April 2025

Sustainable Warwick Minutes 

April 16, 2025

Meeting chair: Michael Helme

Committee Updates
 

The Coolest Recycling Drive: Now in its third year, The Coolest Recycling Drive has already surpassed last year’s total with one week left to go. The Greenwood Lake Lions Club held an awesome drop-off event on Sunday, April 13th, more than doubling the appliances collected from previous years, and the Florida Lions have expressed interest in working with us going forward. Please tell friends and neighbors, they can still drop off refrigerant-containing appliances this Tuesday afternoon and Saturday morning (see our SW webpagefor details). CleanEnergy@sustainablewarwick.org

Tuesday, April 22nd
3 to 6:30 PM at Warwick DPW
63 Public Works Rd, Warwick, NY 10990

Saturday, April 26th
9 AM to Noon at Warwick DPW
63 Public Works Rd, Warwick, NY 10990
 

Zoom Garden Plot: The first episode of Season #6 was held on Monday, April 14th. Cody Vaune Gao and Mark Palczewski are the main organizers this year, and the start time is currently 6 PM, to be held the 2nd Monday of every month through the gardening season. Check out episode #1 on YouTube and plan to join them the evening of May 12th. Contact Garden@sustainablewarwick.org to receive the Zoom invitation.

SW Pollinator Pathway: This committee is installing a new pollinator garden at Mountain Lake Park. A new site has been selected, and Connor Smith of Wickes/Arborists dropped a huge load of wood chips. They continue to monitor the sprouting plants that were started in the seed-sowing workshop, and they are always looking for more volunteers to help with the project. Pollinators@sustainablewarwick.org

Food Scraps to Compost: We will start the food scraps collection table at the Farmers Market on Sunday, May 4th. Volunteers are signing up for this event, which is always a good experience. See available dates and sign up here, or reach out to the committee at Garden@sustainablewarwick.org.

Sustainable World Book Club: Our last book was Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan and it was a very popular read with everyone. Our next book is The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer and copies are available at the Library now. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 3:00. Contact BookClub@sustainablewarwick.org to get the Zoom link.

Climate and Energy Committee: We are currently planning a Neighborly Seminar on Electric Vehicles at Albert Wisner Public Library. If you drive an EV, please take our survey on EVs. If you are considering making an EV your next vehicle, please join us at the seminar. You can register here.
 
Helpsy: Julia confirmed there are now two local Helpsy drop off bins, one in Warwick by the Police Station and another one in Florida, also near the Police Station. They take all old clothes and many other items that are not accepted at typical donation boxes. Items in good shape go to second hand stores, while worn out items get recycled. To date over 8,600 pounds have been donated in Warwick! The Town gets paid by the pound for recycled material and they are planning to redirect that money towards the purchase of trees for Transformation Trails.

Climate Smart Communiities: (CSC) - The Town of Warwick Board recently appointed Michael Helme as the CSC Task Force Coordinator and added Greg Gallucio, Peter Lyons Hall and Bill Makofske as members of the Task Force. CSC is a state-wide program that encourages municipalities to work with citizen groups to help citizens become informed about climate issues.

Treecycle: April 26th at Stanley-Deming Park 1:00-5.00pm.
Treecycle is Wickham Works' annual free Earth Day event, celebrating art, community, and environmental action. It features art installations and activities, live performances, and information booths on local sustainability initiatives in the Warwick Valley. Sustainable Warwick will once again have a table there to share our many initiatives at this popular event. Plan to attend, and please stop by to say hello!
 

Discussion
 

We broke into small groups to discuss changes in Federal climate policy and what actions we can take locally.

An overview was given of the proposed new school in Sterling Forest, which would renovate the former NYU research facility to a school with a dormitory for 200 students. The town planning board is currently reviewing an application for this development and it was discussed at their meeting Wednesday night, so we will learn more soon.
 

Volunteers wanted! 

Our first Sunday nature hike on April 20th was very successful with over 20 people joining us for a wonderful time. The hike was led by our local expert, Soňa Mason, who encouraged us all to use native plants in our gardens, where to find them and highlighted some wonderful examples on the hike. She also introduced us to several of the “invasives” that we should try and remove wherever possible. A great afternoon!
 

Our next monthly meeting will be on Wednesday, May 21 at 7:30 PM.
Please plan to attend and keep in touch.

Christy ErferComment