Conservation Notes

FLOWERS AND FOOD:

• Connecticut Farm Fresh Express, http://www.ctffe.com/ is now delivering roses from Roses for Autism in Guilford (formerly Pinchbeck’s), http://www.rosesforautism.com, in addition to its home delivery of food from numerous Connecticut farms. One can order beginning each Friday with a Tuesday noon deadline for orders. Orders are delivered the next Friday. No minimum orders and no need to order every week. The delivery charge varies by location. The Roses for Autism web site lists stores where its roses are sold locally as well.

• A GCNH member recommends Organic Bouquet for beautiful flowers grown responsibly. See www.organicbouquet.com . Google “organic flowers” and you will find more options.

• The Conservation Committee publication, “Where to Buy or Eat Local Agricultural Products in New Haven County Connecticut” can be sent to you as an e-mail pdf attachment. Just e-mail Mikey Hirschoff at mhirschoff@comcast.net and ask for it. Print as many copies as you like or just forward the document to give to your friends and neighbors!

CLIMATE CHANGE IN CONNECTICUT:

• If you want to read and perhaps comment on proposed drafts by the Governor’s Steering Committee on Climate Change regarding impacts in Connecticut, go to www.ctclimatechange.com/Adaptation.html

The deadline for submission of comments online is January 17 at

4:30 pm.

GCA NATIONAL AFFAIRS AND LEGISLATION MEETING, February 22-25:

• Please let Mikey Hirschoff know of any local environmental concerns that could be addressed at the Federal level, which you want her to try to bring to the attention of Congresswoman DeLauro or (more difficult) our Senators.

GCA PUBLICATIONS:

• For information about proposed Federal legislation affecting the environment, see Legislative Updates and the Legislative Status Chart on the GCA website, www.gcamerica.org . Click Members Only to sign in (user name: gcamember; password: compost), then Committees, and scroll down to National Affairs and Legislation to find these documents. The most recent Legislative Update discusses proposed climate change legislation.

• Conservation Watch is also available on the GCA website. Click Members Only and sign in (see above), then click Publications, then Con Watch, for current and past issues. The most recent issue leads with an article on the 2013 Centennial Tree Project, but includes much, much more.

REMINDERS:

• To reduce the number of unwanted catalogs in your mailboxes, saving trees and energy, use www.catalogchoice.org. Many of us have found that it works!

• Disposal of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs): CFLs save electricity and therefore reduce carbon emissions, but contain a small amount of mercury. They should be properly recycled and, if one breaks, one should open the windows and leave the room for 15 minutes. Do not vacuum, and follow the procedures for handling and disposal outlined by the EPA at www.energystar.gov/CFLsandMercury. LED lights do not carry this risk and are even more energy efficient, but cost more initially.

Please send any such information you think should be made available to GCNH members to Mikey Hirschoff, Chair, Conservation Committee, at mhirschoff@comcast.net, for possible inclusion in this column.