September 2024
Sustainable Warwick Minutes
September 18, 2024
Meeting chair: Michael Helme
New Business
Green Calendar - Melissa Shaw-Smith of Wickham Works joined us to discuss how to improve and expand the Green Calendar after its successful launch in 2024. We look forward to collaborating with the Village and the Hello Warwick Valley calendar. Volunteers wanted! Seeking people to assist in compiling the calendar and to help distribute printed copies next spring. SteeringCommittee@sustainablewarwick.org
Orchard Meister - Our community orchard has been led by dedicated volunteers who are self trained and seeking assistance from someone with experience in managing orchards. Volunteers wanted! Seeking an experienced orchard manager to advise our orchard brigade. Garden@sustainablewarwick.org
Neighbor to Neighbor - Recently we connected a Warwick resident who had a geothermal heat pump installed a few years ago with another Warwick resident who was getting a geothermal heat pump installed a few days ago. With an aim to see more of these interactions going forward, we are starting to compile a list of community residents who have hands on experience with sustainability efforts (including, but not limited to: EVs, solar panels, community solar, heat pumps, energy efficiency, composting, gardening, plastic-lite lifestyle, plant-based diet), so that when other community members want to try something new, they can contact them for neighborly advice. Volunteers wanted! If you have experience with any form of sustainability solution and would like to share your experience with others, please let us know. SteeringCommittee@sustainablewarwick.org
Heat Pumps - We’re planning to compile a new web page on heat pumps that’s similar to the one we did on EVs. If you have experience with heat pumps and would like to share your opinions, please contact our Clean Energy Committee. CleanEnergy@sustainablewarwick.org
Committee Updates
Compost Committee - This great committee continues to collect food scraps weekly at the Warwick Valley Farmers Market. Volunteers at the collection booth all report having a good time and a high quality people-watching experience. The committee is also looking for other ways to expand composting opportunities throughout the community. Volunteers wanted! More volunteers at the farmers market are always welcome. Garden@sustainablewarwick.org
Pollinator Pathway - Our committee meets the second Tuesday of every month at Mountain Lake Park to identify and clean up invasive species and plan a new pollinator garden. Contact the committee to confirm the 8 AM start time. On October 14th, we’re collaborating with Orange Environment to install native plants beside the pickleball courts. Part of the funding for this new garden is provided by a grant from Orange & Rockland, which requires us to include students in the planting crew. Do you know of any high school or junior high students who can join us that day? It’s Columbus Day/Native American Day, so schools are closed. Volunteers wanted! School students aged 10 and above to help with starting the native plant garden at Mountain Lake Park on Monday, October 14, 2024, starting at 10 AM.
The Pollinator Pathway Committee is also developing advice on strategies for mowing less, which entails everything from just mowing fewer times per month, to establishing grassland meadows that require mowing once per year and pollinator meadows that require mowing twice a year, and beyond to more labor-intensive wild flower meadows. If you have experience with any of these strategies or would like to learn more about them, please contact the Pollinator Pathway Committee. Pollinators@sustainablewarwick.org
Zoom Garden Plot: The Zoom Garden Plot moved its September meeting to September 30th. Gardeners of all experience levels are welcome to join us. Contact us at garden@sustainablewarwick.org to request the Zoom link.
Sustainable World Book Club: In September we read Bringing Nature Home, by Doug Tallamy, a book that explains how to work against the decline of biodiversity by promoting native plants. On October 8th, we’ll meet on Zoom at 3 PM to discuss The Big Fix; 7 Practical Steps to Save Our Planet, by Hal Harvey and Justin Gillis. Copies of the book are available in the library, and everyone is welcome to join the discussion. To receive the Zoom invitation contact BookClub@sustainablewarwick.org.
Helpsy - As of mid-August, the Helpsy bin beside the Town of Warwick police station has collected almost 3,000 lbs. of clothing and textiles. This covers the first four months of the town hosting the bin. The committee has also reached out to the Villages of Florida and Warwick to install more bins.
NYCI - We concluded the meeting with a presentation about the New York Cap and Invest program, which is seeking comments on what climate solutions to fund with the Climate Investment Account.
Thank you to everyone who has made their annual membership contribution and to everyone who donates their time and effort throughout the year.
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