Third Annual Dutchess County Earth Day Celebrated

By Jennifer L. Warren

POUGHKEEPSIE – “Look around, and you will see a lot of children; it’s why we are here,” explained Lisa Kaul, Dutchess County Legislator. “We want to provide a better tomorrow.”

Kaul’s youth assessment could be seen throughout the Vassar Preserve Saturday, from 10:00am-1:00pm, as community members came to celebrate the Third Annual 2025 Dutchess County Earth Day inside as intermittent rain showers fell outdoors. Once again, the Dutchess County Division of Solid Waste partnered up with the Environmental Cooperative at the Preserve for an educational, fun, hands-on, memorable time, raising awareness of environmental issues while encouraging actions aimed at protecting the planet.

“We wanted to bring together all of the environmental and sustainable work being done by our local organizations,” said Kerry Russell, Deputy Commissioner Solid Waste Manager. “We really wanted to provide outreach and education in a family environment.”

Signs of those initiatives being fulfilled could be spotted everywhere, as people of all ages could be seen actively engaging with the 25 vendors who encircled the venue. Whether it was relaying intriguing facts about the water cycle to an attentive Girl Scout audience, explaining the unique physical characteristics of certain birds to a young visitor, relaying useful tips about recycling, using metal straws, and combustion or studying dirt samples up-close and personal, guests had a unique opportunity to directly interact with a host of experts in their fields while gaining tangible, useful strategies to join in on an integral cause: Looking out for our environment.

“Today is a day to celebrate all of the work being done by a variety of organizations, and you can see the level of interest in and concern for environmental issues as well as desire to address the challenges we face,” said Kaul, who also is on the Legislator’s Environmental Committee, serving as a liaison to the Environmental Management Council as well as is a member of the County Climate Smart Task Force. “Everything we are looking at today impacts all of us; from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, we are interconnected.”

Those threads could also be detected among the various, passionate vendors, who not only took their time to relay critical information to guests about the environment and how to protect it, but also shared in cooperative dialogue with one another. It’s that special growth opportunity that Jennifer Rubbo, Director of the Environmental Cooperative at the Vassar Preserve was quick to cite.

“Today really helps to get all of these different groups together, something that can be really hard to do, as so many are short on time and staff,” said Rubbo. “It’s also a great way for community members to learn about what’s happening with the environment as well as sustainability, while allowing Vassar Preserve to contribute.”

Some of those many agencies on hand included; Dutchess Land Conservancy, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Northern Dutchess Bee Club, and the City of Poughkeepsie.

The impact of their efforts was readily apparent in the enraptured attentions, active discourse, radiant smiles, and newfound knowledge mined by those in attendance, especially those youth alluded to by Kaul-for whom “providing a better tomorrow” was at the day’s forefront.

“I learned about birds and how they hibernate,” revealed Issabella Nesheiwat, age seven.

“Seeing all the different things birds can do was really interesting,” pointed out Shaniwa Thrasher, age eight, who was also absorbed in studying dirt samples.

“I learned a lot about bees and how the Queen Bee has a green spot on her back,” said Layla Wyatt, age 6.

Adults too found the day educational and special.

“The overall interaction of everyone involved is so nice to see,” said Nika Lynch. “The ways to recycle things and all the different plants and feather arts and crafts were all really nice as well and made for a great family event.”