November 2025
Sustainable Warwick Minutes
November 19, 2025
Our guest, Jamie Bogert of Alpine Air, outlined the plans for Warwick Isle, a new eco-friendly high energy efficient development underway in Pine Island. She explained how heat pumps work by transferring heat, not creating it. SW members planned to visit on Saturday, November 22nd, for a tour of two of these model houses to see them first hand.
Action Reports
Waste Not, Want Not Survey: Several SW members have developed a survey about avoiding waste in the Warwick Valley. The survey should launch in early 2026. It will be available online and as hard copy at the libraries and the Town and Village Halls as well. CleanEnergy@sustainablewarwick.org
Hiking committee: After several successful hikes this year, our new hiking committee is setting a goal of four hikes every year, possibly to be led by Sona Mason or Sam Walter. The challenge is to balance the hiking skills of a wide range of members so everyone is challenged a bit but not overwhelmed! Please let us know if you have a favorite hike in the area that you suggest for future hikes. Events@sustainablewarwick.org
Composting: Sunday, November 23rd, is the final food scrap collection day at the Farmers Market this season. Over the winter, food scraps can be taken to Goodmaker Acres, Friday thru Sunday from 9 AM to 2 PM. See our webpage for details and directions to their location. Garden@sustainablewarwick.org
Green Screen: When we started these interviews there was very little coverage of any candidates for School Board, Village or Town positions. Now, the local papers run their own interviews. Because their interviews do not focus on sustainability issues, as we do, we agreed we need a discussion with the Advertiser and Dispatch about whether they will carry our interviews if we continue. SteeringCommittee@sustainablewarwick.org
Pollinator Pathway: The work sessions at Mountain Lakes Park will continue through the winter, weather permitting. They continue to remove invasive species from the land and cultivate the pollinator garden. All volunteers are welcome.
Pollinators@sustainablewarwick.org
Book Club: We read Abundance by Ezra Klein, which was well received. There were several issues with his material but overall the verdict was very positive. The next book is I Never Thought of It That Way, by Monica Guzman, for our meeting on December 9th. If you have family members or friends who you find it difficult to have conversations with because of political differences, this book is highly recommended for you.
BookClub@sustainablewarwick.org
Meeting with WVHS Environmental Club: Michael and Christina met with Andrea and Alannah and agreed we would help them pursue their goals to expand awareness of sustainability within the school and beyond. SteeringCommittee@sustainablewarwick.org
Annual Review for 2025: We’ll be compiling a review of 2025 highlights before our annual party. If you have SW memories that you would like to be sure are included, please let us know. SteeringCommittee@sustainablewarwick.org
2026 Green Calendar: A meeting will be scheduled with Christy, Christina, Melissa and Carly to settle a budget for the 2026 Green Calendar. SteeringCommittee@sustainablewarwick.org
Local Growers Guide: This is one of the most visited sites on our website, and volunteers are sought to help with updates and new additions. Reach out to Christy at
Transformation Trails: SW plans to support Transformation Trails with fundraisers for new trees to be planted in the Transformation Trails arboretum. New volunteers are always welcome! (Kate and Julia are looking into the Helpsy funds that will be provided to Transformation Trails.)
Battery Energy Storage Systems: Greg and Michael are on a new Town panel to create safety codes for battery energy storage systems (BESS). While there are many good reasons to have BESS, there are obvious reasons for concern about their safety issues after the 2023 battery fires in Warwick. Greg presented background information on BESS and discussed the best steps forward. CleanEnergy@sustainablewarwick.org
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars! Our next meeting will be our Annual Zero Waste Potluck party on Wednesday, December 17th, from 6.00-8.00pm. We’ll hold the dinner at the Fence Road Farm Brewery. Please RSVP at events@sustainablewarwick.org and let us know if you are bringing a specific dish or will be ordering from the farm’s menu that evening. This is a zero waste gathering, so please bring your own place setting and a cup.