Zoom-a-Palooza! Earth Month 2021 Series of Presentations
Our 2nd Pandemic Earth Month events included presentations on local sustainability initiatives, local restoration projects, and community science opportunities—as well as workshops for meditation and guided conversations about climate change. We hope that in 2022, more events can be in person! All events also listed in our calendar.
In addition, we have ongoing hands-on volunteer opportunities - from cleanups to tree plantings (click for line-up).
Questions? Email the Conservation Commission (click to email).
Hillside Woods Restoration Project Update, April 8
Watch the recording
Haven Colgate & Patrick McKenzie, Hillside Woods Steering Committee
Our woods are in dire straits: Hillside is an ecosystem ground up by deer and disrupted by invasive plants. Learn how the HWRP is working to restore it to health and how you can participate.
Pollinator Pathways & the Conservation Potential of Your Own Backyard, April 9
Watch the recording
Melissa Reavis, Hollander Design Landscape Architects
Learn from the Hastings Pollinator Pathway project how we're restoring our ecosystem, one square foot at a time.
The Climate Crisis, Paris Agreement and the US Re-emergence, April 12
Watch the recording
Joe Siegel, Climate Change and Air Pollution Law and Policy Expert
Find out about exciting developments on US national climate change policy and the Country's reemergence on the international climate change stage. Joe also served as co-chair of Hastings Climate Smart Communities Task Force in 2021.
Introducing HOH's Conservation Commission, April 13
Watch the recording
Sharon Kivowitz, Conservation Commission Chair
Come meet members of the Conservation Commission, hear about all of the projects we are working on, and learn about how you can plug into our efforts for a sustainable, healthy village.
Green Building Strategies: Passive House Design & Energy Smart Solutions for Your Home, April 15
Watch the recording
Christina Griffin AIA LEED AP CPHC, Principal of CGA Studio Architects and Ajey Pandey, Distributed energy resources (DER) expert, The Cadmus Group
Learn how net zero energy homes are designed by following the principles and guidelines of Passive House and Energy Star standards. Christina presents strategies and energy sources used to achieve these standards in the deep energy retrofit of her 1910 home in Hastings. Ajey discusses energy-efficient technologies, such as heat pumps for heating and cooling, heat pump water heaters, and energy efficiency audits and retrofits, as well as rebates to make these upgrades more cost efficient.
National Drive Electric Day and mini Eco Fair, April 17, 9:30-11:30am, in person
Check out the new affordable EVs on the market in your price range, and learn about rebates and discounts. Hear from experts on why EVs make the most sense, and learn tips from those who’ve gone electric. Plus - we'll have info on a variety of Conservation Commission initiatives, food scrap tote kits for sale, the Hastings Pollinator Pathway with its Seed Swap table (free!) and a garden tools demo.
Zinsser Commuter Lot (aka Train Station Parking Lot), north end, 131 Southside Ave
Talking Trash: Things to know about refuse, reuse and recycling in HOH, April 18
Watch the recording
Elisa Zazzera and ZWAT Team
Household Discards: How and what to put where and when. Learn about the work of HOH's Zero Waste Advisory Taskforce.
Plastic in the Environment, April 19
Watch the recording
Haven Colgate, Conservation Commission
A review of recent findings on the prevalence of plastic particles in our environment, how it gets there, and a primer on what plastic is made of. Inspiration for participating in Village litter cleanups and Riverkeeper Sweep.
Composting, Food Scrap Recycling, and Food Waste Reduction 101, April 19
Watch the recording
Offered by Ardsley CAN 2030 in collaboration with Greenburgh Nature Center. Lindsay Cohen, Director of Sustainability Programs at GNC, goes over both food scrap recycling and waste reduction with tips and techniques for homeowners. You'll see how easy this is and what a difference it makes for the earth.
All the Miles without the Cost: The Dos and Don'ts of Buying an Electric Car, April 20
Watch the recording
Jared Walker, Electrification Coalition, and Seth Leitman, Sustainable Westchester, and John Voelcker, auto technology analyst and writer specializing in electric vehicles.
Electric Vehicles are moving from novelty status to mainstream, and now is your chance to catch up on the EV revolution. From charging to range to empg, learn the jargon, as well as the new affordable EVs on the market in your price range, including rebates and discounts. Hear from experts on why EVs make most sense, and learn tips from those who’ve gone electric.
Invasive Plants in Your Backyard, April 21
Watch the recording
Susan Harris & Haven Colgate, Hastings Vine Squad
Join us to learn about the environmental impact of invasive plants, plus how to I.D. some of the typical suspects that may be lurking in your yard.
Earth Day Meditation, April 22
Listen to the recording
Karin Elias, Dancing Turtles
Hastings' Karin Elias offers a 20-minute guided meditation to both center you in your Self and tune you into the wider world. A great way to start Earth Day (or any day!).
Facing Our Fears: Personal Conversations around Climate Change, April 22
Email Rebecca Weston, CSW; private, free Zoom group sessions.
Facing our Fears conversations are a space for safe, supportive and gently guided conversation about climate change - not the science, but the emotions that we feel living in an increasingly fragile world. Many of us have deep worries about our future - but often retreat into silence in the face of overwhelming daily struggles, on-going racism, financial stress and uncertainty. Talking openly about our climate-related emotions mollifies our fears, creates room to connect, and expands our sense of what is possible. Rebecca offered three separate virtual group conversations for three different age groups: parents of young kids, high schoolers, and other adults, each limited to 5 people.
GridRewards™ and Community Solar, April 22, 7-8pm
Watch the recording
Learn about two simple but effective ways to earn cash/save money, reduce your energy consumption and lower your carbon footprint: GridRewards™ and Community Solar. The webinar also demonstrates how to sign up.
Eat/Grow/Love: Food in a Time of Climate Change, April 28
Watch the recording
Lori Fontanes, Author
Writer/food & environment activist and Rye resident Lori Fontanes explains how what we eat affects the planet, ways to avoid waste, and how to feed ourselves in a time of climate challenges—including from our own backyards.
Green Concrete: A Critical Building Block, May 6, 7-7:45pm
Watch the recording
Chris Neidl, OpenAir Collective, and Ion Simonides & Spencer Weart, CSC Task Force members
Concrete is used in mass quantities around the world and contributes 7% of global CO2 emissions annually. Using new technologies, we can decarbonize its production and delivery. Hastings-on-Hudson is the first municipality in the Northeastern U.S. to pass a resolution encouraging its use. Learn how our Village is leading the way with this innovative approach to address climate change.
Click here for our full slate of hands-on volunteer opportunities
Zoom lineup 2020 - archive