By Laura Ferran, Founder of (SEBS) South End Butterfly Sanctuary, Albany NY ALBANY, NY: My mother Nadia Ferran, now age 89, remembers seeing hundreds of monarchs in the 1970’s in our family yard located in the South End of Albany. But when my young children and I came to live in Albany last year, we … Build It And They Will Come: Cousin of Karner Blue Returns To Albany
by Tom Ellis ALBANY, NY: Todd Ommen and Robert O’Connor of the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic (PELC) made a joint zoom presentation at the June 16th Save the Pine Bush dinner. Lynne Jackson hosted the event. Mr. Ommen led off. He is the PELC managing attorney and supervises interns. He began practicing environmental law in … Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic Defends the Pine Bush
Speakers Include: Neil Seldman, Institute of Local Self Reliance Professor Paul Connett, International Waste Management Researcher Majora Carter, Environmental Justice Leader, Founder Sustainable South Bronx Barbara Warren, Citizens’ Environmental Coalition Why do we have so much garbage? What can we do to prevent it? Looking at the trash question as a resource issue and a … Zeroing Out Waste Conference
GUILDERLAND, NY: Rapp Road Development, a corporate entity of Pyramid/Crossgates, is proposing to build on about 46 acres of land. Originally, the proposal was to build 222 apartments on 20 acres of land adjacent to the Pine Bush preserve. After the Town Planning Board appointed themselves the lead agency, the project was exapanded to include … Proposed Crossgates Development
Guilderland and Pyramid look for second suit, filed by Save the Pine Bush, to be dismissed Monday, August 2, 2021 – 19:13 Enterprise file photo — Michael Koff The not-for-profit group Save The Pine Bush, in November 2020, celebrated when Westmere residents won a lawsuit (which was recently overturned) that stopped construction of two Pyramid projects. … Guilderland and Pyramid look for second suit, filed by Save the Pine Bush, to be dismissed
The State Executive Budget for the next fiscal year would boost the Environmental Protection Fund to a permanent level of $150 million, up $25 million from this year. Of this, $55 million would go to land acquisition and open space protection, up from $31.5 million this year. The Executive Budget would also allocate $219.6 million … Proposed Executive Budget
by Grace Nichols Earth Day Season began with a Teach-In by the Black Caucus of PEF (Public Employees Federation) at the Albany Public Library (on April 16th) about the environmental injustice done to the Sheridan Hollow community in Albany, NY. Sheridan Hollow is named for its location down a ravine that’s across the street from … Earth Day Actions in Albany NY
by Grace Nichols We, at Save the Pine Bush, are very concerned about Climate Change because we are Earthlings, and because we have friends amongst many species under threat; we have been having speakers address climate issues for the last few years. Other institutions are doing likewise. On May 12, I travelled to the land … Report back from Princeton University, “Witnessing Professionals and Climate Change” Workshop, May 12, 2018
by Christine Kielb Tom Ellis and Christine Kielb of Stop Trucks Assaulting Rensselaer (STAR), a group of Rensselaer residents and their allies, are continuing their work fighting the tractor trailer truck traffic passing through city neighborhoods to and from the Dunn Construction and Demolition (C&D) landfill. This landfill operation, larger than the Colonie and Albany … Truck Traffic in Rensselaer: Update
by Grace Nichols Have you noticed in driving through rural New York, that your windshield – which once would have been covered with the remnants of countless insect collisions are now fairly clean? This observation has been made globally and linked to severe declines in insect populations. Insects are a critical part of the ecosystem … Pollinator-Friendly County Resolution to be introduced in the face of alarming flying insect declines
by Tom Ellis ALBANY, NY: Dan Van Riper spoke about the proposed Lincoln Park sewage treatment facility at the May 16 SPB dinner. His wife, Lynne Jackson, introduced him saying Dan has studied the sewage issue for more than ten years and written about it extensively on his blog Dan began saying, “This is a … Proposed Lincoln Park Sewage Treatment Plant
by Tom Ellis Throwing food waste into landfills creates greenhouse gases, which significantly contribute to global warming and takes up space in Albany’s Rapp Road landfill. Since Albany’s landfill was built in protected Pine Bush habitat, this is an especial problem. If you live in the City of Albany, you can reduce greenhouse gases and … Community Compost Initiative A weekly compost pick-up service
In May, Albany passed a measure to protect pollinators, written by Grace Nichols and championed by Doug Bullock, Lynne Lekakis, Bill Reinhardt and others. This September, Activist Iris Bloom and Ulster County Legislator Kathleen Nolan won a similar measure in Ulster County. Insect conservation has become a cause supported by bipartisan forces to conserve our … Albany’s Pollinator-Friendly Resolution is SpreadingAlbany’s Pollinator-Friendly Resolution is Spreading
ALBANY: It is with great sadness that Save the Pine Bush announces the passing of one of its founders and long-time leader, Rezsin Adams. Rezsin, born in Brooklyn on February 13, 1927, died peacefully yesterday at the age of 93. Rezsin met her husband, the late Dr. Theodore Adams, while attending college at the University of … Rezsin Adams, leader of Save the Pine Bush, passes away
by Lynne Jackson ALBANY: The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission celebrated its 25th anniversary by throwing a wonderful party at the Discovery Center on Route 155 on October 29. A few people from Save the Pine Bush and I attended. Rezsin Adams often tells the story of how in 1988, then Assemblyman Richard Conners invited … The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission Turns 25
Open Space Public Hearing Wednesday, November 14. 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Workshop 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. — Public Hearing 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. — Public Hearing Public Assembly Room (129A & B) NYSDEC Central Office 625 Broadway Albany, NY ALBANY: A draft update of New York’s Open Space Conservation Plan for … Draft Open Space Conservation Plan Available for Public Review
In celebration of the centenary of Vladimir Nabokov’s birth, Kurt Johnson and Steve Coats wrote Nabokov’s Blues, about Nabokov’s passion for butterflies and scientific investigations into blue butterflies. Our own Karner Blue butterfly has its own chapter called “Dancing with Fire” in the book. Here is a brief excerpt which describes Nabokov’s feelings for the … Save the Pine Bush
ALBANY: The NYS Appellate Division dismissed Save the Pine Bush case’s case suing the Town of Clifton Park Planning Board over a proposed development on Wood Road that is occupied Karner Blue. The Court said Save the Pine Bush does not have standing or the right to bring the case to court. Save the Pine … Save the Pine Bush Loses in Clifton Park
ALBANY — Tucked in among suburban sprawl at the border of Albany, Colonie and Guilderland, 3,000 acres of pine barrens are becoming a kind of avian rest stop for an increasing number of birds that need a very special kind of landscape — one that’s disappearing elsewhere in New York. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is … Proclamation Calling on Congress to Fund Urgently Needed Services in Albany County and Throughout the United States by Reducing Military Spending
Letters to Save the Pine Bush Letters to Save the Pine Bush Here is a sampling of letters written to Save the Pine Bush and some responses written by Lynne Jackson: From: rngeorge@gw.dec.state.ny.us (Richard Georgeson) To: pinebush@aol.com To Lynne Jackson: Lynne – In your history of Save the Pine Bush section of your … Letters to Save the Pine Bush
Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor To the editor: With all due respect, the article in the recent Save the Pine Bush newsletter titled "Bethlehem Pickled," was inaccurate in several important respects. As the reporter who has been writing on this issue from the get-go (for The Spotlight), I have to disagree with … Letters to the Editor
GE Brings Dead Things To Life – Breathe Those PCBs GE Brings Dead Things To Life Breathe Those PCBs By Daniel Van Riper World renowned PCB researcher Dr. Brian Bush spoke to a capacity crowd at the Feb. 18, 1998 Save the Pine Bush dinner at 1st Presbyterian Church in Albany. Dr. Bush, who has … GE Brings Dead Things To Life – Breathe Those PCBs
Albany Area Coalition for Light Rail Christian Gunther: Albany Area Coalition for Light Rail by Rezsin Adams "Albany Area" means Capital District (Albany, Schenectady, Troy.) The Capital District Transportation Com-mittee has prepared 5-year and 20-year plans–the 5-year plan is "New Visions" but is hardly visionary: light rail maybe in 20 years! Light rail is … Albany Area Coalition for Light Rail
by Hugh Johnson A group called Extinction Rebellion (XR) was founded in London England in 2018. They non violently protested in the city blocking major bridges which ultimately forced it to declare a Climate Crisis and rapidly reduce a carbon footprint. A local chapter held a meeting that I attended Sunday January 26th at the … Please Help the state of New York to Declare a Climate Crisis
by John Wolcott This will be but the latest of several Overview Hikes SPB has sponsored over the years, to points around the rim of the Albany Inner Lowland Basin. We will view the Pine Bush from various points in and near Thacher Park. The hike is free and the public is cordially invited Most … Storm Over the Mountains
ALBANY — Those squiggly compact fluorescent light bulbs are being touted as an easy solution to save energy and fight global warming. But there are drawbacks: The bulbs contain toxic mercury, and so far there is no easy way to recycle them. In the Capital Region, homeowners are being encouraged to keep burned-out CFL bulbs … Proposed Landfill Expansion a Collision of Factors
Zero Cut – End the Logging on our National Forests Zero Cut – End the Logging on our National Forests By Jesse Strock The National Forests encompass over 200 million acres of public lands across the country. These lands, which were set aside for the public, are not simply used for recreation and tourism, but … Zero Cut – End the Logging on our National Forests
Walk, Hike, and Bike the Pine Bush Walk, Hike, and Bike the Pine Bush The Pine Bush is a beautiful place to walk. The soft, rolling sand dunes are a walker’s dream. You can take a bus to the Pine Bush from downtown Albany. The Pine Bush is the perfect spot for outdoor activities. Save … Walk, Hike, and Bike the Pine Bush
Furry Pine Bush Residents Furry Pine Bush Residents The butterfly is not the only resident of the Pine Bush. Little furry animals also reside in the Pine Bush. I had no idea how many different types of moles, voles, mice and other tiny creatures there are-or how important they are to the ecosystem of a … Furry Pine Bush Residents
Democracy Survives – Just Barely Once Again Democracy Survives Just Barely Once Again By Daniel Van Riper The solidly right-wing Democratic Party, demoralized and mostly ignored by large corporations, managed with the help of the voters to overcome and shake the extreme right-wing Republican Party this past November 3rd. Only their vast ocean of … Democracy Survives – Just Barely Once Again
Politics and Garbage – That Sweet Smell Politics and Garbage That Sweet Smell By Daniel Van Riper A Bigger Dump Believe it or not, Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings wants to expand the City Dump in the Pine Bush on Rapp Road. He’s given up on the idea of throwing the city’s trash onto a … 9
The Two Month Debate – Jennings and McEneny In A Death-Grip The Two Month Debate Jennings and McEneny In A Death-Grip By Daniel Van Riper Part 1: The Challenger State Assemblyman and Albany mayoral candidate Jack McEneny found himself being interviewed by the editors of the local media outlet for the Hearst Corporation, the Times … The Two Month Debate – Jennings and McEneny In A Death-Grip
Revolution, Treason and Hypnotism- Guilderland Comes of Age Revolution, Treason and Hypnotism Guilderland Comes of Age By Daniel Van Riper The Ancient Machine The really astonishing result of the last local elections was mostly downplayed by the media. The ossified and complacent Guilderland Republican machine, which has ruled undisturbed by the voters since the early … Revolution, Treason and Hypnotism- Guilderland Comes of Age
Neil Breslin Calls For Preservation Breslin Calls For Preservation Hoblock "Powerless" To Stop Walmart By Daniel Van Riper In the hottest local race of the election season, Neal Breslin, Democratic candidate for State Senate, which includes the Pine Bush and much of the Capital District, squared off with Republican incumbent Michael Hoblock at the Sept. … Neil Breslin Calls For Preservation
Karner Blue Butterfly eggs are being cut open and eaten, and still no culprit has been found. The ants, however, have not been ruled out as suspects. Dr. Peter Spoor gave an update on his investigations into the lifestyle and habits of the friendly butterfly at the Sept. 26 dinner at the Unitarian Church. Stunning … Save the Pine Bush
The Emperor’s New Plan The Emperor’s New Plan by John Wolcott The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission has as much of an acquisition plan as a certain famous emperor once had a new suit of clothes. Land owner and grassroots environmentalists alike are impatient with the Commission’s having published a map showing "Full Protection" parcels … The Emperor’s New Plan
The Albany Pine Bush Management Commission The Albany Pine Bush Management Commission The Pine Bush Management Commission was created by the New York State Legislature to study and manage the Pine Bush in response to Save the Pine Bush’s lawsuits with the City of Albany over the landfill. Members of the Commission include the executives … The Albany Pine Bush Management Commission
Best of Metroland Best of Metroland The following category appeared in the Metroland “Best Of” issue in July: BEST PERSON TO LEAD THE WORLD OUT OF DARKNESS ONE VEGETARIAN LASAGNA DINNER AT A TIME Rezsin Adams You’ll find her selling world crafts at Peace Offerings (the gift shop of the Social Justice Center), organizing … Best of Metroland
Jack McEneny, NYS Assemblyman, was Save the Pine BushÕs special guest at the July dinner. One of his jobs is to sponsor privileged resolutions of the Assembly. He had never read a special resolution before, but tonight, he was going to read one that the Assembly passed on June 20, 2001 to honor John Wolcott. … John Wolcott, Honored by the New York State Assembly, Wants to see More Preservation
The Pine Bush Getting Help from Seventh Graders The Pine Bush Getting Help from Seventh Graders June/July 1995 The Albany Pine Bush is getting help from seventh graders from Farnsworth Middle School in Guilderland, to save the Blue Lupine so the Karner Blue Butterfly can have food. by Scott Mason, School Reporter ALBANY-In the Albany … The Pine Bush Getting Help from Seventh Graders
by Tom Ellis One of the things I teach my students is that each of us can learn a lot from our elders, especially those who lead rich lives filled with interesting activities. With that in mind, several months ago I asked Lou Ismay to speak at a SPB dinner which he did on November 14. Lou … Lou Ismay and the Environmental Forum
New Light on an Old Road New Light on an Old Road by John Wolcott Save the Pine Bush board member John Wolcott has discovered evidence of a forgotten foot path through the Pine Bush that in the 1600’s and 1700’s ran parallel to the main Albany-Schenectady Road, the Maquas Padt. Here is Part 1 … New Light on an Old Road
Cris Carl originally wrote this for Networx.com. Fri, Jun 03 2011 at 10:22 AM As environmental awareness has grown, so have greater opportunities to recycle. Recycling is incorporated into the waste management systems of most every town in the U.S., and what can be recycled has expanded because of changes in technology and marketing. Justine Fallon … Things that can be recycled: 14 unique items
Fire? What Fire? – Pine Bush Better Than Ever Fire? What Fire? Pine Bush Better Than Ever By Daniel Van Riper The April 27 wildfire in the State and City Pine Bush Preserves along the Thruway and Rt. 155 left 65 acres stripped of vegetation, with only brown and black Pitch Pine trees rising … Fire? What Fire? – Pine Bush Better Than Ever
ALBANY, NY: On November 6, I attended a combined NYS DEC and NYS DOH community meeting about a study they did concerning the health of Albany South End residents. About fifty attended at the Albany Housing Authority office on South Pearl Street. The just-completed study looked at hospitalization rates of South End residents compared to … Air Pollution in Albany’s South End
by ANNE MILLER Staff writer On a wing and a cheer, more than 50 monarch butterflies left their birthplace at the Farnsworth Middle School Friday afternoon for their ancestral winter grounds in northern Mexico. More than 50 students gathered in the school’s courtyard, where the butterflies were raised, and launched the orange and black beauties … In Flurry of Motion, Lessons Take Wing
ALBANY: Debbie Jackson, who works in solid waste reduction and recycling for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, gave real, concrete, specific suggestions for how each of us can reduce the amount of waste we produce at the June Save the Pine Bush Vegan/Vegetarian Lasagna Dinner at the First Presbyterian Church in Albany. Open dumps … What Can People Do With Their Garbage?
GUILDERLAND, NY: On Christmas Eve, Pyramid Crossgates submitted the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for their project, “Rapp Road Residential /Western Avenue Mixed Use Redevelopment Projects.” When first brought before the Town of Guilderland Planning Board in late 2018, the project consisted of building 222-unit apartment complex on Rapp Road. The project has morphed into … Pyramid Submits the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
ALBANY: In a letter sent to the City of Albany, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Analyst Angelo Marcuccio detailed the discovery of an Eastern Worm Snake on the site of the proposed hotel in the Pine Bush. Not just near the proposed site, on the site! Reptiles and amphibians are often considered slimy and … Rare Worm Snake found on Proposed Hotel Site
Willow Street Again Our Friends Visit FORCE Is Here To Stay By Daniel Van Riper Carl Letson and Donald Csaposs of Guilderland, two of the principle organizers of Friends Organized to Resist Crossgates Expansion (FORCE) spoke to the January Save the Pine Bush vegetarian lasagna dinner at 1st Presbyterian Church in Albany, and neither … Willow Street Again