Andrea Terrero
URI Internship Year:
2025
Graduation Year:
2027
Degree:
BA
Andrea is a rising senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sociology. A Cuban immigrant raised in Miami, Florida, she is passionate about environmental justice, community organizing, and education. She is excited to work with the New Haven community and learn more about the city and its history. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the guitar, reading, writing poetry, and doing calisthenics.
Group
Bradley Street Pocket Park -Mulberry Jam
West River Watershed Coalition
Greenspace Log
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06/21/2025 |
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We continued weeding and mulching the pollinator garden, getting rid of lots of mugwort and weedy grasses. We also continued talking about the raised beds they hope to set up, placing synthetic timbers that will serve as barriers and talking about size and plants. We're excited to get to planting! |
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06/20/2025 |
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We got a lot done this past workday, watering the pollinator garden, beautifying the bird garden, and planting! A part of the group focused on weeding, watering, and placing wood pavers around the bird garden to give it some definition and protect it from weeds. Rita, her daughter, and I planted three perennials around their memorial tree, adding some blue plants that add color around it, as well as mulching and watering. |
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06/20/2025 |
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Our adventurers dedicated themselves to planting two perennials today - a Black-eyed Susan and a coneflower. They planted and watered the plants, and choose where to place them. We also recorded an audio for people to listen to as they come to the park! |
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06/19/2025 |
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Doreen and I discussed species and placement for tree plantings,using spray paint to outline the spaces where they would be planting. We'll start planting in 2 weeks! |
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06/19/2025 |
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We expanded the garden to fit more plants and raised it, placing wood planks around the edges to protect it from weeds and lawmowers. We planted a wide variety of perennials, watered, and mulched. The garden is really coming together! |
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06/14/2025 |
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We spent the first half of our workday continuing to discuss their vision for the park, using spray paint to mark areas where they would want to plant. Then, we weeding out the pollinator garden, removing stubborn mugwort and other weeds. |
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06/13/2025 |
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Our group of faithful young volunteers focused on continuing to pick up sticks and fallen tree flowers around the park, making it a competition between teams. They also found ladybugs and worms and found alternatives to the adventure course, getting in touch with their surroundings. Kim and I talked about how to make the park more of an adventure for all, by implementing an environmental education and technological component to it. |
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06/13/2025 |
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06/13/2025 |
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For the first half of our workday, we planted perennials around the pollinator garden, filling up empty spots and adding more color to the area. Then, we worked on weeding the bird garden, discussing ideas for how to beautify it, and eating a few of the growing berries! |
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06/12/2025 |
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Our workday focused on weeding and mulching the areas around the water fountain and around the urban oasis sign. In the meanwhile, Loreen and Allen took turns mowing the grass. With just an hour and a half, we were able to make the areas look even nicer! |
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06/12/2025 |
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Ron, Kathie, Beverly, and I set up the corner garden by setting up the soil, outling the garden with wooden logs, and mulching the area. We also planted a perennials! The garden is already looking great, and we're excited to continue planting! |
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06/10/2025 |
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For our first workday, neighbors from around Bradley St. worked together to weed, clean up, and rake leaves in the Bradley St. Pocket Park! We had a great time getting to know each other while helping to maintain the neighborhood park. The park is in great shape, and the neighborhood enjoys taking care of it and using it! |
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06/10/2025 |
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For our first planning meeting, Cindy emphasized the importance of increasing the park's visibility to by cutting down overgrown shrubs. This can help ensure the safety and respect of the park. We will start pruning down some of the overgrowth next workday! |
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06/06/2025 |
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For our first workday, Tom, Sadi, and I spent the first hour flying around the neighborhood to encourage folks to come volunteer with us and enjoy the park! For the second half, we pruned the bottom of two trees to encourage visibility, removing several bags of branches and leaves. We had a great time this Friday, and we're excited to continue making the park a safe and enjoyable space for community members! |
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06/06/2025 |
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For our first workday, Ms. Kim brought amazing volunteers from Inspired Communities, who were dedicated to cleaning up the park by picking up loose sticks and branches, balancing their work with trying out the site's adventure course. They were also excited to learn about invasive plants and identifying plants through the PictureThis app. This group will be great help in continuing to beautify and take care of the park! |
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06/05/2025 |
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During our second planning meeting, we solidified the plan for the garden, using spray praint to outline where it would be. We also discussed plant suggestions and placements, |
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06/05/2025 |
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Doreen and I continued discussing her vision for Farmington Canal, going into more detail and discussing designs for the game area across the street. We also set up a schedule for the summer, starting with the urban oasis and ending with the planting of trees around the game area. |
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06/04/2025 |
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Daphne and I flyered around Bradley St. to encourage neighbors to join us at Mulberry Jam's first workday! |
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05/31/2025 |
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During our planning meeting, Crystal and Carlos shared their hope to continue beautifying Kimberly Field. They hope to continue planting more perennials and hostas to outline the path with an entrance on Kimberly Ave, and expanding the garden they begun a few years ago by adding raised beds with plants and flowers that the community can admire. We also talked about their hopes to improve outreach and get more of the community involved with volunteering, encouraging them to visit Kimberly Field and enjoy the nature the group is taking care of. |
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05/31/2025 |
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For our first planning meeting, the group shared their goals for the summer- cleaning up the park, planting a few more perennials, finishing the mural at the site, and potentially planting a tree on Bradley St. We agreed on setting up two workdays for the summer to accomplish the goals they set out, continuing the years-long process of beautifying what was once a fenced off lot. |
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05/30/2025 |
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I was welcomed to Quinnipiac River Park with a tour of the entire site accompanied by Tom, Susan, and Sadi! They shared some of their stories volunteering at the park, pointing out trees, plants, and gardens they had planted, pruned, and taken care of for years. They discussed their goals for the summer, which include continuing to steward and beautify the park, and to collaborate with other nearby greenspace groups to foster community building across Fair Haven. |
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05/29/2025 |
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For our first planning meeting, we exchanged introductions and talked about the group's vision for the site. They hope to set up a garden on the corner of Marginal Drive and Boston Post Rd. with a banner to attract people to come to the park, which is not as well known. They want to put native plants that will attract pollinators and visitors alike! |
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05/29/2025 |
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For our first workday at Farmington Canal, I had the pleasure of getting to know some of Doreen's team. We walked through the site as I talked to them about some areas we could work on and explained Doreen's vision, hearing some of their ideas and concerns. We then did a bit of cleaning up the corner garden of the site by removing weeds, raking out leaves, and organizing the surrounding bricks. It was a great first workday! |
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05/27/2025 |
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Doreen and I discussed her vision for the site. She emphasized the importance of environmental education, suggesting the incorporation of labels on the plants at Farmington so those who visited would be able to learn and engage with them. She also talked about her hope of ultimately making the site self-sustaining and low-maintenace by planting native plants that would be able to outcompete the weeds that grow aggresively on the urban oasis. Doreen also mentioned creating a game area across the street where community members could gather and play surrounded by nature. I'm excited to help Doreen excecute her vision, with the help of her interns and community volunteers! |
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05/23/2025 |
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Ms. Kim and I discussed her vision for the site: an adventure for all to enjoy, with educational QR codes, a full adventure course in the back, and colorful, eye-catching plants that attract visitors and encourage exploration. We talked about weeding, shaping and pruning bushes to ensure visibility, and planting around the site. We also discussed potential workdays to ensure kids from Inspired Communities would be able to enjoy the park while also taking care of it and engaging with nature. |