The New York State Postconsumer Paint Collection Program is underway, making it easier for households and businesses to safely dispose of leftover paint. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) oversees the program, which is operated by PaintCare to manage unwanted architectural coating products and provide for recycling or proper disposal. [Read more…] about New Paint Recycling Program Launched
pollution
A Bird’s-Eye-View of Air Pollution
Controlling air pollution is not just for the benefit of humans. Exposure to pollution can harm birds and other animals, just like it does people, while also harming the environment around them. Ground-level ozone pollution, for example, can contribute to habitat damage and food source loss for birds. In fact, habitat loss and degradation, on the whole, have resulted in an 80-99% decline in the abundance of grassland bird populations since 1966. [Read more…] about A Bird’s-Eye-View of Air Pollution
$4.5M for Buffalo Center for Plastic Recycling Research and Innovation
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced $4.5 million is being awarded to the State University of New York’s University at Buffalo to create a new Center for Plastic Recycling Research and Innovation and support crucial work to reduce plastic waste.
This expanded academic partnership will improve plastics recycling by researching the development of secondary recyclable markets to ease the financial burdens on municipal recycling programs and streamline the recycling process, especially with certain types of lower-grade plastics. [Read more…] about $4.5M for Buffalo Center for Plastic Recycling Research and Innovation
New York State Issues 10th ‘Greening New York State Report’
The GreenNY Council has issued the tenth annual Greening New York State Report for 2020-21, documenting the continued progress made by New York State to reduce the environmental footprint of State operations.
Highlights of this year’s report include a record $300 million invested in green products and services, 4.4 trillion BTUs of energy saving projects completed or underway as part of the BuildSmart 2025 program, and a record 94 percent recycling rate. [Read more…] about New York State Issues 10th ‘Greening New York State Report’
Forever Adirondacks Campaign Celebrates Budget Victories
The coalition supporting the new Forever Adirondacks Campaign for clean water, jobs and wilderness – led by the Adirondack Council’s Aaron Mair – declared victory as state government moved to approve a budget that includes funding for a series of top campaign priorities.
The Forever Adirondacks Campaign is a coalition of advocates, government officials, business leaders, educators, college administrators, grassroots activists and not-for-profit organizational partners seeking clean water, jobs and wilderness. [Read more…] about Forever Adirondacks Campaign Celebrates Budget Victories
Adirondack Lake Survey Explores Merger with Ausable River Association
The governing boards of the Adirondack Lake Survey Corporation and the Ausable River Association have announced plans for a merger. The merger is hoped to advance their shared goal of deploying critical field and laboratory science in the Adirondack Park to inform the protection of waterways, lands, and air for the benefit of all stakeholders. [Read more…] about Adirondack Lake Survey Explores Merger with Ausable River Association
Algae to Eagles: Effects of Acid Rain on the Food Web
From the tiniest water flea up to the biggest black bear, each plant and animal in the food web plays a vital role within their ecosystem. When even one species is taken away, the entire food web and ecosystem can become unbalanced.
In most aquatic environments, phytoplankton form the foundation of the food web. Many small fish, insects, and mollusks eat them to survive. Air pollution can enter bodies of water in the form of acid rain and kill off the phytoplankton. With much less food to eat, the fish, insect, and mollusk populations decrease and the entire food web is weakened. [Read more…] about Algae to Eagles: Effects of Acid Rain on the Food Web
Migratory Birds Face Increasing Light Pollution
Nighttime light pollution levels are increasing the most in the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Central America according to findings based on year-round data collected over the last two decades in the Western Hemisphere.
This trend is a real concern for birds that fly at night during spring and fall migration and even during non-migratory seasons. Results of the study by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Colorado State University are published in Ecosphere. [Read more…] about Migratory Birds Face Increasing Light Pollution
Salt Survey Being Conducted By Ausable River Association
The Ausable River Association’s (AsRA) has released a salt use survey for residents, businesses, and independent contractors in Lake Placid, with emphasis on Mirror Lake. Developed in partnership with the Adirondack Watershed Institute, the survey is essential to determining the amount of salt entering Mirror Lake and the Chubb River. [Read more…] about Salt Survey Being Conducted By Ausable River Association
DEC’s Intent to Restrict Certain Neonicotinoid Pesticide Products
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced plans to reclassify certain neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticide products as “Restricted Use” effective January 1st, 2023. [Read more…] about DEC’s Intent to Restrict Certain Neonicotinoid Pesticide Products