July 2023
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Meeting chair: Bill Greene
Project Updates
Transformation Trails at Wickham Woodlands: Sustainable Warwick has been working with a coalition of partners to develop Transformation Trails at Wickham Woodlands. The Town and DPW have been very proactive in helping with this project, which is also being supported by members of the Warwick Shade Tree Commission, Hudson Sports Complex, Agrisculpture and other individuals. Check out the Transformation Trails website to learn more.
To support this project, particularly the planting of native trees and pollinator meadows, we will be launching a matching donation fundraiser in the next week. Sustainable Warwick will match dollar for dollar the first $2,000 of donations that are received. Keep an eye out for our next email with details on this exciting opportunity to double your donations to a wonderful community project!
Food Scraps Collection: SW’s ongoing food scrap collection program continues to clean up! With help from the Warwick Valley Farmers Market and the Village of Warwick DPW, our compost collection table is available Sundays at the Farmers Market on South Street from 9 AM to 2 PM. Every week upwards of 100 gallons of compostable materials are collected. A great group of volunteers is helping out, but a few more volunteers would be helpful. We are looking into making a food scrap drop-off point available on weekdays throughout the year. Garden@sustainablewarwick.org
The PFAS Education Committee will be posting a new web page soon and is looking for opportunities to hold library events. If you are interested in joining this committee, please reach out to Mary.
Zoom Garden Plot: Our Zoom Garden Plot continues to meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month to discuss all things gardening in the Warwick Valley. Beginner, intermediate and advanced gardeners are all welcome. Garden@sustainablewarwick.org
Sustainable World Book Club: The Sustainable World Book Club enjoyed reading Companion Piece, by Ali Smith. The next meeting will be August 8th to discuss The Bill of Obligations by Richard Haass. Copies of the book are available at Albert Wisner Public Library. BookClub@sustainablewarwick.org
Discussion
The Battery Energy Storage System failure: Lots has been said about the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) fires in Warwick last month. Despite what some sources have said, Sustainable Warwick had no role in suggesting, planning or reviewing the BESS facilities. (Most of our members weren’t even aware they were there.) Like everyone, we are grateful to all the responders who managed the situation and minimized the dangers, and we look forward to the results of the ongoing investigations.
To learn more about this topic, check out the detailed article and great pictures on Tristate Lookout as well as notes from the School Board’s discussion.
Sustainable Warwick is always looking for more volunteers to participate in and lead our various projects. To get involved contact the Steering Committee or check out the initiatives underway on our website.
Please keep in touch!