Greening Port Washington, a community dialogue on the environment, closed out Landmark’s Conversations from Main Street season on May 8.
“We Can’t Change Washington, But We Can Change Port Washington” was the challenge posed to the more than 70 audience members and approximately 100 viewers on the Facebook livestream.
Moderated by MomTime Events’ Cynthia Litman, the panel comprised of local environmental scientists, lawyers and activists who addressed the global challenges that threaten our environment and our own local responses. Audience members, many of them members of Port’s various green organizations, engaged in lively give-and-take with the panel throughout the evening, offering questions and answers to the issues.
Erin Molyneux, biologist, attorney, educator and entrepreneur, set the stage with a sobering look at the global impact of energy and petroleum consumption.
Hildur Palsdottir, mindful environmental educator, founder and president of FULL STEAMM AHEAD, and member of Tree Sisters, focused the discussion back on individual responsibility and practicing Conscious Consumerism. She shared the “environmental toolkit” she and her family have developed.
Max Goldman and Amanda Krantz, Schreiber HS students and members of TreeHuggers, were joined by Residents Forward’s Executive Director Mindy Germain, as they shared the action items coming out of Residents Forward’s recent Youth Climate Summit, and highlighted their fellow students Climate Action Projects which will be implemented during the next year.
David Jakim, environmental analyst and Environmental Initiative Director at the Center for Disaster Resilience Solutions, revealed just what’s at stake for Port Washington, with a presentation on the peninsula’s remarkable biodiversity and a plea to preserve it for future generations. His call for “Rewilding” and preservation of our open spaces was echoed by several panelists.
Lynn Capuano, president of Terrapin Environmental and Program Director for Grassroots Environmental Education’s How Green is My Town program, added a perspective on responsible lawn care and water quality, which sparked questions and suggestions from the audience on fertilizer, backyard gardening, use of native species and permeable pavements for new projects in the Town of North Hempstead to enrich our aquifers and ground water.
Also represented in the audience were members of Manorhaven’s Growing Love Garden, Plant A Row for the Hungry, PW Green, Sands Point Preserve, Residents Forward, Grassroots Environmental Education and the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce.
Conversations from Main Street is Landmark’s public affairs forum. Our objective is to educate, spark discussion and encourage action on issues that affect us all. Free admission to all Conversations from Main Street programs is made possible by a grant from the Angela and Scott Jaggar Foundation.
