Environmental Workshops in Orangetown to Feature Energy Reduction and Low-Impact Gardening

Orangetown residents and business owners can get ready for spring with a series of workshops on healthy, low impact gardening and on a free program to reduce year round energy costs. The four evening workshops in May are sponsored by the Orangetown Environmental Committee, a committee appointed by the Town Board to make Orangetown a more sustainable community. Held at the Pearl River Library, all four workshops are free.

The series begins with an informational workshop on Tuesday, May 3, at 7 p.m., on “Free Energy Audits for Homeowners, Businesses, and Non-profits.” Meredith Nierenberg, Coordinator for Mid-Hudson Energy Smart Communities, will speak and answer questions on energy audits available through New York State’s Green Jobs Green New York program. The energy audits, which are free for most homeowners and free or low cost for small businesses, lead to professional recommendations toward improving energy efficiency. The audits identify the energy efficiency improvements with the shortest payback periods, leading to substantial short term energy and cost savings.

Certified energy auditors perform an assessment of the energy of a home or business, using visual inspection, blower door tests, and testing with infrared equipment. Auditors also test for safety with gas and carbon monoxide leaks. In addition to the audits, state funding is available through the same program to underwrite a portion of the costs of following through on the recommended work.

The series of environmental workshops continues with several workshops on low impact gardening. A workshop on Tuesday, May 10, at 7 p.m. will feature a talk on “Raised Bed Gardening for Beginners”, with Charles and Pam Paolino of Hook Mountain Growers, a
micro-farm in Upper Nyack. On Wednesday, May 18, at 7 p.m. community organizer and educator Rose Marie Raccioppi  will discuss “The Health Threats of Toxic Pesticide Use on Lawns”. The spring series will wrap up with a presentation on “Smart, Green
Landscaping with Native Plants” with Rebeca Gmus, landscape designer on Tuesday, May 24, at 7 p.m.

The Orangetown Environmental Committee works on a variety of environmental issues, including recycling, energy use, noise pollution, and water. For more information about the series or about the Orangetown Environmental Committee, check the town website at www.orangetown.com or contact Larry Soehnel Sr. at (845) 365-2173.