Arbor Day, April 27, was blustery and cool, dampening attendance but not the spirit of Upper Nyack’s Arbor Day celebration at the Old Stone Church. Flowers and snacks of fruit, cheese and chocolate made an inviting centerpiece for Mayor Karen Tarapata’s table of books and flyers about trees, including a children’s book. She provided an extensive list of online resources (see PDF). She also set up a table for kids, with natural materials for art projects, and packets of wildflowers to take home. A newly planted Kousa dogwood tree, provided by the village, graced the outdoor garden, where new shrubs had been planted by the Garden Club of Nyack. The village’s support of planting native tree species in our community was promoted by the distribution to residents of 15 saplings of dogwood, eastern red cedar and paper birch (in 1-gallon containers). They were generously provided by resident Bill Schmidt. It is anticipated that additional saplings will be available in the fall. The Tree Committee of the Green Committee offered additional handouts, including Tree Facts and a list of tree species suitable for our area (see PDF’s).
Information about CCA (Community Choice Aggregation) was available at a table supplied with fliers and other info regarding the proposal to bring low-cost renewable electricity to the village. Mike Gordon, a representative from Joule Energy, a CCA administrator, was there to answer questions. (https://www.joulecommunity.com). He and Jeff Domanski, whose company does outreach for Joule, engaged with a number of interested villagers. A flyer provided by the Green Committee is available as a PDF.
The Green Committee also offered information about noise pollution, including a poster and handouts on the benefits of electric mowers and leaf blowers. Specific data on the high rates of noise and air pollution created by gas landscaping machines was included as well. Residents were reminded that our hearing and emotional well-being, as well as our lungs, are affected by the sound levels in our neighborhoods. (see attached PDF’s). Other communities have put regulations in place. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lvKX7UIYWM&feature=youtu.be)
Following the event at the Old Stone Meeting House, Mayor Tarapata led a walk through the Cason property, christened River Hook Park. The village community has been clear in its preference for a passive park, and the mayor favors planting of native trees, shrubs, and flowering plants for pollinators. She’s also considering a playground of wood stumps and simple structures. The village was given 16 lilac bushes for the Preserve. The mayor is looking for volunteers Saturday, May 11 at 11 AM to help plant them on the property. Meet at the Broadway entrance.
Arbor Day reminds us that trees are providers of beauty, peace, and shade, and provide safe habitats for the natural creatures around us. They capture carbon dioxide, and are crucial to the survival of our planet. If every day were arbor day, the world would be a greener, cooler, and healthier home for us all.
The Green Committee is an advisory and advocacy group made up of Upper Nyack residents working toward the environmental health and resiliency of our village in the face of climate change. Issues of concern include air and noise pollution; tree planting designed to survive extreme weather; water conservation, sewers and drainage; green landscaping; more use of renewable energy sources; and education of the public in these areas and others of concern to residents. For more information, please contact Judy Ryan at jlryan4181@aol.com or 845 358-4322.
Upper Nyack Green Committee 