East Side Stewards LLC is a cooperative dedicated to transforming unbuilt lots into vibrant green spaces, workforce development centers, housing, and markets. Our mission is to deliver environmental education and sustainable solutions that create lasting, positive change, starting with the East Side of Buffalo, NY. We believe in fostering community ownership and collaboration to equip residents with the knowledge and resources to sustain these improvements.

Our current project is to revitalize and protect the once-neglected CS53's Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Lab in Buffalo, NY—a vital public space at 91 Winslow Ave made up of 13,258 sq ft. Urban green spaces like this are more than just land; they improve air quality, increase pollination, reduce urban heat, and promote physical and mental health. For the East Side, CS53's Community Garden is a crucial educational tool and a testament to community-driven sustainability.

To safeguard CS53’s Community Garden and ensure its future as an environmental education hub and green sanctuary, we are asking for your support in the following three key areas:

1. Protect this vital green space: Urge the CoB Common Council to designate the CS53 Community Garden as a Local Green Space D-OG (Green) or D-OS (Open Space) district. This designation will preserve the garden for community use, protecting it from potential development and securing its role in providing environmental and health benefits.
2. Secure long-term care: Advocate for a Land Stewardship Agreement, granting East Side Stewards (ESS) the responsibility to manage and maintain the garden. This formal agreement will empower ESS to lead the preservation and sustainability efforts for years.
3. Support revitalization efforts: Enable ESS to enact a revitalization plan, including community-approved and volunteer-led improvements to enhance the garden's beauty and functionality. These improvements will include landscape upgrades, new seating, and the installation of educational tools that promote environmental stewardship.