Dark Green

This story was originally posted on Jackie James Creedon's Blog, The Whole Truth on May 14, 2013.

On Wednesday May 8, Andrew Baumgartner, Tonawanda Community Fund (TCF) intern attended the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2′s seminar titled “Leveraging Environmental Monitoring – Key Steps in Producing Credible Data” at University of Buffalo (UB) North campus. Here is his review from the seminar.

---

 

 

The purpose of the workshop was to help teach “citizen scientists” how to produce useful data and reports that can be used in community based environmental monitoring, data that could open up new doors for community groups like the Tonawanda Community Fund. Although it’s always been possible for community groups to do their own preliminary research, the EPA now recognizes the effectiveness of this type of research and is promoting concerned citizens to act as partners in change. This was only the third workshop of this type in the country. Judith Enck, our EPA region 2 administrator, is a big proponent of citizen science, so we have her to thank for bringing this seminar to Western New York

 

The first half of the program focused on the details behind what’s considered “good” citizen science and things to keep in mind when designing projects, both from a scientific and an activist point of view. EPA representatives touched on a little bit of everything, from statistics to the organizational structure of a community based project. For the less technical people in the room like myself, this all went by a little fast and was fairly brief. Focusing on mostly air and water sampling, the information didn’t always directly apply to the soil testing like that of the Tonawanda Community Fund (TCF), but did get across the main idea of the need to look heavily into the design of a study before starting. Things like background samples, co-location of test sampling, contamination all need to be taken into account before proceeding. Since community groups usually don’t have a lot of extra cash sitting around, this is easier said than done.

Sampling, whether it’s the equipment or the lab analysis, is expensive so community groups have to pick and choose between spending money on gathering more data or validating data already obtained. This is where the EPA comes in. When having to make decisions like these, the EPA can be a great ally. Also available are local colleges and universities who can help out and provide everything from professor input to undergraduate volunteers to help provide the most credible data for the money spent.  We understand how this resource can be helpful because UB and the State University of NY at Fredonia are currently collaborating with us on a soil testing project in Tonawanda.

The second half of the program focused on what to do once the community based data was obtained. Groups can then use their reports to apply for grants and gain more support both politically and residentially for their cause. The main purpose of a preliminary study is to show whether or not further study is warranted, and it’s hard to say exactly where to go from there until you have a judgment call on what the data actually means. Touching on an example used, an air sample showing toxins could mean either that the air is polluted, or that am amtrack train was idling nearby giving a “false positive”. This judgment call is up to whoever is reading the report, whether it be somebody at the EPA, a local professor or a politician. This is why it’s so important that citizen scientists focus on gathering “good” data not just data. Even if a study does show high levels of whatever toxin you’re looking for, there’s a long process of rationalization that has to be done afterwards to determine whether or not those numbers reflect what’s going on in the community as a whole.

While I was working with the TCF on our preliminary soil study in Nov. 2012, I kept these things in mind during its design. We had to think about contamination, background sampling and the overall scientific validity of our work. To prevent contamination, we made sure that our samples were taken several feet away from the curb, grills, lawnmowers, driveways and anything else onsite that could be another potential source for the contaminants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAH’s) we were looking for. We took our comparison sample upwind, in Grand Island, of the suspected pollution source. This was used to compare samples from an area of suspected contamination to that of what we considered “normal” soil in the area. We wanted to be able to take more background samples, as well as co-locate samples as suggested in the EPA seminar, but our financial limitations acted as a roadblock. Our report was finished in the spring of 2013 and given to both the EPA and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for their interpretations of our study.

This summer (2013), the TCF will be doing an extension to our original soil study by taking 12-24 more samples in neighborhoods around the Tonawanda industrial corridor.  If you live in Grand Island, the Tonawanda’s, North Buffalo, or Kenmore, and are interested in having the soil tested in your yard, contact TCF at 716-873-6191.

 

I grew up riding my bike to a wooden bridge on 18 Mile Creek not far from my house. I loved standing on the bridge and peering over into the water below. If I stood there long enough, and quiet enough, large fish would gracefully circle below me. This is why I was excited to see that a park on 18 Mile Creek was one of my next stops for our Feature Friday Blog series.

18 Mile Creek Park is another Erie County Park, located just south of the Village of Hamburg. Once you get to Lakeview Rd., which is accessible by Rt. 62 in Hamburg, Rt. 20, or Rt. 5, you turn onto Smith Rd. towards the creek (a left turn if you are coming from the Village of Hamburg, a right turn if you are coming from the Lake View area). Smith Rd. mergers into Old Lakeview Rd., and leads you to South Creek Rd., which will be the first street on your right. South Creek Rd. almost immediately splits into two roads, so stay to your right on the street that is labeled a dead end. The park is at the very end of the road, and there is a large stone parking area with wooden signs detailing the park rules.

From the parking area, there is an initial path into the 464-acre park that leads you along the ravine’s edge. The beginning of the path is partially paved, and about a quarter of a mile in, there will be stone pillars that might have once belonged to the front of a house. As you continue down this initial path, you will see that it starts to open up into an abandoned farm field. There is a large, beautiful lilac bush right before the field. The lilac bush stands next to a path “spur” that will lead you down to the creek. This is a DEC public fishing access site.

The day I went to go and hike this park, fishing was not on my to-do list. I wanted to see as many spectacular views of the gorge as I could. The paths wind along the 60 foot cliff that borders 18 Mile Creek. About a mile into the trails, I came across a spectacular waterfall. My pictures, and the lack of rain we had at the time of my hike, do not do it justice. This looks like a waterfall out of the tropical island getaway commercials that they play on TV! It is very serene, with jet black shale rocks slowly being covered in bright green moss. I cannot wait to visit it when the falls are in full force.

If you continue along the trails, it will take you to a pine forest that has a .75 mile trail loop. You then take the same trail you walked in on to get back to the parking area. Over all, it is about a 5 mile roundtrip hike. The trail has multiple “spurs,” some of which lead you down to the creek and others that lead you deeper into the woods. The trail also splits and meets back together a couple of times as well. It’s an easy hike with not too many hills. Be careful, because there are a lot of tree roots sticking up in the path, and you are very close to a 60 foot drop!

Check out the rest of our pictures on Facebook, or better yet go and see the great gorge views of 18 Mile Creek Park yourself.

In November of 2012, the Western New York Environmental Alliance (WNYEA) presented its 2013 Action Agenda. The agenda contains 10 planks from 7 of the Alliance’s Working Groups, all dealing with environmental issues impacting the Western New York Region. To learn more about the Action Agenda items of the WNYEA and their progress, get involved in the Alliance through the Working/Process Group Meetings, signing up for a listserv, or visiting the WNYEA section on GrowWNY. Or continue reading to learn about the latest Growing Working Group meeting.

---

 

On Wednesday, May 1, 2013, the Growing Working Group held their regularly scheduled meeting. The key focuses of this meeting were:

• Finish the discussion around 2014 Action Items
• Discuss the group’s attendance and participation and how it can be improved

The group started talking about ideas for 2014 Action Items at the April Meeting. The following ideas were discussed:

Action Goal #2: Inform and mobilize the public, the WYNEA and policy-makers on growing-related policy items.  Ideas for possible objectives to work towards in 2014 and actual work already going on towards this goal:

• Use GrowWNY as a digital resource for growing-related events, issues, etc.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension to host a Food Hub Symposium to share best practices and educate economic development agencies and elected officials.  June 18th, 2013 in Geneva, NY
• Host a farmers market to increase awareness about chronic disease
• Join 596 Acres in NYC in working on NYS bill intended to facilitate better access to vacant public land as a state policy by expanding the authority of the State Office of Community Gardens
• Explore impact of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) on habitat
• Encourage the implementation of the Buffalo Public School District Wellness Policy
• Supporting the Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act before Congress

Action Goal #3: Share resources, educational and marketing opportunities for local food, gardening and farming efforts. Ideas for possible objectives to work towards in 2014 and actual work already going on towards this goal:

• Grassroots Gardens & Urban Roots to host community garden workshops in 2013 and 2014
• MAP to host Urban Agricultural Training in 2013 and 2014
• Encourage the continued sharing of events, through the Growing Group listserv, GrowWNY calendar, and possible texting campaign
• Host an educational event on food hubs geared towards the public

In regards to the meeting attendance, the group talked about other food oriented groups that meet regularly, like the Slow Food Group. They also discussed having an activity or learning workshop for their meetings to increase attendance. The group likes the idea of inviting speakers to their meetings to have mini-presentations during their regularly scheduled meetings.

For a full summary of the meeting, please check the Working Group’s page for the meeting minutes. Minutes from last month’s meeting have been approved and can be found here.

Do you have feedback or suggestions for this group? Tell us in the comment section below, or come to the next meeting on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. in the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Offices in the Larkin at Exchange, 726 Exchange St., Buffalo, NY 14210.

In November of 2012, the Western New York Environmental Alliance (WNYEA) presented its 2013 Action Agenda. The agenda contains 10 planks from 7 of the Alliance’s Working Groups, all dealing with environmental issues impacting the Western New York Region. To learn more about the Action Agenda items of the WNYEA and their progress, get involved in the Alliance through the Working/Process Group Meetings, signing up for a listserv, or visiting the WNYEA section on GrowWNY. Or continue reading to learn about the latest Energy and Climate Change Working Group meeting.

---

 

On Thursday, May 2, 2013, the Energy and Climate Change Working Group held their regularly scheduled meeting. The key focuses of this meeting were:

• WNYEA Greenway Task Force
• One Region Forward
• Proceeds Bill
• 100% Renewable Study Proposal

As discussed at the last meeting, there is concern over the Niagara River Greenway. The Board of the Alliance had approved the formation of a Greenway Taskforce at last month’s Board meeting. Working group chairs from the Transportation, Habitat & Natural Resources, Energy & Climate Change, and Parks & Recreation group will be meeting sometime in May to lay the groundwork for this taskforce.

There was an update on the One Region Forward project. The WNYEA has representation on both the Steering Committee and the Working Groups. The One Region Forward Working Committees have been drafting some action goals and setting expectations for their work.

The group discussed the Proceeds Bill, which is an allocated amount of money that will be used for our region’s energy initiatives. There will be a board formed to review initiatives and decide where the funds should go. The group agreed that one of its member organizations should raise up a 2014 Action Agenda plank with suggestions for  energy/environmental uses  of this money.

The 100% renewable energy study suggestion was revisited. The group discussed what would be specifically studied, because they felt as though many general studies have already been done. They discussed the possibility of doing a specific study in Tonawanda. The settlement money from the Tonawanda Coke case could go toward a study that would explore how renewable energy in Tonawanda could help reduce pollution and improve community health.

In regards to their 2013 Action Agenda item about Feed-In-Tariffs, the group will be setting up a meeting with Tom Congdon, Deputy Secretary for Energy at the Governor’s office. This meeting is in response to the previous letter to the Governor urging for a FIT.

For a full summary of the meeting, please check the Working Group’s page for the meeting minutes. Minutes from last month’s meeting have been approved and can be found here.

Do you have feedback or suggestions for this group? Tell us in the comment section below, or come to the next meeting on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Offices at the Larkin at Exchange, Suite 525, 726 Exchange St., Buffalo, NY 14210.

This article was orinally posted on GOBikeBuffalo.org on April 19, 2013.

---

May is National Bike Month!  Over the past couple of years our local celebrations have increased so much that we need a whole dedicated page for it. So scroll through and see what we’ve got in store for Buffalo cyclists and enthusiasts.  Most events are free or free for GO Bike Buffalo members unless otherwise noted.

BIKE MONTH BLAST OFF

 

BLASTING OFF BIKE MONTH with a Bike Drive, BBQ & Open House at our Community Workshop. Whether you’re a GObike member or not, come by to see what we’re all about and leave a little lighter.

Join us for a bike drive-member-party-BBQ-open-house-EXTRAVAGANZA.. more details to come!

PLAY STREETS

 

On the first Sunday of each month from May through September, 2013, select city streets will be closed to cars and opened up to the community to get together, get active and have fun.

Come ride your bike, climb a rock wall and practice some new dance moves! We’ve got plenty of ways to get you moving.

BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY

 

Join us for National Bike to School Day!   This event is in right in line with the Buffalo Board of Education’s Physical Activity Committee regarding the district’s stated initiative of achieving 60 minutes of physical activity per day for students.

You may remember last fall’s successful Safe Routes to School’s Walking School Bus, which aimed to promote a healthier school environment (fewer vehicles), and also encourage more physical activity. National Bike to School Day puts the same theory on wheels.  See the list below to join in on the fun!

Presently, 15 Buffalo Schools are signed on to participate in National Bike to School Day.

These schools are currently signed up:

DINNER & BIKES

 

GObike, Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP) and Burning Books team up to host this incredible event.  Vegan Chef Joshua Ploeg will serve up some delicious eats while authors Elly Blue and Joe Biel discuss bicycle inspired books and documentaries.  Following the discussions and presentations event-goers can peruse the bike and cooking themed pop-up book shop.

Suggest donation: $10.  We have limited seating so sign up today!

CYCLOFEMME

 

 

A ride that honors the past, celebrates the present, and empowers the future of women on bikes and the opportunity for positive social change.

BYOP!  Join us this Mother’s Day for a leisurely ride through Delaware Park and along the Scajaqueda Pathway to Squaw Island where we will hang out and enjoy a picnic.

This ride is Bring Your Own Everything!  We will meet at the GObike Community Shop on 98 Colvin Avenue at 11:00 am.

All women, men, and children are welcome to participate!

Families are highly encouraged.

The event is FREE but we’d like to know if you’re participating.  Register here.

PS: For those of you interested, the Niagara Frontier ADK Mountain Club will ride beforehand and meet up with us at the GObike Community Workshop.  They will “begin at the Lincoln Park Pool Parking Lot on Decatur Rd. near Parker Blvd. Town of Tonawanda.  Going over quiet residential streets of southern Town of Tonawanda and North Buffalo, we will arrive at the Go Bike Buffalo Community Shop on Colvin Avenue near Amherst St. at Delaware Park in time to participate in their CycloFemme Ride to Squaw Island”

BIKE TO WORK WEEK COMMUTER BREAKFASTS

 

Various Locations

Tuesday May 14th, 8-10am: Cafe Taza (w/ Five Points Bakery), 100 Elmwood Ave.

Wednesday May 15th, 7-9am: Ashker’s Cafe and Juice Bar, 1002 Elmwood Ave.

Thursday May 16th, 7:30-9:30am: Golden Cup Cafe, 883 Jefferson St.

Friday May 17th, 6:30-10am: With GOBNMC, 929 Washington St.

Each location will provide their own discount or special- most will have a free cup of coffee and snack for bicycle commuters who stop in!

PEOPLE POWERED MOVEMENT

 

GObike Buffalo is seeking artists, sculptors, poets, and writers to celebrate bicycling as a form of transportation.  What are the benefits, issues, and impacts that come with riding a bike?  Works expressing the effects of cycling on personal health and wellness, the local economy and environment, issues of safety and infrastructure, motorist-cyclist interactions, the earth as a whole and more are encouraged.

The goal of the show is three fold: to engage the art and cycling communities, to draw awareness to the benefits, issues, and impacts of cycling as a form of transportation, and to raise money for GObike Buffalo, the region’s only organization whose primary focus is bicycle advocacy.

20% commission for each piece of work sold will be donated to GObike Buffalo.

All mediums of work accepted: 2-D including drawing, painting, montage, photography, etc., 3-D including repurposed bike parts, sculpture, etc. as well as poems and writing pieces not exceeding two pages.

Submitting: Please follow this link to submit your work. Visual submissions must be JPEG or PNG files not exceeding 2MB and must include a description of dimensions.  Written submissions must be submitted in PDF format. There is a fee of $10 per 3 submissions, each additional is $5.

All submissions are due by MAY 5^th; you will be notified by May 9^th. Works must dropped off at Main (St)udios by May 16^th during open gallery hours (Tues.-Fri. 11-5 & Sat. 12-3) labeled with Name, Title, & Price and ready to hang.

 

Friday, May 17 12-2pm and 7-9pm

 

BIKE TO THE BISONS GAME

 

 

Saturday, May 18th

We’re selling tickets!  $10 for GObike members, $12 for non members

Please visit GOBikeBuffalo.org for more information.