Red-tailed hawk
Once again, another beautiful city raptor is dead from secondary rat poisoning. The dead body of a red- tailed hawk that lived in Madison Square Park was sent to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) for necropsy. The state is still investigating the case. What we know so far is that there were partially reabsorbed clots of blood indicating a prior episode(s) of poisoning as well as the massive bleed-out that led to this bird’s painful death. The concerned citizen, who found the bird, also informed the state that there was an over-deployment of 19 rat bait boxes throughout this tiny, two block park. The NYS DEC is also investigating this alleged rodenticide over-application.
Prevention of rodent infestation is better than cure. Once a rodent infestation is established, it can be very difficult to control, so, it’s best to stop the rats from getting onto your property in the first place. Such measures will minimize the risk of an infestation and reduce the numbers of rodents on your property.
The following precautions for rodents should be taken wherever possible:
1. Clean up food remains, rubbish and debris close to buildings so that rodents don’t have a ready source of food, and keep refuse sealed in rodent-proof containers.
2. Pest proof buildings to prevent rodents from getting in. Cover openings with 6 mm wire mesh to prevent rodents from entering buildings.
3. Fit metal “kick plates” at the bottom of doors to prevent gnawing.
4. Place metal guards around pipes and wires entering the building.
5. Trim trees and overhanging vegetation, and remove ground cover near foundations.
6. Predators, such as cats and raptors, help to keep rodent numbers down.
7. If a rat infestation does occur, either live capture traps or spring traps should be considered as the next option. Where spring traps are used, they should be placed under cover or protected to prevent non-target animals and birds from being caught. Rodents prefer to run along the edges of open ground, so placing traps against walls or other hard surfaces works best.
8. Traps may not be sufficient to deal with significant infestations. If the use of rodenticides is deemed necessary, a series of initial steps must be taken. Carefully read the product label and other industry and government guidance, and make sure that you follow all the instructions, as required by law. Use baits only for as long as it is necessary to achieve satisfactory control and normally no longer than 35 days in any treatment. Remove all bait at the end of the treatment. This may help limit the buildup of resistance amongst the rat population, therefore making any future control easier.
Rats in the subway
Rodenticides are poisons and are also toxic to young children, pets, and other wildlife, as we have seen by the poisoning of two young red-tailed hawks in Central Park and others around NYC in the past year. Failure to adequately protect baits from access by animals and humans (particularly children), may lead to serious poisoning incidents. So, it is best to avoid rodenticide use where possible and utilize other methods of control, without endangering children, pets and other wildlife.
For more information on controlling rodents go to www.epa.gov/opp00001/controlling/rodents.htm.
About the Author: Marcia is the bed bug and vector management specialist for the Pesticides Program in Edison. She has a BS in Biology from Monmouth, second degree in Environmental Design-Landscape Architecture from Rutgers, Masters in Instruction and Curriculum from Kean, and is a PhD in Environmental Management candidate from Montclair – specializing in Integrated Pest Management and Environmental Communications. Prior to EPA, and concurrently, she has been a professor of Earth and Environmental Studies, Geology and Oceanography at Kean University for 14 years.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Cycling to Work at EPA
By Murray Lantner
Most mornings (when not working at home) I begin my day by bicycling from my apartment in Midwood, Brooklyn to the office in lower Manhattan. Now with the wonderful abundance of bike lanes, my eight mile ride to work is really quite pleasant, mainly up side streets, through Prospect Park and then on to bike lanes around Grand Army Plaza, Bergen Street, Adams Street and then over the Brooklyn Bridge and into our parking garage.
I started bike commuting in high school. It was a five mile ride to John Dewey High School in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, a “no brainer” – spend 30 minutes on a bike or an hour on the bus. I’ve been bike commuting ever since. I am truly amazed how over these decades, that NYC has been transformed into a terrific biking city. I remember, in the past, being one of the few cyclists on the street, and now on Bergen Street, I’ve counted up to 10 cyclists waiting for a single light to change.
At our EPA offices we have great indoor biking facilities, very safe bike racks, showers, places to change, etc. We have a bunch of regular cyclists some that ride to and from Metro North or the LIRR with folding bikes as well as people that cycle in from Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. I have to say, albeit grudgingly, that the most hardcore cyclist that I’m aware of is my branch-mate, Larry Gaugler who will almost always bike to work even in rainy or snowy conditions.
Cycling is generally pretty safe, but, I’ve had a few accidents, like getting “doored,” or rolling the bike in an unexpected and large pothole, and have had some other near misses with car doors and vehicles turning right. But all in all I enjoy getting exercise and spending some time outside on my way to and from work, especially when I get to see the sunset from the Brooklyn Bridge or hear the birds singing in Prospect Park.
I am looking forward to the NYC bike share program (Citi Bike) that will ultimately put 10,000 more bicycles on the road starting this spring. Studies have shown that as the number of bike riders increases, it become safer to ride because motorists become more accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists.
About the Author: Murray Lantner is an Environmental Engineer in EPA’s Water Compliance Branch who conducts enforcement of wastewater and stormwater permits under the Clean Water Act at EPA’s Manhattan office. Murray has worked for EPA for 20 years, and started in EPA’s Chicago Office. Murray enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and paddling. Murray holds a B.S in Civil Engineering and a Masters in Environmental Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University and a Masters in Conservation Biology from Columbia University.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Eco-Friendly Weekend Activities
The rain seems to be drying up, so there’s no excuse for staying home this weekend! Check out our sustainable suggestions and let us know if we missed something in the comments section.
Bagel Bark: Bring your furry friend to Central Park off-leash hours and enjoy free bagels, pastries and coffee while your dog plays with other pups. Saturday, March 2, 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Children’s Naturalist Program at Fort Tyron Park: Come explore and learn why heather is important in the Heather Garden at Fort Tyron Park. Appropriate for children ages 4-7. Sunday, March 3, 1-2 p.m.
Free Saturdays at Red Hook Recreation Center: Every Saturday in March the Red Hook Recreation Center is welcoming the public for free family programming including fitness activities, board games, billiards, access to the cardio and weight rooms and more. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Million Trees NYC Tree Care Day: Head to Queens to learn to care for street trees harmed by Hurricane Sandy. In this special workshop, learn the basics of soil remediation and protecting root systems. Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m. – noon.
NY Vegetarian Food Festival: Two days of food, fun, and veggie friendly activities. Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden: The eagerly anticipated annual orchid show opens this Saturday. Visit the New York Botanic garden to see thousands of these fabulous blooms. This year storm-damaged trees from Hurricane Sandy will form part of the show’s design. Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (through April 22, 2013).
Topsy-Turvy: A Camera Obscura Installation: This Friday, Madison Square Park will be unveiling an interactive public-art project designed to transform how visitors experience the park. When people enter the walk-in camera obscura structure they will be able to view the Flatiron District and see surrounding trees and buildings projected upside down in an interactive lens. Friday, March 1 (through April 5, 2013).
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Textile Recycling in the City
By Jacqueline Rios
Recycle Unwanted Textiles Sign
Recently, I did some pre-spring cleaning in my apartment and took down my old cloth shower curtains. How can you give new life to old textiles and clothes? In New York City, you can take them to one of 19 greenmarkets that accept clothing and textiles for recycling. The program, which is operated by the nonprofit GrowNYC, accepts everything from linens and fabric scraps to belts and paired shoes. They sort and redistribute the textiles to markets where there is a demand for wearable clothing or other materials. Recycled textile fibers can be used for stuffing mattresses.
I have taken old linens (towels, sheets) and unwearable clothing to the drop-off locations. It used to be that the recycling location closest to me was about a mile away and only open on Fridays, but since April 22, 2012, the textile recycling drop-off program has expanded and become more convenient for many New Yorkers. Now, a greenmarket is only five blocks away from my apartment and it’s open on Sundays to take used textiles. They also collect food scraps for composting.
The average New Yorker tosses 46 pounds of clothing and other textiles in the trash each year. The program has collected over 1.8 million pounds of textiles since 2007. For more information on the program, including a list of the drop-off locations across the city, visit their website. It is good to know that when I have clothing and linens that have outlived their useful life and are not nice enough to donate, that there is another option to a landfill.
About the Author: Jacqueline Rios is an engineer with EPA Region 2 working on Clean Water programs.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
The Annual Great Backyard Bird Count
By Kevin Kubik
This past weekend was the 5th year in a row that I have participated in the Annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). The GBBC is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the national Audubon Society and it’s a four-day event held every year on Presidents Day Weekend. The goal of the bird count project is simple – to get a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. Participation is open to everyone – from beginners to expert birders. You can spend as little or as much time as you like counting the numbers of each species of bird at your location during the weekend and recording them on the GBBC website (http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc).
Red-bellied woodpecker (photo courtesy Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
Why Count Birds?
Here’s how GBBC explains the event: “Scientists and bird enthusiasts can learn a lot by knowing where the birds are. Bird populations are dynamic; they are constantly in flux. No single scientist or team of scientists could hope to document and understand the complex distribution and movements of so many species in such a short time.
Scientists use the GBBC information, along with observations from other citizen-science projects, such as the Christmas Bird Count, Project FeederWatch, and eBird, to get the “big picture” about what is happening to bird populations. The longer these data are collected, the more meaningful they become in helping scientists investigate far-reaching questions, like these:
• How will the weather influence bird populations?
• Where are winter finches and other “irruptive” species that appear in large numbers during some years but not others?
• How will the timing of birds’ migrations compare with past years?
• How are bird diseases, such as West Nile virus, affecting birds in different regions?
• What kinds of differences in bird diversity are apparent in cities versus suburban, rural, and natural areas?”
Downy woodpecker (Photo courtesy Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
While the weather didn’t cooperate this year (it was too cold and windy for much bird activity in my neighborhood on Sunday and Monday), I still managed to see some of my favorite local birds. Most notably were: a red-bellied woodpecker in a nearby tree, a downy woodpecker pecking away on some fragmites, and a Coopers Hawk soaring high above my house.
Hopefully next year’s contest will have better bird watching weather in NJ and I look forward to the coming spring migration along the coast.
About the Author: Kevin Kubik serves as the region’s Deputy Director for the Division of Environmental Science and Assessment out of EPA’s Edison Environmental Center. He has worked as a chemist for the Region for more than 29 years in the laboratory and in the quality assurance program.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Sustainable Weekend Activities: NYC
Check out our top eco-friendly weekend recommendations and feel free to share your own in the comments section.
Canstruction Design Competition: Twenty-five teams of architects, engineers, contractors and the students they mentor will compete to build enormous structures made entirely out of unopened cans of food, which are then on view to the public until they are dismantled and donated to City Harvest for distribution to those in need. Admission is free, but visitors are asked to bring a can of high quality food to the exhibition’s collection station to reach their goal of collecting over 50,000 pounds of non-perishable edibles. Saturday, February 9 and Sunday February 10, 10:00 a.m. –6:00 p.m.
Clothing and Textile Recycling: Textiles can be dropped off weekly at eight select Greenmarkets: 97th Street, Union Square (Monday and Saturday only), Grand Army Plaza, Fort Greene, McCarren Park, Inwood, Tompkins Square and Jackson Heights. Collections accept clean and dry clothing, paired shoes, bedding, linens, hats, handbags, belts, fabric scraps 36″ x 36″ or larger and other textiles. Click here for the full schedule of textile recycling stations.
Free Music Fridays at the American Folk Art Museum: Enjoy live music every Friday from 5:30 –7:30 p.m. Admission is always free.
Health & Race Walking in Central Park— Still looking to turn over a new leaf in 2013? Join other New Yorkers as you get fit and enjoy Central Park’s winter landscapes. Saturday, February 9, 9:30 a.m.—11:00 a.m.
Lunar New Year Firecracker Celebration: Join the Better Chinatown Society for the 14th Annual New Year firecracker ceremony and cultural festival at Sara Roosevelt Park this Sunday, February 10 at 11:00 a.m.
Rechargeable Battery and Cell Phone Recycling: Here at EPA, eCycling is one of our favorite topics. If you’re interested in diverting e-waste from landfills, check out GrowNYC’s collection boxes for rechargeable batteries and cell phones, stationed at Greenmarkets across Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx. For a complete list of hours and locations, click here.
Volunteer: Find volunteer opportunities in your area as an easy way to shake up your weekend plans (while also lending a hand).
ea as an easy way to shake up your weekend plans (while also lending a hand).
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Vacation in Jamaica – Being Part of the Community
By Linda Longo
Every February we vacation in rural Jamaica. This year will be our fifth time staying at the same place. You’d think we’d want to try a different vacation destination, but the community of Treasure Beach, in Saint Elizabeth Perish, has a genuine welcome to visitors that makes me feel like I’m part of the community. Each day around 3:00 I take a walk along the dirt road to meet kids playing with sticks or hanging out under shade trees. I wave to women hanging laundry to dry, I say “hi” to men walking past with heavy packages. I step inside a local store and see the bare necessities on the shelf. It amazes me on how little they get by on.
As a guest to Treasure Beach, it’s customary to bring gifts. So I prepare for the gift giving by asking my family to donate unwanted clothing and shop at the local discount store to catch end of summer sales. In September I got shorts and tank tops for $1.99 each! The friends we vacation with usually bring drug store gifts like tooth brushes, paste, aspirin, bug itch ointment, etc. We also like to give a special gift to the two women who cook and clean for us, Ms. Jenny and Ms. Laura. Now I’m sewing them each a handbag from colorful reused fabrics. My bags are made out of fabric from old shirts, jeans, wool slacks and other items that can’t be worn again. It’s fun to create something pretty out of something that was destined for a landfill. Zippers are still good, buttons are usable, and the worn jean material is quite fashionable.
The community works hard to help each other. Some families have small businesses, but I get the feeling most folks are low income and work as cooks for vacationers like us. A community support network exists through the Treasure Beach Women’s Group (TBWG). They work on job development, healthcare and physical abuse issues. This year I’m making handbags to sell at their gift shop and TBWG will keep 100% to support their efforts. I wanted to make a dozen bags, but as of today I only have 5. I’ll make a few more this weekend.
The next time you go on vacation consider bringing a little something from your community to give as a gift. Even if you never go back to that same place, you will leave a cultural footprint that I imagine will be cherished and remembered.
About the author: Linda started her career with EPA in 1998 working in the water quality program. For the past 7 years she’s helped regulated facilities understand how to be in compliance with EPA enforcement requirements. Outside of work Linda enjoys exploring neighborhoods of NYC, photographing people in their everyday world, and sewing handbags made from recycled materials that she gives to her friends.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Super Storm Sandy Restores Habitat in Sunken Meadow Park
By Mark Tedesco
The storm surge associated with Super Storm Sandy wreaked havoc on coastal communities, altering both human and natural structures. However, coastal ecosystems have evolved with, and have been shaped by, the forces of coastal storms over the centuries. Periodic storms can even have beneficial effects on certain aspects of the natural ecosystem. One such example is the restoration of intertidal flow and habitat in Sunken Meadow Creek at Sunken Meadow State Park, New York.
The storm surge associated with Hurricane Sandy destroyed a man-made berm across Sunken Meadow Creek that was constructed as part of the development of Sunken Meadow State Park in the early 1950s. The berm created a road and walkway to nearby woodland for park visitors, but the undersized culverts that were installed restricted the natural tidal flow to the creek from Long Island Sound. As a result, saltwater fish were prevented from swimming and spawning upstream, and an invasive form of the common reed, Phragmites, proliferated along the now freshwater creek. Using EPA funding provided through the Long Island Sound Study, New York State Parks was planning to remove the berm to restore tidal flushing to the creek.
But on October 29-30, 2012, Hurricane Sandy decided that Mother Nature knows best, impatiently breaching and eroding away portions of the berm. As a result, Sunken Meadow Creek has returned to its natural state, an estuary where fresh and salt water mix. The fresh water common reed, Phragmites, will most likely die back and be replaced by saltmarsh grasses. Saltwater species cut off from the creek, including alewife, striped bass, juvenile bluefish, winter flounder, weakfish, silverside, killifish, American eel and various shellfish, waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds will all benefit. Although intertidal exchange has been restored by the force of Sandy, planning is now underway to control bank erosion and restore access to the other side of the creek for park visitors.
About the author: Mark Tedesco is director of EPA’s Long Island Sound Office. The office coordinates the Long Island Sound Study, administered by EPA as part of the National Estuary Program under the Clean Water Act. Mr. Tedesco has worked for EPA for 25 years. He received his M.S. in marine environmental science in 1986 and a B.S in biology in 1982 from Stony Brook University.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Cooking and Being Green
By Nora Lopez
Brrrr … It’s cold! I want to eat things that warm up my belly once I get home from work. But my schedule is pretty hectic. I am lucky, I only work 10 minutes from the office, but when I get home it is around 5:30 pm and I usually cook a real meal every night as we are not into picking up food on the way home… there is nothing like a home cooked meal! However, I do need to be out of the house by 6:30 pm to go to the gym, every night … a commitment I set for myself once the kids were out of the house 
Dinner needs to be ready in one hour….oh and by the way, I just started a Paleo diet this week (if you do not know what it is Google it… and it will open your eyes to a new way of cooking!).
So what does my ordeal have anything to do with cooking and being green? Let me introduce you to my solution to the rat race: The CROCKPOT! I just put it on early in the morning, before I leave to go to work, and when I come in I have a meal ready, add a salad and voila! Yummy food I am so much into it that I was trying to convince my sister to get one, but she was very hesitant … she lives in Puerto Rico and electricity is extremely expensive there. So she was concerned that having a Crockpot on all day would increase her electric bill.
So the scientist in me was turned on and went digging for information on the energy efficiency of this pot. What I found was great information that says that it depends on your stove and type of fuel. The following table I found the most helpful because it was simple to understand. Obviously you need to adjust per your watt costs, but it gives you an idea of the energy consumption:
What I also found is that there are so many web sites for people who are concerned about the energy consumption issue; what is better or not; weighing the pros and cons, that it really made me feel good that so many people think about how our behavior can influence how we can save in energy resources.
As for my sister, once she saw all the information I gathered on how she would be saving money in electrical … she ran to the department store and got an energy efficient Crockpot and she invited me over to delicious pulled pork the next time I was in Puerto Rico.
My first convert! …. Anyone else?
About the Author: Nora works out of EPA’s Edison, New Jersey facility, where she manages the Region’s Toxics Release Inventory Program. After work she can often be found channeling her inner chef.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Eco-friendly Weekend Activities
Cross Central Park Promenade Tour – You will see many surprises: a hidden bench that tells time, miniature boats powered by the wind, a magnificent sculpture celebrating fresh water. These are just some of the sites on this east-to-west walk through the Park. Sunday, February 3, 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Family Art Project at Wave Hill: March Out The Mardi Gras! Join visiting native New Orleans artist and instructor Paul Deo to make a colorful parasol, hat, nature mask or funky bead necklace. Then join an imaginative indoor parade as we create the sights, colors and sounds of the Mardi Gras at the Ecology Building in Wave Hill. Sunday, February 3, 10:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m.
Fix Your Bike Workshop: Come learn how to fix bikes, do simple maintenance and tune-ups at the Time’s Up bike mechanic skill share. Sunday, February 3, 6:00 p.m.
NYC Audubon Winter EcoCruise: Step aboard the New York Water Taxi for a winter adventure in New York Harbor! Look for harbor seals on the rocky shores of Governors Island and the more remote Hoffman and Swinburne Islands. Learn about the surprisingly diverse winter birds of New York City, including ducks, geese, loons, and sandpipers – many of which migrate south from the Arctic Circle. Dress warmly and bring your binoculars because there will be plenty to see! Departs Pier 17, South Street Seaport. Sunday, February 3, 2:00 –4:00 p.m.
The Butterfly Conservatory: Tropical Butterflies Alive in Winter – Ready for summer? Stop by the American Museum of Natural History this weekend to frolic with 500 butterfly specimens in a balmy 80 degree vivarium. Saturday-Sunday, February 2-3, 10:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
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