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APRIL 6, 2001
    1 - Wide Open Spaces
    2 - Spring Cleaning
    3 - Shaping the Future
    4 - Make a Run for It
    5 - Coffee is For the Birds

REMINDER: Please visit www.EarthDayOnline.org.  Fun for the whole family!

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1 – Wide Open Spaces
As more open space is lost to development activities, at least one more piece of land may be saved from such a fate. On March 15th, the Trust for Public Land signed an agreement to purchase 27 acres of land along Lake Cochichewick in North Andover, MA. The lake is the town’s sole source of drinking water, and development along the lake could lead to water pollution, as well as destroy the scenic mix of hayfields and woodlands. The land will be transferred to town ownership upon a positive vote of the town meeting in May. The project recently overcame one hurdle when North Andover voters adopted the Community Preservation Act, providing a source of income for preserving the town’s historic, rural character. The town’s Open Space Committee has identified the land as one of the highest priorities for protection. For more information, contact TPL at (617) 367-6200 or visit www.tpl.org and click on "New England."

2 - Spring Cleaning
Have you ever felt sick after using common household disinfectants in your home? It is no wonder with all the chemicals in them. Try this instead: mix ½ cup of Borax in 1 gallon of hot water. It works just as well, plus it is safer for you and the environment. The Clean Water Fund’s Home-SAFE-Home Guide has this and many other tips for protecting you and your family from toxic chemicals found in products you use everyday, from hairspray to toilet cleaners. For more info, visit CWF’s website at www.cleanwaterfund.org.

3 - Shaping the Future
Should Off Road Vehicle trails be a part of the scenery of the White Mountains? Should the roadless areas stay roadless? If you have opinions on this and other issues affecting the White Mountain National Forest, then the US Forest Service needs your help to revise its forest management plan. There are many opportunities to get involved in the process through local meetings, submitting comments on the Forest’s management, and others. For more information on getting involved, contact the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Conservation Department at conservation@amcinfo.org or call (617) 523-0665 ext. 386.

4 – Make a Run for It
It’s time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful spring weather, to watch the flowers bloom and the leaves grow on trees. It is also time for the Narrow River Preservation Association’s 14th annual Narrow River Run on Saturday, May 12th. Get out and enjoy one of the most scenic racecourses in New England. If the 10K run is too long for you, NRPA is also offering a 5K run and walk. Proceeds benefits NRPA’s programs to preserve and protect the Narrow River. For more information, call NRPA at (401) 783-6277. To register, go to www.narrowriver.org or pick up an application at all Citizen’s Bank locations.

5 – Coffee is For the Birds
Do you know where your coffee beans come from? The type of coffee you buy may determine whether valuable habitat for migrating songbirds is saved or destroyed. Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) recently hosted a symposium highlighting the important connection between coffee and songbirds. Participants learned through displays and presentations that coffee grown under natural rainforest canopies helps preserve critical wildlife habitat, in contrast to the more intensive open-field farming method. And of course, there was also plenty of coffee on hand. For more information, contact VINS at (802) 457-2779 or email info@vinsweb.org.

EARTH DAY ONLINE Has Started
Every day for the month of April, find "green" tips, e-mailable photos, fun things to do, and more at www.EarthDayOnline.org.  Test your knowledge at "Eco-Survivor," vote in the daily survey, and enjoy all the fun of an Earth Day celebration—online!

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