Watershed Wake-Up Call: Tapped, AgriCulture Exhibit, DelCo Business Expo

TONIGHT MAY 17: IMPACT Film Series continues tonight at 76 Main!, Stamford with the screening of "Tapped" a 76-minute documentary that addresses the bottled water industry, the environmental issues surrounding continued water bottle product, and the social impacts of this modern-day convenience. Free and open to the public, this screening is sponsored by the Roxbury Arts Group and the Council with funding from NYC DEP, O’Connor Foundation. NYS Council on the Arts, Robinson Broadhurst Foundation and private individuals. Donations are accepted and will benefit the Roxbury Arts Group and the Council's Conservation Easement Stewardship Fund. FMI: Maggie Cullen, RAG (607) 326-7908

The Issues / North Pacific Garbage Patch

The idea to make Tapped all began with the discovery of the plastic stew, twice the size of Texas located between San Francisco and Hawaii. At the time, there was two times as much plastic as there was plankton in this area of the ocean. By the time the film's producers did the interview with Captain Charles Moore who discovered the Garbage Patch, there was 46 times more plastic than plankton. At Kamillo Beach in Hawaii, much of the Garbage Patch washes ashore, where miles of sand equals miles of plastic. "The message here is we can't take back what we've already put out there. Much of the plastic has broken down in to particles so small that fish mistake them for food," notes director/producer Stephanie Soechtig . According to the "Tapped" website, what can you do to keep plastic out of the ocean?

• Be more aware of the way things are packaged.
• Say no to plastic bags.
• Don't buy Styrofoam cups.
• Order less take out (or bring your own containers when you do).
• Stop drinking bottled water.
• Reduce, reuse and recycle.

Upcoming IMPACT Film series movies include

MAY 24: Messages From Water 

MAY 31:  Dirt! the Movie

Remember, all water is connected, it is a finite cycle. Check out this hydrologic cycle poster from the Council's teacher resource page, You & Your Watershed.

 

Photo: Ulla Kjarval

MAY 19:  "AgriCulture" artist's reception at Catskill Center, Route 28, Arkville from 2 to 4 p.m. Free and open to the public, the new art exhibit at the Erpf Gallery features the work of Flavia Bacarella, Temma Bell, Ulla Kjarval, and Dan Nelken. Paintings, photographs and woodcuts capture the strong influence of agriculture on Catskill communities and culture. Reception fare sponsored by the Council and prepared by Pure Catskills member Stone & Thistle Farm, East Meredith. Erpf Gallery is open Monday through Friday 9a.m. to 5 p.n. FMI: Katie Palm, CCCD (845) 586-2611

MAY 19:  Delaware County Business Expo at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, Walton. Find out who's who in the Catskills first hand. Over 50 exhibitors from business professionals, construction companies, alternative energy, landscapers, service businesses and more;  call the Delaware County Chamber at 607-746-2281. Sponsored by Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development

Food sampling from Pure Catskills members Shaver Hill Farm and Maple Shade Farm. FMI: Marybeth Silano, DCCC (607) 746-2281

MAY 20:   The New Approach to Organic Gardening with Pure Catskills member The Cutting Garden, Youngsville from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $125.00 or $100.00 for NOFA NY Members; reduced rate may apply to single workshop session. A four-session course centered on a step-by-step approach to creating and maintaining a permanent, low-maintenance system of production for food, flowers and trees based on the natural system of the forest. This will be a hands-on course with emphasis on individual attention. For more information or to register, call (845) 483-3333 or cuttinggarden@hotmail.com.

JUNE 8:  Adding Income Streams to a Small Dairy at DelRose Farm. 9635 County Highway 18, Bloomville (Delaware County). Ernest and Barbara Hanselman will share their experience milking 75 Registered Holsteins and Brown Swiss in the fertile valley of the Delaware River. In the dairy business for over 30 years, the Hanselman's have gradually added enterprises that diversify the farm into various income streams that add to farm income and farm viability. To register, contact Mariane Kiraly at CCE-Delaware, (607) 865 6531.

JUNE 4: Easement Program Committee Meeting at 44 West Street, Downstairs Conference Room, Walton. The public agenda is usually available online one week prior to meeting. FMI: Suzie Seymour (607) 865-7790, ext. 100

Farmers' Markets-Delaware County rack card:

May 21: Andes Farmers' Market at the Andes Hotel, 72 Main Street
Saturday 10am–2pm, May 19–October 8

Franklin Farmers' Market at Institute Street at Chapel Hall
Sunday 10 am–2 pm, May 20–October 9

Pakatakan Farmers' Market at the Round Barn, 46696 State Route 30, Halcottsville
Saturday 9am–2pm, May 19–October 6

Photo: CatskillCenter.org

OF INTEREST:

CatNAP: The Catskill Naturalist Apprentice Program (Cat NAP) certificate program is for local residents interested in learning about the Catskill Mountains’ natural resources including tree identification, native wildflowers, invasive plants and insects, ash inventories, general trail maintenance, riparian buffers, and more. Participants will have 2 years to complete 45 hours of training. No background knowledge required. After completion of the certificate, trained naturalists are encouraged to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to understanding, promoting and conserving the natural world (biodiversity) of the Catskill Mountain region. A $150 fee is required for enrollment in the two-year program. Contact the Catskill Center at (845)586-2611 or email Katie Palm. This program will be offered in partnership with several Catskill region organizations including: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Greene County, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, iMap Invasives, Green County Soil and Water Conservation District, and others.

ARTICLE: The Neighbouring

Tune in every week, Thursday at 7:15 a.m., on WIOX Community Radio 91.3FM. In the meantime, follow us on Facebook for the latest on the Watershed Agricultural Council and Pure Catskills or visit our blogs, You & Your Watershed and Pure Catskills Local.