The State Legislature has approved a $2 million grant to the Commission from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund for 2007/2008, up from last year’s $1.5 million. The additional $500,000 is earmarked for development at the Discovery Center. Scientific research continues in the Preserve, including population & habitat monitoring of the Karner Blues and the Frosted … Sally’s Recycling Corner
by Sally Cummings Sally has researched how many things that are thrown into the trash, that end up in the landfill, can actually be sold and recycled into useful products. Here is one such example: Approximately 11 million tons of waste asphalt roofing shingles are generated in the U.S. per year. Re-roofing jobs account for … Sally’s Recycling Corner
VILLAGE OF COLONIE: On May 3, Save the Pine Bush members met to discuss the next steps in fighting against the proposed landfill expansion in the Pine Bush and for a rational solid waste police. Village of Colonie Mayor Frank Leak graciously opened the Village of Colonie Family Recreation Center for our meeting. Mayor Leak … Stop the Landfill Expansion — Get Involved!
By Lynne Jackson ALBANY: The Pine Bush Discovery will have its grand opening on Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and June 17 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. After what seems like an eternity of planning, design and construction, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is pleased to invite the public to the grand opening. … Why Does the Discovery Center Look Like a Bank?
By BRIAN NEARING, Staff Writer ALBANY – The city of Albany is among the state’s dozen worst polluters for its plans to expand the Rapp Road dump into the Pine Bush, according to a statewide environmental group’s annual listing released Tuesday. Citizens’ Environmental Coalition also cited the General Electric Co. for alleged foot-dragging over the … The Dump Expansion is for Who?
Ken Runion Visits Save the Pine Bush Ken Runion Visits Save the Pine Bush Albany, NY – Town of Guilderland Supervisor Ken Runion spoke to a large and enthusisatic crowd at the April Save the Pine Bush vegetarian lasagna dinner at First Presbyterian Church in Albany. Saying that “I agree we should do whatever we … 9
ALBANY: Val Washington, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Deputy Commissioner of the divisions of Solid and Hazardous Materials, Environmental Remediation and Mineral Resources, spoke at the July vegetarian/vegan lasanga dinner at the First Presbyterian Church. Beginning her speech with kind words about Save the Pine Bush, Val outlined her priorities for solid waste at the … The Goal is to Phase Out Landfills
ALBANY: Acting State Supreme Court Judge Thomas J. McNamara denied a motion filed by the developers of the proposed hotel in the Pine Bush in the case Save the Pine Bush vs. City of Albany to re-argue the case. The Court said “Conspicuous by its absence is any discussion of other animal life on the … Win on Hotel Case Upheld by Supreme Court
by Lynne Jackson CLIFTON PARK: On June 26, the Town of Clifton Park approved an extension to the site plan on Wood Road, circumventing the State Environmental Quality Review Act and allowing DCG to build a warehouse complex on an inhabited Karner Blue butterfly site. William Engleman, the intrepid volunteer in the Clifton Park, found … Town of Clifton Park Ignores Pleas for Butterflies
ALBANY: As we go to press, information has been coming to Save the Pine Bush volunteers regarding a huge project at the Nanotech site west of Fuller Road. Between Nanotech and the University at Albany, there are nearly 80 acres of Pine Bush that could be developed, with 30 acres under imminent threat. Save the … Nanotech Watch
ALBANY: On February 21, at the Polish Community Center on Washington Avenue Extension in the Pine Bush, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation held a “scoping” hearing on the proposed landfill expansion in the Pine Bush. Over 250 people attended; there was standing room only. Scoping hearings are held to determine the what topics should … Massive Opposition to Proposed Landfill Expansion
Monarch Butterfly Conservation Crisis Monarch Butterfly Conservation Crisis On September 12, 2000, The New York Times published an urgent warning by noted Monarch butterfly expert Dr. Lincoln P. Brower, and other scientists and conservationists, describing a crisis situation at the Monarch butterfly’s overwintering grounds in central Mexico (The New York Times, Science Times, p. 1). … Monarch Butterfly Conservation Crisis
Clifton Park, NY: Tuesday, April 25, the Planning Board of the Town of Clifton Park held a public hearing regarding a proposal to build a “7 Flex-Space Light Industrial Buildings” on Wood Road in Clifton Park. A Karner Blue butterfly site is located on the North (also sometimes referred to as the “East”) side of … Environmental Study Requires Restoration of Karner Blue Habitat in Clifton Park
by Lynne Jackson ALBANY: Jack Lauber spoke at the February, 2006 vegetarian/vegan lasagna dinner at the First Presbyterian Church in Albany about the safety and feasibility of waste-to-energy. Mr. Lauber is an environmental engineer, who used to work at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. He is very proud of the many incinerators he has … Waste-to-Energy One Solution to the Garbage Issue
CLIFTON PARK: A petition for a Declaratory Ruling under the State Administrative Procedure Act was submitted in January to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation by the environmental preservation group, Save the Pine Bush together with 22 Capital Region residents asking the DEC to rule on a 1994 habitat protection agreement meant to save the … Petition Filed With State Dec Seeks Ruling On 1994 Protection Agreement For Karner Blue In Clifton Park
by William Engleman In 2005, Save the Pine Bush spoke out on land use affecting populations and habitats of the endangered Karner blue butterfly in the Town of Clifton Park. In early January ‘05, less than a month after a building moratorium was enacted in the Town’s light industrial zone, speakers from Save the Pine … Massive Empire Zone in Clifton Park’s Wood Road Corridor Set for Review
The June 19 Common Council meeting had some astounding moments. At one point during the Common Council caucus, the Honorable James R. Scalzo, Ward 10, said that the Albany Pine Bush Preserve “Commission is prostituting itself” because the home rule bill included provisions that the Commission would receive $2 a ton from the landfill tipping … The Albany Common Council Editorial Comment by Lynne Jackson
By Lynne Jackson ALBANY: The proposed landfill expansion in the Albany Pine Bush could be used by the new administration in the State of New York as a catalyst for change in solid waste policy in the state. Over the past year, Save the Pine Bush has had many speakers discussing the solid waste issue. … Proposed Landfill Expansion a Collision of Factors
War On Crossgates – The Community Fights Back War On Crossgates The Community Fights Back By Daniel Van Riper The evil and rapacious Pyramid Corporation, through a combination of trickery and deception, has geared up for an unprecedented Crossgates Maul expansion plan designed to suck the life and livelihood out of the citizens of the … 9
ALBANY: The Planning, Economic Development and Land Use Committee of the Albany Common Council met on October 27 to review the Final Environmental Impact Statement of the proposed Residence Inn hotel in the Pine Bush on Washington Avenue Extension. During the meeting, it became apparent that an essential letter from the US Fish and Wildlife … Environmental Report Omits Essential Letter
GUILDERLAND — After a hectic morning’s vote, the results for the Pine Bush Elementary school mascot came in shortly after 12:30 p.m., and it’s the Karner blue butterfly by an antenna. The endangered species native to the Pine Bush Preserve, next to the school, won by a mere six votes over the next closest competitor, … Taking Lyme Fight to the Field
by John Wolcott Click on map to see larger image Now: you can see it at a glance. The top topo map displayed here, is of the Karner Dune Field, the Type Locality of the Karner Blue Butterfy, in the Pine Bush, as it was way before Rte. 155 appeared. A unified field, fully connected … Blues Connection
Touhey’s Obsession And Other News Touhey’s Obsession And Other News By Daniel Van Riper 300 Washington Ave. Extension! Again! Charlie Touhey is having legislation introduced into the City of Albany Common Council, probably to be sponsored by 15th Ward Alderman Nick Collucio, to rezone that piece of land next to the Dunes development. Charlie seems … Touhey’s Obsession And Other News
by Chris Kielb and Tom Ellis Rensselaer and East Greenbush residents and their allies (Rensselaer Environmental Coalition, REC) continue to organize to block the proposed Bio HiTech municipal solid waste processing facility on the former BASF industrial site, south of Columbia Turnpike. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) sent now-departed Rensselaer Mayor Moody a … Updates on the trash problems in Rensselaer
Over $25,000 in grants support public education and outreach and Federal and private funding allows dramatic increase in habitat restoration. Contractors removed invasive black locust trees from 25 acres and 21 acres were planted with native grasses and wildflowers including wild blue lupine. The project was assisted by the Commission’s new John Deere tractor and … Ward Stone Speaks about the Most Important Environmental Problems of Our Time
by Rezsin Adams ALBANY: The April vegetarian lasagna dinner at the First Presbyterian Church was the location for our annual round-up of the state of the environment. Speakers from five organizations told us what was happening: Judy Enck, Attorney-General Eliot Spitzer’s Office. The Attorney-General has initiated numerous court cases to save the Clean Air Act from … The Environmental Picture of the Capital District
by John Wolcott . Looking southwest from Guilderland, Colonie, Albany, and Mt. Rafinesque, overlooking Lansingburgh, a long dark and clearly outlined, straight line of mountains are seen on the intermediate horizon. Beyond this on the further horizon, are seen, if at all, a hazy, greyish blue, outline of distinct separate humps of mountains. It is … Buy High Point
by John Wolcott Guilderland just enacted six-month moratorium on development in the western part of town. The Town of Colonie is considering a moratorium in certain segments of town. As both Guilderland and Colonie contain Pine Bush, one would have expected the Pine Bush to have been included in the moratoriums as both town supervisors … Moratoriums
by Emily Corcione ALBANY: “Being green isn’t good enough anymore.” That was the message of Mr. James Howard Kunstler, who spoke at the Save the Pine Bush dinner on February 18, 2004. His speech focused on how we can best honor the public realm in America. The public realm, which functions as “the physical manifestation … Being Green Isn’t Good Enough Anymore – James Hoard Kunstler Speaks
by Lynne Jackson SCHENECTADY: Volunteers for Save the Pine Bush (SPB) were invited by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to participate in a charette regarding eliminating the at-grade crossings at Morris and Cordell Roads in Colonie. The stated goal of the charette was to come up with ideas to allow safe passage … Charette a Charade
by Lynne Jackson ALBANY: Gone Tomorrow: The Hidden Life of Garbage, a movie by Heather Rogers, was shown at the April vegetarian/vegan lasagna dinner. Afterwards, I moderated a discussion of the movie and garbage. In my travels and listening about the garbage issue, I have noticed that no one wants a landfill near them. However, … No Magic Bullet: Solving the Garbage Problem
Parting from tradition, Save the Pine Bush is going to try another way to raise money — a Tupperware Party. Its a deal we could not resist — 50% of the proceeds will go to Save the Pine Bush! Not only do you get to purchase high-quality re-usable containers (and who couldn’t use a few … Tupperware Party
ALBANY, NY: The August Save the Pine Bush vegetarian/vegan lasagna dinner was the setting for Mike Venuti, the new director of the Pine Bush Discovery Center, to describe what the Pine Bush Discovery Center will be and the progress on the Discovery Center. Mr. Venuti began by briefly describing his background. He has worked with … Discovery Center
by Rezsin Adams ALBANY, NY: Helen Desfosses, President of the Albany City Council, and professor at the University at Albany in Public Administration, spoke about SEMETECH at Save the Pine Bush’s July vegetarian/vegan lasagna dinner. The University at Albany is the new home of SEMETECH North. This is a very important development for the University … SEMETECH North Is Now at The State University at Albany
by Sandy Sheridan Birk Try your hand at our first Save the Pine Bush Crossword puzzle! Click here for answer key. Across 1. The Karner Blue Butterfly is currently listed as ____________. 5. Butterfly’s young 8. How many generations of Karner Blue Butterflies are hatched each year in the Pine Bush? 9. These insects often … Crossword Puzzle
by Lynne Jackson ALBANY, NY: The First Presbyterian Church was the location of the March Save the Pine Bush vegetarian dinner which featured the excellent presentation on biodiversity and Lyme Disease by Kathleen LoGiudice, PhD. Dr. LoGiudice opened her remarks by saying that the battle over Crossgates Mall made a big impression on her in … Does Sprawl Promote Lyme Disease?
by Lynne Jackson OK, Crossgates has been in the news a lot recently. Actually, they made it into the international news. Save the Pine Bush has received emails from out raged people as far away as Sydney Australia, and California. People are mad. To recap: On Monday evening, March 3, Stephen Downs and his son … Crossgates is a Bad Neighbor
by John Wolcott Have you seen the ads in the newspaper for Avila House? They say, “The reasons for moving to Avila House keep piling up!” Well! The only thing piling up is their hypocrisy. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany is acting disgracefully. It is devastating what had been one of the most beautiful … Avila Keeps Advertising
by Lynne Jackson In 1969, the City of Schenectady passed an ordinance preserving the Woodlawn area, stating that this land should never be sold and kept for public purposes: “WHEREAS, there is now a great shortage of vacant land in the City of Schenectady available for municipal purposes; and “WHEREAS, there is a growing need … City Owned Land Up for Grabs
The Schenectady City Council has called for a public hearing on rescinding the 1969 ordinance which established the Woodlawn Preserve on Monday, July 14 at 7:30 at Schenectady City Hall, Jay Street, Schenectady. Members of the public are allowed three minutes each to speak at the public hearing. Speakers are carefully timed by the Council, … Sprawl Costs Money
by Don Allard If you take your dog(s) for walks in the Pine Bush, you should be aware of the real danger of your pet possibly contracting Lyme disease. If your dog is bitten by the deer tick (much smaller than a regular dog tick) and the tick is fully engorged for between 24 and … Lyme Disease Warning for Pets and their Humans
ALBANY, NY: Eight o’clock AM on a bitter cold December morning saw a dozen Save the Pine Bush volunteers demonstrating over the destruction of the Pine Bush for the building of Avila House. Avila House is proposed to be built in the rare Pine Bush ecosystem. The protesters, with signs and a lot of warm … Volunteers Protest Construction of Avila House
A public hearing was held before the Town Board of the Town of Colonie on a housing development proposed for 8 Lupe Way. This 35 acre site is located in the northwestern section of the Pine Bush and is a link to the Pine Bush ecosystem in Schenectady County. The land is currently zoned industrial, … Houses Proposed in Colonie
ALBANY, NY: The Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department decided against the Karner Blue Butterfly and for more construction in the Pine Bush. Save the Pine Bush had brought suit against the City of Albany Planning Board over its approval of an upscale senior housing facility proposed by the Roman Catholic Dioceses behind the … The Karner Blue Loses Another Battle
The October Save the Pine Bush veggie/vegan lasagna dinner was the location of the presentation Mary Ann Johnson of Scenic Hudson made about sprawl. She began by describing how Scenic Hudson formed by citizens who opposed the destruction of Storm King Mountain (along the Hudson River) for an electric plant. It took 17 years, and … Scenic Hudson Visits SPB Mary Ann Johnson Speaks About Sprawl
Save the Pine Bush owes a big thank you to organizers and volunteers for our October Gargage Sale. Thanks to Elaine Doremous for organizing the event, Sandra Camp for working, and Candace Lider for offering her garage. We raised $375! Thank you to all!
by Lynn Rothenberg GUIDLERLAND: A piece of local African-American history has received state recognition. While residents have long called the neighborhood the Promised Land, the state will now recognize it as the Rapp Road District. The designation by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is due to one woman’s efforts. The district … State Recognizes The Promised Land
ALBANY: Neil Gifford, Conservation Director of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, gave a powerpoint presentation to the attendees of the September vegetarian lasagna dinner at the First Presbyterian Church on the new 2002 Pine Bush Management Plan. State Law requires the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission (the Commission) to review its management plan every … New Plan for the Preserve – – 2002 Management Plan Revealed
by Lynne Jackson ALBANY: Albany City Commission of the Department of General Services Willard (Bill) Bruce spoke at the May Save the Pine Bush dinner. Mr. Bruce began by showing slides of how landfills are constructed. He emphasized that the Rapp Road landfill is not just a dump, it is a highly-engineered structure and there … Its not a Garbage Problem Its an Economic Problem
Want to grow your own native Pine Bush species? The Glacial Lake Albany Native Plant Restoration Project now encourages the planting of native species in places that, before development, were Pine Bush. These native plants grow well in the sandy soil. And, by using native plants, residents can avoid planting non-native species. These non-native, or … 9