... To the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County's 28th annual Spring Housing tour on June 6.
The event's purpose was to show people how to save on heating and utility costs in environmentally friendly ways, including biofuel, geothermal and solar installations.
Participants were able to tour places, including Quality Hardwoods, which uses wood chips for its steam boiler; Enviro Energy LLC, where fuel pellets are produced from grass; Flying Rabbit Farm, which uses grass pellets; and Franklin Town Garage, where a CCE green biomass energy project uses grass pellets to power a stove and boiler furnace. Homes of individuals and a cat sanctuary using environmentally conscious methods of heating were also showcased.
We think that this tour is a creative way to give people the opportunity to see cost-effective, less-harmful methods in action and to have the process and benefits explained by knowledgeable individuals. The event featured a variety of options, and provided timely and valuable information.
... To an Oneonta High School participation-in-government class that recently hosted Dennis McCabe, assistant attorney general in charge of the Binghamton office, as well as Oneonta Alderman Paul Robinson and Mayor John Nader, and to these officials for taking time to spend with students.
Joe Hughes' class was given pointers on the website "Project Sunlight," which offers access on the state level to issues including member items, salaries of state and public officials, charitable contributions, local government information and sponsored legislation.
Guest speakers often provide interesting, real-world insight for students. Many adults, let alone high school seniors, are not aware of websites such as that. We believe information is empowering for everyone.
... To SUNY Oneonta Associate Professor Donna Vogler of the biology department and graduate student Kristin Dorsch, of Cobleskill, who received a $25,000 grant for a field study regarding plants and wildlife around airports.
The money was provided through the Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Research Grants Program. The study's goal is to make recommendations to airports about nonattracting plants that can be used for wildlife hazard management. Dorsch indicated that white-tailed deer, coyotes, rodents, Canada geese and gulls are the main concerns.
Flight 1549's landing in the Hudson River after birds struck the aircraft is proof that this issue needs more attention. We also applaud the study's attempt to head off more-violent solutions, such as New York City's announcement of its plan to trap and kill up to 2,000 Canada geese on city properties near its airports.
