Dinner with Save the Pine Bush

The planet is in ecological crisis: we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction event this planet has experienced. Scientists believe we may have entered a period of abrupt climate breakdown. This is an emergency. In this talk, climate speakers from Extinction Rebellion will share the latest climate science on where our planet is heading, discuss some of the current psychology around climate change, and offer solutions through the study of social movements.

Tina and Paul talk about the poisons coming our way from the proposed tire burning by Lafarge in Ravena. This $27 billion multi-national company plans to burn tires from around NYS and other states as well making us the tire burning capital of the northeast. Tina and Paul discuss the hazardous chemicals that will be released into our air, water and soil that will have literally ‘sickening’ effects on people and animals. Tina and Paul tell us about the outstanding work activists have been doing and will continue to do to try to get the county legislature to “ban the burn,” and why this critical issue affects us all.

Hugh Johnson

Retired National Weather Service Meteorologist

speaks about

How Trump could ruin our National Weather Service and trump our chances to reverse climate change for good

Hurricane Dorian was a monster. Trump took it upon himself to modify a National Weather Service forecast, apparently given an old forecast briefing. Instead of apologizing over the confusion he continued to insist his forecast was correct throwing the NWS forecasters from Birmingham under the bus. However there is a much more grave concern here, how Trump is undermining our chances to reverse climate change. Hugh will address those concerns and how we need to combat them.

Merton is a street activist and community organizer. He is also an Albany County legislator. He is best known for his work with SHARE, the Sheridan Hollow Alliance for Renewable Energy that he co-chairs with Ruth Foster. SHARE’s hard work has borne tangible fruit, but there is still a long way to go. Merton is also a Prime Sponsor of a bill to ban the sale of flavors, including menthol, from e-cigarettes and cigarettes. Menthol is a racial justice issue.

How the Capital District can Transition from Landfills & Incineration to Zero Waste 

October 14th 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

History of US waste and recycling, restructuring of recycling, localization of solid waste management systems and related challenges. What do we do now at state level, local level, and private sector? What about zero waste?

Doug has been an Albany County legislator since 2008 and has an outstanding record of accomplishments.  Most recently, he sponsored a resolution to make Albany County pollinator friendly.  This has become policy.  Save the Pine Bush member Grace Nichols did a lot of work on this.  Doug is currently a sponsor of the Albany County Clean Air Local Law and is working on a resolution to remove plastic water bottles from the Albany County airport.  He is one of the organizers of the local Climate March on September 20. 

Lou Ismay was a professor at the Environmental Forum at the University of Albany from the mid-1960s to the early 1970’s. During the Save the Pine Bush Earth Day dinner this year, Lou began to tell the story of the Environmental Forum, but, time was limited and Lou was not able to nish. Join us for this dinner, and listen to the rest of Lou’s amazing tale of the Environmental Forum at the University of Albany and the student run, PYE - Protect Your Environment club.

Neil A. Gifford, Conservation Director, Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission speaks about Pyramid Crossgates is proposing to construct 222 apartments in five buildings on twenty acres of Pine Bush. The proposed development is located on Rapp Road in the Town of Guilderland. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission’s Technical Committee has issued an analysis of the proposal and its possible affects on the Pine Bush. The Karner Blue “butterfly corridor” borders this proposed development to the north. Neil Gifford will explain the Technical Committee’s findings, the Commission’s position on the proposed development and impacts the proposed development may have on insect, amphibian, reptile and mammal species.

Done with Dunn Landfill: Negative Impacts of Dunn C/D Dump Operations

David Ellis from Rensselaer Residents Against Toxic Dumping spoke about the history of the Dunn Landfill property in the City of Rensselaer, NY and the many negative impacts that this landfill has on the Rensselaer community and school district. Lou Sebesta of STAR — Stop Trucks Assaulting Rensselaer discussed how the dump and it’s outrageously loud and dirty trucks pose an intolerable burden on the community as a whole and the school students and staff and residents of Partition Street/Broadway neighborhoods along the truck itinerary in particular.

George Keleshian spoke about The Potential of Zero Energy. George presented his newly patented systems on zero energy and energy efficiency strategies can help greatly reduce fossil fuel usage. Learn about his innovative approach to reducing energy use!

Earth Day Event

Lou Ismay, George Keleshian and Steve Coyle

will speak about

Revolution for the Environment — Past and Future

The April dinner will open with a celebration of Lou Ismay for his work with PYE - Protect Your Environment Club at SUNY Albany. This is the 50th anniversary of the PYE Club and Lou Ismay’s Environmental Forum. Many of the founders of Save the Pine Bush met through PYE and projects they did while attending the Environmental Forum. 

George Keleshian, PYE president in 1973 and owner of One Energy/Zeroenergy Bldg. Inc., will speak about the history and projects of PYE, including litigation. Looking to the future, Steve Coyle, owner of Town Green, an international urban planning consultant group and co-founder of the National Charrette Institute, will speak about the future for the environment including importance of resilient communities, clean water, flood control, urban planning and energy.