Updates Feb - March 05

• 03/29/05 --**ACTION** Save Our Environment Action Center Unfortunately, Congress recently released a report that recommends eliminating tax benefits for Americans who support conservation directly by donating land or providing easements for conservation. Easements have made it possible for Americans to protect 34 million acres at much less cost than any other method. Our government should be encouraging land owners to support conservation, not discouraging them! We need your help to protect these tax benefits that encourage Americans to conserve their land. --from Save Our Environment Action Center
•  03/29/05 -- **EVENT** Wetlands Book Two exhibitions of Christine’s images and books are planned to kick off distribution of the printed book. Everyone is invited. Entertainment and refreshments will be available. Members of local habitat preservation groups will be on hand to talk about their experiences with visitors. It’s a great opportunity to meet people who share your interests, while looking at images of some of your favorite places! The first exhibition is on Friday, May 13 from 6 to 8 PM at the Center at High Falls, 60 Browns Race, Rochester. A second event is from 5 to 7 PM Friday, July 29, at the Rochester City Hall Link Gallery, 30 Church Street, Rochester.
•  03/29/05 -- Lot of things going on over at Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club  -- Check out their meetings and outings.
•  03/26/05 -- Here's the latest Rochester Fast Ferry information:  Fast Ferry: Toronto to Rochester
•  03/26/05 --**ACTION**  Join an Important Flu Study.  UR prof leads avian flu study - Federally funded move to test a vaccine needs 450 volunteers  — A University of Rochester scientist is leading a national study on bird-flu vaccine, aiming to find both a safe and effective dose. Dr. John Treanor, professor of medicine and director of UR's Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit, is overseeing the federally funded study of a vaccine made by Sanofi-Aventis. About 450 volunteers are being sought nationally, with about one-third to be recruited in Rochester. How to volunteer- What: A clinical study on the safety of bird-flu vaccines. Where: University of Rochester Medical Center, 600 Elmwood Ave. Who is eligible: People ages 18 to 64 who have no chronic medical problems. What's involved: Participants will undergo screening and have their blood sampled. If they qualify for the study, they'll receive two injections of vaccine or placebo 28 days apart. The first test group will also undergo additional lab tests aimed at detecting side effects. Timing: Screening will be this week and next. The first group will be inoculated the week of April 4. - Call: (585) 273-3990.- For more on bird flu, go to www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm . (March 23, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  03/20/05 -- Get yours.  This sound like a great idea:  Rochester natural-living calendar published -  (March 25, 2005) — In a first for the Rochester natural-living community, a 2005 calendar of events has been published.  Released today by the nonprofit Center for Sustainable Living, the 20-page booklet lists activities in the Rochester area, April through September. The booklets are available at Abundance Cooperative Market, 62 Marshall St.; Lori's Natural Foods Center, 900 Jefferson Road in Henrietta; the Rochester Folk Art Guild in Middlesex, Yates County; and the Cumming Nature Center on Gulick Road in Naples, Ontario County. (March 25, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  03/20/05 -- **EVENT** HEALTHY SOILS, HEALTHY FOOD: LOCAL ORGANIC FARMS - Saturday, April 16 - 1:00- 2:30 PM - For ages 12 and up - Organic farmer Elizabeth Henderson will talk about how local organic farms contribute to Earth Day all year round by building healthy soils and growing crops that taste especially good because they are high in vitamins and minerals. She will illustrate her talk with slides of Peacework Organic Farm in Newark, NY. Elizabeth is the author of the books Sharing the Harvest: A Guide to Community Supported Agriculture and Whole Farm Planning, which will be available for sale at the event.
  REGISTRATION begins on Friday, April 1. Sponsored by the Friends of Penfield Public Library. To register call Penfield Public Library, 1985 Baird Road in Penfield, at 340-8720 or go to www.penfieldlibrary.org  and follow the link for the "Program Events Calendar".  --from Lyla Lalik -
  Young Adult/ Audiovisual Librarian - Penfield Public Library - 1985 Baird Road - Penfield, New York 14526 - (585) 340-8720 ext. 4011
  llalik@libraryweb.org  
•  03/20/05 -- **EVENT** Animal Experimentation: when is it justified?  A discussion with Lawrence Carter-Long -  Mon March 28th, 7 p.m., Gowen Room, Wilson Commons, UR - Animal experiments cause suffering and death. Proponents claim this ethical cost is outweighed by the benefits of new medicines and operating techniques. Opponents say these benefits are grossly overstated, and that humane alternatives are often ignored. Which view is more accurate? Certainly, *some* uses of animals seem unnecessary. UR still uses live animals for medical student training, for example, yet two-thirds of all U.S. medical schools--including Harvard, Yale and Stanford--have dropped animal labs from their curricula, deeming them no more effective than alternative teaching methods. About the speaker: Born with cerebral palsy, Lawrence Carter-Long became a poster child for the United Way's campaigns involving animal experiments. Today he works as an advocate for disability rights and animal protection, as a board member of the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID) and Northeast Director for In Defense of Animals (IDA). He is also a contributing editor to Satya magazine. Admission is free and open to the public, and free parking is available. For directions, see < http://urveg.org  >. Sponsored by the University of Rochester Vegetarian Education Group (UR-VEG).
•  03/26/05 -- Find out about Invasive Species in our waters: Sea Grant: National Aquatic Nuisance Species Clearinghouse Welcome to Sea Grant's NATIONAL AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES CLEARINGHOUSE, an international library of research, public policy, and outreach education publications pertaining to invasive marine and fresh-water aquatic nuisance species in North America. It is the home of North America's most extensive library of publications related to the spread, biology, impacts and control of zebra mussels. The Clearinghouse is operated by New York Sea Grant, a bipartite research, education and technology transfer program of Cornell University and the State University of New York. The Clearinghouse is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and is located on the campus of State University of New York at Brockport.
•  03/26/05 -- This just in: I just wanted to let you know that I run a pet-waste removal service in Rochester (Kit's Pooper Scoopers... www.kitspooperscoopers.com   and would be interested in linking to RochesterEnvironment.com -   I think it's important that businesses that have an environmental and animal-centered connection reach out to organizations that are like-minded and that we keep each other in the loop. Kathryn Howard - Kit's Pooper Scoopers - (585) 506-6238 - www.kitspooperscoopers.com -khatn@aol.com
•  03/26/05 -- Need to find a wetland?  Get a map at National Wetlands Inventory Home Page Welcome to the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). We produce and provide information on the characteristics, extent, and status of the Nation's wetlands and deepwater habitats and other wildlife habitats.
•  03/26/05 -- Just how did that oil drilling in the artic get passed? The League of Conservation Voters : Arctic Drilling and the Federal Budget
•  03/26/05 -- Really interested in Recycling?  Go to Freecycle - Changing the world, one gift at a time. The Freecycle Network™ is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator (them's good people). Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by clicking on the region on the right. It will generate an automatic e-mail which, when sent, will sign you up for your local group and send you a response with instructions on how it works. Or, go directly to the Web site for your local group by clicking on your community's link on the left. Can't find a group near you? You might want to consider starting one (click on "Start a Group" for instructions). Have fun!
•  03/26/05 -- Just what happened with protection from mercury?  The League of Conservation Voters: Bush Administration Mercury Rule Another Payback to Big Energy 
•  03/26/05 -- From Finger Lakes Land Trust  Cayuga Lake Watershed Critical Areas Project - 02/05/2005: Spanning more than 500,000 acres, Cayuga Lake's watershed is the largest in the Finger Lakes region. Read the report that identifies the lands that are important to the health of the lake, the watershed and the surrounding communities.
•  03/20/05 -- Spy on the bird.  We don't have many falcons anymore, but Kodak allows to watch a pair live: Kodak Birdcam 2005
•  03/20/05 -- **EVENT** "FORMER POSTER CHILD" EXPOSES the LIES of ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION - Lawrence Carter-Long, NE Director of "In Defense of Animals" - Lecture followed by Q&A - Tuesday, March 29, 2005 - 7:00pm - Brighton Town Hall AUDITORIUM - - 2300 Elmwood Ave, Rochester NY - - H/C access; elevator by back entrance  - Interpreted for the Hearing-Impaired - Sponsored by: Animal Rights Advocates of Upstate NY - www.ARAUNY.org - Open to the Public - Free ($donations accepted to help offset ARA costs) - Born with cerebral palsy, Lawrence Carter-Long was a "former poster child" in 1972 for the United Fund (now the United Way). Come learn why the very animal experiments he was used to promote, he now abhors. An international speaker, Lawrence is an advocate primarily in the areas of rights for nonhuman animals and for disabled persons.
•  03/20/05 --**ACTION**   Want to help our Great Lakes but don't know what to do?  Creation of a new Committee! - Great Lakes Committee: Great Lakes Meeting, Why do we need a new Committee?  Read Global Water Issues Loom Over New York’s ‘North Coast’  Tuesday, April 5, 7pm. Rochester Regional Group Sierra Club formation meeting of a Great Lakes committee. Brighton Library, 2200 Elmwood Ave, Free and open to the public. Call 244-2625.  --from the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club
•  03/20/05 -- From the EPA: EPA: Pesticides - Ten Tips to Protect Children from Pesticide and Lead Poisonings
•  03/20/05 -- **EVENT** Contact: Andrew Stankevich - Friends Helping Friends - (585) 254-5490 - andrewstan44@yahoo.com  Friends Helping Friends is hosting a Health Fair at FHF's warehouse at 367 Lyell Avenue (near the Lyell & Sherman intersection) on Saturday, April 2nd, 2005 - from 10am to 2pm.  -Free Screenings available at the fair: High Blood Pressure Screening - Diabetes Screening -Throat, Ear & Nose Exams - HIV Screening - Childhood Obesity Screening - Lead Poison Education - Dental Screening - Lotsa free food, drink, information and fun for the whole family! Hand painting and entertainment by Rochester's #1 children's entertainer Miss Sweet Potato Pie, as well as a live DJ spinning records!  Thanks to: AIDS Rochester, Anthony L. Jordan Health Center, 104 WDKX & the Sai Baba Center of Rochester. Special thanks to the India Community Center for their funding to make the event possible.
•  03/20/05 -- Pesticide Poisoning should be on all parents mind during National Poison Prevention Week from March 20-26:  Checkout EPA: Pesticides - Poison Prevention: Lock Up Household Poisons Lock household pesticides and chemicals in a high cabinet. That's EPA's simple poison prevention message for Poison Prevention Week. EPA will observe National Poison Prevention Week from March 20-26 to increase awareness of the danger to children of accidental poisonings from pesticides and household products, and to encourage parents and caregivers to lock up products that could potentially harm children.
•  03/20/05 -- Is it all for nothing?  Have we environmentalists become moot?  The Death of Environmentalism - Global warming politics in a post-environmental world - By Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus --from Environmental News and Humor | Grist Magazine | 20 Mar 2005
•  03/13/05 -- Energy Concerns: (1) NOTICE -- The March issue of Eye On Energy is available. - The March edition of EYE ON ENERGY, the newsletter of the Critical Mass energy program, is now available online in PDF and HTML - formats: http://www.eyeonenergy.org In this issue: * Public Citizen Presents Case against Nuclear Fuel Plant - * Community Speaks Out on New Reactors in Virginia- * Exelon Merger Opposition Heats Up = * PEPCO Update - * Eye on Yucca Mountain
•  03/13/05 -- What is  going to be the price we pay for using salt on our roads? "Road salt, building up in groundwater winter after winter, "is a ticking time bomb," said Richard Young, a geologist at the State University of New York at Geneseo. "It's going to be a problem." --from Is road salt a ticking time bomb? - Bleached highways, rusting cars, drive-by pepperings by snow plows. We've all had experience with the one seasoning that winter seems to dish out in abundance: road salt.  In the Rochester area, road crews spread at least 150,000 tons of road salt during the 2003-04 winter season. Nationally, nearly 20 million tons of salt was sold for highway uses in 2003, according to the Salt Institute, an industry group.  (March 11, 2005) —Democrat and Chronicle
•  03/12/05 -- One of the largest development projects in Rochester's history-- the Renaissance Square.  Be sure to keep track of how your community is developing and become part of the process.  You can go to Renaissance Square and sign up for their newsletter.
•  03/22/05 **ACTION**  From The League of Conservation Voters - "Stop the Sneak Attack on the Arctic Refuge - Keep Arctic drilling OUT of federal budget legislation - Right now President Bush and his pro-drilling allies in Congress are plotting a sneak attack on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Oil-friendly members of the House and Senate are trying a sneaky backdoor trick to pass their unpopular proposal to drill for oil in the pristine Arctic Refuge by inserting it into the must-pass federal budget bill.  It's up to us to put a stop to this sneak attack by raising a ruckus. Please take a minute to personalize your letter -your own words will be much stronger!
  
•  03/28/05 -- **EVENT** David O. Carpenter, M.D. - Professor, Environmental Health & Toxicology, Biomedical Sciences Director, Institute for Health and the Environment School of Public Health University at Albany - "Risk of Disease Depending on Where You Live-The Health Effects of Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants" - Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 11:00-12:00 noon - Ryan Case Method Room (1-9576)
•  03/10/05 -- Learn all you can about the dangers of Burn Barrels & Dixon why there's such an uproar about them in New York State: Burn Barrel Home Page burn barrels, backyard trash burning, open burning of waste - "Open burning of household waste in barrels is potentially one of the largest sources of airborne dioxin and furan emissions in the United States"-US EPA
•  03/08/05 -- Burn Barrels are a problem: The New York Times > New York Region > In Rural Areas, the Heat Is on Over Practice of Trash Burning But with the growing body of research about the dangers of burn barrels - namely the dioxins and other pollutants they give off - has come a movement to ban their use in New York. Maine and New Hampshire have outlawed the practice of trash burning within the past few years, as did California. Other states, including New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont, instituted bans long ago.-- http://www.nytimes.com/
•  03/08/05 -- Air Pollution - What does it do?  Breathtaking: New Air Pollution Studies  - The weight of evidence may have prompted a declaration by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), in the December 2004 issue of Pediatrics, that current federal air-quality laws may not be adequate to protect children, who are vulnerable to adverse health effects near or even below current standards. ENN: Environmental News Network
•  03/08/05 -- Just how bad is mercury contamination from polluting coal-fired plants? Boston.com / News / Local / N.H. / Higher levels of mercury seen polluting region Mercury contamination is more pervasive in New England than researchers previously believed, according to a study being released today that indicates the toxic substance appears to be polluting the environment in ways that scientists previously did not think possible. The four-year study in Northeastern United States and eastern Canada also indicates significant levels of mercury in forest songbirds and other animals that researchers did not suspect were ingesting mercury. Boston.com
•  0308/05 -- Global Warming: Are we doomed?  Or, are making too much of this issue: Read: http://www.gci.org.uk/articles/Tablet.pdf  Requires
•  03/08/05 -- Got an Environmental Question? From the Sierra Club - "Got a question on any environmental topic? Send it to Mr. Green via our web site at Hey Mr. Green - Sierra Club

•  03/07/05 -- The arguments about wind farm goes on.  At least we have some examples from places to gain knowledge from: Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter - Debate rages over wind energy farms<p> Issue divides community
•  03/07/05 -- From the other side of Lake Ontario, this guide from Canada should give you an idea of how fish eating guides have changed and what it means for the quality of Lake Ontario water: The 2005 - 2006 Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish The 2005-2006 Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish is substantially different from previous editions. It now contains important information on consumption of sport fish from Ontario waters for both the general population and the sensitive population of women of child-bearing age and children under 15. Especially the Contaminants in Sport Fish Important information for women of child-bearing age and parents of children under 15
•  02/28/05 -- **EVENT** Greet the spring with an uplifting conference presented by Seeking Common Ground! What: Second Annual "Alternatives in Living" Conference Date: Saturday, April 9, 8:15am - 5pm - Location: School Without Walls, 480 Broadway Street, Rochester, NY 14607 Included: $60 for 4 informative and inspiring workshops, keynote presentation by Linda Heron Wind, organic vegetarian or vegan lunch, vendor fair and free chair massage. A limited number of work-study scholarships are available - call soon for info. Registration/info: Lynn 899-6803 or info@seekingcommonground.org  or www.seekingcommonground.org Choose any 4 from 24 all-new workshops, featuring the topic areas of: Health & Healing, Vital Foods, Joy!, Healing in Education, Greening Home, Renewing Community & Citizenship. Full descriptions of the sessions are on-line at www.seekingcommonground.org .
• 02/28/05 -- **EVENT**  [Five events from Rochester Gardening ] This Thursday, March 3, the Greater Rochester Perennial Society holds their monthly meeting with a presentation by Master Gardener John Olson, MD, on Durand Eastman Park and work of Community Foresters. As some of you may be aware, Durand Eastman Park is an arboretum containing significant and interesting trees. This meeting is at 7pm Thursday at the Cornell Coop Extension office on Highland Ave. in Rochester. Admission is free and you need not be a member to attend. More information about the Perennial Society is found at http://www.rochestergardening.com/local/grps.html  
  • Sunday, March 6th will be the meeting of the Greater Rochester Iris Society. Dana Borglum will present "What's New in the Garden".
    You may have heard of Dana's beautiful iris gardens in the Finger Lakes area. We look forward to his picks of new varieties. Join him 2pm Sunday at the Cornell Coop Extension office on Highland Ave. Admission is free and you need not be a member to attend. More information about the Iris Society is found at http://www.rochestergardening.com/local/gris.html  
  • If you enjoy summer container gardens with flowers & leafy accents, you'll want to hear Christine Froelich speak on "Container Gardening" at the Genesee Valley Hosta Society meeting Thursday, March 10 at 7pm. Again, this meeting is held in the Cornell Coop Extension building on Highland Ave. in Rochester. Admission is free and you need not be a member to attend. More information about the Hosta Society is found at http://www.rochestergardening.com/local/gvhs.html  
  • The annual GardenScape, Rochester's Flower Show, once more brings color to the area from March 17 through March 20. With a theme of Enchanted Gardens, the show plans to present top-notch display gardens, informative seminars, as well as choice items for sale in their garden marketplace. This year, tickets can be purchased in advance online through March 7th from the show's web site, http://www.rochesterflowershow.com/  That site contains information about the show times, location, and seminar details.
  • On the weekend of April 9-10, there is a flower show and sale by the African Violet Society of Rochester and Gesneriad-Dicts of Western New York. These groups host a beautiful show in the Perinton Square Mall at 6720 Pittsford-Palmyra Road (corner Routes 250 and 31).
    Admission is free. We encourage you to stop by and enjoy the beauty.
•  02/28/05 -- **EVENT** VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY FOR OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS! - Monroe County has been included as a pilot Area of Concern in a project headed by Bird Studies Canada to expand the Marsh Monitoring Program around the Great Lakes Basin. We are seeking wetland enthusiasts to be trained as amphibian and/or bird monitors for wetland areas in Monroe County. Learn the techniques employed in this internationally recognized Volunteer monitoring program from the folks who coordinate it! Join us for a Orientation and Training Session
  9:00 to 4:00 Saturday, March 12, 2005 at: the Irondequoit Creek Wetlands Center on Empire Blvd. Space is limited, so please sign up as soon as possible by calling Charlie Knauf at 274-8440 or e-mailing to knauf@monroecounty.gov . Further details and directions to the center will be provided on registration.
•  02/28/05 -- **EVENT** Saturday, April 9, 2005 8:15am - 5:00 pm.  2nd Annual "Alternatives in Living" Conference, presented by Seeking Common Ground at Rochester's School Without Walls. $60 for four workshops, organic lunch, and vendor fair. Enjoy a complimentary chair massage. Early-bird rate and a limited number of work-study scholarships are also available. A sample of workshop topics: Green Redecorating and Remodeling, Radical Recycling, Massage, Yoga, Tai Ji, Healing Power of Nature, Joy!, Drumming and Dancing, Choosing & Using Vital Foods, Seed Saving, Healing in Education, Alternatives to Medication, Renewing Community & Citizenship: Commodification of Water, The Conscious Consumer-Fair Trade, The Power of Grassroots, A Sense of Place Registration/info: Lynn 899-6803 or info@seekingcommonground.org  or www.seekingcommonground.org
•  2/23/05-- **MY THOUGHTS**  Solving Environmental Problems with a Guns is demeaning to Ourselves:  This story should cause us all concern: Coyote hunt contest starts At 12:01 a.m. today, the first hunters fanned out into the woods in Honeoye, Ontario County, looking for coyotes. It marked the start of a one-month contest at the Honeoye Fish and Game Club on Howcroft Road, sponsored by Dick Kraft Real Estate. The hunter who brings in the largest coyote, calculated by weight and length, gets a $500 prize. (February 26, 2005) —  Democrat and Chronicle  However popular and entertaining blasting away a coyotes may be for some, it is an activity that is a throwback to the ways the wild, wild, West solved its varmint problems.  But, in today's modern world this practice holds no real conservation values.  Two main criticisms come to mind: Because there are no leash laws in the Honeoye area, it is more likely that hunters will shoot people's dogs rather than a coyote (Read the DEC's report on The Coyote in New York) attacking and eating a dog like a German Shepard.  Secondly, there is no shortage of deer in New York State.  Every news item on Deer Problem in New York State by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Protecting NY's Environment and Managing its Natural Resources indicates that deer are increasing at an alarming rate.  Coyotes are a natural way to curb the deer population.  They are a shy creature and will avoid human contact at all costs.  The information coming from the people who wish to make some money by blasting away at these endemic species are only self-serving and have nothing to do with the environmental and conservation aspects of the issue.  It is not illegal to hunt coyote in the Honeoye area, but it's a dreary adolescent practice that should be banned by responsible citizens. Read this: Deer hunting take 'way down' in N.Y. Stone Ridge – The lousy deer season is no longer a rumor. The statewide deer take was down 18 percent compared to the 2003 season, state Department of Environmental Conservation officials told hunters Tuesday night. The number is the lowest since 1995.  The take was way down in parts of Ulster and Sullivan counties, said Richard Henry, the DEC's big game biologist, at a public hearing at Ulster County Community College. (February 17, 2005) recordonline.com - The Times Herald-Record, serving New York's Hudson Valley and the Catskills
•  02/26/05 -- **EVENT** Federation of Monroe County Environmentalists:  MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2005 - AGENDA - 7:15 PM- FMCE Member Issues & Updates - • Clover Street development plans affect Mendon Ponds Park  • The Parks Advisory Committee meeting on the elephant enclosure project  • Spring Creek aquifer threat update  • Status of NYS Wetland Protection and Bigger Better Bottle Bills  • Action Taker Packet status • Your group's environmental issues and announcements   8:15PM- Workshop  Building a Stronger FMCE  - We'll continue our January strategizing on how to make the Federation a powerful voice for the environment when land use decisions are being made in the community. How do we get the ears of community leaders and promote Smart Growth ideas? We'll discuss strengthening our efforts, focusing our energies, and finding more people to help.Q MEETING PLACE DIRECTIONS Q Q The meeting will be held from 7:15-9:15 PM downstairs at the First Baptist Church, 1862 Penfield Road, just east of Five Mile Line Road and the firehouse in Penfield. Parking and entrance to the meeting room are at the rear of the building. If you arrive after 7:15 and the door at the east end of the parking lot is locked, please knock on the window of the downstairs room so that we can let you in.
•  02/23/04 -- Remember to Recycle the big things too: Volunteers of America of WNY Volunteers of American will pick up gently used appliances, furniture, clothing, and other household items. (VOA reserves the right to refuse specific items.) FOR FREE in Monroe County.  Call 647-1150 to schedule your free pick up. Items must be in usable condition (except clothing which is recycled.  VOA also accepts car, boat, and RV donations.
•  02/22/05 -- The Neighborhood Notification Law is a good idea.  There's a chance that Monroe County might adopt this opt-in law for our county.  The Neighbor Notification Law (Chapter 285 of the Laws of 2000), codified as Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) § 33-1004, provides counties and New York City the option of adopting new notification requirements for residential lawn applications of pesticides.1 The Legislature enacted the law in response to growing public -2- concern about the health risks of exposure to pesticides. Providing notice when lawn pesticides are applied enables neighbors to take precautions to reduce their exposure to these toxic chemicals. Check out the NYS Attorney General's report: A Report on the Implementation of Pesticide Neighbor Notification in NY: Six Counties' Experience  http://www.oag.state.ny.us/environment/neighbor_notification_report.pdf 
•  02/22/05 -- Good to keep tabs on Ginna Nuclear Power Plant  R.E.  Constellation Energy Group R.E.  Ginna Nuclear Power Plant is located on 410 acres along the south shores of Lake Ontario in Ontario, NY - about 20 miles northeast of Rochester and 53 miles southwest of Constellation Energy’s Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station. Constellation Energy bought Ginna, a pressurized one-unit water reactor generating 490 MWs, on June 10, 2004. Approximately 444 Constellation Energy employees run the power plant, making enough electricity for about 125,000 homes.
•  02/22/05 **ACTION** Conservation Action Network | Help Pass Global Warming Legislation - Help Pass Global Warming Legislation  - U.S. activists, as the world celebrates the launch of the Kyoto Protocol -- the first international agreement to protect our living planet from global warming -- the United States remains paralyzed by inaction and is still not among the 140 nations that have ratified the treaty. Urge Congress to pass the bi-partisan Climate Stewardship Act and protect the polar bears, coral reef species, and other wildlife already feeling the effects of our warming planet. --from World Wildlife Fund
  
•  02/22/05 -- Urban Sprawl affect us all: City Newspaper: Growing, growing… gone? The ‘rural’ county Thirty years ago, people driving to Rochester from the south would have seen a landscape of mainly farms, fields, and woods. Now, most of that bucolic countryside is little more than a memory, replaced by shopping malls, tract housing, and the odd mix of commercial accretion that follows suburbia.
•  02/22/05 - We pay a high price for Air Pollution: Air pollution takes six months off your life, international experts find - Air pollution is shortening the lives of Britons by more than six months, a startling unpublished European Commission report reveals. The draft report, which will be presented to EU experts tomorrow, shows that more than 32,000 people die from breathing contaminated air in Britain each year, far more than had been thought.This means that the toll from the pollution, much of which comes from cars, is more than nine times greater than the number of deaths from road accidents. Independent
•  02/14/05 **ACTION** Help our oceans:  The Ocean Conservancy We envision a world of healthy, protected oceans with wild and flourishing ecosystems, free of pollution, and filled with diverse and abundant marine wildlife. For centuries people have exploited the oceans with little thought to the future. Clearly, we can't afford to neglect them any longer. They provide much of the food we eat and the oxygen we breathe, and they are home to 97 percent of all living matter. Our very existence depends upon healthy oceans. We at The Ocean Conservancy know that it is not too late. By changing the way people think about the oceans—valuing them for their beauty and diversity as well as their utility—we can turn the tide of failing ocean health. By inspiring people to speak and act for the oceans, The Ocean Conservancy is working to conserve and restore wild, healthy oceans.
•  02/13/05 **ACTION** -JOIN A STUDY TO MEASURE LEVELS OF TOXIC CHEMICALS IN OUR HOMES! - Environmental and public health organizations working in six states are launching a major project to demonstrate the presence of high risk chemicals commonly used in our everyday household products. Citizens' Environmental Coalition is asking for volunteers in New York to have their homes vacuum cleaned so that we can collect dust samples, which will be sent to independent laboratories for analysis. We will be looking for chemicals that have been identified as some of the most dangerous around in their potential for long-term health and environmental impacts. --from Citizen's Environmental Coalition: Home
•  02/13/05 -- Learn all about Global Warming and Kyoto Protocol : Kyoto Protocol Enters Into Force: Sets Binding Targets for GHG Emissions KYOTO PROTOCOL ENTERS INTO FORCE - FEBRUARY 16, 2005 -The Kyoto Protocol, an international climate change agreement, enters into force on February 16th, 2005. The Protocol sets binding targets for developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions an average 5.2 percent below 1990 levels. With entry into force, Kyoto's emission targets become binding legal commitments for those industrialized countries that have ratified it. The Kyoto Protocol was designed as a first step. The challenge now is forging an international framework that engages all major emitting countries in an effective long-term effort. The Pew Center on Global Climate Change has created a special section looking at the implications of Kyoto's entry into force, including history, related issues and reports and analyses. The section devotes significant space to the question:
  What happens next? To learn more, please visit: http://ealert.pewclimate.org/ctt.asp?u=3620441&l=78466
•  02/13/05 -- News From the February Citizens’ Environmental Coalition (CEC) E-Alert. -In this month’s alert, you will find: 1) Protect Children From Shampooing with Poison 2) Make Your Voice Heard on PVC, the Poison Plastic 3) Free Educational Meeting on Air Pollution in Tonawanda, NY 4) Support Cleaner Communities and More Recycling  5) Tell the DEC to Ensure Environmental Justice  6) Public Comment Period on New York’s Hazardous Waste Regulations Log onto our website at www.cectoxic.org  <http://www.cectoxic.org> to learn more about our work to protect the public’s health from dangerous chemicals.
•  02/13/05 -- Read about how you can affect Global Warming: Ten Personal Solutions Ten Steps to Reduce Your Global Warming Impact - Individual choices can have an impact on global climate change. Reducing your family's heat-trapping emissions does not mean forgoing modern conveniences; it means making smart choices and using energy-efficient products, which may require an additional investment up front, but often pay you back in energy savings within a couple of years. --from the Union of Concerned Scientists
•  02/13/05 -- Read about how Urban Sprawl affects wildlife: Smart Growth Resource Library: Endangered by Sprawl  (requires )Endangered by Sprawl  -Endangered By Sprawl: How Runaway Development Threatens America’s Wildlife is a new report produced by the National Wildlife Federation, Smart Growth America, and NatureServe that details the effects on wildlife by rapid conversion of once-natural areas and farmland into subdivisions, shopping centers, roads and parking lots.
•  02/13/05 -- In order to protect our environment we have to have sufficient data to determine if there is an environmental risk.  One of the best projects in our area is the New York State Health Department's Cancer Surveillance Improvement Initiative (CSII) - Cancer Mapping and Related Information The Cancer Surveillance Improvement Initiative (CSII) began in 1998. It is designed to answer questions of many New Yorkers about the cancer incidence in their communities. It provides maps of cancer incidence; maps of risk factors, including environmental information, also will be produced. CSII also provides information on cancer, its possible causes and how to interpret maps and graphs.
•  02/12/05 -- We forget that our bad environmental practices affect our neighbors.  Do we care? The Globe and Mail: Effects of mercury decision may drift north 'Vicious debate' over U.S. emissions limit is key to Canadians' health, critics warn - "Coal-fired power plants south of the border are the largest unregulated source of airborne mercury pollution in the United States, and some of it inevitably drifts into Canada. That fact is one of the main reasons why environmentalists on both sides of the border say Canadians should be paying attention to a "vicious" fight playing out in Washington over new emission limits for the pollutant. "It's clear that the U.S. is using cheaper, dirtier energy sources, and the result of that is mercury pollution that is having adverse effects on the lives of Canadians," said Angela Ledford, director of the Washington-based environmental lobby group Clear the Air. --globeandmail.com - Canada's best source for news continuously updated from The Globe and Mail
•  02/11/05 -- **EVENT** The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester - Presents - Advocacy in Action: The 48-Hour Neighborhood Notification Law - A Community Forum - In June of 2000, Governor George Pataki signed the 48-Hour Neighbor Notification Law, which would require commercial pesticide applicators give neighbors 48-hours notification before spraying a lawn. There was one caveat. Each County would need to “opt in” for it to take effect within that County. During her State-of-the-County Address this past January, Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks affirmed support of the implementation of this law, stating that she would submit a proposal to the Monroe County Legislature for consideration. Will the members of the Monroe County Legislature accept it? What is at stake? What ARE the health concerns associated with this law? Join us and learn more from our panel of experts. February 23, 2005 - 7:00-9:00 pm - BREAST CANCER COALITION OF ROCHESTER - 840 University Avenue - (Between Culver and Goodman) - *Free* - Questions? - Contact the BCCR office at 473-8177
•  02/11/05 -- **EVENT** "FERAL CATS: A Local Issue" -Guest Speaker ~ DIANE DiGRAVIO, President of Habitat for Cats - Sponsored by Animal Rights Advocates of Upstate NY - Monday, March 7, 2005 - 7:00pm - Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Ave, Rochester NY - "AUDITORIUM" (H/C access via back entrance: elevator to 1st floor) 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester NY -  Open to the Public - Free (donations accepted to offset ARA costs) - One-hour lecture, followed by Questions & Answers - ... come learn about the issue of "feral cats", and how you can help. - For a More Compassionate World, Lois Baum, President, Animal Rights Advocates of Upstate NY - www.ARAUNY.org
•  02/11/05 **ACTION** Use your computer to help scientists monitor Global Warming : ClimatePrediction.Net  Climateprediction.net is the largest experiment to try and produce a forecast of the climate in the 21st century. To do this, we need people around the world to give us time on their computers - time when they have their computers switched on, but are not using them to their full capacity.
•  02/11/05 -- Here's a good idea to help Animals: Greyhound Adoption of Greater Rochester NY Greyhound Adoption of Greater Rochester, NY, is a racing neutral non-profit 501(C)(3) all volunteer organization. We believe every greyhound retired from racing deserves the chance for a real home and loving family. Our goal is to bring hounds and homes together. To that end, we will make every effort to provide information on not only the unique qualifications of greyhound adoption, but on realistic expectations as well ... to offer ongoing support and guidance to those families who have made an educated, responsible commitment to adopt ...and to hold the welfare and well-being of the greyhounds above all other considerations.
  
•  02/08/05 -- **EVENT** Community Forum on Healthy Schools, April 27 - Children, teachers, and administrators spend the majority of their days in school buildings or on school grounds. How healthy are these environments? How are school environments regulated? How can interested parents, professionals, and citizens find out more? To address these questions and more, the University of Rochester's Environmental Health Science Center will sponsor a community forum on healthy schools. Steve Boese of the Healthy Schools Network will give an overview of his organizations recent survey of 300 reports on indoor air and environmental quality of schools. He will also discuss cases of school health concerns in our region and the policies related to school health in New York State. Mr. Boese's talk will be followed by a panel of local citizens and professionals who are involved in issues of school environmental health. The panel will reflect on the implications of the Healthy Schools Network's findings for the Rochester area and answer questions from the audience.  The forum will take place on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 7:00 PM in the Bausch and Lomb Auditorium of the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Please call 273-4304 or email Katrina_korfmacher@urmc.rochester.edu  for more information.
•  02/05/05 -- Climate Change will affect us all: CNN.com - Report: Global warming approaching critical point - Jan 24, 2005 LONDON, England (AP) -- Global warming is approaching the critical point of no return, after which widespread drought, crop failure and rising sea-levels would be irreversible, an international climate change task force warned Monday. CNN.com  To download the full report go to www.tai.org.au/Publications_Files
  This may take a while to download (pdf file)
•  02/05/05 --**EVENT** If you go - What: Public meetings about the Genesee Transportation Council's proposed 2005-2010 Transportation Improvement Program.- When: 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Ogden Town Hall, 269 Ogden Center Road; 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Henrietta Town Hall, 475 Calkins Road; and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Kate Gleason Auditorium at the Rochester Public Library, 115 South Ave.-Details: Call (585) 232-6240. - from  5-year road plans unveiled - Transportation Council list has money for Renaissance Square — The Genesee Transportation Council has unveiled its proposed spending priorities for the next five years — including $12.5 million for Renaissance Square tucked in among more than $300 million worth of road, bridge and trail projects. (February 6, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  02/05/05 **ACTION** PROTEST "CROW SHOOT" in AUBURN NY - Saturday, Feb 12, 2005 - 4:00pm - In front of bar sponsoring crow shoot:J&B Bar and Grill, 74 Orchard Street, Auburn, NY - Sunday, Feb 13, 2005 - 2:00pm - Large gathering of protestors in front of:
  Auburn City Hall - Auburn, NY - (followed by protest at J&B Bar & Grill) - We are looking for people who could take photographs or videos.
  Please CONTACT ME (RITA) by phone or email. Rita Sarnicola - www.SaveTheCrows.org - Jsarn@thumpernet.com - 2/1/05 Animal Rights Advocates of Upstate NY - www.ARAUNY.org
•  02/05/05 --**EVENT** Rochester Sierra Club General Membership Meeting ( http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/  ) -What: THIRST: A provocative film about the commercialization of water. http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/thirst.htm  -When: Thursday February 24, 2005 7:15PM. -Where: St Thomas Episcopal Church, corner of South Winton Road and Highland Drive. (just down the street from Unitarian Church) The film THIRST* takes us from South America to India to California, presenting the people most affected by privatized water and what it means to them. Scenes from the 3rd World Water Forum provide arguments for organized development of water resources. Stockton CA residents are shown as they advocates for publicly-run water services. East Indian villagers make rainwater harvesting a method of sustaining their community's farming and drinking water.
•  Interesting article on using salt in the winter: "environment: When using rock salt, sprinkle with care" Too much salt in your diet is never a good thing, and the same goes for Mother Earth. Salt used on roads and driveways gets reabsorbed into the environment and can build up to dangerous levels. (February 5, 2005) insider - Rochester remixed