Clean Energy Calendar

Join Redmond Tsai, local arborist, for an informative walk around the Tarrytown Lakes.

Meet at the Lakes Parking Lot (Neperan and Sunnyside) and register here.

Household Recycling Days (HRDs) will return in 2024! The first two events of 2024 will be:

1. Saturday, April 20 at FDR State Park in Yorktown, 9 am – 3 pm: 2957 Crompond Rd., Rte 202, Yorktown, NY, 10598
2. Saturday, April 27 at Sprain Ridge Park in Yonkers, 9 am – 3 pm: 149 Jackson Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10706

HRD’s offer an opportunity for residents to recycle household items like old medications, chemicals, paints, electronics, textiles (clothing, footwear, handbags, linens, leather, small area rugs) and more!

If you cannot make an HRD event, or want to avoid potential wait times, you can always schedule an appoint at DEF’s Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF) located on the Grasslands Campus at 15 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY. The permanent facility accepts the same items as the HRDs and is open year-round. Household hazardous waste and other items worthy of special handling are accepted from Westchester County residents on an appointment-only basis.

At HRDs, service works on a first-come-first-served basis, and in extreme weather when working conditions are deemed unsafe, events may be cancelled or terminated early. The Mobile Shredder is available at all HRDs, but be advised that on occasion the Mobile Shredder unit can reach its maximum capacity for paper shredding before closing time. Although infrequent, residents should be aware of this and open minded of the possibility of an early closure. On the day of an event, residents can call the County’s Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425 to check on a cancellation or early closure.

Follow these simple rules:

• Remember to close all bags and bottles tightly.
• All chemicals must be in original or labeled containers.
• Place all chemicals in a sturdy box and in the trunk of your car.

  There is no fee, but pre-registration is required for 100 pounds or more of solid material or 25 gallons or more of liquid. To pre-register, call the Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425.

The following items are collected at the events:

Properly labeled household chemicals, including-

• Most automotive fluids – antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline
• Paint (both oil and latex)
• Common household cleaners
• Flammable liquids – kerosene, butane, charcoal fluid, turpentine
• Textiles (bring in a bag: clothing, footwear, handbags, linen and more!)
• Metal, jewelry and furniture polishes, and wood preservatives
• Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, photographic and swimming pool chemicals
• Fluorescent light bulbs and CFLs
• Fire extinguishers
• Propane tanks (1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 pound tanks)
• Batteries – only auto, rechargeable and button cell types
• Household appliances with Freon – air conditioners, refrigerators, dehumidifier
• Mercury thermometers and thermostats
• E-waste – items related to communications, including TVs, computers, monitors and related accessories, printers, fax machines, cell phones, radios, stereos, and speakers
• Car tires (maximum 4)
• Expired or unused pharmaceuticals – both prescription and over the counter
• Confidential documents

The items below are not accepted. For disposal information, call the Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425.

• Non-rechargeable batteries – discard with household trash
• Motor oil – take to service station or motor oil retail outlet
• Compressed gas cylinders – helium and oxygen tanks
• Smoke and fire detectors – (dispose in trash or contact manufacturer for possible return service)
• Explosives – flares, fireworks, ammunition
• Medical waste – hypodermic needles
• Construction and demolition debris – materials from home improvement and construction projects (e.g. drywall, wood, pipes, fixtures)
• Materials from commercial and institutional users

United Climate Action Network will sponsor an Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 22, and Sunday, April 21 from 11 am – 3 pm at the American Legion, Chenango St. Cazenovia. The fair includes an electric vehicle (EV) parade and car show, fun performances for children, and a keynote on Carbon Offsets with Dr. Aaron Strong, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Hamilton College.

The agenda is as follows::

Saturday April 20

9:00 am: Village of Cazenovia Tree Commission will plant two trees and to commemorate the work of Bob and Bobbi Constable. The event will include the  reading of  the National Arbor Day proclamation and previous donations of village trees.

10:00 am:  Chittenango Creek Clean-up- Meet at Buyea’s parking lot where Scout Troops will organize the clean-up

10:00 am: Native Plants & Pollinators Workshop by Horticulturist Patty Stimmel from Cornell Cooperative Extension- New Woodstock Free Library

2:00 pm: Presentation “The New Old House” by Pat Carmeli at Cazenovia Library. She will discuss how she built her house and interiors using salvaged materials from historic homes, encouraging sustainability and re-use

Sunday April 21 

10:00 am: EV car show at Lakeland Park followed by a drive to the American Legion.  The cars will be parked outside the Legion for guest rides and an exhibit of EV cars.

10:00 am: Cazenovia Lake Association will have the new Electroshock Boat at Lakeland Park for public viewing.

11:00 am – 3:00 pm: UCAN will have an Earth Day Fair at the American Legion (26 Chenango St., Cazenovia) with display tables, activities for children, educational  presentations and Trash to Treasure Competition
 12:00: Bubble Man
2:00: Aaron Strong of Hamilton College will speak on Carbon Offsets

Located in the Hudson Valley? After listening to the Sunday Story episode, join Central Hudson for an electrifying event on Saturday, April 20, at the Ulster County Fairgrounds. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to drive an electric vehicle, here’s your chance to find out! Hop behind the wheel of cutting-edge electric cars and experience their instant torque and eco-friendly performance firsthand. Plus, chat with EV experts who’ll share their insights and answer all your burning questions about driving electric. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just curious about the latest technology, this event is for you.

You can register for Ride and Drive an EV here.

Celebrate Earth Day in beautiful Neperan Park and save a Park tree from choking vines. Vine squad participants should wear long sleeves, gloves, and sturdy footwear. Participants must sign a waiver (onsite) before commencing work.

Saturday, April 20,2024 10am-1pm (Neperan Park, 43 Neperan Rd, Tarrytown):

• Activity 1: Save a Park tree from choking vines. Vine squad participants should wear long sleeves, gloves and sturdy footwear. Participants must sign a waiver (onsite) before commencing work.
• Activity 2: Plant pollinator friendly annual seeds. We will be giving away pollinator friendly seeds as well as planting small containers that you can take home. Great activity for the kids!

Participants can register here.

You can register for the volunteer opportunity here.

Each April, Westchester Parks Foundation and the Westchester County Parks Department host Pitch In For Parks, the largest County-wide volunteer program surrounding Earth Day. This year it will be held April 18-22. Volunteers at the Bronx River Reservation in White Plains will be cleaning up litter along the Pathway. No experience is necessary. Volunteers may attend at any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please sign up below before the project and check in upon arrival.

What to know:

• Dress for the weather; check the forecast before leaving
• Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and items that can get dirty
• All supplies will be provided but please bring your own reusable water bottle
• Gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you have them

Weather/cancellation policy:

• Volunteers will work in most weather, including cold, heat, and light precipitation, so please dress accordingly! Westchester Parks Foundation will cancel the project if the weather seems like it may affect the safety of its volunteers.
• In the case of inclement weather, the project may be cancelled up to an hour before the project start time. If you do not receive a cancellation email from Westchester Parks Foundation or Volunteer New York! before then, the project is still taking place.

Registration for this opportunity ends 24 hours prior to the project start time.

You can register for the volunteer opportunity here.

Each April, Westchester Parks Foundation and the Westchester County Parks Department host Pitch In For Parks, the largest County-wide volunteer program surrounding Earth Day. This year it will be held April 18-22. Volunteers at Glen Island Park will be helping to clean the park for spring; this could include clearing litter and debris from the beach, weeding gardens or playground areas, or raking. No experience is necessary. Volunteers may attend at any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please sign up below before the project and check in upon arrival.

What to know:

• Dress for the weather; check the forecast before leaving
• Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and items that can get dirty
• All supplies will be provided but please bring your own reusable water bottle
• Gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you have them

Weather/cancellation policy:

• Volunteers will work in most weather, including cold, heat, and light precipitation, so please dress accordingly! Westchester Parks Foundation will cancel the project if the weather seems like it may affect the safety of its volunteers.
• In the case of inclement weather, the project may be cancelled up to an hour before the project start time. If you do not receive a cancellation email from Westchester Parks Foundation or Volunteer New York! before then, the project is still taking place.

Registration for this opportunity ends 24 hours prior to the project start time.

This activity requires all volunteers to complete a mandatory waiver:

1. Sign up below either as an individual or as a family, group, or team to record this activity in your Volunteer New York! profile
2. Click here to complete the mandatory waiver for each volunteer participating. Volunteers under 18 must have a parent or guardian’s permission documented on the form

Westchester Parks Foundation engages the public to advocate for and invest in the preservation, conservation, use, and enjoyment of the 18,000 acres of parks, trails, and open spaces within the Westchester County Parks system.

You can register for the volunteer opportunity here.

Bring your seeds, plants, or just yourself! Please label seeds with the variety name.

The Earth Day Festival happening on April 20th, 2024, from 10AM-4PM at Anderson Plaza.

This is a free event featuring a diverse range of sustainability organizations, music, interactive art activities, local vendors, and more!

All are welcome.

Join the City of Cortlandt for a free and easy 2-mile loop hike north along the Aqueduct and atop the beautiful Croton Dam on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 10:00 am. Meet near the restrooms at the rear (south end) of the parking lot at Croton Gorge Park, Rte. 129 in Cortlandt.

The hike leader will discuss the history and construction of the Old Croton Aqueduct and the features of the Croton Dam, which is the trailhead of the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. The Aqueduct was completed in 1842 to supply fresh water to a thirsty New York City.

Please email RSVP@TOWNOFCORTLANDT.COM or call (914) 734-1002 to reserve your spot!

Each April, Westchester Parks Foundation and the Westchester County Parks Department host Pitch In For Parks, the largest County-wide volunteer program surrounding Earth Day. This year it will be held April 18-22. Volunteers at Croton Point Park Park will pick up litter, manage invasive species, and help perform maintenance on its native planting sites. No experience is necessary. Volunteers may attend at any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please sign up below before the project and check in upon arrival.

What to know:

• Dress for the weather; check the forecast before leaving
• Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and items that can get dirty
• All supplies will be provided but please bring your own reusable water bottle
• Gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you have them

Weather/cancellation policy:

• Volunteers will work in most weather, including cold, heat, and light precipitation, so please dress accordingly! Westchester Parks Foundation will cancel the project if the weather seems like it may affect the safety of its volunteers.
• In the case of inclement weather, the project may be cancelled up to an hour before the project start time. If you do not receive a cancellation email from Westchester Parks Foundation or Volunteer New York! before then, the project is still taking place.

Registration for this opportunity ends 24 hours prior to the project start time. You can register here.

This activity requires all volunteers to complete a mandatory waiver:

1. Sign up below either as an individual or as a family, group, or team to record this activity in your Volunteer New York! profile
2. Click here to complete the mandatory waiver for each volunteer participating. Volunteers under 18 must have a parent or guardian’s permission documented on the form

Westchester Parks Foundation engages the public to advocate for and invest in the preservation, conservation, use, and enjoyment of the 18,000 acres of parks, trails, and open spaces within the Westchester County Parks system.

The next Pleasantville Repair Cafe will be held on Saturday, April 20th from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm at the Emanuel Lutheran Church located at 197 Manville Road in Pleasantville.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact pancottivp@aol.com.

Let’s come together to advocate for sustainability, climate action, and environmental stewardship through education in this family-friendly event.

Meet animal ambassadors, plant seeds to take home, and enjoy a wildlife demonstration with Brian Robinson featuring birds of prey and reptiles. Learn about ecology, conservation, agriculture, waste management, native plants and pollinators, and more!

If you’d like to participate in seed planting, please bring a small clear plastic container with a lid such as the pint-sized soup containers you get with takeout. There will be a limited supply of containers, first come first served.

Get to know some local environmental organizations and hear about the important work they’re doing, including the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, the Greenburgh Nature Center, Saw Mill River Audubon Society, Sustainable Westchester, Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Council, Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions, Healthy Yards, NYS DEP, and more!

Brian Robinson will be providing an educational wildlife presentation with live birds of prey and reptiles. His presentation will focus on the amazing adaptations these animals have, as well as their importance in nature. He will also be discussing the incredible resiliency of the Hudson Valley and some of the success stories of our local wildlife. Special guests include a red-tailed hawk, kestrel, gyr falcon, Eurasian eagle owl, tegu lizard, snapping turtle, and a boa.

“Education Stations” will be set up from 11 am – 3 pm.

The wildlife demonstration will take place at 3 pm on the Overlook Trail, a short uphill walk from the Visitor’s Center.

Cost: FREE! Please register so that the event organizers can communicate any changes in the event of bad weather. Rain date: April 21; you will be notified via email at least one day in advance.

You do not need to show tickets.

Parking in the main lot costs $6 per vehicle. If the parking lot is full when you arrive, you may park on Rt. 117 (free).

Visit earthday.org to learn ways that YOU can take action and make a difference.

Celebrate Earth Day on Sat, April 20th, 11am – 4pm at the Reformed Church of New Paltz, 92 Huguenot St, New Paltz! This year’s theme is Planet vs. Plastics. Come learn about sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics and fast fashion, as well as the 7 R’s for Green Living. This is a free, family-friendly, zero-waste event with children’s activities, food, nature walks, and live music! There will be information and presentations on composting, plastic issues, insulation, community solar, electric vehicles and more!

Saturday, April 20, 11am-1pm:

Sleepy Hollow 150th Anniversary Celebration at Sykes Park

Bring the family to celebrate the village’s 150th birthday with food trucks, a bouncy castle and music. At about noon, local arborist Peter Strom will plant the first of 150 trees that will be planted across Sleepy Hollow this year. Local environmental organizations will be on site offering information about how you can get involved.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day is a nationwide initiative highlighting activities promoting mental and physical health and safety. This community fundraiser is a fun-filled day that encourages children and families to be active and educates families on how to form healthy habits for a lifetime. This event will be open to the public who love to meet local businesses, community organizations, play games, have great food and much more!

For 30 years, Ys have celebrated Healthy Kids Day by hosting a variety of free, community-facing events and activities focused on active physical play, nutrition education, STEM, the arts, and more.

This event is open to the public for FREE to celebrate healthy kids and families!

Some of the events to expect:

• Face painting
• Balloonist
• Magic Show
• Inflatable obstacle course
• Carnival Games

Crandall Public Library is excited to share that in honor of Earth Day 2024, we will be hosting the national spokesperson for the Blue Zones Project, Tony Buettner. The Blue Zones Project, which was featured on the Netflix documentary Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones this past summer, is on a mission to empower communities to “live better, longer.” The project began with National Geographic Explorers, Dan and Tony Buettner’s’ exploration of the locations around the world (later named Blue Zones) where human longevity and vitality thrive.  

Not only will Mr. Buettner be giving a visual presentation of “Blue Zones research on the longest-lived and healthiest places in the world”, he will also discuss how we can adopt Blue Zone lifestyle habits here in our own community. In the spirit of creating Sustainable Futures, this presentation will be the finale for the city-wide Glens Falls Sustainable Futures Earth Day Event. Mr. Buettner will be giving this introductory presentation at the Charles R. Wood Theater located at 207 Glen St, Glens Falls, NY from 6-7pm. Registration is required. 

You can register for the event here.

The Sustainable Futures Summit 2024 is a forward-thinking educational event aimed at promoting sustainability, environmental consciousness, and innovative solutions among students and teachers.

Through a combination of presentations, exhibitions, workshops, and interactive activities, the event fosters a dynamic learning environment where students and educators can engage with like-minded individuals and experts in the field. The Sustainable Futures Summit 2024 encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration, sparking creativity and innovation among students and educators alike. It serves as a catalyst for inspiring and empowering the next generation to take an active role in building a more sustainable, equitable, and environmentally responsible future.

Each paid adult registration includes up to six students, free of charge.

Contact Victoria Setaro at VSetaro@UlsterBoces.org if you are interested in taking part!

The Brownfields Developer Summit started as a grassroots effort to showcase the Mohawk Valley and brownfield remediation opportunities. Experts from public and private sectors will be in attendance at our in-person event. This premiere event will spotlight redevelopment opportunities and provide the connection to meet local, state, and federal officials that are transforming the Mohawk Valley into a hub for regional revitalization.

You can register for the event here.

Want to learn about how climate policy campaigns are developing in states across the country — from Maryland to Ohio to Michigan? Have an exciting climate policy update or development to share with a network of like-minded individuals?

Join Climate XChange for their monthly State Climate Policy Network national call! This is the perfect opportunity to learn about the different legislation and movements going on across the U.S. State-level climate policy experts will join the call to inform the network of what is going on in their states, and what you might be able to do to help.

Register here and spread the word to other climate policy actors who could benefit from cross-state collaboration, and read more about SCPN here.

Are you an educator in NYS interested in clean energy?

Join this NYSERDA-sponsored professional development on NYS’ clean energy goals! Leave this one-day workshop ready to teach your students about clean energy and the future career opportunities it provides through hands-on learning. You’ll gain clean energy lesson plans, materials to use in your classroom, leadership opportunities, confidence to speak about clean energy, Continuing Teacher and Leadership Education (CTLE) credits, and new friends. This program is at no cost to educators, and those who complete a workshop may receive a stipend.

You can apply for the workshop here.

Green America’s third Responsible Finance webinar explores Aligning Your Money with Your Values: Take Charge of Your Credit Card. In this webinar, you will learn:

– How credit card issuers make money

– How to tell if a credit card is tied to fossil fuels

– How the branding on a credit card differs from its issuer

– How to tell if a store or affinity card supports fossil fuels

– How to find a responsible credit card

Speakers include Rev. Amy Brooks Paradise from GreenFaith, Fran Teplitz from Green America, and Michael Richardson from Third Act Upstate New York.

You can register for the webinar here.

The Climate Jobs Institute’s State of the NY Solar Workforce study provides a first-of-its-kind look into the experience of solar installers and maintenance workers on residential, commercial, and utility solar projects. From December 2022 to September 2023, over 250 survey respondents shared their experiences with regard to working conditions, pay and benefits; diversity, equity and inclusion, and more. The survey data also allow for an initial look at differences in working conditions across various demographic variables such as race, gender, and age.

This study offers an important perspective on the buildout of solar energy by giving voice to workers building this vital infrastructure.

Join Cornell ILR’s Climate Jobs Institute for an event that brings together labor, industry, and government experts to discuss the current state of New York’s solar industry and what it will take to ensure an accelerated buildout of solar power while creating family- and community-sustaining careers and a diverse, inclusive, and equitable solar workforce.

You can register for the event here.

HRD’s offer an opportunity for residents to recycle household items like old medications, chemicals, paints, electronics, textiles (clothing, footwear, handbags, linens, leather, small area rugs) and more!

If you cannot make an HRD event, or want to avoid potential wait times, you can always schedule an appoint at DEF’s Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF) located on the Grasslands Campus at 15 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY. The permanent facility accepts the same items as the HRDs and is open year-round. Household hazardous waste and other items worthy of special handling are accepted from Westchester County residents on an appointment-only basis.

At HRDs, service works on a first-come-first-served basis, and in extreme weather when working conditions are deemed unsafe, events may be cancelled or terminated early. The Mobile Shredder is available at all HRDs, but be advised that on occasion the Mobile Shredder unit can reach its maximum capacity for paper shredding before closing time. Although infrequent, residents should be aware of this and open minded of the possibility of an early closure. On the day of an event, residents can call the County’s Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425 to check on a cancellation or early closure.

Follow these simple rules:

• Remember to close all bags and bottles tightly.
• All chemicals must be in original or labeled containers.
• Place all chemicals in a sturdy box and in the trunk of your car.There is no fee, but pre-registration is required for 100 pounds or more of solid material or 25 gallons or more of liquid. To pre-register, call the Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425.

The following items are collected at the events:

Properly labeled household chemicals, including-

• Most automotive fluids – antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline
• Paint (both oil and latex)
• Common household cleaners
• Flammable liquids – kerosene, butane, charcoal fluid, turpentine
• Textiles (bring in a bag: clothing, footwear, handbags, linen and more!)
• Metal, jewelry and furniture polishes, and wood preservatives
• Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, photographic and swimming pool chemicals
• Fluorescent light bulbs and CFLs
• Fire extinguishers
• Propane tanks (1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 pound tanks)
• Batteries – only auto, rechargeable and button cell types
• Household appliances with Freon – air conditioners, refrigerators, dehumidifier
• Mercury thermometers and thermostats
• E-waste – items related to communications, including TVs, computers, monitors and related accessories, printers, fax machines, cell phones, radios, stereos, and speakers
• Car tires (maximum 4)
• Expired or unused pharmaceuticals – both prescription and over the counter
• Confidential documents

The items below are not accepted. For disposal information, call the Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425.

• Non-rechargeable batteries – discard with household trash
• Motor oil – take to service station or motor oil retail outlet
• Compressed gas cylinders – helium and oxygen tanks
• Smoke and fire detectors – (dispose in trash or contact manufacturer for possible return service)
• Explosives – flares, fireworks, ammunition
• Medical waste – hypodermic needles
• Construction and demolition debris – materials from home improvement and construction projects (e.g. drywall, wood, pipes, fixtures)
• Materials from commercial and institutional users

This is the 7th event in a series of statewide events seeking to engage and connect with community lenders and project developers interested in more information on financing available through NY Green Bank’s $250 million Community Decarbonization Fund (CDF). The CDF, a wholesale lending pathway that will provide low-cost capital to Community Development Financial Institutions and other mission-driven lenders for local clean energy and building electrification projects and other scopes of work, will support lenders financing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in disadvantaged communities. The CDF and this event support the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goals to reduce emissions 85% by 2050 and ensure at least 35% with a goal of 40% of clean energy investments are directed to Disadvantaged Communities. The NY Green Bank is partnering with the City of Kingston and Hudson Valley Regional Council to promote this event.