NYS Smarth Growth bill needs the Governor's signature

Conservation means the wise use of the earth and its resources for the lasting good of men.


      -----Gifford Pinchot , first Chief of the United States Forest Service (1905–1910)



http://tinyurl.com/2eb9egq


Dear Peter,

Last month's action alert worked. Many of you sent letters to your legislators about the Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act, and it passed in both houses! Thank you! But we still need your help now: the Governor only has a couple days to sign this bill into law.

We're close to getting a Smart Growth plan in NY, which means ensuring that planning and land use decisions focus development in downtowns, main streets and community areas with existing infrastructure, helping to eliminate suburban sprawl, and saving open space and habitat for birds and other wildlife. If you took action before, THANK YOU! Now we need to send letter to Governor Paterson urging him to sign this bill today! Click here to send your letter!

Thank you!

Laura McCarthy, Grassroots Coordinator and Sean Mahar, Director of Government Relations and Communications for Audubon New York



Audubon New York
200 Trillium Lane, Albany, New York 12203
(518) 869-9731 | NYaction@audubon.org

The benefits of walking thru native habitat

July 5, 2010

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/health/06real.html

The Claim: Exposure to Plants and Parks Can Boost Immunity By ANAHAD O’CONNOR

THE FACTS

This time of year, allergies and the promise of air-conditioning tend to drive people indoors.

But for those who can take the heat and cope with the pollen, spending more time in nature might have some surprising health benefits. In a series of studies, scientists found that when people swap their concrete confines for a few hours in more natural surroundings — forests, parks and other places with plenty of trees — they experience increased immune function.

Stress reduction is one factor. But scientists also chalk it up to phytoncides, the airborne chemicals that plants emit to protect them from rotting and insects and which also seem to benefit humans.

One study published in January included data on 280 healthy people in Japan, where visiting nature parks for therapeutic effect has become a popular practice called “Shinrin-yoku,” or “forest bathing.” On one day, some people were instructed to walk through a forest or wooded area for a few hours, while others walked through a city area. On the second day, they traded places. The scientists found that being among plants produced “lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, and lower blood pressure,” among other things.

A number of other studies have shown that visiting parks and forests seems to raise levels of white blood cells, including one in 2007 in which men who took two-hour walks in a forest over two days had a 50-percent spike in levels of natural killer cells. And another found an increase in white blood cells that lasted a week in women exposed to phytoncides in forest air.

THE BOTTOM LINE

According to studies, exposure to plants and trees seems to benefit health.

ANAHAD O’CONNOR scitimes@nytimes.com

New Federal Duck Stamp out July 1st

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Every July 1st, the new federal duck stamp comes out for sale.Its

great for collecting but better as an entry pass for the National

Wildlife refuges for the next whole year ( most refuges ask for 4

dollars entrance fee).

Available from www.usps.com  ( look for on

menu bar "shop for stamps" ,then search "Duck Stamp")

 $15.00 + $ 1 shipping.

The stamp raises funds for wetlands/property purchase and conservation programs.

here's the image on this link

http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/