grateful that he took the time to show and educate us on parts of the park we would have never discovered otherwise.”

Dr. LeTourneau led the group through the park’s paths and woodlands above 96th Street. Highlights of the trip included:

  • The oldest and largest tree in Central Park, a London plane tree
  • Large American elms
  • Central Park Reservoir wildlife and water supply system
  • “The Pool” wildlife area, duckweed (the smallest flowering plant in the world), and an old baldcypress (a lineage surviving from the time of the dinosaurs)
  • The Loch and the Ravine: waterfalls and woodland streams, environmental restoration, wildlife including chipmunks, gray squirrels, fall migrant birds, northern cardinals (m/f), and at least 12 species of birds
  • The newly expanded wildflower garden/natural meadow
  • The sustainable composting area and plant nursery

As Abbott-White explains, “Sustain MMC aims to help our institution be greener in its practices, educate our peers on how to make cleaner/more sustainable choices, and facilitate activities that are not only fun and educational, but that bring people together to make positive change.”

They encourage all students to check the groups’ posts on Engage for club events, follow its Instagram account @sustainmmc, and “be sure to show the earth some love in your day-to-day lifestyle!”

“Sustain MMC is a non-commitment club,” Abbott-White said. “Show up whenever and however you can. We appreciate your support!”

Published: October 14, 2022

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Dr. Peter LeTourneau

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