
Earth Day Lobby Day 2010 On Tuesday, April 21, I attended Earth Day Lobby Day in
Albany. Although this was the 20th
anniversary of this important day for conservation organizations, it was my
first experience, and I found it an informative and educational one, as well as
an enjoyable day with other environmental advocates who share my passion for protecting
the environment.
The morning session was held in a hall located near the
Capital. Opening remarks were presented
by Rob Moore and Laura Haight, representatives of Environmental Advocates and
New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), respectively. We then heard from representatives of other
groups who summarized the five hot topics we would discuss with our Senators
and Assembly representatives later in the day.
Those presenting and their issues were:
Speakers of note during the morning session included Assemblyman
Robert Sweeney, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation;
Senator Antoine Thompson, Chair of the Senate's Environmental Conservation
Committee; NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli; and Governor David A. Paterson.
Paterson was applauded as the only Governor ever to attend
Earth Day Lobby Day; however, his defense of the deep cuts to state environmental
funding fell far short. Audubon New
York’s Sean Mahar, Director of Government Relations & Communications, refuted
Paterson’s remarks, and was cheered as he pointed out the
disparities in the budget.
After a short lunch break we formed smaller groups, each led
by a seasoned lobbyist, and we marched to the Legislative Office Building. The balance of the afternoon was spent visiting
Senators and Assemblypersons and discussing the topics mentioned above. Presenting my views in person to a member of
the state legislature was a new experience for me, and my group leader, Scott
Lorey, Legislative Director for the Adirondack Council, put me at ease and proved
to be informative in all things relating to state government. When our scheduled meetings were concluded,
he was gracious enough to treat me to a tour of the Capital building.
I learned a great deal by participating in this event, and
look forward to the 21st annual Earth Day Lobby Day in 2011.
-Mona Bearor
2/17/09 - DEC's
"Guidelines
for
Conducting Bird and Bat Studies at Commercial Wind Energy
Projects" has been finalized and published to the web. You
can read the
completed document here.
We are pleased that some of the suggestions submitted by SAAS have been
incorporated into the final document. Raptor migration survey
periods have been extended to include early spring and late fall; this
is important for detecting migrating Golden Eagles. Songbird
migration periods have been expanded as well, and language in other
areas of the document has been tightened to make for more accurate
survey methods. Our congratulations to Audubon New York staff
and
members of the Delaware-Otsego Audubon chapter who also particpated in
this important issue.
Please Don't Move Firewood!
As global
climate change increases, wind becomes a more important source of
renewable energy. Southern Adirondack Audubon Society's Board
of
Directors has released its position on wind power
development.
This policy paper outlines the Board's concerns relating to possible
harm to birds and bats, and the results of habitat alteration at any
proposed wind energy facility. Please take the time
to read
the "Position
on Wind Power Development." 
The
Dangers of Wood Smoke - Sitting
by the fireplace on a
snowy
evening, or
around the campfire on a warn summer night, has long been a part of
American family home life. This article by SAAS member,
Laurie
LaFond, will cause you to rethink exposing yourself and your family to
the dangers of wood smoke. Read Laurie's informative and
thought-provoking article here.
Draft Guidelines for
Conducting Bird and Bat Studies at Commercial Wind Energy
Projects With over 30 wind farm projects under
review by
NYS DEC, in addition to the 11 currently in operation or under
construction, this draft is of huge importance. The guidelines
(PDF, 135 Kb) are now available online. The comment period closed March 7, 2008; however, you can
read
Southern Adirondack Audubon's comment
letter to
DEC
NYS
Important Bird Areas
Conservation IssuesSAAS has been actively involved in the following local issues:
