Current EMC Projects:
- State of the Environment Report: EMC members and staff of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, are currently working to provide an updated State of the Environment Report for Dutchess County to the DC Legislature. In parallel, the EMC is gathering information on how municipalities handle waste management and recycling in the county – this will provide the basis of information to better educate residents about recycling.
- Updating the Dutchess County Natural Resource Inventory: The EMC worked with staff of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, Department of Planning and Development, and numerous local environmental scientists and experts to update the county’s Natural Resource Inventory (NRI). EMC members are now working to develop educational materials for the NRI.
- Pharmaceutical Take-Back Program: with local independent pharmacies. The EMC has established year-round household medication drop-off points in Dutchess County to help protect Dutchess County’s water resources from improper disposal of unused medication.
- Information Exchange between CACs and the County: Each Conservation Advisory Council or Board in Dutchess County has one seat on the EMC; CAC members have the opportunity to update the EMC on issues of concern in their town, and work together on issues affecting the natural resources of the entire county.
- Working on Local Environmental Issues: EMC members have identified several priorities for work in 2011 including educating residents about waste management and recycling; providing outreach on the impacts of road salt on water resources; working on Watershed Awareness Month activities; and helping educate the public about energy efficiency.
Past Projects:
- A Week of Shopping Green & Re-usable Shopping Bags:
The EMC is providing outreach on the importance of reducing the use of plastic bags. If just one person were to use 2 reusable bags in place of 4 plastic bags during each week’s shopping trip for a year, it would save over 200 plastic bags. It is estimated that production of just 14 plastic bags uses the same amount of petroleum as driving a car for one mile ~ one person’s efforts over a year to use reusable shopping bags could therefore save enough petroleum needed to drive a car for 15 miles. - Report on the Jackson Creek Streamwalk (2007) - with the FCWC
- Report on the invasive Mile-A-Minute Vine - with CCEDC
- Report on Ethanol and Air Quality Report - with CCEDC
EMC Annual Reports
