Green Policy Task Force
Love 'Em and Leave 'Em Love 'Em and Leave 'Em initiative , right?? Good! This is the right place.The LELE initiative is growing - we've expanded beyond our local roots in Irvington! promoting on-site leaf/grass mulching county-wide includes “how to” trainings in various municipalities, on-site landscaper consultations, and a brand new informative website (www.leleny.org ) with a social media outreach component , video demos , and an updated public domain resource “toolkit.” link to our original village GPTF LELE initiative homepage . e are updating pertinent information (videos, toolbox content, training events, etc.) on the LELENY site ONLY.
Information, testimonials and training videos for the professional landscaper can be found here .
Information, product links and training videos for the "do it yourself" homeowner can be found here . Watch this short movie introducing "how to." The LELE toolbox of publicly available and reusable educational materials, logs, signage, letters and so forth is available here . All materials are made available under Creative Commons "share alike and modify freely with credit" licensing.
Please contact us via email at For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address. if you have further questions.
Our Mission
BACKGROUND: comprehensive report in June 2008, with a recommendation to create a Green Policy Task Force (GPTF) and appoint a Village Sustainability Coordinator. The Village Sustainability Coordinator position was created and 3 volunteers were named in May, 2009 to jointly share the responsibilities.
The Board of Trustees, a year later,created a more formally structural organization, the Irvington Green Policy Task Force, in order to move the Village more effectively toward the goals set out by the CPTF. The GPTF includes a broad representation of the Village, withmembers involved withthe Irvington schools, community groups andother associations or organizations.
MISSION:
In carrying out the Mission, the Green Policy Task Force may:
Work with other Village committees and community organizations
Create subcommittees to tackle specific projects, which may involve fund-raising
Focus on tasks in response to specific requests from the BOT or Village Administrator, or initiate work on issues the Task Force determines to be timely and pressing
Seek grants and funding opportunities
Request Village funding for feasibility studies, administrative support or specific initiatives
Work with neighboring municipalities, the Town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York State or Federal agencies
GPTF Initiative - Love 'Em and Leave 'Em!
The Irvington GPTF's current initiative is
"Your Leaves: Love 'Em and Leave 'Em" , an ongoing public educational outreach to homeowners, landscape business owners and work crews, as well as to other municipalities in our region. More information and latest event news can be found on the
Love 'Em and Leave 'Em page. .
Please subscribe to the Village EBLAST newsletter to keep informed about upcoming events relating to the "Love 'Em and Leave 'Em" initiative created or sponsored by GPTF.
Yard Waste Management
Using yard debris on-site saves municipal tax dollars for collection and processing besides reusing natural materials to beautify one's yard. (Note: these descriptions are from http://www.recyclemorewisconsin.org
Composting
Composting is a natural recycling process that can be done at home with lawn and garden waste. Microorganisms from the soil interact with compost materials to help break down plant matter. Proper moisture, air, and temperature aid these microorganisms in their work. Finished compost is used as an organic plant food and soil amendment.
Grasscycling
Grasscycling is leaving grass clippings on the lawn to decompose. Grass clippings are mostly water. When you mow regularly, clippings quickly decompose and release nutrients to fertilize the lawn. Research shows that when grass clippings are left on the lawn, one-third less fertilizer is needed to achieve the same color and grass density found on lawns where the clippings are removed.
Mulching
Mulches help soil retain moisture, moderate temperature fluctuations, and reduce erosion and soil compaction. Yard wastes such as grass clippings, leaves, and chipped or shredded brush and branches can be used as organic mulches. Organic mulches are usually applied three inches deep over the soil and around plants to achieve the benefits of mulching.
Mulching Leaves in Place
Leaves are rich in carbon, phosphorus, and potassium - all essential nutrients needed by plants, including turf grasses. Simply mow leaves along with the grass during fall, and let the small leaf pieces filter down among the grass blades. Three to four passes may be required to chop leaves fine enough so that they filter through the turf and expose grass leaves to sunlight.
Native Landscaping
Whether you have a big yard and don't use it all for activities, or if you have a small yard with only foundation beds, consider planting an area of native grasses, perennials, shrubs, and/or trees. Using native plant species reduces the need for watering, mowing, and pesticide use. It also means creates a beautiful yard that attracts more birds and butterflies by providing shelter and natural food sources.
Vermicomposting
Red worms live in the upper layer of the forest floor. These worms can turn food waste into nutrient-rich humus for gardens and houseplants. A mere tablespoon of worm castings provides enough organic plant nutrients to feed an eight inch potted plant for over two months. Use a worm composting bin or vermicomposting bin to make a valuable soil amendment out of things like: old newspapers, vegetable food scraps, trimmings from house plants and other organic materials that would normally be thrown away.
Links and References:
More details and lots a useful reference links can be found on these pages:
