April 22nd is Earth Day. In recognition, the Oswego County Environmental Management Council invites individuals, schools, and groups to participate in Oswego County's Earth Week, April 15th through the 24th, with helping protect and preserve our county's natural resources.
Sustainability, what does it mean? Simply put, sustainability is the inter-relationship of the preservation and conservation of the earth's ecosystems and resources with the prudent needs of society.
We can promote sustainability with basic acts preservation and conservation:
- Turn off lights when not in use. Replace inefficient incandescent bulbs with newer energy efficient ones. New power strips have programmable timers for use with TV's, computers and media centers.
- Follow the three R's - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
- Conserve water by using low water use shower heads and toilets. Share a ride and limit the use of our vehicles.
- Make homes more energy efficient by sealing air leaks and improving insulation.
- Try and minimize the use of fertilizers on the lawn and use fertilizers with no phosphorus.
- Rain Barrels and rain gardens conserve and utilize rain water that would have run off. Plant native shrubs and flowers to deter
soil erosion and aid pollinators.
- Litter is an eyesore and pollutes our ground and water. Help take part in a cleanup or project protecting our county's environment.
From the EMC Earth Week website, you can obtain Participation Forms and hyperlinks to updated materials about the projects and topics mentioned above as well as Earth Day School Projects and ideas, plus other environmental information, or use the e-mail or phone # listed below. You can even check your Carbon Footprint.
Check out the Renew Oswego County website to find rebates, subsidies, incentives and grants available to residents of Oswego County to lower energy costs and buy renewable energy.
Information on the new NYS Open Burn Law can be found at: www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/58519.html.
The County Dept. of Solid Waste website has information about what can be brought to the solid waste facilities. Electronics are included with no fee. Helpful tips on recycling and composting are listed. Check the site for dates bringing in hazardous materials. Batteries can always be dropped off. but no wet cell batteries are accepted. The Lions Club also accepts cell phones, which are then reconditioned and donated to non-profit groups.
The NYS Canal Corporation and Parks & Trails NY have designated April 15, 16, & 17 for the sixth Canal Clean Sweep. Any interested groups or towns wanting to help maintain the beauty and keep our Oswego Canal Corridor clean should contact Wally Elton at: or (518) 434-1583.
To help with Habitat for Humanity, Novelis asks that you donate any recyclable aluminum cans collected, to the Cans for Habitat Program. Local redemption centers will credit these cans towards the Habitat donation.
SUNY Oswego will host a Sustainability Fair for Green Living, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Home Building. For more information about the Fair, go to: www.oswego.edu/sustainabilityfair.
Oswego County would like to acknowledge your participation and efforts. If your group is in need of any of the listed items, or would like photos of your project published, information and a participation form can be obtained from the Earth Week website.
Trash bags will be available upon request through the cooperation of Oswego County Building and Grounds.
Collection of the litter should be arranged with your city/town/village. Roadside litter collections turned over to city/town/village for Earth Week can be disposed of with no tipping fee, courtesy of Oswego County Solid Waste.
A limited number of safety vests are available for those groups or individuals working roadside cleanups. Work gloves if needed, will again be available through a contribution from Novelis.
For information on obtaining any of the above needed items, environmental information and
participating, go to: www.oswegocounty.com/earthweek.html.
To view upcoming photos of 2011 Earth Week or view photos of last year's events, go to:
web.mac.com/oswegocountygreen.
Thank you for your help and participation with this special countywide event.
Sincerely,
, Earth Week Coordinator
Oswego County Environmental Management Council
PO Box 4061
Oswego, NY 13126
Phone: 315/343-4565
Questions about the Oswego County Environmental Management Council?
Contact Tim Carroll, Chair, by
