ANNUAL MEETING - TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2003 - 10:30 A.M.

PLACE: The United Church of Spring Valley - Mendum Room

East Church Street at Centre, Spring Valley, New York

10:30 A.M. Environmental Reports and Election

11:15 A.M. Program:

Dr. James J. Yarmus, P.E.
Commissioner, Departments of Planning and Transportation, Rockland County

Hon. Harriet Cornell
Rockland County Legislator
Chair, Transportation Committee of the Legislature

Lunch will be provided by the Board of Directors.

Dear Members and Friends,

Your support of the Rockland County Conservation Association through your 2003 membership dues and donations is gratefully acknowledged. This is RCCA's 73rd year, and your generous contributions make it possible for the Association to carry on its conservation efforts.

With sincere appreciation, 
Betty Hedges, President

Report of the Nominating Committee - Faith Leigh, Chair
In accordance with Article X of the By-Laws, the following slate is proposed:

Directors at Large 
Emma Leigh Goodwin, Diane Gruskin, Cynthia McKenney 
Jeanne Nelson, Robert Nelson

Continuing in Office
First Vice President - Faith Leigh, Third Vice President - Chuck Stead
Treasurer - Eloise Litman, Secretary - Helen Hannigan
Directors - Michael Diederich, Frank Leonard, Joan King, Geoff Welch

Honorary Members
Earl Gordon, Elly Wane, Malcolm Wane

LEATRICE LIFSHITZ

We note with sadness the death of Leatrice Lifshitz on March 10, 2003. She was a longtime member of the Rockland County Conservation Association and a former Secretary of the Association.

A distinguished poet, her work was widely published. RCCA newsletters often featured her haiku, which we all enjoyed so much.

Lea was an inspiration. Her beautiful, gentle nature touched everyone who knew her.

. . . .Leatrice Lifshitz

WATTS HAPPENING

How we produce and use electricity is key to the health of ourselves, our environment and our economy. As are food choices, quality and quantity, key to our energy level and overall physical health, so are the fuel sources that produce electricity key to our overall health, the environment and the economy. Cleaner renewable energy sources and how efficiently we use that energy is as sensible as a good health regime.

Energy efficiency is "watt" reduces energy demand that frees up overhead pollution costs to our environment and economy. See www.energystar.gov for information on energy efficient applications through the government backed ENERGY STAR program.

Renewable energy sources such as the sun and the wind are reliable fuel sources that don't pollute. These sources should also be considered for the security of lessening dependency on fossil fuels, particularly from foreign sources.

NYS initiatives such as Governor Pataki's Executive Order 111 and recent initiatives called for by Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef to reduce the energy load in county buildings 35% by the year 2010, address these very needs.

On September 12 and 13, 2003, the Pace Energy Project, an initiative of the Pace University School of Law, and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission are planning to hold the ReCharge Energy Expo & Conference, at Bear Mountain State Park. This is an event that is open to the public. It will be an opportunity to learn about ways of bringing clean energy and energy efficiency into our everyday lives. There will be activities for the kids and exhibits and workshops for kids at heart. Visit www.rechargeexpo.com for information about this important event, or contact Dorice Madronero at (914) 422-4415.

Most important consider "watt" you do makes a difference.

Dorice Madronero, 2nd Vice President, RCCA

Guzzlers - A Senate committee rejected a proposal to make trucks and gas-guzzling SUVs meet the same federal gasoline mileage standard as passenger cars.

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California offered the proposal as an amendment to an energy bill being debated by the Senate Energy Committee. She said the higher fuel standard would have reduced U.S. oil imports by one million barrels a day, 10 percent of America's foreign crude purchases. U.S. crude oil imports hit a record high in April.

Feinstein said that the United States has just 5 percent of the world's population but accounts for about 25 percent of total global energy consumption.

From a report by Tom Doggett, Reuters
April 30, 2003

RAMAPO RIVER WATERSHED CONFERENCE

The eighth annual Ramapo River Watershed Conference was held at Ramapo College of New Jersey on April 25. The event once again presented a wealth of watershed information for the 70 people who attended. The Rockland County Conservation Association was one of the sponsors, as we have been since the conferences began in 1995. This year fascinating material was presented on Timber Rattlesnakes, and timely reports were presented by the Army Corps of Engineers, the United States Geological Survey and the Rockland County Department of Health. If you missed the conference, all six hours will soon be available on three VHS tapes from the Ramapo River Committee. Call Geoff Welch (cell phone) 845-536-4145 to order.

Next year's conference will focus on the Ice Age, the formation of the Ramapo Valley Aquifer and the post glacial environment.

Geoff Welch, Ramapo Director, RCCA

RCCA ELEANOR BURLINGHAM AWARD

This award is given each year to a graduating senior from a Rockland County high school that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in environmental conservation.

Faith Leigh and Jeanne Nelson, RCCA Award Co-Chairs, have announced that the $500 award application forms have been sent to the scholarship chairs at all high schools in the county. The winner will be honored at RCCA's summer quarterly meeting in July.

The Eleanor Burlingham Award memorializes this outstanding woman's contributions to environmental conservation. She served as President of RCCA for 23 years and continued working as an active member of the Board of Directors until her death in 1991.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S OUTSTANDING
ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEER AWARD 2003

Geoff Welch of Hillburn is this year's winner. He was nominated by the Rockland County Conservation Association, where he is a member of the Board of Directors. Geoff has worked for more than twenty years to help protect, preserve and enhance the natural resources so important to Rockland County. He is largely responsible for raising the public's awareness of the precious resources found in the Tome Valley - the federally designated sole source aquifer, the scenic features, the protected Timber Rattlesnakes and the rich history of the area. Geoff is founder and Chair of the Ramapo River Committee. The nomination document included a letter of support from the Rockland County Environmental Management Council.

In his honor, a red bud tree has been planted in the Kennedy-Dells County Park, alongside those of past recipients Charles Schwep, Betty Hedges, Zipporah Fleisher, Colleen and Harold Leidy and George Zoebelein.

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Last Updated: September 09, 2003
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