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Environmental Federation of New England
E-mail Newsletter
The latest news and events from New
England's
top environmental organizations.
VOLUME II, Issue 6
http://www.GreenForNewEngland.org
MARCH 22, 2001
1 - Time for Report Cards
2 - Usher Out Winter
3 - Dream About Summer
4 - Space Invaders
5 - Year of the Charles
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1 - Time for Report Cards
Does just the mention of report card time send a shiver down your back?
Relax and check out how the Massachusetts Audubon Society graded
Massachusetts' senators and representatives. The Society recently released
its annual roll call report card with generally good news for the
Commonwealth's legislature. The Society gave 75 percent of the senators and
almost 60 percent of the representatives in the Commonwealth A's for their
votes on key environmental issues during the 2000 session. The marks are
based on votes for environmental bills or funding measures that focused on
issues such as pesticide disclosure, wildlife protection, and Cape Cod's
groundwater and habitat protection. The Society has compiled grades since
1985 in order to keep citizens informed about their legislators' commitment
to the environment. To download a copy of the full report, visit the
Society's website at www.massaudubon.org.
2 – Usher Out Winter
The calendar may say that it is Spring, but when most of New England looks
outside, it is definitely still Winter. Therefore, we might as well take
advantage of the snow while we have it. If you live in Vermont or happen to
be there on a visit, the Green Mountain Club is leading a cross-country
skiing day on Saturday, March 24 on the Catamount Trail that leaves from
Stratton Pond, located in the 15,680-acre Lyle Brook Wilderness. Another
option, if those ice-covered lakes have caught your eye, is to lace up your
skates and join the Club's Manchester section for a few spins around Riley
Rink to iron out the kinks. In Connecticut, the local Green Mountain Club
chapters will lead a hike Saturday on the Shenipsit Trail in Cobalt and on
Sunday in Guiffrido Park in Meriden. For more information on these and other
activities, visit www.greenmountainclub.org.
3 - Dream About Summer
Given that Spring is 'technically' here, it is never too early to plan
summer activities to keep the kids happy. Whether you are searching for ways
to make your own child's summer a fun experience, or just looking for a
great way to keep your visiting niece or nephew busy for a weekend, the New
England Aquarium's Newport Exploration Center in Rhode Island has the
answer. For those seeking an interesting summer camp program, the Center is
holding two sessions in July on the subject of Ocean Exploration.
Participating youngsters will discover new ways to look at the ocean and its
surrounding habitat, as well has have a chance to explore the variety of
creatures that live there. If a fun day or weekend activity is what you
need, each week the Center will focus on a new topic, ranging from shoreline
geology to marine mammals to trash and pollution. Community or school groups
also have the opportunity to set up a 'Beach Detectives' Program with the
Center. Led by an Aquarium staff member, the group will learn about
different types of shells, handle live tidepool animals, and solve a
'mystery.' For more information on these programs and more, contact the
Center at (401) 849-8430 or visit www.neaq.org.
4 - Space Invaders
No, not that timeless classic for the Atari video game system. This
unwelcome invader actually goes by the name of Phragmites and you can find
it lurking, among other places, in the Berkshires. This reed, which reaches
heights of 15 feet, has a tendency to thrive in wet areas and crowd out
other freshwater or tidal plant species. Fortunately, the Nature Conservancy
and its partners are freeing the Kampoosa Bog of the invasive Phragmites.
The Bog, one of only two like it in the northeastern US, covers more than 20
acres and provides habitat for 21 rare species. Through the work of the
Kampoosa Bog Stewardship Committee, environmental groups and volunteers have
studied the Bog extensively and contributed to the regrowth of its native
plant species. In keeping with the bog theme, the Vermont chapter of the
Conservancy recently received a 27-acre fen from the Bennington Garden Club,
creating the Catharine Osgood Foster Natural Area. The preserve is the
chapter's 40th and is home to several rare plant species, including the bog
wintergreen, the Labrador bedstraw, and the Arethusa. For information on
what the Conservancy is doing in your area, visit www.nature.org.
5 - Year of the Charles
While living in Boston, you have probably crossed over it more times than
you can count, but how much do you really know about the Charles River? Now
is your chance to fill your brain with all things Charles River. The
Watertown Public Library is hosting a series of events this Spring to
celebrate the River with a little something for everyone. There will be a
variety of artwork depicting the Charles throughout April and May and on
April 4 noted environmentalist and author Bill McKibben will be a featured
speaker. During the weekend of April 17 and 18, kids will join the fun with
a nature scavenger hunt while adults enjoy lectures and book reviews.
Don’t' miss the special week-long Earth Day celebration, too! Rounding out
the month of April is the Charles River Watershed Association's 19th Annual
Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race on April 29. Join top paddlers from
Canada and the US, plus hundreds of amateurs, for New England's largest
canoe and kayak competition. For details on these programs, or if you want
more fun ways to learn about the river, contact the CRWA at (617) 965-5975
or visit www.crwa.org.
Seeking the Next Ansel Adams
Have you ever said to yourself,
"Hmm, that's a pretty good picture," after getting a role of film
developed? If so, wouldn't you like the rest of the world to see it? Now is
your chance. We are looking for photos to use for our Earth Day Online
celebration (www.EarthDayOnline.org).
If you or someone you know might be willing to 'donate' the use of a picture
or two, send us an e-mail at info@EarthDayOnline.org.
Rest assured that proper credit will be given to all photographers, Ansel
Adams or not.
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