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Mission

Recognizing the mutual dependence between Warwick and the rest of the world, our purpose is to increase public understanding of sustainability by providing information and encouraging individuals, community organizations, businesses, schools, and government to cooperate in protecting environmental quality and reducing carbon emissions.

Goals for a Sustainable Community

  1. Increase understanding of the earth’s resources, ecosystems and climate and our dependence on a healthy environment.

  2. Minimize dependence on fossil fuels and wasteful use of scarce metals and other resources.

  3. Support use and development of renewable energy, efficiency, and conservation.

  4. Support use and development of safer alternatives to persistent chemicals which may be harmful.

  5. Support a vibrant local economy. Develop ways of meeting human needs fairly and efficiently while respecting the limits of nature.

  6. Celebrate the creativity and community spirit involved in developing this vision.

  7. Emphasize dialogue and collaboration.

 

History

The history of Sustainable Warwick begins in the formation of Community 2000, a community-based 501(c)3 organization that began in 1993, when a group of Warwick Citizens organized a “grass roots visioning process” for the town.  Hundreds of townspeople came to the initial meetings to brainstorm and share their ideas for addressing the question of what their community could be.  The process culminated with a “Vision Fair,” at which task-force subcommittees were formed to address a broad range of concerns, such as open space and environment, sustainability at the local level, agriculture, community outreach and education, and the arts.

That consensus led to a Warwick Master Plan and the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) and Community Preservation Fund campaigns that would see Warwick residents vote to raise their own taxes twice in order to preserve almost 4,000 acres of prime open space throughout the town.

It was from this process of grass-roots organizing that Sustainable Warwick was formed in 2006. SW has carried forward the task of preserving and sustaining Warwick’s environment by starting a series of community initiatives.

Led in the early years by Bob McGrath and the guiding spirit of the late Seymour Gordon, SW was chaired until 2019 by Geoff Howard. Today its Steering Committee continues the ongoing mission to educate and activate Warwick – individually, collectively, and municipally – to issues that touch on the sustainability of the community and region.

Committees

Sustainable Warwick’s Steering Committee (2020-23): Michael Helme, Bill Greene, and Julia Calderon.

BYOBag Warwick : Making the break from single-use plastics

Climate and Energy: Reduce fossil fuel use and promote renewable energy

Communications: Email, Website, Promotions

Community Garden and Orchard: Learning and growing together

Coolest Recycling Drive: Collecting appliances with refrigerants so they can be properly recycled with no cost to participants.

Compost-Food Scraps pilot program: Pilot initiative at Farmers Market for community composting program.

Green Star Schools: Encouraging sustainability with our youth

Green Screen: Interviewing local candidates to discover and share their views on environmental issues.

Local Growers Guide: Interactive map and list will help you find local produce, dairy, meats and more. Let’s support our local farmers!

Membership: Growing Sustainable Warwick

Sustainable World Book Club: Sustainability reading group

Vegetarians and Friends: Cooking, eating and sharing

Warwick Valley Pollinator Pathway: Providing the right habitat for local butterflies, insects and birds

Zoom Garden Plot: Zoom sessions where gardeners share their questions and wisdom!

 

Accomplishments

  • The 10% Challenge to encourage energy reductions in municipal buildings throughout the town

  • A campaign to reduce the use of plastic grocery bags at local supermarkets and Farmer’s Markets

  • A Community Garden that produces organic vegetables for its members and the Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry; our Garden has spawned 3 other Community Gardens in Warwick

  • A Community Orchard of more than 40 trees,which Warwick won in a national competition

  • A Community Composting Program (in partnership with the Village of Warwick DPW) which makes free, high quality compost and mulch available to Warwick residents

  • A town-wide effort that resulted in the permanent prohibition of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking (and fracking byproducts) anywhere in the Town

  • Forums on fracking, local farming, the Indian Point nuclear power plant, and the CPV plant in Wawayanda

  • The Energize Warwick program that helps homeowners with the NYSERDA home weatherization program

  • Solarize Warwick program to encourage purchase of solar electric panels

  • Sponsored a bus to the Climate March in NYC

  • Collaboration with schools in the Warwick Valley Central School District

  • Creation of a Repair Cafe in Warwick

  • Supported Too Good To Toss recycling event

  • Sustainable World Book Discussion at Wisner Library

  • Potluck gatherings for socializing and exchanging ideas

  • Vegetarians and Friends Club sponsoring dinners for those interested in exploring vegetarian options

  • Farmer-to-table potluck dinners to thank our farmers

  • Triple Win Community Solar campaign raised $3800 in donations for local charities and inspired residents to join community solar farms and start saving up to 10% on their electric bill.