Updates January 2008

• 01/31/08 - **EVENT**  - In 2008 Genesee Valley Audubon will be exploring Ellison Park off Blossom Road. We meet in the parking lot off Blossom Rd. marked Orchard Grove and Creekside Lodges. Our next hike is year is February 3rd at 3:00pm. We will meet in the corner of the parking lot near the road away from the parking lot entrance. This park is part of the Irondequoit Creek bottom land; therefore it is wet and hilly. Please Wear Boots. WARNING: This is a very DOGGY park, if you don’t like dogs this is not the park for you. Call June Summers at (585) 865-6047 before the hike if you have questions, you might not be able to reach her the day of the hike.
• 01/31/08 - **EVENT**  -Living in Harmony News -The next Living in Harmony meeting will be Tuesday, February 12, from 7 pm – 9 pm, Henrietta United Church of Christ, 1400 Lehigh Station Road. Our speaker will be Margy Peet, who will speak on the topic “Color Brighton Green – Making Connections.” Margy is a member of the Green Brighton Task Force, a group working to support community-wide energy reductions measures as part of a nationwide climate protection action plan. One of the goals of the group is making connections with faith-based organizations and other groups to improve energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and economic security. To find out more information about the Color Brighton Green initiative, visit www.ColorBrightonGreen.org . We hope to see you at our February meeting to join the discussion about ways to network in the community on this important topic. If you have questions, contact Elizabeth Pixley, convener (334-0977 or epixley@rochester.rr.com ).
• 01/27/07 - **ACTION** -  Take Action - Provide input on DEC draft on Conducting bird and bat studies for Commercial Wind Energy Projects by March

  

Please take action on this draft. Don't sit back on this one because it involves how commercial wind energy projects in New York State will conduct bat and bird studies. If you care about the amount of wind farms, which are renewable energy sources (Check out Energy on RochesterEnvironment.com), then you must make sure that the state understands how important wind farms are to how we get energy in the future. If you don’t act on this draft proposal, then by default we could be saddled with oil, gas, coal, and less renewable energy sources for New York State.
 

Draft Guidelines for Conducting Bird and Bat Studies at Commercial Wind Energy Projects

 

The Department of Environmental Conservation has released for public review proposed Guidelines for Conducting Bird and Bat Studies at Commercial Wind Energy Projects. These guidelines inform potential wind developers of the information DEC needs about wind farm sites to assess impacts to birds and bats. The guidelines were developed through a stakeholder process sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority which included industry representatives as well as bird and bat biologists from government agencies, academia and non-governmental environmental groups.

Wind energy development is an important component of Governor Eliot Spitzer's clean renewable energy initiative in New York State as well as of New York's ability to achieve the Renewable Portfolio Standard of twenty-five percent (25%) of energy produced from renewable sources by the year 2013. With increased construction of wind turbines comes increased potential for birds and bats to collide with the towers and rotating blades.

 

The proposed guidelines outline DEC's recommendations to commercial wind energy developers on how to characterize bird and bat resources at wind energy sites and how to document and estimate bird and bat mortality resulting from collisions with turbines. The protocols in the guidelines are intended to provide comparability of data collection among sites and between years so that the information from each site contributes to a statewide understanding of the ecological effects of wind energy generation. Protocols for both pre-construction studies and post-construction monitoring are included.

 

The guidelines (PDF, 135 Kb) are now available for review. Comments will be received until March 7, 2008 via mail to Brianna Gary, NYSDEC Bureau of Habitat, 625 Broadway 5th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-4756 or via email. To provide comments or for further information, contact the Habitat Protection Section mailbox.

• 01/26/08 - Was “An Inconvenient Truth” a success? Most of you have probably seen “An Inconvenient Truth” Al. Gore’s documentary film that launched a worldwide public focus on the problem of Global Warming. But, do you know how thoroughly researched and effective this documentary has been? Over the years, I have witnessed the long sloping curve upward in public awareness of Global Warming and then the dramatic, hockey-stick spike on the issues since the film’s debut. This is only a personal observation. How about something more substantial: some facts about the film, and what specific programs, films, actions, and research that “An Inconvenient Truth” has generated?  Check out: "Convenient Resources for "An Inconvenient Truth" Frederick Stoss -University at Buffalo, State University of New York "Editor's Note: Before Al Gore's film An Inconvenient Truth won an Oscar for best documentary film, a member of the Electronic Green Journal's Editorial Board, Fred Stoss, traveled to Nashville, Tennessee. Fred was taught by former Vice President Al Gore and a group of scientists, educators, and communication specialists from The Climate Project to become "climate change messengers" and help spread the word about global warming across the United States. He was selected from thousands of applicants to participate in training sessions sponsored by The Climate Project. Attendees received presentation skills training and educational resources for sharing with others. They also received an intensive overview of the science of global warming. This training provides Stoss with the resources to conduct special versions of Gore's famous global warming slide show that is the basis for An Inconvenient Truth. As a librarian, he is frequently asked for resources to support the data and information described in the slide show." --from Electronic Green Journal
• 01/23/08 - **EVENT**  - Flying WILD 3-hour Educator Workshop - Event Date: Saturday, February 9 (9 a.m. to Noon) - Location: Room C-220, Finger Lakes Community College, 4355 Lakeshore Dr, Canandaigua NY - Presented by: BirdCOR & Genesee Valley Audubon Society - Phone: 585-223-8369 - Web site: www.birdcor.org - Event Details: Educator training program open to teachers and nonformal educators. Participants will receive the 350+-page educator's guide and a completion certificate. Flying WILD is for educators interested in using hands-on, cross-curricular activities about birds and bird conservation to encourage learning in science and other subjects. Now in its fourth full year, Flying WILD was created by the originators of the award-winning Project WILD and launched nationally by BirdCOR in Rochester. BirdCOR has brought the innovative program to teachers from 30 school districts and organizations. Geared for the middle grades and adaptable to other levels, Flying WILD includes over 40 teacher-led, student-led, and volunteer-led learning activities. The guide includes specific correlations between each activity and National Science Education Standards. The program is wheelchair accessible. Registration is required--fee is $15, payable in advance. BirdCOR is a nonprofit program of the Genesee Valley Audubon Society, official City Partner for Flying WILD.
• 01/23/08 - **EVENT**  - - 6th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY FESTIVAL May 10, 2008 (10 am to 4 pm) May 11, 2008 (Noon to 4 pm) Braddock Bay Park, Town of Greece, NY E. Manitou Rd at Lake Ontario State Parkway Admission Free Celebrating the remarkable world of migratory birds and promoting active programs for bird conservation 2008 Theme — Tropics to Tundra: Connecting Birds, Habitats, and People At the Festival— See live bird demonstrations, listen to educational talks, participate in fun activities for the kids and family, and learn about migratory birds and organizations that support their conservation. At the festival, you can also learn about how to get involved in the Flying WILD program and service-learning projects that leave a lasting legacy to benefit birds and the environment. Birds of Prey Live Presentations Exhibits • Hawk Watch • Kids' Crafts • Wildlife Art Wetlands Stewardship—On bringing public, government, corporate, and scientific understanding to wetlands management (Book Preview & Presentation) Mother’s Day Nature Walk (“early bird”—see schedule) • Music • and more… --from BirdCOR
• 01/23/08 - Our region’s transportation plan. Provided by the Genesee Transportation Council, there is a twenty year plan for our region’s transportation. It’s called the Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region: 2005 - 2025 and it is a long document, 104 pages. I have not read it yet, and therefore I cannot comment on it, but it’s there and we should read it because it’s our future. Besides economic, safety, population growth, etc. we should pay special attention to how this plan addresses our environmental future, which includes global warming. At some time in the future I’d like to comment on this plan, compare it with the vigorous New York City plan PLANYC 2030 and get an idea if we are as serious about our environmental future as New York. If you have read it both plans, and have some observations about how our area is addressing our environmental future, drop me a line or comment on this in my blog--Environmental Thoughts - Rochester, NY.  Here's the overview: Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) "The Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region: 2005-2025 (LRTP: 2005-2025) provides a 20-year perspective of existing and projected transportation system capabilities, needs, and objectives, as well as recommended policies and actions to meet these objectives for the nine-county Genesee-Finger Lakes Region".
• 01/22/08 - Check out this great information and environmental news site: CleanTechNY: Dedicated to clean, efficient and sustainable energy technology in New York State. CleanTech NY is your central resource for news, opinions & other info on the CleanTech revolution in New York State. Dedicated to clean, efficient & sustainable energy technology, 'clean tech' is the technology world's response to climate change, global warming and rising fossil fuel costs including oil, coal and natural gas. CleanTech is defined as technology design and engineering that results in products, infrastructure and services that are emission-free, carbon-neutral and rely as little as possible on non-renewable resources.
• 01/18/07 -- **EVENT**  - From Genesee Valley Audubon Society (GVAS) RSS Wednesday, January 23, 2008 7:30 p.m. - Brighton Town Hall Downstairs Meeting Room 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Brighton - Auburn Trail Presentation -Bruce and Mary Ann Cady will share their knowledge of the diversity of habitat – plants and animals - in a short stretch of trail between Fishers Road and Railroad Mills Road, Victor. A coalition for “The Railroad Mills Special Environmental Area” is working to conserve this small section of a proposed “Rails to Trails” extension by the Town of Victor.
• 01/18/07 -- **EVENT**  - Looks like a great way to learn about our area’s environmental history and how man’s actions have impacted on that. Museum and Science Center to Open New Exhibits  "RMSC President Kate Bennett says one of the final two sections goes back hundreds of millions of years to when this region was the bottom of a prehistoric sea. The other brings the story of Rochester's environment to the present day. She says that will deal heavily with man's impact on the Rochester-area environment." Also check out the RMSC web site: Rochester Museum & Science Center—Rochester, NY
• 01/18/07 -- **EVENT**  - Chickadee Walk at Mendon Ponds - Saturday, January 19th 9:00am – 11:00am - Join Genesee Valley Audubon for a relaxing walk and a chance to hand feed chickadees and maybe nuthatches and tufted titmice. It’s fun for the whole family on Saturday, January 19th beginning at 9:00am. We meet at the lot on Pond Road off Clover Street (the southernmost of the three park entrances off Clover). Bring sunflower seed and dress for the weather. Binoculars will enhance the fun. Free. No seed. No problem. Seed will be provided for a small donation.
• 01/17/07 - Transportation Plan Envy - New York City has come up with a comprehensive plan called PLANYC 2030 to address sustainability for its future. Should we be envious of New York City's plan or do we have a good plan ourselves? Sure, we don’t have many of the issues that New York City, one of the largest cities in the world that also has to deal with the rising oceans due to Global Warming, but we are a major New York State city not too far down the road from New York City. Check out PLANYC 2030 and especially it’s transportation page and maybe you have some ideas about how Rochester should move itself around for a sustainable future. PLANYC 2030 "On Earth Day 2007, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, released PlaNYC, a comprehensive sustainability plan for the City’s future. PlaNYC puts forth a strategy to reduce the City’s greenhouse gas footprint, while also accommodating a population growth of nearly one million, and improving our infrastructure and environment. Recognizing the importance to reduce global carbon emissions, and the value of leading by example, New York has set the goal of reducing its citywide carbon emissions by 30% below 2005 levels. The annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory will track progress towards our goal."
• 01/16/07 - The placement of wind farms in our Western New York area is a growing and controversial phenomenon. Here’s a good story from the Environment Report and encapsulates how decisions are made where to place Wind Farms near us. LOCAL BLOWBACK FROM WIND FARMS America's hunger for new, greener sources of electricity, and a generous federal tax credit, are fueling a wind power boom. According to the industry, almost 6,000 megawatts of new wind energy are under construction nationwide. That's 40% of all existing wind power in the U.S. The federal government doesn't regulate many aspects of wind power. Neither do many states. That puts a lot of pressure on local town councils to decide if a wind farm will be a good neighbor. http://www.environmentreport.org/
• 01/16/07 - Our Great Lakes have a myriad of environmental problems. How are we doing in fixing them? Read this report form Great Lakes United: A Way Forward Strengthening Decision-Making and Accountability under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement 'The Problem In December 2005, over 200 scientists endorsed a report entitled Prescription for Great Lakes Ecosystem Protection and Restoration (Avoiding the Tipping Point of Irreversible Changes). This report concluded: There is compelling evidence that in many parts of the Great Lakes we are at or beyond this tipping point. Certain areas of the Great Lakes are increasingly experiencing ecosystem breakdown, where intensifying levels of stress from a combination of sources have overwhelmed the natural processes that normally stabilize and buffer the system from permanent change."--from Great Lakes United
• 01/15/07 - What can you do about Global Warming? Ten Personal Solutions to Global Warming 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 Union of Concerned Scientists
• 01/15.07 -- Information you need to know about that new car you are about to buy (an the one you think that's getting great gas mileage in your driveway): 2008 Fuel Economy Tests EPA has changed the way it estimates MPG. Starting in model year 2008, estimates will reflect the effects of Faster Speeds & Acceleration Air Conditioner Use Colder Outside Temperatures -- Fuel Economy
• 01/13/07 -- **EVENT**  - Pre-season symposium - Join the Ontario County Master Gardener Spring Garden Symposium for a day of horticultural inspiration from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Steamboat Landing, 205 Lakeshore Dr., Canandaigua. --from  (January 12, 2008) Democrat & Chronicle
• 01/13/07 -- **EVENT**  - Gardening, pesticide courses - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County will start its 2008 horticulture school and 30-hour pesticide certification course Jan. 29. The program provides horticulture education and problem-solving skills necessary for growing and maintaining healthy gardens and lawns. All classes will be held at the Extension, 249 Highland Ave. The cost for the 15-course session is $400 for general registration and $370 for Cornell Cooperative Extension enrollment members. It is also available on a weekly basis at $45 per course for nonmembers and $40 for members. --from  (January 12, 2008) Democrat & Chronicle

• 01/12/07 - As I live and Breathe: Just when you think the media has become so Objective in their reporting that somehow they think they can stand outside of our environment and simply report on the decline of our environment, you read a story like this. Major Kudos for News 8/FOX Rochester. The movement is growing. The pubic and even the media is realizing that we cannot stand aside while that which keeps us alive, our environment, is in serious jeopardy - just check out some of these Rochester Environmental Issues. Hopefully, more and more mainstream media will recognize their innate responsibility as our informers, who have been protected with a special privilege under the US Bill of Rights, to inform us on the state of our environment—so that we may have the information we need to make informed choices about that which matters most. For, as Dr. Sagan said, "Anything else you're interested in is not going to happen if you can't breathe the air and drink the water. Don't sit this one out. Do something. You are by accident of fate alive at an absolutely critical moment in the history of our planet." Check this story out: News 8/FOX Rochester kicks off Go Green project "Going "green" seems to be the hot phrase these days. Many people are spreading the word about protecting the planet by being environmentally friendly. We think it's a good message.Over the course of the next year we're going to bring you stories about the simple things we can all do to make a difference. These days it seems everything is tinged green. Schools are being built to specific environmental standards. Weddings are being thrown with mother earth in mind."

• 01/12/07 - It is unconscionable for the mainstream media to ignore Global Warming and other environmental problems during the political debate. Please read this transcript by DemocracyNow.org and for a moment try not to think of yourself as a media sponge but as a citizen on this planet. We, the citizenry of the United States, are not simply sponges, or blank slates to which the media chooses what issues our presidential candidates will address. We are partly responsible for the environmental future of our world, simply because we are alive and conscious at this Extraordinary Time in history, and we should demand that anyone running for the most powerful job in the world address the monumental issue of Global Warming. You would think after the mainstream’s botching of the news about the buildup of the War in Iraq that American would not tolerate being adequately informed about issue that will determine our future. Well, any president of the United States that gets into office in 2009 without having a plan to lead the world in efforts to curb Global Warming is going to be a failed presidency and a nation depicted as a irresponsible polluter. And, we will have gotten there supported by a media that has taken into their hands to avoid discussing the most important issue of this century. Democracy Now! | Study: Of Over 2,000 Sunday Talk Show Questions to Candidates, Only Three on Global Warming Study: Of Over 2,000 Sunday Talk Show Questions to Candidates, Only Three on Global Warming A new study by the League of Conservation Voters found that the five major Sunday morning political shows asked the presidential candidates well over 2,000 questions in 2007. Just three of the questions mentioned global warming. We speak with the president of the League of Conservation Voters, Gene Karpinski.

• 01/12/07 - Check out the  New York State Parks :: Biodiversity of New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation And especially the New York State Parks :: Genesee Region Known as the "Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth State Park offers 14,350 acres of scenic magnificance as well as a multitude of year-round recreational opportunities. A 17 mile gorge, carved by the Genesee River as it tumbles over waterfalls and meanders through the park, provides spectacular views at every turn. Letchworth's 270 campsites and 82 cabins, many winterized, are popular with campers. Miles of trails, a huge swimming facility, numerous picnic areas, fishing, hunting and the famous Glen Iris Inn also make Letchworth one of New York's outstanding state parks.

• 01/09/07 - Reducing Mercury in our environment: Reducing Mercury Use in Health Care Reducing Mercury Use in Healthcare Promoting a Healthier Environment A How-To-Manual The purpose of this manual is to help hospitals start mercury pollution prevention programs or accelerate programs that have already begun. New federal regulations greatly reduce the amount of mercury that is allowed to be discharged from a municipal wastewater system or an incinerator. By implementing the best management practices described in this manual, you can reduce the level of mercury in the environment and avoid the need for increased regulations in the years to come. 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

• 01/08/07 - This is a great concept: DEC Launches "Conservationist for Kids" - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation DEC Launches "Conservationist for Kids" New York State has launched a new nature magazine for kids, filled with photos, articles and tips on activities designed to encourage children to reconnect with the outdoors and the natural world. Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis said, "In a world full of iPods, Xboxes and 500-channel digital cable, our youngsters are spending more and more time indoors on the couch, disconnected from the natural world. Conservationist for Kids gives children across the state a reason to venture outside, offering fun and informative activities that we hope will spark a connection and concern for nature that lasts a lifetime."- from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

• 01/08/07 - **ACTION** -  Seen a Bald Eagle? Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation New York State will once again be participating in the national mid-winter bald eagle survey, representing our 29th consecutive year of such surveys! While this national survey has been coordinated for many years by the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, beginning in 2008, the survey will now be coordinated nationally by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers out of their San Francisco office, due to retirement of the USGS coordinator. This transition, however, will be seamless to us. This year's survey will be from 2-16 January 2008 (inclusive), with target dates of 9-10 January. We hope to be conducting several aerial surveys over major portions of the state, mostly on the 9th, and the closer to this day everyone can get out, the better. Our "lousy weather" dates if we cannot get in the air on that day are every day following until we get it done. For those of you who don't get paid to do this kind of stuff for a living and have real jobs, please try to survey as close to the 9 January date as possible; but getting out any time within the survey period would be valuable to us. The National target dates are the weekend of the 11th and 12th.- from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

• 01/07/07 -- **EVENT**  -  “Winderfest” Wind Power Information Forum. Thursday, January 17, 7-9 p.m. at the South Alabama Fire Department Recreation Hall, Judge Road, Alabama, NY. Speakers include Dereth Glance from Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE), Bill Nowak from the Wind Action Group (WAG) and Donna Griffin, Fenner wind farm property owner and farmer. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Wind Information + Responsible Energy (WI+RE).

• 01/07/07 - Get the Lead Out: This is an excellent story that encapsulates what at first appears to be a minor issue. But, until you pull away and get an idea of how many lead bullets eventually end up in our environment because of the years of accumulated lead from firing ranges, hunting, etc. you don’t understand the potential danger. Rochester leads the country in protecting our children against lead poisoning and if we are going to really do the job, curbing lead ammo must be a part of the solution. Of course, there will be many gun users who will see any intrusion by government to affect their sport as the camel’s nose into the tent, and oppose any changes. But, I don’t think it’s too much to ask gun users “to use nontoxic ammunition in order to protect public health and the environment from the effects of lead.” We all have to do our part to protect our environment because there aren’t enough spaceships to transport us to another planet if we make this one uninhabitable. DEC shifts to lead-free ammo — ALBANY — The state Department of Environmental Conservation is reducing its negative impact on the environment by giving up lead-based bullets used for firearms training in favor of less harmful "green" ammunition. "(The) DEC is committed to leading the way in finding new ways — large and small — to reduce the amount of contamination that is released into our environment," said Commissioner Alexander "Pete" Grannis. (January 7, 2008) Democrat & Chronicle

• 01/07/07 - A sign of the times? Recycling is important, but just how far will communities go to get their citizens to Recycle? Maybe getting tougher on recycling is a reflection on the assumption that once the public understands the importance of environmental they’ll do the right thing. Getting tougher then would me that we cannot assume that people will do the right thing. Eventually, voluntarily or not, we’re going to have to stop putting so much trash in the ground and reusing these valuable resources imbedded in our trash. Getting tough on recycling - News from The Post-Standard on syracuse.com Westchester County is warning residents to take recycling laws seriously -- or their transgressions will show. (Jan 06, 07) Real-Time News, Sports, Entertainment, and Life in Central New York - syracuse.com

• 01/06/08  - Useful information for building in Rochester - BROWNFIELD REVOLVING FUND PROGRAM BROWNFIELD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Are you considering selling, buying, or redeveloping real estate that needs an environmental assessment or environmental engineering? Program Overview The City of Rochester has developed a program for businesses and developers that want to investigate and redevelop industrial and commercial properties. Brownfield properties have real or potential environmental problems that can inhibit redevelopment. The objective of this program is to provide a way for businesses and developers to obtain environmental information needed to make redevelopment decisions without taking on the burden of paying for all of the investigation costs. Under this program, the City's Department of Environmental Services and its consultants will perform environmental investigation services for approved businesses and developers. The fee for these services will be at a discount, or in some cases, waived. --from Welcome to the City of Rochester

• 01/06/08  -  **ESSAYS** - Sequestration a Slam Dunk? (January  2008) Though building a new clean-coal power plant at the Huntley Station in the Town of Tonawanda (about an hour away by car) isn’t within the political purview of Monroe County, it is within our environmental sphere of influence.

• 01/06/08 - **EVENT**  - "Mendon Ponds Winterfest 2008" -Wild Wings -Sunday, January 20th -11:00AM - 4:00PM - Come enjoy "Winterfest 2008" and the beauty of Mendon Ponds Park ! -Featuring: Wild Wings raptors up close and personal as volunteers bring some of the birds out of their mews (enclosures) "in hand" for you to enjoy Snowshoe Rentals (weather permitting) Homemade craft items; clothing, posters, notecards, bookmarks, calendars, puzzles and much, much more for sale in "The Cottage Store" Hot chocolate, coffee, fresh popcorn, snacks and candy (for sale) A cozy, warm fire in our cobblestone fireplace! All proceeds to benefit the birds. Other Winterfest activities and events will be taking place at several locations throughout the park, beginning at 11:00 am and continuing through 4:00 pm. A printed program and park map will be available at all Winterfest locations in the park the day of the Winterfest.
• 01/06/08 - Here's a great place to seen New York birds in the wild without disturbing them. New York Wild "The mission of New York Wild is to bring to the viewing public, for the entire year, a diverse group of wildlife in their natural habitats within New York State. As habitat continues to be impacted by people, it is vital to recognize the habitat needs of so many species in order to minimize future impacts. New York Wild is the first animal cam website that will operate on a year-round basis throughout New York State. Animal cams will be established not only for individual bird nesting seasons, but also for mammals and amphibians, in an effort to offer new insights on animals not commonly seen on animal cam websites."
• 01/06/08 - **EVENT**  - First Sunday Hike, January 6th 3:00pm -5:00pm - Ellison Park -In 2008 Genesee Valley Audubon will be exploring Ellison Park off Blossom Road. We meet in the parking lot off Blossom Rd. marked Orchard Grove and Creekside Lodges. Our first hike of the year is tomorrow, January 6th at 3:00pm. We will meet in the corner of the parking lot near the road away from the parking lot entrance. This park is part of the Irondequoit Creek bottom land; therefore it is wet and hilly. Please Wear Boots. WARNING: This is a very DOGGY park, if you don’t like dogs this is not the park for you. Call June Summers at (585) 865-6047 before the hike if you have questions, you might not be able to reach her the day of the hike.
• 01/03/08 - **EVENT**  - 2008 GREEN BUILDING SEMINAR SERIES REMODELING AND RENOVATION TUESDAYS, 7-9 p.m., JAN 15, 22, 29 - First Unitarian Church Annex, 208 East Buffalo Street @ Aurora Street, Ithaca $5/seminar or $25/series of 6*. (scholarships available in exchange for volunteering). *There are 3 more classes in February in this series.
  • JANUARY 15: DESIGNING GREEN: THE DESIGN PROCESS WITH A FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY
  • JANUARY 22: ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR EXISTING HOMES
  • JANUARY 29: DURABILITY AND INDOOR AIR QUALITY: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
  • A full description of the seminars and presenters can be found at www.ccetompkins.org  or http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/tompkins/environment/greenbuildings/2008%20seminars.htm 

  Series presented by the Ithaca Green Building Alliance and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County with support from the First Unitarian Church of Ithaca. Continues with 3 new classes (plus a snow date) into February - Please call 607-272-2292 to register. For more information, email: tms23@cornell.edu

• 01/03/08 - **EVENT**  - PERMACULTURE: DESIGNING AN ECOSYSTEM Wednesday, January 30, 7 - 9 pm CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF TOMPKINS COUNTY - There is a world view which identifies humanity as a vital part of the web of life; indeed people have for thousands of years been stewards of the Earth, always finding innovative ways to extract our needs for survival while improving life for other species and future generations. Join Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute Program Coordinator Steve Gabriel for a discussion on the design process as a tool for making effective, measurable changes in the way we work in the world. Steve will share design examples from the Cayuga Nature Center, where FLPCI has been working on development of a land use plan incorporating agricultural, forestry, habitat and interpretive elements. These classes are FREE and open to the public, and will be held in the meeting room at GreenStar Cooperative Market’s West-End Store, 701 W. Buffalo St. Contact Info: Space is limited and registration is required. To register, sign up at GreenStar's Customer Service Desk or call 273-9392.
• 01/03/08 - **EVENT**  - 14th Annual “Our Fragile World” Environmental Fair at Monroe County’s Seneca Park Zoo. This year’s event is sponsored by HSBC- The World’s Local Bank. Our goal for this event is to engage, inspire, and empower community members to act on behalf of wildlife and our environment. The event will be held Friday, May 2nd and Saturday May 3rd, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• 01/03/08 - **EVENT**  - The Town of Brighton is kicking off its Color Brighton Green initiative with a New Year's Resolution Kick-Off party on the evening of Monday, January 7th at 7:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and one of the key messages will be to get people to commit to a 10% Challenge to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. More information is available at the website: www.ColorBrightonGreen.org  In a separate event, the Green Brighton Task Force Education Committee is also sponsoring a downlink of a nationwide webcast called the 2% Solution on the evening of Wednesday, January 30, 2007. The webcast is part of a nationwide initiative called "Focus the Nation". The heart of the webcast will be audience-based discussion of global warming solutions, including opportunities for audiences to weigh in with cell phone voting. A separate flyer with the details of this event, including a RSVP request, will be distributed shortly. For more information on "Focus the Nation", interested parties can go to the website: www.focusthenation.org . For more information on either of these activities, please contact Margy Peet at margypeet@yahoo.com .
• 01/03/08 - **EVENT**  - CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF TOMPKINS COUNTY - SAVE ENERGY, SAVE DOLLARS Monday, January 14, 6:30 pm Wednesday, January 23, 12:30 pm - Participants will learn about low-cost and no-cost ways to reduce their energy usage and about programs that can help them afford energy-efficiency improvements. Each participating household will receive a free kit of energy-saving items worth $15. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Call CCE to reserve a seat at (607) 272-2292 or email Carole Fisher at crf11@cornell.edu

• 01/03/08 - This Month's RochesterEnvironment.com's Newsletter:  December 2007 RENewsletter Word (requires Word document plug-in for your browser)   December 2007 RENewsletter PDF (requires Adobe Reader) The reason is that while the Word format provides all the online features (all links on the newsletter work) not everyone can use this format.  With Adobe Reader, a format that most browsers accept, there is a limited ability to follow the embedded links to online articles and web page, and e-mails that are a very important part of RENewsletter.  Both formats print out perfectly for easy reading. Please click on the version of your choice.

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