East Hudson Valley News

Poughkeepsie, NY – The Dutchess County Division of Solid Waste and the Environmental Cooperative at the Vassar Barns have announced the hosting of the annual Earth Day event on Saturday, April 20th. The event will take place at the Vassar Barns, 50 Vassar Farm Lane in Poughkeepsie. Open to the public, the event aims to offer environmental education, interactive activities, and community engagement.

The event, which highlights sustainable practices and environmental stewardship, invites residents of all ages to participate and learn about ways to reduce waste, conserve resources, and protect the environment for future generations. County Executive Sue Serino emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “Our children will inherit the environment we leave them, and Dutchess County’s annual Earth Day event is a great opportunity for residents of all ages to learn how to preserve our planet. I encourage all to attend this important event and help make our community more environmentally friendly, keeping Dutchess County green for future generations.”

Attendees can look forward to various activities and attractions, including family-centric activities for children, interactive presentations on composting, recycling, and waste-reduction techniques, educational exhibits showcasing environmental initiatives, ecosystem education, gardening demonstrations, and informational presentations from local environmental organizations, businesses, and government agencies.

Kerry Russell, Deputy Commissioner for the County’s Division of Solid Waste Management, expressed the county's belief in the impact of collective community actions on the planet's well-being. Russell stated, “In Dutchess County, we believe by coming together as a community, we can make a significant impact on the health and well-being of our planet. Our yearly Earth Day event serves as a reminder of the importance of individual and collective actions in preserving and protecting our environment."

The event aligns with Dutchess County's commitment to environmental conservation, as highlighted in County Executive Serino's recent State of the County Address, emphasizing clean air and clean water for local children. Dutchess County's initiatives include the unveiling of its Natural Resources Inventory website and Environmental Mapper application to aid in land-use decisions and natural resource protection.

Furthermore, Dutchess County is set to apply for Silver Certification under New York State’s Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program. This program aims to promote environmental goals such as increased energy efficiency, renewable energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Dutchess County, having already earned its Bronze CSC certification, continues to demonstrate its dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

For more information on Dutchess County’s environmental and sustainability efforts, interested individuals can visit the Division of Solid Waste Management’s webpage.