The Forager, Portrait by Sarah Yuster for Biophiles Exhibition
"Biophiles, A New Generation"
Painter Sarah Yuster's series is a celebration of several notable individuals on Staten Island that possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature.
Biophiles was exhibited at the NYC Parks Department's Biddle House in 2022 and the Staten Island Museum in 2023.
Free beekeeping, gardening and sustainability classes this fall
Published: Sep. 25, 2022. Staten island advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Lenni-Lenape, who once lived off the region’s land, thrived despite scorching summers, frigid temperatures and the occasional hurricane. And the modern day people of Staten Island can do so as well with a little help from the Parks Department.
Aly Stoffo, aka the Glam Gardener, will host a free series through the Staten Island-based NYC Parks Department Greenthumb Grows Community Garden on Sunday, Oct. 2 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. It takes place at the Hill Street Garden at 50 Hill St., Stapleton.
See how this woman is practicing sustainable minimalism in her own neighborhood
To live a sustainable life, sometimes all you need is your own backyard! In this episode of In The Know: Extreme Minimalists, Aly (@glamgardenernyc), an urban forager and educator from Staten Island, New York, shares how she utilizes her neighborhood to live a sustainable, minimalist life, as well as how the simple practice of foraging can lead to a deeper environmental appreciation.
Inspiring food stories: A closer look at three award-winning S.I. food crafters
Published: Jun. 23, 2022. Staten island advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — For those interested in firing up a small business, there are some stories that might inspire. At the 13th annual Uncorked festival at Historic Richmond Town, three entrepreneurs did just that, all fueled by their particular passion in food.
The accomplished business owners — Staten Island natives — include Lorraine and Michael Delizia for “Butter Me Up”,“Cucina Teresa” aka Teresa Pignato-Rosenthal and the “Glam Gardener NYC” aka Aly Stoffo.
Glam Gardener NYC grows out of pandemic to produce array of herbal, medicinal products
Published: Dec. 09, 2021. Staten Island Advance
Travis resident Aly Stoffo, 26, quit her job as an education and marketing coordinator with a green building consulting group in downtown Manhattan on Friday, March 13, 2020.
Shortly after, the world shut down, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“It was potentially bad timing on my end. But who could have foreseen what would follow?” recalled Stoffo.