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NEXT MEETING: Monday, June 8, 7:30 pm @ Tarrytown Village Hall
We need you! The Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Council (TEAC) relies on volunteers to keep things moving. We're a fun and engaging group of like-minded folks working to make Tarrytown's air, land, and water healthier and cleaner. Joining is EASY: just come to a meeting or email us @ Tarrytownenviro@gmail.com for more information and volunteer opportunities.
Monthly meetings. Our meetings are open to the public! Join us the second Monday of the month (unless otherwise noted) at 7:30 pm at Village Hall, 1 Depot Plaza, Tarrytown. Or join via Zoom.
Monday, July 13 No meeting in August Monday, September 14
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Patriots Park Pollinator Garden Redesign ____________________by Rohit Sareen 
Back in 2021, TEAC received permission from the Village to build a pollinator garden in Patriots Park. It was only our second pollinator garden in Tarrytown (the pilot garden was at Warner Library, thanks to much support from the community via a crowdfunding campaign), so we were excited to fill it with many of our favorite plants. In landscape design, there is a concept called “right plant, right place.” Well, a few years later, we realized that some of those native plants were not the best fit for this location.
Plants such as New England aster and common milkweed, while extremely beneficial to pollinators, were not ideal choices for a highly visible public garden. They grew too tall and were too aggressive for the space. We needed plants that were more compact and better suited to the garden.
Over the past few weeks, a group of hardworking volunteers removed the taller, spreading perennials and replaced them with shorter, mostly native, pollinator-friendly plants. We included species such as yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and threadleaf tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata), both of which grow to about a foot and a half tall. We also added a cultivar of goldenrod (Solidago ‘Golden Fleece’). While "goldenrod" often brings to mind a large, sprawling plant, ‘Golden Fleece’ is a more compact selection that makes an excellent garden plant. We planted catmint (Nepeta ‘Jr Walker’), a plant that flowers from early summer into fall and provides a valuable food source for bees. We also included pollinator favorites such as blazing star (Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’), using cultivars that remain compact and do not require staking or other support. And many other beautiful flowers. If you get a chance, do go visit right now—it looks gorgeous.
Native gardens don't have to look messy, but they do require some planning. By selecting more compact species and cultivars and providing occasional maintenance, you can create a native garden that is orderly, attractive, and offers tremendous ecological value. In other words, we can have the best of both worlds: a beautiful garden where bees, moths, butterflies, and other pollinators can find the pollen and nectar they need. Long live the pollinators! |
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Celebrating Our 250th on the River_______________By Kevin Lustyik, Tarrytown Harbormaster  The celebrations of our country’s 250th anniversary of independence will include boating events and displays in New York Harbor and up the Hudson River corridor. During the festivities boaters must keep in mind a few important considerations:
If you plan to take your vessel to New York Harbor to watch a display, know that it is a violation of federal law to approach within 100 yards of a stationary military ship, and within 500 yards of a military ship that’s under way. Agencies including the Coast Guard, Homeland Security, and the NYPD will be monitoring the river from waterborne crafts and helicopter air units. These agencies will announce security zones around these ships on marine channels 16 or 22, and will meet such approaches with force if their warnings are not adhered to. In early July, the lower reach of the Hudson River will welcome an OpSail, a landmark event featuring majestic tall ships, naval vessels, and sail-training fleets from around the world. The festivities will also include air shows in the region (schedule TBA). At 7pm on July 4th, local volunteers will reenact the capture of a British vessel in Tarrytown Harbor, and shortly after 9 pm Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow will host our annual fireworks. Please enjoy this boating season and celebrate the 250th! |
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| | Join the TEAC Anti-Litter Campaign |
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| Calling all Eco Warriors! We have been noticing serious trash issues in various areas around the village. TEAC has formed a new Anti-Litter Campaign task force, and we are looking for volunteers and stakeholders. If you are interested in participating or learning more, please email us @ tarrytownenviro@gmail.com. |
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New Shrubs at the Shoreline____________________by Suzy Allman 
This spring, TEAC’s Wildlife Committee planted 100 small native shrubs along the shoreline of the Tarrytown Lakes. Four types of flowering native shrubs – winterberry, aronia (chokeberry), buttonbush and red twig dogwood – are taking root at the edges of Tarrytown Lakes. Besides beautifying the shoreline, the plants will improve the health of the lake by filtering run-off from the nearby roads and lawns and controlling erosion into the water. They’ll also provide berries for birds in fall and winter, and nectar for traveling butterflies and other insects. The plants were purchased from New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)’s nursery, and are quite small; most are mere twigs but have substantial root systems. All four types of shrubs prefer damp ‘feet’, and are well-suited to the squishy earth of a pond environment. The Shrub Collection 25 each of the following have been planted:  Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry): A tough, glossy-leafed, deciduous shrub that produces pretty white flowers and an edible, ‘superfood’ berry that’s about the size of a blueberry. The fruit can be used in jams and wine; it’s sweet but slightly astringent.
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush): A distinctive native shrub  with spherical pincushion blossoms, it’s considered a “honey” bush for its value to bees and pollinators. Plants produce eye-catching, fuzzy-looking spherical flower heads in late spring, attracting butterflies, bees, and the occasional hummingbird all summer. Round red fruits follow, attracting birds and providing fall and winter interest.  Ilex verticillata (Common Winterberry): Dense clusters of bright red berries stay on the branches all winter, unless picked by birds (or humans, decorating for Christmastime). It’s an extremely showy shrub that, like the others in this collection, has no problem with standing water.
Cornus sericea (Red Twig Dogwood): Birds love the ornamental fruit  of this shrub; the bright red stems stand out in a monochrome winter landscape, while the root system will combat soil erosion at the edge of the lakes.
TEAC’s newly-formed Wildlife Committee was created to protect, build and enhance local habitat for wildlife in and around the Village. If you’d like to be involved, send an email to tarrytownenviro@gmail.com and we’ll share some project ideas.
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Find Your Paradise—and Care for It____________________by Cathy Ruhland |
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| Tarrytown has some exquisite places in the Tarrytown Lakes Area. Maybe you have discovered one over the years and you go there when your life seems to be falling apart, or you had an argument with someone close to you. It’s a place that is peaceful, surrounded by calm, maybe next to the water, with trees above you and plants all around. It’s possible there is a bench, fallen tree trunk or rock that you can sit on and mull over your life choices. Perhaps you recently visited the spot only to be dismayed by the coffee cups, fishing line, lures, plastic wrappers, beer cans, glass bottles, paper napkins, etc. It doesn’t mean your paradise is gone; it just means some unthinking, uncaring individual was there for another purpose and didn’t realize that you go there for a sanity break. Why not consciously choose that special place to be your Adopt-a-Paradise. Go there a little more often, go there consciously and bring along a large trash bag. It will feel so wonderful to restore your own private paradise back to its original condition. You may help others appreciate why is this place so special for you. |
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| | Save the Dates: Upcoming TEAC Events
Saturday September 19, 10am-1pm: TEAC Eco Fair @ The TaSH Farmers Market in Patriots Park. (Rain date Sept 26, 10am-1pm) Sunday September 20, 8am-11am: “Kayak to Nyack and Back” - Group paddle across the Hudson, from Tarrytown to Nyack (Rain date Sept 27th 8am-11am)
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VOLUNTEER WITH TEAC
GET INVOLVED ____________________ TEAC offers many ways for you to join our projects and events, for fun, for a sense of accomplishment being an environmental steward, or for community service hours. Click HERE to learn more and read about our Committees below.
Community Outreach
Year-round event planning to engage the community and help our neighbors reduce their carbon footprint. Head: Jenny O'Connor.
Tarrytown Lakes Committee
Trails, water quality, recreation, and plant and animal life of the Tarrytown Lakes Park area, including Wilson Park, plus "Vine Squad" initiative to control invasive vines to preserve native trees in the area. Head: Catherine Ruhland.
TEAC Landscaping Committee
Planting and maintaining public pollinator gardens through the Village to create pollinator habitats, educate the community, and beautify our public spaces. Head: Mai Mai Margules.
Zero Waste Committee
Advises and assists the Village on waste reduction and recycling, including "Waste Warriors" initiative at the TaSH farmer's market, food scraps recycling, swaps, and repair cafes. Heads: Catherine Ruhland, Rachel Tieger.
Energy and Conservation Committee
Advises on best practices to reduce energy use and losses in municipal and residential buildings, including renewable energy and electrification initiatives. Head: Dean Gallea.
Council Members
Rachel Tieger, Co-Chair
Dean Gallea, Co-Chair
Suzy Allman
Kerstin Erdbrink
David Gutschmit
Nina Hussein, Associate Member (Hackley Student) Niko Kim, Associate Member (Hackley Student)
Mai Mai Margules
Jenny O'Connor
Catherine Ruhland
Rohit Sareen
Effie Phillips-Staley, Trustee Liaison
Newsletter Editor Beth Hanson |
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NEWS OF THE MONTH FROM THE TARRYTOWN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL |
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