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Hudson River Almanac
—Keep up to date — Read and share—
Free archives of weekly E-Almanac of Hudson River Nature Notes. <http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/25608.html>
Free e-subscription: e-mail <hrep@gw.dec.state.ny.us>, subject: E-Almanac.
To share observations, e-mail <trlake7@aol.com>.
Join the Putnam Highlands Audubon
Yahoo Group to stay informed!To join, go to http://groups.yahoo.com. You will need to register with a Yahoo ID. Then, in the “Find a Group” box,” enter Putnam Highlands Audubon. You can elect to receive postings as separate email messages, or compiled into once-daily digests.
The group is restricted to PHAS members and is moderated, so you will not receive any spam through this group.
Questions? Contact Pat Grove, PHAS Webmaster
ASK AUDUBON
09/13/07 "What are some ecological considerations in purchasing a computer?"
--Submitted by Greg T., Austin, TX
Computers contain toxic materials, such as lead, cadmium, mercury and PVC plastic that can harm the environment during production and disposal. EPEAT, the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, is a useful standard to assist consumers in buying computers made in a more eco-conscious manner. EPEAT evaluates electronic products according to the amount of toxic, biodegradable and post consumer recycled material, as well as how recyclable the materials are at the end of the product's lifespan. EPEAT also looks at how well the product conserves energy during use. Additional criteria include whether the packaging is made of recycled materials, contain toxins, and can itself be recycled. Ratings of a variety of companies and products can be seen at http://www.epeat.net/Companies.aspx.
If you are getting rid of an old computer, there are several things you can do to avoid disposal in a landfill. There are take back programs, where manufacturers take back products when the consumer is through with them and reuse the component materials. Information about these programs can be found at http://www.computertakeback.com/docUploads/using_takeback_programsv10.pdf. If the manufacturer of your equipment doesn't have a take back program, you can check http://www.Earth911.org, which has a database of recycling programs in cities all across the United States. Another possibility is to see if a local charity or school can make use of your old equipment.The most eco-conscious thing to do with a computer, however, is to keep it yourself. Most people buy a new computer to get a faster CPU, more memory, and more disk space. These can be bought individually and replaced, which will generally save you money as well as having to dispose of old equipment. And keep in mind, you can purchase a duplexer attachment for many printers. This will enable you to print on both sides of the page, cutting your paper usage almost in half. For more eco tips for the back to school season, see http://audubon.org/bird/at_home/Back-to-school_checklist.html.
09/27/07 "What type of portable water bottles are safest for my family to use?"
--Submitted by Maura S., Brooklyn, NY
Stainless steel bottles are the safest options. Plastics, which include the popular Nalgene bottles, have been known to release toxins into the water they hold. Case Western University's Dr. Patricia Hunt made the 1998 discovery that Lexan polycarbonate resin (which is used to make Nalgene) can release the hormone disruptor bisphenol-A (BPA). A 2003 study from the University of Missouri found that BPA can leach from water bottles when the bottles are merely sitting at room temperature. Heat or being exposed to direct sunlight increases the chance of BPA leaching. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to hormone disruptors. Stainless steel bottles do not cause any of these problems, and are lightweight.
Whatever kind of water bottle you use, keeping it clean is integral to having healthy water. Water bottles should be rinsed regularly with mild soapy water or a vinegar and water solution (vinegar kills 99% of germs and bacteria.) Allow the bottle to thoroughly dry before filling it with water. If you are concerned about the quality of your tap water, you can purchase a filter for home use. There are various kinds of filters, all of which are more economical than buying bottled water. In fact, an NRDC study found that 25 percent of bottled water is really filtered tap water.
See http://www.waterfiltercomparisons.net/WaterFilter_Comparison.cfm or http://heartspring.net/water_filters_guide.html for more information about water filters.Mission:
Connecting People with Nature
The mission of the Putnam Highlands Audubon Society is to preserve and maintain those lands and waters that have been entrusted to our stewardship; to inform and educate the public on issues involving birds, wildlife, and the environment; and to encourage membership in the chapter and participation in its activities.
Officers:
Acting President: Carolyn D. Smith (Ph: 845-526-3492)
Vice President: Dee Rod
Treasurer: Zshawn Sullivan
Secretary: Position openMembership:
To join the National Audubon Society and Putnam Highlands Audubon (Chapter R-25) call Audubon Customer Service at 1-800-274-4201 and get the advantaged rate of $21/yr for up to 3 years and pay by credit card! It’s important that you specify that you wish to join Chapter R-25.
To renew your membership call Audubon Customer Service at 1-800-274-4201 and renew by credit card at $21/yr for up to 3 years. The usual renewal rate is $35/yr.
Newsletter Only Option: If you prefer not to join as a member, you can still receive the Chapter’s newsletter to thank you for your fully tax-deductible contribution of $25 or more, which should be mailed to PHAS, PO Box 292, Cold Spring, NY 10516
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