EQA is a federation of civic organizations in Southeast Queens, advocating for an improved quality of life for all residents within the communities and surrounding areas, located in Idlewild Park. 

The Idlewild Environmental Learning Center serves as an educational facility within the park, offering programs and activities that aim to connect visitors with nature and promote environmental stewardship. The overarching goal of the environmental center project is to develop environmental awareness and the education of the children and adults in the Southeast Queens Community with a view towards creating environmental stewardship and advocacy.

Eastern Queens Alliance, Inc. provides:

• Hands-on environmental science education for children in public and private schools and home school networks through on-site and in-center workshops. Field trips, and after/out of session workshops are also offered. For example, children's Science-in-the-Park workshops and activities are offered during the summer, Winter Break, Presidents Week, Spring Break.  Those interested should call for specific calendar events or check the website.

• Youth leadership development and service through our EQA Roots and Shoots Youth Brigade for tweens and teens program.  Youth work on issues about which they are passionate to create change.

• Stewardship building activities for children and adults, including planting, weeding, park clean-ups, trail maintenance activities and our new community peace gardening initiative.

• Recreational/cultural events in Idlewild Park Preserve to promote the park as an ecologically important area and motivate people to actively participate in stewardship and educational initiatives for the park, such as Family Fun Days, reptile shows, canoe/kayak events, halloween trail and craft event, pumpkin smashing, Arts-Mee-the-Sciences workshops and activities, .

• Environmental justice initiatives and advocacy activities, including citizen science studies, community cafes, and workshops on environmental and sustainability topics.

The center is open Monday to Friday from 10 – 5 PM and Saturdays from 9 AM – 1 PM (Hours subject to change based on specific programming.)