Current EMC Projects:
- 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.
- Dutchess County NRI - The EMC is helping Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County and the Department of Planning and Development to update the county’s Natural Resource Inventory, with the help of many dedicated local environmental scientists who are donating their expertise and time to the project.
- 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 2010, including increasing rates of recycling at schools and residences; working to educate officials about smart growth and Low Impact Development; working to protect water resources; and educating the public about being green and sustainability. EMC members also participate on the Independent Dutchess Energy Alliance (IDEA), and the Dutchess County Legislature’s Tick Task Force (lyme disease).
- The EMC accomplishes work on projects with volunteer appointed members working with the support of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County Environment Program, and other agencies.
Past Projects:
- A Week of Shopping Green: Promoting the Availability and Use of Re-usable Shopping Bags:
During the week of December 15-21, 2008, our challenge was to see how many plastic and paper bags we could save. 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. EMC continues its work on the project through ongoing education and outreach. - 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
