The Peru Gazette

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Rules for the 2021 Contest

We are once again inviting all kindergarten through 12th grade students in New York State public and private schools and youth organizations to showcase their artistic talent and their commitment to the environment by participating in the 19th Annual New York Recycles! Poster Contest sponsored by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). This poster contest helps us to achieve our goal of higher excellence in waste reduction, recycling, composting, and buying recycled products and packaging. The New York State winners receive the honor of having their artwork on public display at the NYSDEC headquarters at 625 Broadway in Albany, a framed copy of their winning poster, and other prizes.

We hope your school district or organization will participate in this worthwhile event and we look forward to working with you! Please read the poster requirements and judging criteria carefully. Only posters that meet the poster requirements and judging criteria will be considered.

Eligibility

All students in New York State public and private schools and youth organizations are welcome to participate. If a student’s school or classroom is not participating, a student may still submit an individual entry.

2021 Themes

Participants should use our theme description webpage to help guide their posters.

• New York Recycles!
• Reduce Your Single Use
• Composting is a Heap of Fun!
• Let’s Put Litter in its Place!

Students are encouraged to share their views on these themes. For more information and ideas for your poster, check out our website on waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and buying recycled products and packaging and our website on theme ideas for the poster contest. If you need help brainstorming, these are great resources!

Poster Requirements

Deadline:

Posters must be received no later than May 21, 2021. Please note that all artwork submitted becomes the property of the NYSDEC, is retained and may be reproduced. Posters will not be returned.

Poster content:

• All posters should be reflective of the contest themes listed above.
• Posters created by students must be their own original artwork. Copyrighted characters (such as Superman) or copyrighted clip art will not be accepted.
• Posters must be clearly legible.

Materials:

• Any variety of media may be used (watercolor, pen and ink, crayon, chalk, markers, etc.) but bright colors are best.
• Students are encouraged to incorporate recycled or recyclable materials into their creations. Note: If students are incorporating recyclables into their artwork, depth is restricted to half an inch.

Size & Layout:

Minimum: 8½” x 11″
Maximum: 18″ x 24″
Landscape Layout only!!

Poster Submission:

Each poster must have the Release Form (PDF) (19 KB) securely fastened to the back of the poster. A poster not accompanied by a completed Release Form will not be eligible for further judging. The posters, with Release Forms included must be received by May 21, 2021 to:

NYSDEC
Attn: NY Recycles! Poster Contest
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-7253

Electronic Submission Instructions:

Posters are preferred to be received by mail but posters can also be submitted electronically.
Posters along with completed Release Forms can be submitted electronically to recycling@dec.ny.gov; please note in the subject line “2021 New York Recycles Poster Contest.”

The following high-quality digital file formats will be accepted: JPEG, PNG, PDF. Resolution should be 300 dpi. Please hold on to your original poster until June 11th in case your poster is selected and we find we need you to re-submit a higher-quality version. If you have any questions about suitable formats, please contact us at recycling@dec.ny.gov. Read more »

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The Peru Federal Credit Union is now the Mountain Valley Federal Credit Union. The name change emphases that Mountain Valley now serves anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in both Clinton or Essex Counties. Soon a Wilmington branch will join the branches in Peru, Au Sable Forks and Keeseville.

Awardees Recognized for Extraordinary Service to Improve DEC Facilities and Enhance New York’s Natural Resources

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the first recipients of the inaugural Stewardship Appreciation Awards. The award recognizes outstanding contributions of volunteers and partner organizations in stewardship, promotion, and maintenance of state lands, waters, and DEC facilities.

The announcement was made during the Department of Environmental Conservation’s week-long celebration of Earth Day 2021.

DEC Commissioner Seggos said, “With nearly five million acres of land and hundreds of buildings and facilities, DEC works hand-in-hand with our dedicated partners and volunteers to keep these special places welcoming and accessible for the visitors who enjoy them each year. Whether New Yorkers are hiking, paddling, fishing, birdwatching, or just appreciating our natural resources, more often than not there’s a partner or a volunteer helping to make that experience more meaningful. As New Yorkers continue to seek refuge on our public lands during the COVID-19 pandemic, our partners are more important than ever. My sincere thanks and congratulations to all of the winners of DEC’s first-ever Stewardship Appreciation Awards.”

The Stewardship Appreciation Awards were launched in 2020 to recognize not-for-profit organizations, individuals, educational institutions, and municipalities that have formal agreements with DEC. This year’s winners were chosen for their commitment to stewardship, promotion of environmental education, and creativity in programming. The 2020 winners are:

Stony Kill Foundation – Public Engagement Award

In 2017, Stony Kill Foundation launched a new collaboration with San Miguel Academy of Newburgh that bridges the Foundation’s hands-on farming and environmental education programs with San Miguel Academy’s mission to educate and inspire City of Newburgh youth, so they may break the cycle of poverty and achieve new potential. Every two weeks, San Miguel students spend time at Stony Kill Farm with the Foundation’s educators, helping raise lambs, tapping maple trees, incubating chickens, and participating in a wide range of immersive projects that encourage students’ curiosity and confidence and foster a closer connection to the working farm, its fields, and forests.

Students participate in hands-on learning at Stony Kill Farm

Adirondack 46ers – Natural Resources Steward

From its 46ers Trail Crew to Outdoor Skills Workshops, the 46ers collaborate with DEC to steward state lands and educate the recreating public. In 2017, the 46ers started a Trailhead Steward Initiative held on summer and fall weekends to help educate hikers heading up Cascade Mountain about Leave No Trace principles, proper gear, waste disposal, and general DEC guidelines. Over the course of a season, the completely volunteer-run Trailhead Steward Initiative interacts with more than 13,000 hikers. Other recent projects include the relocation of the Mt. Van Hoevenberg lean-to and rock and gravel work at the bridge over Santanoni Brook.

Adirondack 46ers trailhead steward program,
courtesy of Adirondack 46ers

Mike Medvesky (Friends of Five Rivers) – Natural Resources Volunteer

Read more »