Updates April 2008

• 4/30/08 - **ACTION**  NestWatch Anyone can monitor nests - it's a rewarding way to spend time outdoors and participate in science. NestWatch is a continentwide citizen-science project and nest-monitoring database of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, funded by the National Science Foundation and developed in collaboration with the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center.
• 4/29/08 - - **EVENT**  - Book Study Group - At the April meeting of the Sierra Club Book Discussion Group, we decided to try a couple new things for the last two meetings of this year (taking a break in July and August). For Monday May 12, one member of the group will bring a video of an interview with the author of Six Degrees, a book about the prospective effects of 1, 2, and up to 6 degrees of increase in global temperature. Short segments of the video will be followed by discussion time. On Monday June 9, we will gather at a place (preferably outdoors) yet to be determined, for a potluck picnic, with open discussion (always lively!) and to do some longer-range planning for next year's meetings. We hope people will come with suggestions for books to read, as well as how to publicize to the wider community the availability of our outstanding discussions. All are welcome to attend both sessions. The May 12 one, as usual, will be at the Friends Meeting House, 84 Scio St. (entrance on Charlotte St;, parking on the street or in the East End Garage) at 7:00 p.m. Please arrive promptly, as the door will be locked after 7:00. Time and place of the June 9 gathering will be announced later - keep watching this space! - Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club
• 4/29/08 - **ACTION**  Curb Your Car Week For at least one day during the week of May 18-24, walk, bike or ride the bus to work, the grocery store, exercise class, piano lesson, or anywhere. “Way to Go” is a nationwide program encouraging the use of cheaper, healthier, and more earth-friendly transportation alternatives. During the week of May 18-24, if you normally use an automobile for daily transportation, please consider walking, biking, car pooling, or riding the bus as alternatives. -- - Color Brighton Green
• 4/27/08-   If you missed the SIERRA CLUB TENTH ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM Transportation Alternatives for Rochester A Vision for the Future was a great success  You can hear the whole program online Listen to our program on your browser by clicking here. --from Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club
• 04/27/08)  - **EVENT**  - On 1370 Radio -WXXI Radio: 1370 Connection Monday 4/28 Hr. 1 The latest on lead contamination and Rochester's children; Ralph Spezio and Joan Roby Davison of the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning -- http://www.wxxi.org/talk1370
• 04/27/08)  - **EVENT**  - On 1370 Radio -WXXI Radio: 1370 ConnectionWednesday 4/30 Hr. 2 Charting a course for a sustainable future; Cornell University's Frank DiSalvo joins us in advance of his lecture wrapping up this year's Distinguished Scholars Series at the Rochester Museum -- http://www.wxxi.org/talk1370
• 04/27/08 -  - **EVENT**  - Green Energy Fair Schedule - Color Brighton Green Green Energy Fair May 4, 2008 from 12-4 pm at the Buckland Park Lodge and Shelters - The fair will feature the following and more: A wide variety of businesses offering energy saving and green products and services. Tables with information and resources about energy- and resource-saving technologies and lifestyle choices. Displays of current alternative technologies. Come see working solar panels and a wind turbine that generate electricity for a home. Student projects related to alternative energy and energy conservation. Food and entertainment.
• 04/24/08 - Plant a tree, Celebrate Arbor Day: The Nature Conservancy: Celebrate Arbor Day 2008 and Plant a Tree Tomorrow, April 25th is Arbor Day, a day to celebrate trees. And thanks to the support of caring people like you, more than 250,000 trees have been sponsored through our www.plantabillion.org   Web site. Through our Plant a Billion Trees campaign, where one dollar plants one native tree, The Nature Conservancy is working with partners in Brazil to protect and restore the Atlantic Forest, one of the world's biggest and most endangered tropical forests.
• 04/23/08 - - **EVENT**  -  Please join our May Day celebration on Sunday, May 4 from 2 to 6 pm at Peacework Farm, Welcher Road (across from 2232 Welcher, but that is a private home so use our parking areas). At 2 pm, popular local fiddler Kit Fallon will accompany the dancing around the May Pole. No previous dance experience necessary! Next Monna Rynearson, a leading organizer of the Zurich Bog society, will lead a wild flower walk in the woods of the Kraai Preserve, a nature preserve open to the public. Then, we will have tours of the land, the old Humbert dairy farm, now owned by the Genesee Land Trust and leased to Peacework Farm. At 4:30, we will have a potluck supper. Please bring a dish to pass, a place setting and folding chairs. The farm will provide drinks. All are welcome!
• 04/23/08 - - **EVENT**  -  - In these days of corporate media takeover, one of the best ways to get environmental information is film, so check this out: Flow: For The Love Of Water Sat May 3rd @ 1:05pm @ the Little 1 Also Q&A with Irena Salina & Dr Rajendra Singh - WH Auden once said: "thousands have lived without love. Not one without water." For most of us living in a country where endless varieties of outrageously-priced bottle water line grocery aisles, it's hard to imagine not having access to this life-sustaining commodity, er... resource. But as director Irena Salina points out in the Grand Jury prize-winning film from Sundance, that is just the situation we face; a global crisis of epic proportions due to an ever-shrinking supply of water. And lest the scenes from across the world - Africans in shanty towns trying to desperately reconnect water pipes under cover of night; rivers in Bolivia turned red from slaughterhouse run-off; the piracy of the Ganges - aren't enough to give us pause, Salina is quick to illustrate the problem is very much in our backyards. A billions dollar water com exec argues privatization as the wave of the future; a scientist details public water toxicities far beyond recent headlines. And as for the "purity" of bottle water? Less regulated than tap, one bottler goes as far as to dig his well in an old industrial waste site. Very much a call to action, this unflinching look At politics, pollution and hum rights is a must-see for all those interested in survival in the 21st century. --from Rochester's Movie Fest - The Rochester High Falls International Film Festival
• 04/23/08 - - **EVENT**  - New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets COUNCIL ON FOOD POLICY TO HOLD LISTENING SESSION Listening Session Scheduled for May 5, 2008 in Rochester - The New York State Council on Food Policy is holding a listening session in Rochester to gain perspective from community members on several food policy issue areas and to seek opportunities to maximize collaboration among stakeholders. The listening session is scheduled for Monday, May 5, 2008 at Le Lemon Grass II, 285 North Union Street, Rochester in conjunction with the Rochester Public Market. The session will be held from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The listening session is open to the public and will be an open microphone format. Anyone who wishes to participate will have five minutes to present their opinions and must also provide their comments in written format. Comments should focus on how to strengthen the connection between local food products and consumers; supporting efficient and profitable agricultural food production and food retail infrastructure; and how to increase consumer awareness and knowledge about healthy eating and improve access to safe and nutritious foods. Those wishing to participate are requested to RSVP by 5:00 pm May 4, 2008 to Mary Ann Stockman at 518-485-7728 or maryann.stockman@agmkt.state.ny.us . The Council on Food Policy is hosting a series of listening sessions throughout the State. Sessions have been held in Albany, Syracuse, New York City and Binghamton thus far. Subsequent sessions will take place in Harlem and Long Island. Dates and locations of those listening sessions are posted at http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/eventcal.html . The New York State Council on Food Policy was created in 2007 to coordinate state agriculture policy and look at ways to increase sales of New York agricultural products to New York customers. The Council will also make recommendations on developing food policy that will ensure the safe, fresh, nutritious and affordable food for all New Yorkers, especially low income residents, senior citizens and children. --from New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
• 04/23/08 - **ACTION**  Help yourself/ help our environment: State grants available for parks, trails, and other environmental programs - deadline June 30 - State grants available for parks, trails, and other environmental programs - deadline June 30 Applications are now available for several grant programs that can fund park and trail projects. Materials can be downloaded from the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation website for the Parks, Historic Preservation, Heritage Areas, Acquisition and Land and Water Conservation Fund programs.This is a matching grant program, therefore recipients will be expected to provide at least 50 percent match to these awards. The due date for completed applications is June 30, 2008. Public Workshops will be held across the state throughout the month of May to present information on application requirements and procedures for these programs. --from Parks & Trails New York - working to expand, protect and promote a network of parks, trails and open spaces throughout our state for use and enjoyment by all
• 04/23/08 - Get the news about our Parks and Trails: Annual Report 2007 http://www.ptny.org/pdfs/about/areport08.pdf - From Parks & Trails New York - working to expand, protect and promote a network of parks, trails and open spaces throughout our state for use and enjoyment by all
• 04/23/08 - - **EVENT**  - Rochester Museum & Science Center Family Programs Wednesday, April 30, 7:30pm in RMSC's Eisenhart Auditorium Distinguished Scholars Lecture "Energy, Environment, and Economic Development: World Challenges" Presented by Dr. Francis J. DiSalvo Director, Cornell Center for a Sustainable Future Find out about efforts to leverage Cornell University's diverse research and educational activities in the "Three Es" to have real world impact.. Admission: adults $15, students $8. RMSC members save $1 per ticket. --from Rochester Museum & Science Center—Rochester, NY
• 04/23/08 - This is a smart idea for bike riders in Rochester: - **EVENT**  - Rochester Bicycling Club » Savvy Cyclist Class - May 3rd The NY Bicycling Coalition Presents a FREE Savvy Cyclist Class Saturday, May 3rd 11-4pm St Paul Blvd Fire District 433 Cooper Rd Rochester, NY 14617 Open to all riders (or aspiring riders) – 14 years of age or older This course provides information on the vehicle and traffic laws of NYS and how they apply to bicyclists. We will cover common collision scenarios and how to avoid them, discuss safe riding techniques and provide lights and other resources to keep bicyclists safe on the streets. Whether you are a new or experienced cyclist, our Road I class gives cyclists the confidence needed to ride safely and legally in traffic or on the trail and prepares cyclists for a full understanding of vehicular cycling. Please RSVP to David Lamb 585-733-3604 / dlamb@rochester.rr.com  We look forward to seeing you there! Brought to you through the support of: Maggie Brooks County Executive, Monroe County Office of Traffic Safety Funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a grant from the New York Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee New York Bicycling Coalition, www.NYBC.net  Rochester Bicycling Club, www.rochesterbicyclingclub.org  American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure, www.diabetes.org/tour 
• 04/22/08 -Earth Day and Going Green: Insider: Rochester Remixed |Earth Day is here, the perfect time, we thought, to publish a "green" issue for our environmentally conscious readers. Here are 50 tips on being green: http://www.rochesterinsider.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080422/INSIDER47/804180383
• 04/22/08 - Green Living - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Green Living Here you'll find ideas, tips and resources for making environmentally responsible choices in your daily life. Bookmark this page and check the "10 Things" list below for seasonally updated actions you can take to live greener right now! 10 Things You Can Do to Help The Environment Right Now: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
• 04/21/08 - Green Building |US EPA The buildings in which we live, work, and play protect us from nature's extremes, yet they also affect our health and environment in countless ways. As the environmental impact of buildings becomes more apparent, a new field called "green building" is gaining momentum. Green, or sustainable, building is the practice of creating and using healthier and more resource-efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance and demolition. Read more about green building or use these links to explore topics:
• 04/21/08 - CUPSS | US EPA CUPSS is a free, easy-to-use, asset management tool for small drinking water and wastewater utilities. CUPSS provides a simple, comprehensive approach based on EPA's highly successful Simple Tools for Effective Performance (STEP) Guide series. Use CUPSS to help you develop
• 04/19/08 - - **EVENT**  - Finger Lakes Water Day on Sunday, June 1, 2008. The event will be held from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Champlin Beach Park in Hammondsport on the south end of Keuka Lake. The event is sponsored by the Finger Lakes Group of the Sierra Club,the Steuben County Environmental Management Council, the Steuben League of Women Voters and the Schuyler County Management Council. The purpose of the event is to promote learning about the many aspects of water in our region. We are inviting organizations and schools located in the area to set up educational displays and conduct activities related to water for people of all ages. We will have activities on the lake shore with local science teachers for students and others to learn how to do basic water testing and identify water insects and plants. A wide range of organizations working on water issues are being invited to exhibit, including the Bath Fish Hatchery, DEC, Haudenausaunee Environmental Task Force, Keuka Lake Association, the Peaceweavers, soil and water associations, historical societies and libraries, sheriff’s offices, fishing and angling groups, local artists, and local publishers. Local musicians and authors will perform. Food will be available. Please let us know about organizations you think would be good to invite to participate in the event. The Water Day Planning Committee is Jim Trondsen (607-962-5157), Susanne Brown (607-382-3141), Rich Hurley (607-368-6292) and Rachel Treichler (607-569-2114). There is no charge for exhibiting at or attending the event. A flyer and registration form can be downloaded from our website at http://newyork.sierraclub.org/fingerlakes/waterday.html
• 04/09/08 - **ACTION** Upcoming Events - Color Brighton Green Curb Your Car Week For at least one day during the week of May 18-24, walk, bike or ride the bus to work. “Way to Go” is a nationwide program encouraging the use of cheaper, healthier, and more earth-friendly transportation alternatives. During the week of May 18-24, if you normally use an automobile for daily transportation, please consider walking, biking, car pooling, or riding the bus as alternatives. --from Color Brighton Green
• 04/19/08 - Because Bat are so important and integral to our local ecology, check out this very thorough report on the White Nose Bat Syndrom from Science Friday: Science Friday Archives: Bat Die-Off Mystery  --from sciencefriday.com - making science user-friendly
• 04/19/08 - Climate_Change_Rochester_NY We know our area is going to be affected by Climate Change, but we are in the learning phase as to how we here in the Rochester area will be affected: Here's some more info on changes we can expect: Gardener's Guide - Will Your State's Tree or Flower Continue to Grow in Your State? - National Wildlife Federation Plants across the nation are affected by global warming. You have probably seen that many plants in your backyard are blooming earlier. Global warming will mean that many native and iconic plants may no longer find suitable climate conditions in major portions of their historic range. Click on your state to see if your official State Trees or State Flowers may be affected."-- from National Wildlife Federation
• 04/19/08 - - **EVENT**  - Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter - You’re invited to Great Lakes Information Day on May 5, 2008 Join New Yorkers from the Atlantic Coast to the Great Lakes Basin in the State Capitol to send lawmakers a message—the Great Lakes need our help! The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River are some of New York’s most precious natural resources. The lakes support our economy through travel and tourism, supply us with clean and green hydropower, and provide millions of us with drinking water. New York State is a leader in protecting the Great Lakes, and this year sent a strong message to the Great Lakes basin and the nation when the Assembly and Senate passed, and the Governor signed, the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. The Compact protects the lakes from large-scale diversions and keeps the water in the Basin, where it belongs. But, as you know, protecting water quantity is just the beginning. New York’s Great Lake and River health has improved since the days when Lake Erie was declared “dead,” but protecting our lakes requires state and federal leadership. Sewer and storm water run-off fouls beaches and degrades coastal water quality, aquatic invasive species populations remain unchecked and fish and wildlife habitat are compromised. There is still so much to be done. Please join the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes coalition members, Environmental Advocates of New York, Audubon New York, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Save the River, Sierra Club - Atlantic Chapter, and organizations from across the state in Albany on May 5, 2008, for Great Lakes Information Day. Attend a briefing by the International Joint Commission regarding their controversial plan to regulate Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River water levels Hear from decision-makers about New York’s actions to protect the lakes Meet with policy-makers on Great Lakes Issues, including: Preventing invasive species introduction Securing funding to update our aging wastewater infrastructure Promoting restoration of the Great Lakes and revitalizing the upstate economy. Every dollar we invest in restoration generates double for our economy Join us in Albany on May 5, 2008 to speak up for the lakes. For more information and to RSVP, register online at http://www.citizenscampaign.org/glconference/  or contact Katherine Nadeau at knadeau@eany.org
• 04/19/08 - Be sure to check out the new site where one of Rochester's great environmentalists, Judy Braiman, gives you information and recourse on potentially dangerous and toxic children's toys: Kindersafe "In the fall of 2007 a series of reports on toys that were contaminated with lead, asbestos, cadmium, arsenic, and other dangerous materials alerted the public to a children’s health hazard. While hazardous toys are not a new problem, the problem has grown substantially due to lack of adequate federal action and a dramatic increase in toy imports. It is currently very difficult to identify safe and unsafe toys. Many organizations are working to identifying hazardous toys and share that information with the public. There are also efforts underway to change consumer product policies and improve safety. This website provides links to information on toy safety and to groups and resources that can be used to take action on product safety."
• 04/15/08 - For Teachers during Earth Week: National Environmental Education Week | Home National Environmental Education Week (EE Week) is the largest organized environmental education event in the United States. Made possible by Canon, it increases the educational impact of Earth Day by creating a full week of educational preparation, learning, and activities in K-12 classrooms, nature centers, zoos, museums, and aquariums. By participating in EE Week, you encourage your students to make a difference in their schools, homes, and communities!
• 04/14/08 - - **EVENT**  -  Arbor Day at arborday.org Celebrate Arbor Day on April 25, 2008!
• 04/14/08 - - **EVENT**  -  NYS Attorney General's Newsline April 16, The Legal Fight Against Global Warming: and other elements of the Attorney General’s environmental agenda” Kit Kennedy Special Deputy Attorney General for Environmental Protection - Rochester Institute of Technology Carlson Auditorium, Rm 1125, Bldg. 76 Wednesday, April 16th 7:00-9:00p.m.
• 04/14/08 - - **EVENT**  - New York State Parks :: Earth Day at the Park Earth Day at the Park - Hamlin Beach State Park Saturday, April 26, 2008 Region: Genesee Phone: 585-964-2462 - 10-2 in Area One: Hamlin Beach will be hosting an earth day event that is a collaboration between the Town of Hamlin, SUNY Brockport, and various other agencies and exhibitors. There will be a tree giveaway, information, environmental presentations, and a hike on the Yanty Marsh Trail. The hike will be a moderate hike of approximately 1 1/2 miles on relatively flat terrain. --from New York State Parks :: Hamlin Beach State Park
• 04/12/08 - Climate change with affect the Great Lakes and New York: Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region: Impacts on Our Communities and Ecosystems
• 04/09/08 - Hear Rochester's Mayor Duffy on our city's Environment, from his 2008 State of the City Speech - http://www.ci.rochester.ny.us/Mayor/soc/2008/2008_Speech.pdf  "I’m also happy to report that we’re making Rochester one of the cleanest and greenest cities in America. Operation Clean Sweep was a big success, with thousands of people joining city employees on weekends to pick up trash and beautify neighborhoods. Thank you to everyone who helped and I hope to see all of you this spring as the clean-up continues. We have also appointed the city’s first Green Team - dedicated employees from every department steering our efforts to remain an environmental leader among cities. Thanks to the city’s Green Team, Rochester isn’t just in the running to be the best city in America. We’re leaving smaller carbon footprints along the way! For example, by the end of this year we’ll have 13 hybrid vehicles, six powered by natural gas, nine electric cars and 55 police cars that run on biofuels. Green vehicles represent eight percent of the city fleet. Twenty five percent of the electricity used in City offices comes from renewable sources – far beyond the state requirement of 15 percent by 2010. And City Hall will be turning up the thermostats this summer to further reduce our energy use and to save money. Our new Water Operation Center has the distinction of being a LEED gold-certified structure. 9 It’s the first municipal building in New York State with this distinction. That means it was built using the most environmentally friendly design and materials available." --from Welcome to the City of Rochester
• 04/09/08 - **ACTION** Take Action: Congress Must Protect Our Drinking Water Congress Must Protect Our Drinking Water Recent Supreme Court rulings have narrowed the scope of protections of the Clean Water Act, putting the drinking water of millions of Americans at risk for contamination. But, Congress has an opportunity to restore the original protections of the Clean Water Act. Contact your Members of Congress TODAY to insist that they support the Clean Water Restoration Act. --from League of Conservation Voters - Turning Environmental Values Into National Priorities
• 04/08/08 - This online newspaper has a dedicated environmental page- Michigan News, Sports, Business, Entertainment - MLive.com - Everything Michigan  -- Michigan, Great Lakes Environmental & Conservation Issues - MLive.com  -- Wouldn't it be nice if our local online newspapers had a dedicated environmental section?
• 04/07/08 - -Reducing mercury in our environment: Reducing Mercury Use in Health Care Reducing Mercury Use in Healthcare Promoting a Healthier Environment back to the report Prepared by the Monroe, County Department of Health, In cooperation with Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, New York and the Monroe County Department of Environmental Services, with funding by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• 04/07/08 - - **EVENT**  - HAMLIN EARTH DAY AT THE PARK - The Town of Hamlin, in collaboration with Hamlin Beach State Park and the Environmental Sciences Department at SUNY Brockport, will be hosting an educational and environmental event in the Area #1 shelter at Hamlin Beach State Park from 10 - 2 on Saturday, April 26th. Admission into the park will be free. Guest speakers will present information on local birds, fish, turtles, and macro-invertebrates. Some of the other topics covered include energy conservation, the local recycling of electronic equipment, and the history of Hamlin Beach State Park including efforts to save its Yanty Marsh. The Hamlin Conservation Board will be on hand to distribute free evergreen seedlings while supplies last. Refreshments can be purchased at the event.
• 04/07/08 - -  RENewsletter is in:    March 2008 RENewsletter Word  March 2008 RENewsletter PDF
• 04/04/08 - - **EVENT**  - MAYOR ANNOUNCES EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES - Centers to celebrate Earth Day, 2008. This year RG&E joins the City as its corporate sponsor for a “Cache In, Trash Out” event and a series of environmental and educational programs through the “Sprouts Kids Gardening and Environmental Club.” “Cache In, Trash Out” participants will meet at 9:30--11:30 a.m., Sat., Apr. 19 at Tay House Lodge, 85 Hillside Ave. in Cobbs Hill Park and use hand-held GPS devices to navigate the park, pick up trash and find clues along the way. Walks, games and demonstrations will be aimed at educating families about the natural environment. Tools will be provided or bring your own gloves, folding saws, hand pruners and rakes. The first team with a full trash bag wins! Preregistration is advised by April 11. In addition to GPS activities, earth-friendly information and demonstrations will be available at various booths: • Wind energy • Water and recycling • Organic food and local organic food outlets • Free ‘Laughter Yoga’ class uniting family and friends at 11 am • Debut service project by the “Sprouts Kids Gardening and Environmental Club” Throughout the year, “Sprouts” will also create gardens, learn about trees, assist with outdoor community projects and explore the natural environment. Interested youth and family members may contact their nearest City Recreation Center for club and registration information or call 428-6770. Earth Day activities are a part of the City's Flower City Looking Good Program, sponsored by the City with support from Preferred Care, the Democrat and Chronicle and Wegmans. For information about the City's Earth Day or any Flower City Looking Good activity call 428-6770, or visit www.cityofrochester.gov .
• 04/01/08 - - **EVENT**  - Help shape a vision for trails in New York State by attending one of five regional workshops being held by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), in conjunction with Parks & Trails New York. The purpose of the workshops is to provide citizens, government representatives, and members of the state’s hundreds of trail groups with an opportunity to review inventory and mapping work completed by OPRHP; offer information on new opportunities to create connections between communities, parks, and ecological communities; and express a vision for trails in their area. Read the press release. For more information, email or call Parks & Trails New York at (518) 434-1583. The regional workshops are scheduled as follows: Monday, April 14, 2008 6:00pm SUNY Geneseo Newton Hall Geneseo, New York

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