RENewsletter | September 20, 2009
The Free environmental newsletter from RochesterEnvironment.com <http://www.
rochesterenvironment.com/>
“Our Environment is changing: Keep up with the Change.”
[09/13/09- 09/20/09]
* Need to vent? | Go to my blog:
<http://rochesterenvironmentny.blogspot.com/> Environmental Thoughts -
Rochester, NY
* Found an important Rochester environmental story from a credible source
that you think needs attention?
<mailto:FrankRe...@RochesterEnvironment.com?subject=Got%20a%20Rochester%20ar
ea%20Environmental%20link%20for%20you> SEND ME THE LINK.
Opening <> Salvo | NewsLinks <> | Daily Updates <> | Events <> |
Environmental Site of the Month <> | Take Action <> |
[Hyperlinks work by CTRL + click to follow a link]
__________________________________________
Opening Salvo: “Same Green Sheet”
Evidence of a great change in attitudes and behaviors towards our
environment in our country and around the world is evident. Slowly, but
more rapidly than ever before, individuals, communities, and governments
are adopting greener ways of doing things. This is probably not due to a
sudden change of heart towards our planet, but more probably due to the
mounting evidence that mankind’s activities are affecting our very ability
to survive on it. Also, we cannot deny the growing realization that an
economy disdainful of our environment cannot complete with other economies
that set strict standards for toxic chemicals and adopt tight environmental
business practices.
Most are now aware that our species "Homo sapiens" are not simply
passengers on a small pale blue orb spinning through the universe; we have
been promoted to third-class environmental engineers. Those vagaries of
our existence-disease, climate change, even our health--that our species
hitherto perceived as beyond our control (fate) are increasingly understood
as well within our area of influence.
This is heartening as businesses are springing up all over helping other
businesses and communities green up. Efficiency, conservation, innovation,
preservation, and reclamation are in the air. And, as in any great change,
there will be people and businesses trying to game the new game-heralding
their green credentials when in fact they have changed but little, merely
checked off a list of better operating practices without a clue about the
lifecycle of their products and services or their accumulative affect on
our environment.
On the whole, though, most will try to do the right thing. But doing the
right thing may take a while to understand and make systemic-i.e., make the
right changes, not merely creating the illusion that we are making
wholesale, world-wide changes. What I mean by this is that in order to
actually adopt a sustainable way of life we all need to be singing from the
same sheet of music, talking the same scientific language, the unambiguous
laws of Nature. Hype, rants, ideological diatribes, and green quackery
won’t do the trick.
Already, in our communities there are attempts to coordinate and
orchestrate green efforts. Because we have avoided the hard choices for so
long, ad hoc, and piecemeal changes by dedicated individuals are not going
to be enough. Planetary changes are required. Programs like Climate Smart
Communities <http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/50845.html> by New York State
Department of <http://www.dec.ny.gov/index.html> Environmental
Conservation is an example of a volunteer effort by a governmental agency
hoping to get communities all on the same page, working toward the same
goals, sharing information and guided by an agency that knows what its
doing, as forty-one New York communities have already signed on.” Also,
around the world governments are subscribing to the Climate
<http://www.theclimateregistry.org/> Registry “that sets consistent and
transparent standards to calculate, verify and publicly report greenhouse
gas emissions into a single registry.”
The arc of history is long and bends towards justice, may be true.
(Though, the millions who have suffered under Injustice throughout history
while the rest of us padded comfortably up to the future probably would not
agree.) But the arc of tending towards a greener future may extend longer
than we have if we don’t make the necessary changes in time. With the
laws of Nature, there’s no waiting around until we get it right.
FrankRe...@RochesterEnvironment.com <mailto:FrankRegan@RochesterEnvironment.
com?subject=I'm%20contacting%20you%20from%20the%20RENewsletter> (Click on
my email for feedback)
__________________________________________
NewsLinks - Environmental <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
NewsLinks - [Highlights of major environmental stories concerning our area
from the past week]
* National Oversight of
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Our Waters
* Bus Routes in a <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Recession
* Parks From Parking <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Lots
* Power Plants <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> & Our
Waterways
* National HIV/AIDS Day
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Today
* Phosphorus to Lakes <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Great Lakes Cleanups <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Renewable Energy <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Funding
* Water For Sudan <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Green Tour <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Cool Rochester <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Reducing Carbon Footprints
* Tech Help for Farming
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Federal Wind <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Guidelines
* Small Businesses Flu <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Guidelines
* Walking as a Mode of <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Transportation get Favor in our area
* Death from Swine Flu <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
________________________________________
Updates - Daily Updates
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/Daily%20Updates.htm> - [Connecting
the dots on Rochester’s environment. Find out what’s going on
environmentally in our area-and why you should care? Clicking on
<http://rochesterenvironmentny.blogspot.com/> -DISCUSSION - will take you
to my blog “Environmental Thoughts, NY, where you can add your comments.]
* 9/19/09 - Hey Rochester, what do you think? Could smoke-free parks
work in our area? Or, is this over the top? NYC
<http://www.lohud.com/article/20090914/NEWS05/909140363/1021/NYC-wants...
make-parks-smoke-free> wants to make parks smoke-free | LoHud.com | The
Journal News NEW YORK - New York City's famous parks may be going smoke-
free. The city's health commissioner says the next goal in Mayor Michael
Bloomberg's anti-tobacco crusade is to ban smoking at city parks and
beaches. (September 14, 09) http://www.lohud.com/
* 9/18/09 - Making Green Money: You and the people who work for your
recognize that not only will making your business environmentally friendly,
but the savings in energy use and operating costs can be tremendous. It is
easy? Is there a quick fix to becoming a sustainable business? Depends on
what your business does, how it affects our land, air and water. What
resources your business brings in, how it modifies that resource, what
comes out, what eventually happens to your product or service at the end of
its life. But, there’s help from the EPA to get your business organized
and ready for the rest of this century, where green businesses, I believe,
will become the standard. Got more questions, contact the people at the
Upstate <http://ceinfo.org/ugbn/index.php> Green Business Network (from
the Center <http://www.ceinfo.org/> of Environmental Information (CEI) :
Environmental <http://www.epa.gov/OW-OWM.html/iso14001/ems2001final.pdf>
Management Systems: An Implementation Guide for Small and Medium-Sized
Organizations --from U.S. Environmental <http://www.epa.gov/> Protection
Agency
* 9/18/09 - For those still wondering why RochesterEnvironment.com
exists, check out today's headline in the Democrat and Chronicles'
<http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=ro...
> RochEarth: Retired
<
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090918/ROCEARTH01/90918... 1/rocearth> postal service employee's environmental site aims to educate
"If you've been searching for information about local green living,
consider beginning (and ending) your search online.
RochesterEnvironment.com contains a wealth of local and regional resources,
including environmental clubs, events, green businesses, links to other eco-
friendly Web sites and a weekly newsletter." democratandchronicle.com
<
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=ro... > | Rochester RocEarth | Democrat and Chronicle
* 9/17/09 - Important information on how to handle the pandemic flu
for small businesses Planning
<
http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/sba_h1n1.pdf>
for 2009 H1N1 Influenza A Preparedness Guide for Small Business "As a small
business leader, you are a valuable partner in our nation’s defense
against natural and man-made threats. Preparedness is the best method to
defend against the impacts of all threats and all hazards, including public
health threats." The U.S. Small Business Administration
<
http://www.sba.gov/> (SBA)
* 9/16/09 - Check out the coming of fall in our area by the NYS DEC
and other video of our environment: DECTV -
<
http://www.dec.ny.gov/dectv/dectv102.html> NYS Dept. of Environmental
Conservation
* 9/16/09 -Water Issue: Don’t miss this series by the New York Times
on the long series of violations of the Clean Water Act of 1972.
Environmental issues don’t tend to go away because people are too busy or
uninterested. Many people, rather than think about the decades of
inadequate enforcement of the Clean Air Act (if they think such things at
all), grab bottled water and be done with it. Case closed, hand me my TV
remote. What most interesting to me is not merely the pervasiveness of the
violations of this law (‘cause that’s what corporations do), but how we
react to this overwhelming environmental issue-clean water. We are not
reacting to the world-wide pollution of our fresh water well. In fact,
we’re mostly dysfunctional on how we react to gloomy environmental reports
altogether: We ignore them, make excuses, look for solution that don’t
address the matter, blame others, attack the whistler blowers, deny that
anything wrong is going on, or dismiss environmental problem as low on our
priority list. Somehow, despite all evidence to the contrary, we think
that the more we ignore it, the more it will go away. Of course, that’s
nonsense. Toxic
<
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/us/13water.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&hp>
Waters - Clean Water Laws Are Neglected, at a Cost in Suffering - Series -
NYTimes.com This pattern is not limited to West Virginia. Almost four
decades ago, Congress passed the Clean Water Act to force polluters to
disclose the toxins they dump into waterways and to give regulators the
power to fine or jail offenders. States have passed pollution statutes of
their own. But in recent years, violations of the Clean Water Act have
risen steadily across the nation, an extensive review of water pollution
records by The New York Times found. (September 12, 09) Toxic Waters -
Series - <
http://projects.nytimes.com/toxic-waters> The New York Times
* 9/14/09 - Feeling a little queasy as you ride your bicycle in
traffic for comminuting lately? Get some bicycle education and feel safer
on the road: League of American
<
http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education> Bicyclists * Bike Education
"Teaching Cyclists to Ride Safely and Motorists to Share the Road As
roadways and bike trails become increasingly complex and congested, do you
know all you need to know to safely ride a bicycle? Do you feel you know
enough to teach your children how to ride cautiously and conspicuously
while on their own? When you drive your car, are you confident on how to
share the road with bicyclists? The Smart Cycling program gives you the
tips, tools, and techniques to confidently to answer YES to each of those
questions."
___________________________________________________
Events - Rochester <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/calendar.htm>
Environmental Events Calendar - [The most complete listing of all
environmental events around the Rochester, New York area.] If you don’t
see your event, or know of a local environmental event, please send me the
info: FrankRe...@RochesterEnvironment.com with (EV event) in the subject
line.
September
* Weekend (18-20) September 2009 Register online: <http://activities.
cleanuptheworld.org/index.html?lang_id=en>
http//:activities.cleanuptheworld.org
* Help Clean Up the World and put your activity on the global
environmental map! Held in partnership with the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), Clean Up the World is one of the world’s
largest community-based environmental campaigns with an estimated 35
million volunteers from 120 countries participating annually in
environmental activities. Join the campaign and put your group and its
activity on the global environmental map by visiting
<http://activities.cleanuptheworld.org/index.html?lang_id=en>
activities.cleanuptheworld.org . Activities can be conducted year round,
however the campaign’s flagship event, Clean Up the World Weekend (18-20
September 2009) is a global celebration of the environmental actions and
achievements of participants. Joining Clean Up the World is simple: ■
Register online:
<http://activities.cleanuptheworld.org/index.html?lang_id=en>
http//:activities.cleanuptheworld.org ■ Email:
<mailto:i...@cleanuptheworld.org> i...@cleanuptheworld.org ■ Visit:
<http://www.cleanuptheworld.org/> www.cleanuptheworld.org ■ Call: +61 2
9692 0700 ■ Post: 18 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW 2037, Australia.
<http://www.cleanuptheworld.org/en> Clean Up Clean Up the World partners
with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to inspire and assist
communities to "clean up, fix up and conserve their local environment"
through carrying out initiatives ranging from waste removal and tree
planting to water and energy conservation projects. Clean Up the World and
its participating organisations mobilise an estimated 35 million volunteers
from more than 120 countries annually.
* September 19th, 2009! <http://www.rochestercoastalcleanup.org/>
International Coastal Clean Up Event in Monroe County, NY
* <http://www.rochestercoastalcleanup.org/> Welcome to
RochesterCoastalCleanup.org! Did you know that we all live in a
watershed!?! A watershed is all the land that surrounds a body of water.
After a rain shower (or in Rochester, a snow-melt), runoff will travel to
the lowest point, taking along anything and everything with it. So now you
know how that cigarette butt that was thrown out the window along the
highway found its way into your water supply! Come Back Soon For More
Information on This Year's Event, September 19th, 2009!
* 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 19, Chili highway garage, 3235 Chili
Ave.
* <http://www.mpnnow.com/homepage/x357701388/Household-hazardous-
waste-collection-planned-in-Chili> Household hazardous waste collection
planned in Chili - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow Chili, N.Y. - Monroe County’s
Department of Environmental Services and the towns of Chili, Gates, Riga
and Wheatland and the villages of Churchville and Scottsville have
partnered to hold an appointment-only household hazardous waste collection
from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Chili highway garage, 3235
Chili Ave. (Sept. 4, 09) [more at Calendar] <http://www.mpnnow.com/> Home -
Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow
* Sept. 20th, 7pm - 9PM Brighton Town Park Lodge, 777 Westfall Rd.
(between South Clinton and East Henrietta Rds.)
* Sunday, Sept. 20th, 1009 “Most Noble Diet” Author to visit
Rochester, NY On Sunday, Sept. 20th the Bio/Veg Outreach Committee, in
conjunction with the Rochester Area Vegetarian Society (RAVS) will host
noted author, educator, environmentalist and registered dietician, George
Eisman. Mr. Eisman, author of The Most Noble Diet, will speak on “The
Impact of Diet on Climate Change.” If you would like a better
understanding of the powerful impact your food choices have on the planet,
you won’t want to miss this presentation. Come hear this enlightening and
light-hearted speaker! You can literally make a world of difference - for
the environment, for the animals and for yourself. Date: Sunday, Sept.
20th Time: 7:00pm Location: Brighton Town Park Lodge, 777 Westfall Rd.
(between South Clinton and East Henrietta Rd.)
* Sunday, September 20 at 1pm Wollman Rink (Central Park), New York
City, NY
* Join NYPIRG and thousands of New Yorkers from all walks of life in
Central Park on Sunday, September 20 at 1pm to be part of the Human
Countdown: A Climate Wake Up Call. As the United Nations considers taking
decisive action on the most urgent issue of our time - climate change -
thousands will gather in Central Park to create the Human Countdown, a
human sculpture of a massive living Earth moving through an hourglass.
Captured visually from above, this international media photo opportunity
will demonstrate that the time to act is running out. What: The Human
Countdown: A Climate Wake Up Call When: Sunday, September 20th, 1pm Where:
Wollman Rink (Central Park) Details: To register for the event or for more
information, please visit: <http://www.nypirg.org/countdown>
www.nypirg.org/countdown
* Monday, September 21, 2009 - 5:30 pm - 7 pm Wadham’s Lodge Powder
Mills Park Park Road Pittsford, New York 14534
* Is Monroe County’s fiscal crisis putting our parks at risk? Public
Meeting Monday, September 21, 2009 Nurturing natural monroe: the challenge
of caring for county parks Master planning for County Parks has led to uses
that threaten some parks’ long-term environmental health & beauty. In
2010, County planners will turn their attention to Powder Mills Park.
Citizens need to be ready. Nora Bredes invites you to join NYS Assemblyman
Steve Englebright chair of the assembly’s Committee on Tourism, Parks,
Arts & Sports and NYS Assemblyman Joe morelle to discuss stewardship of our
public parks September 21st 5:30 pm - 7 pm Wadham’s Lodge Powder Mills
Park Park Road Pittsford, New York 14534 For more information, call Nora at
585/314-1597
* WEDNESDAY, September 23, 2009 CAREER EXPO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
10:00am - 1:00pm Baden Street Settlement of Rochester, Inc. 13 VIENNA
STREET, Rochester, NY
* <http://jdnofrochester.org/> THE JOB DEVELOPMENT NETWORK’S 1st
“GOING GREEN” CAREER & TRAINING EXPO Baden Street Settlement of
Rochester, Inc. 13 VIENNA STREET, Rochester, NY WEDNESDAY, September 23,
2009 CAREER EXPO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: 10:00am - 1:00pm MEET EMPLOYERS
WITH CAREER AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN GREEN INDUSTRIES: Energy
efficient building/construction trades Renewable energy Bio-fuels
industries Deconstruction materials Re-manufacturing & sustainable
products manufacturing $$$ MAKE GREEN BY GOING GREEN $$$ FREE ADMISSION
FOR ALL CAREER SEEKERS!!! Equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary
aids and services are available upon request to individuals with
disabilities. Get the Flyer
<file:///C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Frank\My%20Documents\Frank%20Web%20S i
tes\RochesterEnvironment.com\PDF%20files\JDN%20FLYERGREEN.doc> JOB FAIR
EMPLOYER REGISTRATION FORM Get the Registration form:
<file:///C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Frank\My%20Documents\Frank%20Web%20S i
tes\RochesterEnvironment.com\PDF%20files\jdnemployerregistrationgreen.doc>
PDF files/jdnemployerregistrationgreen.doc
* September 25, 2009 - 3 PM Center of Student Innovation @
<http://www.rit.edu/> Rochester Institute of Technology, One Lomb Memorial
Drive, Rochester, NY 14623-5603
* <http://www.rit.edu/gcr/innovationrsvp> RIT Student Innovation
Center Celebration President William Destler and Director Ian Gatley invite
you to join us for the grand opening celebration of the new Center for
Student Innovation at RIT. Featuring Steve Shapiro '04 (Information
Technology), founder, <http://www.digsby.com> Digsby.com. Reception & Open
House immediately following the ceremony. Join RIT students on the path to
innovation!
* September 26th & 27th, 2009 This cordwood workshop will be held at
the Turkow residence @ 6776 Luddington Rd Elba, NY 14058 (directly
between Rochester and Buffalo & 5 miles from the thruway - (Batavia Exit
48).
* Cordwood Sauna Workshop September 26th & 27th, 2009 WHO - Peter
Turkow, Co-Founder of Rochester Green Living After seeing an article on
cordwood construction in Mother Earth News my father, Dave Turkow attended
a Rob Roy cordwood workshop ( <http://www.cordwoodmasonary.com>
http://www.cordwoodmasonary.com)) in 1984. In 1985 we broke ground on a
40ft diameter, round, load-bearing cordwood home covered with geodesic
dome, I was hooked. In 1996 we designed and built 2 story cordwood
workshop/garage approx 32x22 with 22x10ft deck. More details can be seen @:
<file:///F:\www.daycreek.com\dc\HTML\Turkow.htm>
www.daycreek.com/dc/HTML/Turkow.htm WHAT - Each day is a mixture of
classroom and hands-on activities & building. Classroom sessions include
general cordwood home AND sauna information, power point presentations, and
discussions on the various styles of cordwood building, as well as, the
different types of wood species (and how long to dry them). The workshop’s
hands-on project will be a 14’ x 12’ mixed use sauna & enclosed
changing/relaxation area with outdoor deck. Attention to detail assures
that the students learn visually pleasing techniques, as well as,
structurally sound and energy-efficient construction methods. WHEN - Friday
the 25th (optional, but starts at 6pm) will be a meet & greet event, as
well as, a free event for the Rochester Green Living group and others from
the area to learn a little more about future workshops. Workshops run from
9am -5pm. There will also be a social gathering on Saturday evening
(students only & weather permitting). WHERE - This cordwood workshop will
be held at the Turkow residence @ 6776 Luddington Rd Elba, NY 14058
(directly between Rochester and Buffalo & 5 miles from the thruway -
(Batavia Exit 48).
October
* Saturday, October 3, 2009 - Starts at 4:30 pm, and all ages are
invited. Pizza and refreshments will be offered (suggested donation $10/
person) starting at 5:30 and the slide-talk will begin at 7 pm. The program
will be held at the Tay House Lodge just behind the #1 Elementary School on
Hillside Ave. in Rochester.
* A
<http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/Former_Programs/Picture_Tour_...
l> Picture Tour Through Time of Rochester's Park Preservation On Saturday,
October 3rd, the Sierra Club is hosting its annual Fall program which will
focus on the history of land and park preservation in Rochester. The
program will be held at the Tay House Lodge just behind the #1 Elementary
School on Hillside Ave. in Rochester. Our guest speaker, Larry Champoux,
has delved into the history and assembled fascinating information about how
our City's land preservation movement developed and how we came to have so
many beautiful parks. He has assembled wonderful early photos of Rochester
to illustrate the history and the changes over the past 100 years. Of
particular interest will be photos of the Cobb's Hill Park area showing the
old canal and the old bridge over it on Culver Rd, the boat factory where
the Armory now is, and pictures showing the construction of the reservoir.
Supplementing the slide talk, there will be a guided hike offered in the
afternoon to learn about the Sierra Club's work to restore and protect the
forest at the Washington Grove behind Tay House. You can learn about how
the Grove got its name, why the old oaks could disappear and how invasive
Norway maples could take over if nothing is done to change things. The
guided hike starts at 4:30 pm, and all ages are invited. Pizza and
refreshments will be offered (suggested donation $10/ person) starting at
5:30 and the slide-talk will begin at 7 pm. Call 585-234-1056 for more
information.
* Saturday, Oct 3, 2009 Northeast Sustainable Energy
<http://www.nesea.org/greenbuildings> Association GREEN BUILDINGS OPEN
HOUSE
* Green Buildings Open House When Saturday, Oct 3, 2009
Wherehttp://www.nesea.org/greenbuildings/ (map
<http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nesea.org%2Fgree...
ings%2F> ) DescriptionGreen Buildings Open House Saturday, October 3rd,
2009 The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association Green Building Open house
is happening on Saturday, October 3rd, 2009. For the latest list of sites
near you visit: http://www.nesea.org/greenbuildings/
* Saturday, October 3, 2009 10 a.m. - 4 p.m For more information
contact: Elizabeth Nichols, enar...@gmail.com, 773 2478 Tour schedule
information will be available soon!
* Saturday, October 3, 2009 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. WNY
<http://www4.bfn.org/wnysea> Tour of Solar Homes and Green Buildings Join
us on a self-guided tour of local homes and businesses that are doing their
part to save the environment and improve our quality of life. Features
include: passive solar, wind systems, solar hot water, super-insulation,
LEED-rated buildings, and nontoxic building materials. See the WNY
Sustainable Energy Association website, www4.bfn.org/wnysea
<http://www4.bfn.org/wnysea/> , after September 15, 2009, for tour
information: solar and green buildings, locations, directions and times.
The WNY Tour of Solar Homes and Green Buildings is sponsored by the WNY
Sustainable Energy Association in collaboration with the American Solar
Energy Society's National Solar Tour and the Northeast Sustainable Energy
Association's Green Building Open House and in cooperation with other local
environmental groups including the WNY Climate Action Coalition. Further
questions, contact Elizabeth Nichols at enar...@gmail.com or WNYSEA 881-
1639 Celebrating Energy Conservation, Renewable Energy, and Our Commitment
to the Environment This event is free and open to the public.
* October 7, 2009 PROCTORS Theatre, 432 State St Schenectady, NY
12305 (518) 346-6204
* Summit on <http://www.dos.state.ny.us/pdfs/pdfs/savedate09.pdf>
sustainable development on October 7, 2009 in Schenectady . PROCTORS
Theatre, 432 State St Schenectady, NY 12305 (518) 346-6204 This Summit is
being organized and sponsored jointly by Empire State Future
(www.empirestatefuture.org <http://www.empirestatefuture.org/> ) and the
New York Department of State (http://www.dos.state.ny.us/). This Summit
will discuss revitalization of New York State through sustainable economic
and community development. It is designed for government officials,
practitioners of economic and community development, planners, educators,
health professionals, students, persons concerned about the environment,
and any other New Yorkers interested in building a stronger and more
sustainable Empire State . We plan to discuss the many innovations and
ideas that are taking root, and also those that have yet to be actualized.
We also strive for a Summit that not only informs and inspires, but that
also strengthens the connections among those working on common quests.
Click here <http://www.empirestatefuture.org/revitalizing-ny.html> for
more Summit information and to register. Register now for a low fee of $40!
After September 10th, the fee will be $60. And attached is an updated
Summit program, which includes speakers/ panelists, and a morning Downtown
Schenectady walking tour! Note also that the starting time for the Summit
has been moved later into the morning to better accommodate train travel.
As you’ll see on the site, we’re encouraging attendees to travel green to
the Summit by rail-we’ve arranged discounted fares, and have sited the
Summit just two-tenths of a mile from the Schenectady Amtrak Station! We
look forward to seeing you soon in Schenectady . If you have any
questions, please contact me at Ka...@rpa.org or 917-546-4312.
* Thursday, October 08, 2009 CCE Monroe 249 Highland Ave Rochester,
NY 14620
* Emerald
<http://mycce.org/monroe/course.taf?_pageid=11&_menuid=81&_function=in...
urseid=19> Ash Borer Seminar Emerald Ash Borer Seminar for Arboriculture
&Landscape Thursday, October 08, 2009 CCE Monroe 249 Highland Ave
Rochester, NY 14620 General Cost: $ 35.00 Register by Thursday, October
01, 2009
* Tuesday, October 20th, 2009, from 10 am -2 pm University at Buffalo
(UB) Center for the Arts on UB’s North Campus
* Greener Shade of Blue and <http://www.pss.buffalo.edu/GSBandU.php>
You - UB Events Calendar On Tuesday, October 20th, 2009, the University at
Buffalo (UB) will host the first Greener Shade of Blue and You Day at the
Center for the Arts on UB’s North Campus from 10 am -2 pm. This event is
designed to raise awareness about environmental stewardship, particularly
how individuals can "green" their homes and reduce their personal
environmental footprint. Vendors will be on hand for University community
members to visit for ideas and solutions to making their communities more
sustainable, including ways to finance “green” projects.
* Thurs., October 22 Monroe County Department of Planning &
Development 50 West Main Street, Suite 8100, Rochester, NY 14614 Tel 585
753-2034 | Fax 585 753-2028
* "Moving Toward a Sustainable Built Environment: Green Housing," on
Thurs., October 22 by Bruce Boncke and Peter Vars, engineers at BME
Associates. As described in the brochure, "This workshop will look toward
the future as we apply those green initiatives to create sustainable built
environments and green housing. The history, benefits and challenges of
transitioning to what is now described as conservation and sustainable
living environments include energy, maintenance and future cost
considerations. The new ANSI National Green Building Standard for Housing
will be presented as a helpful tool for builders and communities to work
together on improving and sustaining built environments, starting with
development of the land. Discussion will also include evolving State
incentives for energy reduction and the importance of addressing
sustainability of existing housing, which is aging." --all part of a series
THE
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/PDF%20files/Brochure%20F'09%20v4%...
7.pdf> MONROE COUNTY LAND USE DECISION-MAKING TRAINING PROGRAM
* October 10 & 24, 2009 (4 sessions) Perinton Community Center, 1350
Turk Hill Rd, Perinton, NY
* Perinton Recreation & Parks Registration and Information: 585-223-
5050 Program Title: Discover the Season's Natural Wonders - Series 1
Program Dates: September 12 & 26, October 10 & 24, 2009 (4 sessions)
Event Times: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Ages: Adult and teen Location:
Perinton Community Center, 1350 Turk Hill Rd, Perinton Instructor: David
Semple with four special guest presenters Cost: $51 ($45 for Perinton
residents) Registration is required: Code 465816-A (Registration
deadline - September 4) Description: Experience four different natural
wonders in Perinton as we ease into the spectacular fall season. Each
session starts with a slide show in the Perinton Community Center, followed
by an expert-guided field trip at a designated nature area or park site.
Topics covered in Series 1will be birds of prey, fall songbirds, wetland
ecosystems, and mushrooms and fungi. Additional Detail: www.perinton.org
(turn to page 26 of the Fall Recreation Brochure).
* Monday, October 19, 2009 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. George Eastman House
900 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14607
* The <http://www.nycharities.org/beta/EventLevels.aspx?ETID=385>
Community Salute the the Environment is upstate New York's premier
environmental networking opportunity. The annual event hosts over 200
attendees from government, business, and the general public. This year's
event will be held at historic George Eastman House on Monday, October 19,
2009 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. RECEPTION The reception and networking event
will be held in Potter Peristyle on the Museum's first floor, with its
architectural windows and view of the galleries. This year's event features
grazing stations serving hot and cold hors d'œuvres and cash bar. Seating
will be available for those who need it. PRESENTATION The evening
presentation will be held in the art deco styled Dryden Theatre. This
year's speaker is Dr. Joseph C. Makarewicz, Distinguished Service
Professor, SUNY Brockport, who will discuss the numerous challenges facing
efforts to improve Lake Ontario water quality. SELF GUIDED TOURS Self
guided tours of the mansion, grounds, and gallery are encouraged during the
event. Get reacquainted with this national historic landmark and a part of
Rochester's cultural history. . To attend the event, please register
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102676984637&s=849&e=001Ku4_WlxXCZ_nHVEuMM9...
VYRv73o77rnEHqzkzDxjtcI0qS-fDsctfmUJsasfXYFdcxt_gYmiV82JL5DYE0V--
WERoO3qDLJbV9mXrbKY8OOvxX0rqZlf_PNMUfByi62BpDBPypWER8_y7j74Zk-
WHQ_rq2ZKTys9CzvVNg=> online via credit card (MasterCard or Visa) or
complete the reply
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102676984637&s=849&e=001Ku4_WlxXCZ-
YsmnfH8E9aVKZTOYRBMOuMXQgkm34XGLHrKVjkN4aiHL23I0g83MqE5khME0Gb-
j0BJyjBK9e2Dz7pab3RZbOiQU-5eMM-KAXK5makJymc2bycqmAdH89miQ9ClAs_VtFCRtxQgW-
5g==> form and return with your check. Attendance fee of $50 per person
include d'œuvres, presentation and self guided tour.
* Monday, October 19, 2009 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Brighton Town Hall
Downstairs Meeting Room, 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618
* PUBLIC FORUM: Natural Gas Production - At What Cost to NYS? How
will Hydraulic Fracturing in the Marcellus Shale impact our Water,
Environment and Economy? Date: Monday, October 19, 2009 Time: 7:00 PM -
9:00 PM Group Sponsoring the Event: Co-sponsored by the Federation of
Monroe County Environmentalists <http://www.fmce.org> , League of Women
Voters <http://www.lwv-rma.org/> , Rochester
<http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/default.html> Regional Group -
Sierra Club, Genesee <http://www.gvc-adk.org/> Valley Chapter - Adirondack
Mountain Club, Genesee Valley Audubon Society <http://www.gvaudubon.org>
Cost: Free Age Group: Teens to adults Location: Brighton Town Hall
Downstairs Meeting Room, 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618 Contact:
www.fmce.org, Email: i...@fmce.org, Call: 392-4918 Pre-register via email
to receive Pre-Forum Reference Materials. Description: The forum will
include an orientation to the issues and a Q&A with an expert panel. Click
<http://www.fmce.org/Marcellus_Shale.html> for more information.
* Oct 20, 2009, Time: 7 - 8:30 pm Location: Brighton Town Park,
Carmen Clark Lodge, 777 Westfall Rd, Rochester NY 14620
* Chill The Drills! Join us for a Special Presentation: The Arctic
ecosystem on the North Slope of Alaska represents a microcosm of the
realities that society at large faces with regard to fossil fuel
dependency, climate change and the importance of protecting our last wild
and pristine places. Come learn what is being done to protect this iconic
American landscape and what you can do to help! Featured Speaker & Host Kit
McGurn is the National Arctic Organizer for the Sierra Club. He is working
to educate and engage citizens across the country in Arctic conservation
issues in order to build demand for protection of the unique ecosystems in
America’s Arctic. Prior to joining the Sierra Club, Kit worked for the
Greater Yellowstone Coalition where he organized around issues such as
Northern Rockies wolf protection and Roadless area preservation. Kit
completed degrees in Economics and Environmental Studies at Pacific
Lutheran University. CONTACT: 585-234-1056 or Sierra Club NW office, Kit
McGurn, 206-378-0114 ext. 324 or kit.mcg...@sierraclub.org
* Saturday, October 24, 2009 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m Hyatt Regency
Hotel, Buffalo, NY
* Join us for the 4th Annual New York State Healing Our Waters
Coalition Conference. At the conference, you'll learn about achieving Great
Lakes Restoration, implementing the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Compact in New
York, and managing our Great Lakes ecosystem holistically. WHAT: Healing
Our Waters Coalition Conference: Uniting New York’s Great Lakes
Communities to Restore Our Freshwater Coast WHEN: Saturday, October 24,
2009 8:30 am - 4:00 pm WHERE: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Buffalo, NY There is no
cost to attend, but registration is required. Please visit
http://www.citizenscampaign.org/glconference/ for more information and to
register. Cosponsored by: Audubon New York, Center for Environmental
Information, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Environmental Advocates
of New York, Great Lakes Research Consortium, and Great Lakes United.
* October 24, 2009 http://www.350.org/
* October 24, 2009 is INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE ACTION DAY,
<http://www.350.org/> and is being coordinated by 350.org, the grassroots
organizing brainchild of Bill McKibben. The idea is to mobilize grassroots
groups all over the world to hold highly visible public / media events on
10/24/09. Each event should highlight the number 350-the maximum global
atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (in parts per million- ppm)
that is safe for the long term. We are already up to 387, and increasing.
For more details: http://www.350.org/ We need to do something in
Rochester, and to be worth doing, it should be a coordinated effort between
several groups, and something creative, eye-catching…. Media-worthy!
That’s the point-to have media worldwide show that there is a groundswell
of popular support for a global treaty (successor to Kyoto), and that
therefore world leaders must craft a plan to bring levels down to 350 ppm
by the time they leave the international climate talks in Copenhagen in
December of this year. Are you interested in helping? If this is to be
done, we would need people to: * Reach out to other groups/ organizations
to see what they are doing, and try to coordinate (for all I know, there is
already an effort planned that we could work with) * Be creative- come up
with a good location / “shtick” to make it media-worthy * Recruit others
* Contact media
_________________________________________________
Action - Take <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/action.htm> Action -
Often, I receive request to pass on alerts, petitions, Public Comments on
local developments, and environmental items needing action by the Rochester
Community and around the world. I’ll keep Actions posted until their due
date.
* September 21st 5:30 pm - 7 pm -- Wadham’s Lodge Powder Mills Park
Park Road Pittsford, New York 14534 For more information, call Nora at
585/314-1597
* 9/8/09 - Take the opportunity to join in the fate of our area's
parks: Is Monroe County’s fiscal crisis putting our parks at risk? Public
Meeting Monday, September 21, 2009 Nurturing natural monroe: the challenge
of caring for county parks Master planning for County Parks has led to uses
that threaten some parks’ long-term environmental health & beauty. In
2010, County planners will turn their attention to Powder Mills Park.
Citizens need to be ready. Nora Bredes invites you to join NYS Assemblyman
Steve Englebright chair of the assembly’s Committee on Tourism, Parks,
Arts & Sports and NYS Assemblyman Joe morelle to discuss stewardship of our
public parks September 21st 5:30 pm - 7 pm Wadham’s Lodge Powder Mills
Park Park Road Pittsford, New York 14534 For more information, call Nora at
585/314-1597
* 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Sept. 29, Sept. 30 Where Sept. 29, 20 Ontario
County Municipal Building, 3rd-floor conference room Sept. 30, Geneva
Public Library, community room, 244 Main St., Geneva
* Weigh <http://www.mpnnow.com/towns/canandaigua/x1358730310/Weigh-in-
on-county-bus-service-routes> in on county bus service, routes -
Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow Canandaigua, N.Y. - The results of an online
survey about improving Ontario County’s public bus service will be
discussed during two open-house events later this month. Staff from the
county Planning Department will be on hand to review and explain the
results of the survey that generated nearly 600 responses. (September 19,
09) Home - <http://www.mpnnow.com/> Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow [more on
Transportation
<file:///C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Frank\My%20Documents\Frank%20Web%20S i
tes\RochesterEnvironment.com\communting.htm> in our area] f you go What
Open house about County Area Transit System improvements When 4 p.m. to 7 p.
m.; Sept. 29, Sept. 30 Where Sept. 29, 20 Ontario County Municipal
Building, 3rd-floor conference room Sept. 30, Geneva Public Library,
community room, 244 Main St., Geneva Details Residents may comment and
learn results of a survey about making improvements to the county bus
system’s routes and services Information at
www.co.ontario.ny.us/planning/CATS2009study.htm Or call (585) 396-4455
* Action Due Date: Soon -- from the Sierra Club
<http://www.sierraclub.org/> Home Page: Explore, Enjoy and Protect the
Planet.
* Congress, "Don't Stand in the Way of EPA Action on Climate Change!"
The Senate is currently considering legislation that will fund the EPA for
the next year, and opponents of action on climate change are looking to
prevent the EPA from acting to curb global warming pollution or accurately
measure the potential climate impacts of biofuels. It is vital that both
Congress and EPA work quickly together if we are to make real progress on
global warming. Prohibiting EPA from addressing global warming pollution
ignores science and undermines existing laws. It also takes away some of
our country's most valuable tools for curbing global warming. Tell the
Senate to move us towards a clean energy economy, and not to stand in the
way of EPA action on climate change: http://tinyurl.com/nntmom Warm
Regards, Christina Marie Yagjian National Conservation Organizer Sierra
Club, Global Warming and Energy 202.675.7911
* Action Due Date: November 10, 2009 --from the U.S.
<http://www.epa.gov/> Environmental Protection Agency
* Think EPP Brownfield sites cleanup are not stringent enough, let
them know: EPA Seeks Comment on Greener Site Cleanups WASHINGTON - The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comment on a new
strategy that would make cleanups at hazardous waste sites greener. The
Superfund Green Remediation Strategy is an initial effort to outline key
actions and related activities that can be undertaken to promote green
remediation and to reduce energy use. EPA is taking comment on action
items that fall into three major categories: policy and guidance
development, resource development and program implementation, and program
evaluation. The strategy also contains several recommendations including a
call for EPA to implement a series of near-term program initiatives, and to
establish a baseline of Superfund energy usage. The public comment period
is open for 60 days. Reducing the demands placed on the environment during
cleanup of contaminated land is a high priority for EPA. In addition to
the new strategy, EPA has developed Principles for Greener Cleanups. The
principles call for EPA’s cleanup programs to use greener approaches
during any phase of site work and establish the goal of evaluating cleanup
actions to ensure protection of human health and the environment while
reducing the environmental footprint of cleanup activities, when feasible.
Cleanups that do not satisfy threshold requirements for protectiveness or
do not meet site specific cleanup objectives, are not considered greener
cleanups. More information on
<http://www.epa.gov/superfund/greenremediation> the strategy: View
<http://service.govdelivery.com/service/edition.html?code=USAEPA_20&fo...
eb&email_type=bulletin> all news releases related to hazardous waste
* Action Due Date: October 24, 2009
* On October 24, 2009, millions of people around the globe will take
action in their own communities, and call on world leaders to sign a
climate agreement that leads us down the road to 350. We already have
events planned at some of the world's most iconic places -- Australia's
Great Barrier Reef, in front of the Pyramids in Egypt, in the Himalayas of
South Asia and at the Great Lakes in the USA -- but we need you to host an
event in your community. It doesn't have to be large (though that would be
great), but it does need to display the number 350 in some visual way. Be
creative! You can organize a rally, a hike up the closest peak, an
educational forum, a community art project, or anything else. Just make
sure you have fun, and represent 350 somehow -- on a banner or a sign, on
your t-shirt, or by spelling it out with your bodies. This may not sound
like it could really help, but it does--already we've had churches ringing
their bells 350 times, 350 bicyclists circling through cities, even 350
people standing on their heads. The resulting media coverage has helped
spread the word fast, so that many groups have joined this campaign. To
sign up, please go to http://350.org/oct24 And make sure you snap a photo
of your event and upload it to our website. We'll take those photos and
pass them to our global leaders. Together we can let them know: 350
represents safety, and anything that doesn't meet the 350 test is gambling
with our future. Take <http://350.org/oct24> Action with 350 on October
24th
* Action Due Date: December 1, 2009 -from U.S. <http://www.epa.gov/>
Environmental Protection Agency
* EPA
<http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/ab2d81eb088f4a7e85257359003f...
7323a817211b6ca852576230052ff23!OpenDocument> Seeks Public Input on
National Enforcement Priorities Through Online Forum WASHINGTON - The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency has launched an online discussion forum to
receive public input on the future priorities for EPA’s national
enforcement program. The public will be able to provide feedback through
the EPA Web site until December 1, giving them a forum to submit ideas for
EPA to consider for new areas of enforcement focus. All ideas will be
evaluated and considered for recommendation to the EPA administrator about
the future direction of EPA’s national enforcement and compliance
priorities. The current enforcement priorities through 2010 focus on
significant environmental problems, including pollution from stormwater
runoff, air toxics, concentrated animal feeding operations, and mineral
processing. To submit suggestions for potential priorities: Information
on the enforcement priorities: (August 31, 2009) U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency <http://www.epa.gov/> [[more on Action
<file:///C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Frank\My%20Documents\Frank%20Web%20S i
tes\RochesterEnvironment.com\action.htm> in our area]
__________________________________________________
Award - Environmental
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/Environmental%20Site%20Award.htm>
Site of the Month Award - [On the last Sunday of each month, we present an
environmental award for the Rochester-area environmental web site or blog
that best promotes the need to protect and offers solutions for our area's
environmental issues.]
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