NEWS OF THE MONTH FROM THE TARRYTOWN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
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JUNE 2020
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
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Tarrytown climbs back - Food Scrap Collection continues - The Village offers potted veggies - Fall Bulbs - Pollinator Gardens are easy - Water Quality is good - Living with masks and Kayaking without them! -  And Thursday, June 4 (tonight!), join us on Zoom for our monthly meeting at 7:00. It's "virtually" open to the public, and we'd love to have you! 

COVID-19 CHANGES EVERYTHING
TARRYTOWN SLOWLY CLIMBS BACK
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  • Stores have started to open back up in the Village! Westchester has qualified for Phase 1 reopening, allowing more activity for non-essential businesses.
  • Parks are open, with social-distancing and mask-wearing enforced. The Riverwalk at Pierson Park is one-way, to facilitate separation between walkers.
  • Potted vegetable plants will be available those without their own gardens (see article below.) The community garden at Paulding school won't be available this year.
  • The TaSH Drive-thru market continues its weekly pre-order pick-up, so we still have access to fresh local food and are able support our farmers/vendors. There is a very organized system where shoppers can expect to make the rounds within 15 minutes. This Saturday The TaSH will be a hybrid market, drive-thru in the morning and walk-thru in the afternoon. 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM for the drive-thru and 11 AM to 1:30 PM for the walk-thru. The market remains at Parking lot F, across the "H" bridge just past the Marina: http://tashfarmersmarket.org/tash-drive-thru-market .
  • Compost bags for our food-scrap recycling program are available at the Village Hall lobby from 8:30-4pm (call 914.631.7873 M-F) or by curbside pickup by appointment at the Library M-F 10am-3pm (914.631.7734 or warnerlibrary@wlsmail.org). Exact change is needed $2/roll. Home collection bin kits are also available at the Library. If you are sheltering in place the village will even arrange for delivery! Please email administrator@tarrytowngov.com.
THE GREENING OF TARRYTOWN
D.I.Y. COMMUNITY GARDEN

Since the Paulding Community Garden is unavailable this year, our Village Administrator proposed a small gesture to those residents who don't have their own gardens. This weekend, on behalf of the Village of Tarrytown, TEAC will be distributing free, ready-to-care-for vegetable plants in 3-gallon pots, for Tarrytown residents only.  There's a very limited supply! One plant per family, first come first served, in-person pick up, no holds or rain-checks. Day, time and location still need to be finalized - check the TEAC website for details: https://tarrytownenviro.org.
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HISTORICAL SOCIETY FALL BULBS

The Historical Society of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown is having a fundraising sale of daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and other bulbs for planting in the fall. They are taking online orders NOW for shipping beginning in mid-September. They suggest you order early to ensure you have the full selection. Place your order at:
http://HistoricalTarryHollow.fpfundraising.com .
BEES DESERVE THE BEST
POLLINATOR PATHWAYS THOUGHTS

- By Gloria Cepin

During one of my daily walks by the waterfront I was admiring the landscaping when I remembered hearing about Pollinator Pathways at one of our TEAC meetings. I became intrigued and started doing some research. According to the Pollinator-Pathway.org’s website: “The Pollinator Pathway project is organized by volunteers from town conservation organizations (listed on each town's page) working together to establish pollinator-friendly habitat and food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating insects and wildlife along a series of continuous corridors. Most native bees have a range of about 750 meters, so the goal is to connect properties that are no farther apart than that. This project began in 2017 in Wilton, CT. Since then, pathways have been established in over 85 towns in CT and NY and the list keeps growing.”
 
I wondered if I could really do this? Could I actually grow a garden. It felt like such a huge monumental task prior to COVID but now things had changed. I could no longer use the excuse that I was busy running around. Again I asked myself could I actually help restore our local ecosystem and food supply with my garden?


 
But what better time than now to start. I began my journey by attending a webinar on Pollinator Pathways, then along with others in nearby villages purchased native plants and thereafter picked up my Pollinator Pathway medallion. And guess what I discovered? I wasn’t the only one interested in planting a pollinator garden. On Washington Street in Tarrytown alone we have three Pollinator gardens in the works including my own. I feel such a sense of responsibility now, a sense of pride for participating in this effort. It’s also building a community of neighbors that share in your belief caring for our environment.
 
I had no idea of the work pollinators do behind the scenes or that a small garden or a flower box on your window sill can make a big difference and help bring pollinators to a neighborhood as well as help protect wildlife habitat. What I have learned so far is fascinating. I know I have a lot to learn but that’s what makes it equally exciting!. Oh and for your information - my garden is not 100% native. I tell that to all my friends. I’m planting seeds. I’m a work in progress.

If you're shopping for native plant starters there are a few local options:
OUR ENVIRONMENT
WATER QUALITY REPORT FOR 2019

Published May 2020 - In case you missed it, it's here:
https://www.tarrytowngov.com/sites/tarrytownny/files/uploads/awqr-2019_final.pdf

Excerpt: "Last year your tap water met all state drinking water health standards. We are proud to report that our system did not violate the maximum contaminant level or any other water quality standards. This report provides an overview of last year’s water quality. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to State standards."
THE VIEW FROM OUR KAYAKS
KAYAK STORAGE STILL AVAILABLE AT LOSEE PARK
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There are still spaces left at the three kayak racks for Tarrytown residents' use, at Losee Park. The fee is $170 per year 4/1/2020-3/31/2021. For more information email recreation@tarrytowngov.com .

Here is a picture one of our TEAC members took while kayaking past the lighthouse. She says, "The water was like glass and the geese were happily foraging along the shorelines... It's easy to socially distance on the water - no need for a mask!"

The warming water invites kayakers, and the occasional, inevitable splash is welcome on a hot day. Just watch the wind and waves that might come up some days, and stay no more than a few minutes from shore if it's breezy.
OUR SAFETY
TEAC VOLUNTEERS MAKE MASKS

TEAC Volunteer Cari and her family have been very busy making beautiful and functional face coverings for these times. Many have been given to Village staff and first-responders, and Cari is selling them to the public through her website at https://www.fromthefuturevintage.com . A portion of the proceeds will go to support Environmental Activism in Tarrytown.
LOVE YOUR VILLAGE
JOINING TEAC IS EASY. JUST ATTEND A (ZOOM) MEETING.
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TEAC relies on volunteers to keep things moving, and we usually meet on the 1st Thursday in Village Hall, One Depot Plaza, at 7:00 PM.

Since the Covid, we've moved our monthly meetings online -- Zoom-style for now -- so you can still pitch in. The next regular TEAC meeting will be on June 4, 2020 (that's tonight!). The meetings are open to all.

Time: June 4, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85830016793?pwd=Y2gxdmxKb0FXcnZKY3J5NjJ1T3U2Zz09
Meeting ID: 858 3001 6793
Password: 056620
KEEP EARTH DAY GOING
GET OUTSIDE. CLEAN SOMETHING UP.
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Keep Earth Day going with fun and simple outings.

  • Grab a garbage bag to take on your next hike and have your own clean-up (the Lakes area can always use a pickup).
  • Enjoy Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway, when it's closed to motorized vehicles (Sundays in May, June and Sept from 10a.m. – 2p.m. Dates: June 7, 14, 21, 28  Sept 13, 20, 27. For more info visit: https://www.thewpf.org/event/bicycle-sundays-2/2020-05-31/)
  • Walk every inch of the new trails at the Lakes area in Tarrytown;
  • ...or visit quiet Pruyn Audubon sanctuary in Millwood (where you'll find much less human traffic than at the Rockefeller Parks.)
  • Take cuttings of your most successful garden plants, and replant lawn areas with native shrubs and perennials;
  • Use the shortage of meat to inspire creative, tasty meatless meals for your family (and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time).
LET'S GET COUNTED:
FILL OUT YOUR CENSUS
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Don't forget to fill out your census! Here's the link so you can do it online.
“Fighting for Justice for the Climate and ALL Citizens.”
--  Your friends at TEAC
Copyright © 2020 Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Council, All rights reserved.


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