Climate Champions Zegras Donates to Bedford Tree Planting Effort
Julie Zegras, owner of Bubble and Tweet in Bedford Village took April 2008’s Earth Month celebrations to a fashionable new level. Zegras, who opened her exclusive children’s clothing shop in February, 2008 has a friend who makes market bags that she described as, “being more fashion forward than the reusable bags you see in supermarkets”. Julie and her mother-in –law, Joy Zegras, who works with Julie at the Bubble and Tweet came up with the idea to sell the bags at the start of 2008 Earth Month and donate the proceeds of nearly $300 to the Town of Bedford’s Tree Planting Effort.

Julie and Joy Zegras are The Town of Bedford Energy Advisory Panel’s newest Climate Champions.

Bubble and Tweet is located at 656 Old Post Road, across from the Bedford Theater. The telephone number is 234-6622. Back to Top

Bedford Planning Board Announces Recommended Energy Use Goals for Planning Board Applications

Town of Bedford Supervisor Roberts, Energy Advisory Panel Chair Kass and Westchester Land Trust Executive Director Gallay present at Westchester County Conference on Global Warming.
Bedford Supervisor Lee V.A. Roberts moderated and Energy Advisory Panel Chair, Mary Beth Kass and Westchester Land Trust Executive Director Paul Gallay were among the presenters on Tools for Municipalities, as Westchester County unveiled their Action Plan for Climate Change and Sustainable Development for 2008. Supervisor Roberts moderated the discussion, as panelists discussed varied municipal considerations and tools to help them achieve the County’s goals.

As he opened the Conference, County Executive Andy Spano called on every resident, business, government and school in Westchester to reduce its “carbon footprint” by 20 percent by 2015, an important interim goal of an ambitious but doable countywide Action Plan to help combat global warming. Last fall, Bedford announced its own goal to reduce carbon emission twenty percent by the year 2020.

EAP Chair Kass highlighted the efforts underway by our town panel and Conversations-For-Action, a local grass roots organization. Both groups are working together to achieve Bedford’s goal for carbon reduction and to raise awareness in the community. “I was asked to speak about Bedford's success in understanding the importance of engaging the community from the beginning and trying to create the right conditions for our action plan to succeed, when it is finally done. It was evident yesterday, that Bedford is among a handful of towns in Westchester County who are leading the way. Many municipalities who are just getting started with their efforts expressed an interest in hearing more about our process - and we are pleased to be able to share our experiences with them."

WLT's Gallay discussed land use and its role in municipal efforts to meet the County goals for sustainable development. Gallay noted that in order to achieve its goals, the county and its individual municipalities will not only consider what and how things are built but also what to do with the land that we don’t build on. He stressed the importance of smart growth and land conservation.

Spano’s call to action came as the Task Force on Global Warming that he appointed a year ago released its comprehensive plan on what can and must be done in Westchester to meet this worldwide challenge. Supervisor Roberts served as a member of the County’s Global Warming Task Force as well as sitting on the Town’s EAP.

The full action plan is available at http://www.westchestergov.com/globalwarming.htm Back to Top

Town Board Adopts Goal to Reduce Bedford Carbon Emissions Twenty Per Cent by 2020
Noting that, “This is an important step in our efforts to reduce the harmful economic and environmental effects of global climate change.” Town Board member Francis Corcoran joined Peter Chryssos, James Renwick, Elizabeth Bailey and Lee V.A. Roberts as a unanimous Bedford Town Board adopted a goal to reduce the Town of Bedford’s carbon emissions twenty percent by 2020. “I am proud that Bedford has taken a leadership role on this issue that should set the tone for all of our neighbors in Westchester County," continued Corcoran.

New Board member David Gabrielson recently added, “Bedford's Town Board is committed to the 20 by 2020 plan to reduce carbon emissions. We are counting on resident’s help to succeed. Bedford will be a leader in promoting energy efficiency by taking simple and inexpensive and money saving steps, many of which can be found here on our new Green Page.” Chris Burdick concurred. “The Town is moving ahead aggressively to minimize its carbon footprint, so that acting collectively, we can make a real difference in reducing greenhouse gases and dependence upon foreign oil.” Back to Top

The Town of Bedford Joins ICLEI
This summer, Bedford joined ICLEI,  a membership association of local governments and national and regional local government associations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. More than 700 local governments, representing over 300 million people worldwide, make up ICLEI.  It’s Cities for Climate Protection® (CCP) is ICLEI's flagship campaign. The program is designed to educate and empower local governments worldwide to take action on climate change. CCP is a performance-oriented campaign that offers a framework for local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve livability within their municipalities.

Town of Bedford Dedicates New Rain Garden at Bedford Town House
Rain gardens are shallow, basin-shaped gardens specifically designed to soak up rainwater, mainly from roofs, but also from driveways and patios.  When it rains, a rain garden fills with a few inches of water and allows the water to slowly filter into the ground rather than running off to the storm drains, or across lawns and into nearby streams, which could pollute our sources of drinking water.  Compared to a patch of lawn, rain gardens allow about 30% more water to soak into the ground.  Rain gardens are planted with perennial species, providing food and shelter for birds, butterflies and beneficial insects. 

Members of the Bedford Conservation Board Pictured at the Rain Garden Inauguration (left to right) Janeen Karlsson, Stan Starr, John Van Sicklin, Simon Skolnik (chair), Jane Pearl (vice chair), Ann McDuffie, and Rosemary Lee.  Photo by Martha Skolnik. Back to Top

NY TIMES features Bedford’s Rainbeau Ridge and their Local Eating Challenge
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The next wave of energy savings bulbs is already here!
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Locavore is New Oxford American Dictionary Word of the Year 
The word "locavore" has received the esteemed honor of being the New Oxford American Dictionary 2007 Word of the Year. For you non-locavores, the word is defined as "a person who endeavors to eat only locally produced food." It was coined about two years ago by four San Francisco women who popularized the idea of the 100-mile diet.  (The 2006 Word of the Year was carbon-neutral!)www.GRIST.com Back to Top

News from the Conservation Board
Lyme Disease: A Primer for Town of Bedford Boards and Commissions.
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