Mount Sinai Global Health Conference

The Mount Sinai Global Health Training Center is presenting its 9th Annual Global Health Conference.

Toxins: A Global Threat
March 11 -12, 2011

Conference proceedings will include expert presentations, including a
panel on hydrofracking and advocacy(Al Appleton is on the panel)  & a
special screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary, Gasland,
followed by a webcast Q&A discussion with director Josh Fox.

To REGISTER and for more information, see http://globaltoxins.eventbrite.com

Annual CAC and EMC Roundtable - Open to the Public

The CCEDC Environment and Energy Program is pleased to announce:

The Annual CAC and EMC Roundtable: Serving as Stewards of the Local Environment

Volunteer members of local municipal Conservation Advisory Commissions or Boards (CAC/CAB) and the Dutchess County Environmental Management Council

(EMC) play a critical role as stewards of the natural resources and environment in their communities.  The Annual CAC and EMC Roundtable Forum is a great opportunity for CACs and the EMC to share information about recent successes and challenges, discuss common concerns, and prioritize goals for the coming year. The Roundtable also offers members of the public (including youth) to learn about local environmental issues that are critical in our community, and how to get involved in protecting the environment in their own backyard.

When: Wednesday, February 23, 2011, 7:00 — 9:00 pm

Location: The Farm & Home Center, 2715 Route 44, Millbrook, NY 12545

Come Learn How to Get Involved in Protecting Your Local Natural Resources.  Free and Open to the Public. No Pre-Registration Required.  All current EMC and CAC Members are strongly encouraged to attend!  Light Refreshments Provided.  The GIS Special Interest Group Meeting will be held from 6:00-6:45pm.

This year’s Roundtable Forum will include:

- Short presentations on CAC/EMC responsibilities, and emerging issues for CACs and the EMC to address;

- Facilitated small group discussions on the accomplishments and priorities for local environmental protection efforts in 2011.

If you have any questions, or for more information, contact Allison at (845) 677-8223 x 136 oramc256@cornell.edu.   

Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County (CCEDC) provides equal program and employment opportunities.  The programs provided

by this agency are partially funded by monies received from Dutchess County.  Please contact CCEDC if you have any special needs.

Environmental Scientist Job Opening

The Bard Center for Environmental Policy seeks an environmental
scientist for a one-year position as a visiting faculty member to
commence August 1st, 2011. The successful applicant will teach a
year-long Master’s level sequence in environmental science in our MS
in Environmental Policy Program, offer a two-week January short course
in an area of their expertise, and advise Master’s theses.  The
science course is part of a modular core curriculum that is
coordinated with concurrent courses in environmental economics, policy
and law. Interest in interdisciplinary teaching is required. Ph.D to
be complete by time of hire. For more information about the program,
please visit www.bard.edu/cep.  To apply, please send cover letter,
CV, writing sample (no more than 25 pp.), and names and contact
information for three references to Environmental Scientist Search, by
e-mail only to hr11004@bard.edu. Applications will be reviewed as
received. Bard College is an equal opportunity employer, and we
welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity.

EPA Grant Available

EPA Seeks Applications for Community-Based Environmental Grants

Grants will help communities address local health and pollution issues.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making $2
million available in 2011 to reduce pollution at the local level
through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program.
 CARE is a community-based program that works with county and local
governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities to help
the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources to
protect people’s health.

EPA will award CARE cooperative agreements in two levels.  Level I
awards range from $75,000 to $100,000 and will help establish
community-based partnerships to develop local environmental
priorities.  Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each,
will support communities that have established broad-based
partnerships, identified the priority toxic risks in their
communities, and are prepared to measure results, implement
risk-reduction activities and become self- sustaining.

In 2010, EPA’s CARE program distributed $2 million throughout 14
communities.  Among the grant recipients, projects included tackling
drinking water and stormwater pollution, solid waste, and toxics
issues in Cordova, Alaska; addressing air and water pollution sources,
municipal solid waste collection and chemical releases in Ashland,
Ky.; targeting pest and solid waste issues in New York, N.Y.; tackling
air pollution and land use issues in Detroit, Mich.; focusing on
threats from lead in paint, mold, and hazardous household products in
Gary, Ind.; and addressing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions,
water pollution, and poor waste management in Kansas City, Kan.

Since 2005, 81 communities in 39 states and territories have used CARE
grants to help reduce pollution and protect people’s health.  A recent
evaluation by the National Association of Public Administrators (NAPA)
recognized the CARE program as a solid tested framework for engaging
communities and other stakeholders.

Applications for the CARE grants are due March 22, 2011, 4:00 p.m.
EST.  EPA will conduct three webcasts to answer questions from
prospective applicants about the application process on February 8,
February 23, and March 2 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

More information about the grants and webcasts: http://www.epa.gov/care

Owl Program at Stony Kill

The Stony Kill Foundation presents Give a Hoot: The Wonderful World of
Owls on Saturday, February 26 (snow date: February 27), from 1:30 to
3:00 p.m.  Youngsters in grades 2 and older are invited to join us in
the Barn Classroom at Stony Kill to learn about these nocturnal birds
of prey.  Various owl specimens will be on display and each
participant will have an opportunity to dissect an owl pellet and
identify the bones.

Pre-registration is required and will be accepted on a first-come,
first-served basis by calling 845-831-1617.  There is a program
participation fee of $2.50 per child, to cover the cost of the program
supplies.  The fee can be paid upon arrival on the day of the event.
All children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian (over the age of
21).

For further information, call 831-1617.

Screening of "Tapped"

Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right, or a commodity that should be bought and sold like any other article of commerce? Stephanie Soechtig's debut feature is an unflinching examination of the big business of bottled water.

From the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car and I.O.U.S.A., this timely documentary is a behind-the-scenes look into the unregulated and unseen world of an industry that aims to privatize and sell back the one resource that ought never to become a commodity: our water.

From the plastic production to the ocean in which so many of these bottles end up, this inspiring documentary trails the path of the bottled water industry and the communities which were the unwitting chips on the table. A powerful portrait of the lives affected by the bottled water industry, this revelatory film features those caught at the intersection of big business and the public's right to water.

Tapped

Sunday, Feb. 6th, 2:30 PM

The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR)

521 No. Broadway, Nyack

Suggested Donation: $10

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Recycling at Radio Shack

Combine your errands with another opportunity to recycle electronics. Radio Shack has a Trade & Save Program which allows customers to trade in electronic items for savings on new purchases. If the item has no trade-in value, Radio Shack will recycle it for free. Radio Shack accepts cell phones, MP3 players, cameras and camcorders, GPS receivers, games consoles and games, computers, HDTVs, and car audio equipment. For more information about this program, go to www.www.radioshack.com/tradeandsave.

Central Hudson Rebate Offers

Are you upgrading your heating system? Replacing old appliances? You could be eligible for a rebate from Central Hudson. Central Hudson offers rebates for new, natural gas heating equipment, duct sealing, appliance recycling, programmable thermostats and more. And the company will pay customers $50 to recycle old, working refrigerators and freezers. Find more information at www.savingscentral.com.

Bikeable Beacon Meeting Summary

The second Bikeable Beacon meeting was held last Saturday. Representatives from the Beacon Chamber of Commerce, the local business community, city residents and the Conservation Advisory Committee discussed the goals for the project. The group hopes to have several bike racks installed along Main Street this year. Events during National Bicycle Month in May will address safety concerns and encourage more bicycle commuting.

If you would like to become involved with this project, e-mail beaconcac@gmail.com.

Tech Trash Recycling at Office Depot

Office Depot recycles discarded electronics. The store sells three boxes of various sizes for this purpose, ranging in price from $5-15. Fill the box with acceptable items and return the box to an Office Depot store for recycling. Some of the acceptable items include: monitors, fax machines, desktop and laptop computers, printers, cameras, and telephones. See below for more information.

Office Depot Tech Recycling Services

City Hall Solar Panels

The City of Beacon now has solar panels on the municipal building. The sixty panels were installed by Hudson River Clean Energy. Thank you to all who were involved in this project, particularly, Thomas Baldino, CAC co-chairman.

There is a related article in this week's Beacon Free Press.

Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center Update

As of January 1, 2011, the Stony Kill Foundation, Inc. is responsible for maintaining educational and agricultural programs at the Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center, as a result of state budget cuts.  
Members are needed to keep the foundation moving forward. For membership information and/or to become a volunteer, call 845-831-1617, or email foundation@stonykill.org.

Events at Stony Kill

Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center

Forest to Faucet

Thursday, February 10, 2011: 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon   (Snow Date Feb. 17)

What does a watershed need to produce clean water? The Hudson River Watershed  Alliance and the Hudson River Estuary Program present a new Geographic Information System mapping tool that can help identify important watershed attributes.  Donald Steinmetz of the Highlands Environmental Research Institute will present this new GIS tool, based on data developed by the US Forest Service.  Fran Dunwell and Scott Cuppett from the Hudson River Estuary Program, and Jennifer Grossman from the Highlands Coalition and Open Space Institute will discuss the importance of clean water and watershed management in the Hudson Valley. To Register Contact Barbara Kendall, HRWA Coordinator:  barbara@hudsonwatershed.org  914 474 2759
Location: Sterling Forest Visitor Center, 116 Old Forge Road, Tuxedo, NY 10987

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Snow is Good : CIES talk

Most people pay attention to climate change in the summer, when faced with heat waves, hurricanes, and severe thunderstorms. In the northeast, climate warming is actually more marked in the winter, and the loss of snow cover can have a ripple effect on tree growth and groundwater recharge. Cary Institute scientist Dr. Peter Groffman will discuss how mild winters threaten soil productivity, plant growth, and freshwater resources. Event is free.
Location: Cary Institute's auditorium, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Route 44) in Millbrook, New York.  
Friday, January 28, 2011, 7 p.m.

Vegetable Gardening Class

A new class offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County-

Vegetable Gardening A-Z

Do you want more control over your food supply? Would you like to eat organic, locally raised vegetables, harvested at the peak of nutrition and flavor without breaking the family budget? Start or expand your vegetable garden!
This class covers the fundamentals of growing vegetables, from selecting varieties and planting seeds and transplants, to growing and harvesting. We will look at how to protect your garden from pests both big and tiny and cover techniques such as growing beds, mulching, watering, crop rotation and garden design. This information will help experienced gardeners take their garden to the next level.
Instructor Mary Nisley has gardened organically for more than 30 years in 3 states, giving her experience with a wide range of vegetables, growing conditions, and problems.
When: Thursdays 6:30 PM – 8:45 PM, February 17, March 3,17 & 31, snow dates 3/24 & 4/7.
Where: Dutchess County Farm & Home Center 2715 Rt. 44, Millbrook, NY, 12545
Cost: $80 for all 4 sessions, not refundable after Feb. 4.
To register, call Nancy Halas at 845-677-8223 x115.
Make check payable to Cornell Cooperative Extension and mail to:
Cornell Cooperative Extension, 2715 Rt. 44, Suite 1, Millbrook, NY 12545, Attn: Nancy Halas

Subjects by week:
Week 1:

• Your garden site; soil, sun, pH, water, frost, etc
• Protecting your vegetable garden from the critters
• Techniques: garden beds, mulches, watering, weeding, crop rotation, timing, succession planting, floating row covers
• Tools

Week 2:

• Direct sowing vs. transplants
• Growing your own transplants
• Preparing your garden for planting
• How to transplant
• How to direct sow: seeds in the garden
• Early spring planting with greens and roots: spinach, lettuce, chard, beets, carrots, parsley,  parsnips, and onions

Week 3:

• More early vegetables: the cabbage family: cabbage, kale, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, etc.
• The self-fertilizing legumes: peas and beans
• Vining crops: squashes, cucumbers, and melons
• Introduction to garden planning: starting a garden map, selecting vegetables

Week 4:

• Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes.
• More garden planning: keeping track of everything
• Garden layout, favorite combinations for companion planting & succession planting 

Beacon Sloop Club - Fracking Discussion

Dr Jeanette M. Barth will speak on the Economics of Fracking in the Marcellus Shale at the Beacon Sloop Club, 7:00 pm, February 18, 2011.  The club is located at 2 Red Flynn Drive, just west of the train station in Beacon.  Take Beekman Road off 9D toward the train station and turn onto the overpass over the tracks and down to the river side.

Road Salt Information Session

The Casperkill Watershed Alliance and the Vassar College Environmental
Research Institute have organized an informational session on road salt
which will take place at Vassar College on February 5th (a Saturday)
from 10 A.M. -12 P.M. It features speakers Vicky Kelly and Stuart Findlay,
from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, both of whom were
co-authors on a report on road salt released by the Cary Institute in
December. It will be an interesting and informative look at the
environmental impacts of road salt as well as the alternatives and ways
to reduce its use, both by highway departments and homeowners. 

Please RSVP to Will Jobs at wijobs@vassar.edu or 845-437-5834 if you
wish to attend. The event is free and open to the public. 



The session will be held at Vassar College in the Main Building, Room 223.

Indian Point Discussion Postponed

Due to the impending snowstorm, the presentation on Indian Point
scheduled for Tuesday night has been rescheduled to February 8, 7
p.m., in Nyack Library.

Bikeable Beacon - January Meeting

Bikeable Beacon is a project created to raise awareness of the needs of bicyclists in Beacon. We would also like to encourage bicycling as a mode of transportation in order to reduce traffic congestion along Main Street. And we are planning a community bike ride in honor of National Bike Month in May.

CAC members, local business owners and residents met in October. The participants discussed the need for safe bike routes and bike parking areas. 

The next meeting will be held at 10am on Saturday, January 22nd at Bank Square Coffeehouse. We will review the bike routes and rack locations and begin planning for the May event.

Bikeable Beacon Map

Indian Point Discussion

The Facts on Indian Point:  Relicensing, Climate Change, & Radionuclides in Our River

Nyack Library - Tuesday, January 11, 7 p.m.

Public Meeting of Rockland Sierra Club

• Indian Point, the aging, leaking nuclear power plant across the river from Rockland, is asking for a twenty year extension of their license.   What's happening in terms of relicensing? 
• Is nuclear power the answer to climate change? 
• If Indian Point were closed, how would we replace that power? 
• What are the facts on the impact of radionuclides in the river on our drinking water if United Water moves ahead with desalination of the Hudson? 

Cofounder of Westchester Citizens Awareness Network and a member of the steering committee for the Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition, Marilyn has been working to close Indian Point for the last 17 years. 

For more information on this meeting or on Rockland Sierra Club, contact pkurtz9@gmail.com or deby1012@verizon.net or call (845) 358-3386. 

Guided hike along the Palisades

"Millionaires' Row" Hike 
Sunday, January 9th, 2011
1 PM

The NJ Section of the Palisades Interstate Park, spanning twelve miles along the Hudson River Palisades in northeastern Bergen County, will sponsor guided "history hikes" this winter giving participants a chance to explore some of the park's 30 miles of hiking trails—along with the rich historical associations of the Palisades, a National Historic Landmark.
On Sunday, January 9th, historic interpreter Eric Nelsen will start the series off with an exploration of extensive foundation remains that mark a stretch of cliff top in Alpine once known as "Millionaires' Row," so named for the dozen or so estates—with their stately manor homes and ornate gardens and grounds—that once graced this lonely precipice more than four hundred feet above the Hudson. The tour will meet at 1 PM at the Park's Headquarters in Alpine (PIP Exit 2), itself a former manor house, and will cover about 3 miles round-trip distance over easy-to-moderate trails in about 2 hours. Nelsen, who noted that the lack of foliage in winter makes it an ideal time to explore this section of the cliffs, will bring photographs of the estates as they appeared in their original splendor.

FREE and open to all with no advanced registration required.
Further information can be obtained by calling 201 768-1360 ext. 108.

Free Climate Change Talk in Newburgh

This Thursday evening, Jan. 6, at 6:30 p.m., Scenic Hudson Conservation Scientist  Sacha Spector, Ph.D., will present a free climate change talk at the Newburgh  Free Library. Dr. Spector will focus on the benefits that communities can gain  by taking steps now to prepare for climate change — saving tax dollars,  creating green jobs, fostering energy independence, improving public health, reducing risks to property, and enhancing national security. The presentation is part of Scenic Hudson's ongoing effort to encourage  municipalities along the Hudson River to engage with the climate change  problem. Dr. Spector will offer specific steps that communities can take,  such as developing a local climate action plan or joining the NYS DEC's  Climate Smart Communities partnership. If you would like to attend Thursday's free presentation, please  use this link to RSVP. We hope to see you there.

Learn How to Prune

March 5, The How, When, and Where of Pruning

10 AM-2:30 PM, NYBG at Bard College, 

113 GAR236 C, 

http://conted.nybg.org:8080/WebModule/jsp/ed2df.jsp?&df1=location&df3=&df4=LNB&df5=BARD.  

Landscape Design Course

January 24, 31, and February 7, Introduction to Landscape Design. 6-9 PM, NYBG at Bard 

college. 113 LAN100 C, 

http://conted.nybg.org:8080/WebModule/jsp/ed2df.jsp?&df1=location&df3=&df4=LNB&df5=BARD.  

Farming Workshop

January 16, Mar 20, May 22, July 17, Sept 18, Nutrient Dense Farming Workshops with 

Farmer Dan Kittredge of The Real Food Campaign. 5 Sunday all-day workshops. Learn 

about systemic solutions toward building vitality in our soils, crops, bodies. Solutions using 

minerals, biological inoculants, foliar sprays and nutrient drenches. Soil conductivity, brix, cover 

cropping, and adding composts and manure.  Get comprehensive soil test analysis and 

consultations as well as twice monthly newsletters. Hawthorne Valley Farm, The Learning 

Center, 327 Cty Rte 21C, Ghent, NY 12075. Info- Louise Maher-Johnson, 518 234-1942 or 

maherjohnson@gmail.com.  Sponsored by The Real Food Campaign. See  

http://realfoodcampaign.org/  for testimonials, registration. Co-sponsored by Regional Farm & 

Food Project, www.farmandfood.org.  $300 for the series. Missed workshops can be made up at 

other workshop sites. 

Energy Savings Workshop

FREE Residential Energy Savings Workshop for Dutchess County  Saturday, January 22, 2011

Workshop Presentations: Low-Cost Energy UpgradesDutchess Cornell Cooperative Extension Utility Programs/Rebates -Central Hudson Gas & Electric Home Energy Audit -  Malcarne Contracting NYSERDA Programs -  Mid-Hudson Energy $mart Communities Low-Income Programs -  Dutchess County Community Action Partnership Renewable Energy -Hudson Valley Clean Energy Closing Remarks -  Fishkill Environmental Board Q&A and exhibits to follow.

Homeowners & Renters: Plan now for a more affordable year! Come learn about: Low Cost - Do it Yourself Energy Upgrades Free Energy Audits Low-interest Financing Rebates for New Appliances Renewable Energy: Solar/Wind Low-Income Programs ...and much more! Saturday, January 22, 2011 1:00 - 4:00 pm Fishkill Recreation Center 793 Route 52 Fishkill, NY 12524 This event is free and open to the public.   If you have any questions or would like to register*, contact: Meridith Nierenberg, Coordinator Mid-Hudson Energy $mart Communities 845-331-2238 or meridith.nierenberg@gmail.com *Please register by January 18, 2011. If you are unable to attend this workshop, please call to inquire about future events.

January Meeting

The next meeting of the Beacon Conservation Advisory Committee is Tuesday, January 25th, 2011. We will meet at 7pm, in the police training room at 1 Municipal Plaza. Read more about CAC's in other Dutchess County communities on the Cornell University Cooperative Extension page, http://www.ccedutchess.org.

December Meeting

The next meeting is Tuesday, December 28th, 2010. We will meet in the police training room at the Municipal Center at 7pm.

Hazardous Products Usage Tips

If you must use hazardous products, please:

• Take inventory of your current supplies before you start a project.
• Buy the smallest quantity needed to get the job done. More is not always better.
• Use up household cleaners, bug sprays, stains, etc. Place the empty containers in the trash.
• Donate usable leftovers to a friend, neighbor, relative or community group.
• Safely store unwanted hazardous products for household hazardous waste cleanup days.
• Spread the word and help keep hazardous products out of the trash and out of our streams and air.

Courtesy of Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency

Choose Non-Hazardous Products

Avoid Health Hazards in Your Home by Choosing Safer Products

• Use latex paint whenever possible. Look for the nontoxic seal on art and craft supplies.
• Leave grass clippings on the lawn for a natural source of nitrogen.
• Use natural fertilizers and insects (ladybugs, praying mantids) for gardens and plants.
• Use scrapers, heat guns or sand paper instead of solvents to remove old paints and finishes.
• Use borax, a natural mineral cleanser and degreaser, with a damp sponge. Add citrus oil for stubborn grease.
• Use baking soda and water to make a paste as a scouring cleanser.
• Use hydrogen peroxide to bleach food stains and to kill many household germs.
• Use 2 teaspoons tea tree oil and 2 cups water in a spray bottle to eradicate mold.
• Use 1 cup white vinegar in 1 quart water to clean windows. Spray on and rub off with newspaper.
• Boil 1 lemon with water to cover in burned pots and pans. Scrub with the lemon water to make pots glisten.
• Use a drain cleaner and flush drains weekly with boiling water. For clogs, use a plunger or mechanical snake. 
• Use cedar chips to freshen clothes and fabrics. Make dried lavender sachets for drawers and closets.
• Add brewer's yeast or garlic to your pet's diet to keep fleas away.

Courtesy of the Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency.

Bikeable Beacon - December meeting -Postponed

Bikeable Beacon is a project created to raise awareness of the needs of bicyclists in Beacon. We would also like to encourage bicycling as a mode of transportation in order to reduce traffic congestion along Main Street. And we are planning a community bike ride in honor of National Bike Month in May.

CAC members, local business owners and residents met in October. The participants discussed the need for safe bike routes and bike parking areas. 

The next meeting has been postponed until January. Happy Holidays!

Bikeable Beacon Map

Recycling at Major Retailers

In addition to plastic bags, several of the large stores in our area recycle household items. Look for the kiosks near the entrance or customer service counters.

Home Depot: plastic bags, compact fluorescent light bulbs, rechargeable power tool batteries. This store also offers a lead battery exchange.

Target: plastic bags, MP3 players, ink cartridges, cell phones, and watch batteries.

Lowe's: string lights (Christmas tree lights), batteries, and plastic bags.


Please forward other stores and recycling opportunities to beaconcac@gmail.com.

Donate coats and clothing

Community Coat Drive - Mid Hudson Subaru, 1715 Route 9, Wappingers Falls. Mid Hudson Subaru, Lite FM, Fidelis Care and the Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce  are hosting a coat drive for gently used coats to be donated to local families. Coats can be donated through December 18 and will be distributed to Dutchess, Orange and Ulster county agencies. 845-296-1152.

Clothing Drive - Fishkill Church of the Nazarene, 953 Main Street, Fishkill. Clothing drive to benefit the needy. Donations accepted through December 11. Event to give donations will be at the church December 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.


Courtesy of the Poughkeepsie Journal.