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2024

Three Westchester communities get state grants to plant thousands of treesMoney doesn’t grow on trees, but it’s going to help plant them in three Westchester communities.

Environmental, Civic and Faith-Based Groups, Legislators Call for Packaging Reduction

https://riverjournalonline.com/around-town/for-the-local-good/environmental-civic-and-faith-based-groups-legislators-call-for-packaging-reduction/203419/

Group calls for fishing ban at Halsey PondWith its first action as an advocacy group since forming last month, the Friends of Halsey Pond are leading a call to ban fishing at the Village-owned property. The group has presented the Irvington Board of Trustees with 111 signatures on a petition calling for the ban, stating that fishing

Mayors Making Meaningful Moves to Protect Endangered Butterfly - River Journal Online - News for Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, Irvington, Ossining, Briarcliff Manor, Croton-on-Hudson, Cortlandt and PeekskillHave you heard about the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge? It’s an initiative launched by the National Wildlife Federation in 2015 to encourage heads of local and tribal government across the U.S., […]

Residents aim to prevent demise of Halsey PondLocal News, Locally Sourced

Irvington achieves silver among Climate Smart CommunitiesLocal News, Locally Sourced

Rushkoff’s talk takes aim at climate crisisLocal News, Locally Sourced

Grant boosts rehab of green spacesLocal News, Locally Sourced

Solar power plan in the works for Irvington Senior CenterLocal News, Locally Sourced

Clean energy efforts lead to six figures in grantsLocal News, Locally Sourced

Village seeks grant to rezone for transit-oriented developmentLocal News, Locally Sourced

Village hires bow hunter to cull deer in the Irvington WoodsLocal News, Locally Sourced

Board weighs bow hunting optionLocal News, Locally Sourced

Irvington Asks For—And Gets—Not-So-Good News On Climate Change - The Hudson Indy Westchester's Rivertowns News -By Jeff Wilson– In the 16 months since Charlotte Binns was named Irvington’s first Sustainability Director, the village has upped its game in keeping environmental issues in the forefront of its public policies. On the first Wednesday of every month, the Irvington Green Policy Task Force hosts a program. The program for May, which drew an audience of 20-25 people to the Irvington Library, featured a trio of climate scientists in a panel discussion entitled “Climate Change in Irvington and […]

June 21 2024

Study to explore food scrap collection

REGION — With a $25,000 grant from the Hudson River Valley Greenway in tow, seven villages have taken a step towards implementing a curbside food scrap collection program.

As of June 18, the Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Elmsford, Hastings, Irvington, Tarrytown, and Sleepy Hollow boards of trustees had passed resolutions agreeing to fund a study about collecting residents’ food scraps for composting.

The study, conducted by civil engineering firm VHB, is expected to cost $100,000, with each village chipping in equal amounts to pay the $75,000 not covered by the grant. The villages also plan to split the cost of implementing the collection program.

“We figured as small communities it would not be terribly efficient if we each went off in our own direction and did our own thing,” Irvington Village Administrator Larry Schopfer said. “It would make some sense if there’s some ability to cooperate and collaborate on this.”

Irvington is acting as the lead agency for the program by collecting the grant money and overseeing the contract with VHB. Once the study is done, the villages will look into the next steps recommended by the firm. The actual collection would likely not begin before the end of 2024, according to Schopfer.

Find the full press release here https://www.westchestergov.com/home/all-press-releases/10123-westchester-county-department-of-environmental-facilities-hosts-5th-annual-eco-awards-in-new-rochelle

And a video of the ceremony on the Westchester County YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzAhvsdOvrs

Irvington Eco Award

The Village of Irvington receives an Eco Award from the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities for achieving the highest waste percent reduction in Westchester County in 2023. Well done DPW!

At Glen Island Park in New Rochelle on April 18, 2024, pictured left to right: First Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Facilities Louis Vetrone, Commissioner of the Department of Evironmental Facilities Vincent Kopicki, Westchester County Legislator Serving District 12 David Imamura, Village of Irvington General Foreman Todd Smith.

Irvington had the highest percentage reduction in waste when comparing residential garbage collected in 2023 vs 2022 for Westchester municipalities. In 2022, Irvington disposed of 2,826 tons of waste, and in 2023, Irvington disposed of 2,694 tons of waste, for a reduction of around 4.7% from 2022 to 2023, which was the largest percentage reduction of any Westchester municipality.

Superintendent of the Department of Public Works Greg Neilsson recognized that "This could not be done without having a hands on relationship with the many volunteer organizations within the Village of Irvington."

2023

Earth Day Is Coming—And the Rivertowns are Ready - The Hudson Indy Westchester's Rivertowns News -By Jeff Wilson– Earth Day itself is on Monday, April 22, but the environmentally committed residents of the rivertowns have joined with other Westchester municipalities in planning for and hosting green-oriented events on both sides of the day to help heal a wounded planet. Dobbs Ferry is having its annual Earth Day Clean Up on Saturday, April 20 from 9:00 a.m. until noon. The group will meet up at 9:00 at the corner of Cedar Street and Main Street in […]

‘Fire and Flood’ author wins award from meteorologistsFor decades, award-winning writer Eugene Linden of Irvington has been, figuratively, that canary in a coal mine.

Local Students Join Harvard in Effort to Preserve Irvington Woods Irvington Woods Park is a special place. Beyond being the largest nature preserve south of I-287, it contains the most expansive wetlands in southern Westchester and is home to two […]

Schoolyard Scientists Podcast

The Irvington Woods "Changing Forest" after-school research program with Harvard Forest was featured on the Schoolyard Scientist podcast. Tune in at 13.30 minutes to hear Ali and Abigail from the O'Hara Nature Center program share their experiences: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0WYVN6ZlYEtbpP1QcCljMx?si=HNGHomsJRuKcswhA4m1iLw&nd=1&dlsi=c07c261a7e78485a.

Matching program nets 74 native trees for woodsThe ongoing effort to replace invasives with natives in the Irvington Woods received an injection of 74 trees last month. The cost of the trees was split between the Village

Funds approved for culvertsThe Irvington Board of Trustees approved a change order for the Station Road culvert project at their Sept. 16 meeting, adding just over $14,000 to a contract with Valhalla-based Bradhurst

Gas leaf blower ban to proceed as plannedThe Irvington Village Board decided on Oct. 11 to proceed with its planned ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, scheduled to go into effect Dec. 16. The board took public feedback

Owners share info about electric vehiclesIn the wake of National Drive Electric Week (Sept. 22-Oct. 1), the Charge Up Hastings campaign and the Irvington Green Policy Task Force presented information about electric vehicles at the

Efforts to boost EV use receive supportAs summer nears its final days, Irvington is seeing nothing but green lights in its efforts to increase the number of electric vehicles on the streets.

Irvington EV Owners Look to Grow Their Numbers-And Cut Their Carbon Output - The Hudson Indy Westchester's Rivertowns News -By Barrett Seaman– Gathered around a table at Irvington’s Chutney Marsala restaurant Wednesday evening were two Tesla Model Xes, an all-electric Nissan Leaf, a hybrid Leaf and a Volvo plug-in hybrid. –That is to say, the owners of these various models of electric vehicles were gathered under the auspices of the newly formed Irvington Electric Vehicle, or EV, Club. Launched by Charlotte Binns, the village’s inaugural Sustainability Director, the EV Club is a forum for local owners to share information, […]

Three villages granted $433K to restore forestsThe Villages of Hastings, Irvington, and Dobbs Ferry were awarded a total of $433,275 for forest restoration and maintenance on Sept. 14 as part of an $11 million allocation from

Inventory gauges greenhouse gas emissionsThe Irvington Board of Trustees was presented on Aug. 16 with the results of a municipal greenhouse gas inventory, a study that gauges the Village’s emissions in a single year.

State funds second culvert upgrade for BroadwayMore infrastructure improvements are on the horizon for Irvington, as Gov. Kathy Hochul announced July 5 that the Village would receive $1.4 million in state funds to upgrade the culvertthat

$2 million available for accessory dwelling unitsHomeowners who want to build or renovate accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Dobbs Ferry, Hastings, or Irvington now have the chance to receive some financial relief thanks to a $2

Efforts ramp up to stem spotted lanternfly spreadThe spotted lanternfly arrived in the Rivertowns in August 2021, first identified by Sue Galloway, who was then chair of the Dobbs Ferry Conservation Advisory Board. That was five months

$1.48M in bonds to fund assorted upgradesWhile the $18.2 million bond resolution to finance a new firehouse and municipal facility was the big-ticket item on the agenda at the July 17 Irvington Village Board meeting, the

Legislative victory: Blocking radioactive wastewater from being dumped in the Hudson RiverA Q&A with state Sen. Pete Harckham on decommissioning the Indian Point nuclear power plant.

Efforts aim to increase ownership of EVsAn increased push for electric vehicles is coming to Irvington, starting with an Electric Vehicle Club.

Grants sought for infrastructure projectsThe Irvington Board of Trustees agreed July 17 to apply for three grants that, if approved, would fund the replacement of a water main on River Road and a culvert

Four-week study aims for a deer estimateIn an effort to manage a booming deer population, the Village of Irvington had five cameras installed in the Irvington Woods this month. The cameras will be used to perform

Public to vote on $18.2M bond for municipal facilitiesWith November elections a few months away, the Irvington Village Board voted July 17 to add a big-ticket item to the ballot.

Representative Lawler should Oppose Fossil Fuel Giveaway Bill - The Hudson Indy Westchester's Rivertowns News -Republicans in the US Congress are considering a disastrous bill, HR1 (the Lower Energy Costs Act), that would give polluting corporations approvals on toxic, costly fossil fuel projects. As a resident of Ossining, NY, I urge Representative Lawler to strongly oppose HR1. Now is the time to transition to clean energy, not rubber stamp more oil and gas projects. HR1 is a giveaway to fossil fuel corporations. Despite the sustainability and affordability of wind andsolar, HR1 fast tracks toxic and costly fossil fuel […]

A New Free App Aims to Curb Energy Use–And Pay Cash to Consumers Who Use It - The Hudson Indy Westchester's Rivertowns News -By Alexander Roberts– In 2020, Sustainable Westchester, the local renewable energy supplier, began offering consumers cash inducements to reduce their electricity usage during peak summer demand periods. That year, only 100 customers signed up; last year nearly 3,000 participated. This year, however, the company is making a huge push to sign up tens of thousands of customers in Westchester, in part through a “friendly competition” engaging the seven rivertowns mayors in a cheerleading effort for “GridRewards,” a free app offered […]

TEAC Co-Chairs to be Honored by Volunteer New York - The Hudson Indy Westchester's Rivertowns News -By Barrett Seaman— Each spring for more than 40 years, Volunteer New York, the nonprofit organization that supplies volunteers to more than 300 other nonprofits throughout the metropolitan region, honors the best of them with its “Volunteer Spirit Awards.” Nominations are solicited for six categories and reviewed by a panel of nine judges. This year’s winners in the “Going Green” Category, honoring those “who work to protect and beautify our environment and natural surroundings,” are Dean Gallea and Rachel Tieger, […]

Environmental experts warn of Indian Point owner plans to discharge radioactive waste into Hudson RiverEnvironmental advocates claim Holtec International, the company that runs the plant, is seeking to discharge millions of gallons of radioactive wastewater into the Hudson River.

Experts outline how less grass is greenerThe Ardsley Pollinator Pathway recently conducted its second of a two-part Zoom presentation, “Letting Go of the Lawn: Rewilding Your Suburban Yard,” moderated by Carol Sommerfield, chair of APP. The

$7M to fund e-bikes for Dobbs and moreThe New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has awarded $7 million for the establishment of e-Bikeshare programs in Dobbs Ferry, Ossining, Tarrytown, and Croton-on-Hudson.

State grant to fund flood mitigation planIrvington will continue its march toward a more sustainable infrastructure system with the help of a Climate Smart Communities grant awarded on Dec. 29. The $1,136,000 grant, matched by the

LEDs illuminate restored Town Hall clock towerBefore the countdown at dusk on Dec. 10, Mayor Brian Smith told the crowd gathered outside Irvington Town Hall to look up after the annual tree-lighting in front of the

Harvard research projects spread to Irvington WoodsStarting in September, a connection was forged between the 253-acre Irvington Woods and the 4,000-acre Harvard Forest, an ecological research site that Harvard University owns in Petersham, Massachusetts.

2022

Irvington Hires Sustainability Director - The Hudson Indy Westchester's Rivertowns News -By Barrett Seaman— Communities across Westchester County, including the rivertowns, are elevating the status of environmental sustainability enhancement as a function of local government. The latest move in that direction is in Irvington, where the village board recently created the position of Sustainability Director and hired village resident Charlotte Binns to fill it. Binns will be paid $60-an-hour, up to 1,000 hours a year, to advise the board and village departments on policies and best practices in furtherance of renewable […]

Irvington School District Goes Green With Solar LightingTwenty-four light poles with solar panels and LED light fixtures were recently installed at the middle and high schools.

Campaign aims to reduce waste in DobbsThe Zero Waste Committee, an all-volunteer subcommittee of Sustainable Dobbs, is launching DeWaste Dobbs!, a campaign starting this month to reduce the amount of trash residents generate in 2023.

Village appoints Binns as first sustainability directorCharlotte Binns, a local leader in green and renewable energy, has been named the Village of Irvington’s first sustainability director. She was appointed by the village board on Nov. 22.

Hands-on for the woodsMaxwell Ma, Iris Ma, and Matthew Besidski were among the student volunteers who removed Japanese barberry, an invasive shrub, from the Irvington Woods on Saturday, Oct. 8. They were joined

Fun Run on Oct 16

MUCH APPRECIATION to everyone who participated or donated towards the Fun Run for a More Sustainable Irvington today! Kudos to Joanna Paul, IHS Senior, who organized the fundraiser in collaboration with the Irvington Rec Department, CJ of the O’Hara Nature Center and the GPTF. Thank you also to all volunteers! The event was a real success. Everyone had a lot of fun. Here are some photos documenting the positive atmosphere.

Runs fund native plants for communityTwo simultaneous fun runs — a 3K and a 5K — raised $934 on Sunday, Oct. 16, to purchase native plants for sites throughout Irvington, including the middle/high school campus.

Village aims to add a sustainability directorThe Village of Irvington is looking to hire a sustainability director to advise the Village’s boards, operating departments, and volunteer committees on environmental issues, regulations, resources, and funding opportunities.

Plan unveiled to restore Irvington WoodsAn assessment of the Irvington Woods released last week concludes that it is a remarkable resource approaching a dangerous tipping point.

Irvington secures bronze in sustainability programThe Village of Irvington reached the “Bronze” certification level in the New York State Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program on March 4, joining Dobbs Ferry and Hastings as certified communities.

Deer exclosures rise in Irvington WoodsEarlier this month, with $3,000 in funding from the Greater Irvington Land Trust, O’Hara Nature Center naturalist C.J. Reilly began installing 20 deer exclosures in the Irvington Woods, near the

Westchester Power to resume with new ratesSustainable Westchester is resuming its Westchester Power (WP) program, the six-year-old community energy option that has been suspended since June 30, when Sustainable Westchester was unable to negotiate a new

How Eileen Fisher's Tiny Factory became an incubator for young designers focused on sustainabilityOn Thursday, Public School and Eileen Fisher launched a four-style collaboration at Eileen Fisher’s Brooklyn-based Making Space concept store. The zero-waste four-piece collection, sold exclusively at the store, was made at Eileen Fisher’s Irvington, New York-based Tiny Factory, using pieces obtained through the company’s take-back program.

Board defers ban on gas leaf blowers until 2023It’s one thing to vote for a law and have it take effect a few weeks or months later. It’s quite another to pass legislation that won’t be in force

Orville to lead Sustainable WestchesterDobbs Ferry Sustainability Task Force member and former chair Nina Orville, a 17-year village resident, has been named executive director of Sustainable Westchester. Orville takes on her new role, effective

Proposal For Solar Farm on Nevis Property Triggers Backlash Among Irvington Residents - The Hudson Indy Westchester's Rivertowns News -By Barrett Seaman– Every few decades, it seems, alarm bells go off in Irvington about a threat, real or rumored, that Columbia University is going to sell, develop or otherwise disfigure the bucolic 68-acre plot of land that houses the university’s Nevis Laboratories and the Nevis Estate, built by James Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton’s son, and named after the island where he was born. In the 1990s, there was talk that the university would build a cluster housing complex for retired […]