The New York State Legislature has passed a bill to ban a new fracking technique involving carbon dioxide. Governor Hochul has not yet signed the bill into law. Please call her office at 1-518-474-8390 and leave a message asking her to sign A.8866/ S.8357, the CO2 fracking ban, into law!

Read the latest issue (May-August) of Terra Firma, pages 4-5, to find out more about this new threat which NYS is poised to outlaw. Find it in the Archives here.

When: Saturday, June 1, 2024, 8:45 AM - Noon (approximately) (Rain date, Sunday June 2 at 9:00 AM)

Where: 
Washburn Trailhead, 3200 Stearn Rd, Cold Spring, NY 10516, USA

Join us on the Short Loop of Bull Hill (4.5 miles round trip). This trail starts with a 1000ft climb to vistas over the Hudson before a long descent past the ruins of the Cornish Estate. The climb is steady, but never requires using your hands like neighboring Breakneck Ridge. The reward is great views without the additional effort of going to the true summit of Bull Hill.

Transport: Parking is available at the Washburn trailhead or in the Village of Cold Spring (park mobile app). This is a busy area, allow plenty of time to find a park, even though we are starting early. The trailhead is a 20 minute walk from Cold Spring train station for anyone taking the train from the city.
 

Bring: Water, Snacks, Appropriate Clothing. No pets.

Map: All Trails

Cancellation/Rain Date: Rain Cancels. Raindate: Sun., June 2 @8:45am. Trip Leader will contact registered hikers on Friday, 5/31 if cancellation/raindate is likely.

Event Organizer:
Liam Robb O'Hagan
   liam@extremeyou.com
   310-435-1843

Register and Sign Waiver

By Joseph Dunnigan, posted March, 2024

On March 12th, 2024 a press release was published by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-14) stating that she had secured over $12 million for the Bronx and Queens. Embedded within that funding was $50,000 that was set aside for the Hutchinson River Restoration Project (HRRP). 

HRRP (featured in LHG’s September – December 2023 newsletter article titled “The Hutch – A History of Taming a River”) aims to use the funding for their clean-up efforts of the Hutchinson River, that runs through Westchester and Bronx counties before emptying into the Long Island Sound. 

This river, named in honor of Anne Hutchinson and which is nicknamed ‘The Hutch,’ is in desperate need of maintenance and conservation efforts. And with this grant, The Hutch is one step closer to reverting to the lush ecosystem it once was. 

For more information about this issue and how you can help, you can visit the HRRP website at https://www.hutchinsonriver.org/.

We won a huge victory in June when the New York State Senate and Assembly passed the Birds and Bees Protection Act, an historic, nation-leading bill that will end the unnecessary use of a class of toxic pesticides known as neonicotinoids (neonics). Neonics have caused an alarming crash in pollinator populations nationwide and the EPA has recently reported that the continued use of these toxic pesticides will likely drive hundreds of endangered species toward extinction.

On December 22, Governor Hochul signed this bill into law! Thanks to all the Sierra Club and other activists who joined together to support the bill. Read more here.

For more information about the issue, see the following factsheets: Protect New York’s Birds, Bees, Water, and People from Toxic Neonic Pesticides, Setting the Record Straight on the Birds and Bees Protection Act, and In the Weeds on Treated Seeds.

Are you confused about the new election districts? Do you want to find out which Congressional, NYS Senate or Assembly district you're in now? See the Redistricting & You: New York website.

Above the map is a box where you can indicate which of the three maps you wish to see. The default for the Congressional and NYS Senate districts is the FINAL Special Master map, but if you move the slider under the choices to the left, the new districts will fade out and the old districts will appear, outlined in gray.  On the right, there is a drop down menu that allows you to view various draft plans that preceded the FINAL Special Master plan.

Looking to get involved in New York? There has never been a better time!  Volunteer with us at the Sierra Club Lower Hudson Group and help us create an environmentally just and clean future in New York!

Visit our Volunteer Page for more information on our teams, volunteer roles, contact information and instructions on how to express your interest. We look forward to working with you to create a better future for New York!

The climate crisis is truly urgent.  We are focusing our work primarily on local action on climate change: stopping gas pipelines and working for local government action on climate change particularly through two very powerful government programs.  Join us to help make change happen in Rockland County!

Community Choice energy is a very exciting program that promotes renewable energy, community solar, geothermal, and electric vehicles. Click HERE to learn more! 

Climate Smart Communities is a New York State program that helps communities reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.  We are working to get our communities moving ahead in this program! Click here for more information on Climate Smart Communities.