OCTOBER 2017

bedford2020.org

We’re Still InLocal action is vital. Communities that enact measures, change systems, and transform behavior will ultimately shape the way our world will fight or deny climate change.

Bedford 2020 harnesses the power of community and drives action. This year, we have inspired thousands of people to reduce waste, increase efficiency, take on big green solutions and address climate change. Together we are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting natural resources in Bedford and beyond.

Momentum is building at the local level, and we plan to redouble our efforts for a super-charged year ahead. Each and every member of the community can join us in working towards leaving our children, grandchildren and generations to come with a clean, healthy planet.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible community-wide effort.

Sincerely,

Ellen Rouse Conrad, Co-President Mary Beth Kass, Co-President Olivia H. Farr, Senior Vice President

“We are proud that our Town has pledged a commitment to the Paris Climate Accord goals, with Bedford 2020 leading the way.”

— Chris Burdick, Supervisor, Town of Bedford

DirectorsBOARD OF DIRECTORSEllen Rouse Conrad, Co-President Mary Beth Kass, Co-President Olivia H. Farr, Senior Vice President Caroline Niemczyk, Vice President,

Special Advisor Lee V.A. Roberts, Secretary Karen Sabath, Treasurer Lauren Brois, Special Advisor Sarah DouglisPeter KuniholmStuart E. Marwell Vickie Morris Rabbi Jason Nevarez Dean Emeritus Richard OttingerVeronique Pittman Karen Hiniker SimonsMark Thielking James Wood

ADVISORY BOARD Kirtley Cameron Jayni Chase Jim Diamond Mimi Lines Drew Patrick

FORMER DIRECTORS Robin Ashley Reese Berman Russell Hernandez Kathryn Hoenig Diane Lewis, MD Shirley Lindefjeld Leslie Needham Lisa Schwartz Heather V. Wolf

STAFF Midge Iorio, Executive Director Ellen Calves, Program Manager

Community members honored for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Bedford 2020 has created new pro-grams to help the community move towards the aspirational goal of zero waste.

Removing Organics from the Waste Stream… as a Team

On July 1st Bedford 2020 and the Town of Bedford launched “Commu-nity Compost” to remove food and organic materials, potent producers of greenhouse gas, from the waste stream.

Bedford 2020 is selling special compost kits to residents who want to participate and drop off “kitchen waste” at the Town Recycling Center in bins donated by Bedford 2020.

Single Stream Recycling

Since Single Stream recycling was introduced in Bedford, we have doubled the amount of residential waste being recycled. The percentage of waste being recycled moved from 16% in 2013 to 35% in 2017. Way to go, Bedford!

Take it or Leave it Shed

There’ll soon be a place to bring used items and find “new to you” ones! Thanks to a swell of community sup-port and volunteers willing to make this shed a reality, the TIOLI shed is coming to Bedford Hills Station park-ing lot in May of 2018.

Over 900 people gathered to learn and take action around local food issues at the Bedford 2020 Food Forum on March 3. The day fea-tured a robust schedule of informa-tive keynotes, workshops and live demonstrations that covered every-thing from backyard beekeeping to the links between farming, food and climate change.

Bedford 2020 is working on actions inspired by the Food Forum:• Planet to Plate campaign focused

on reducing one’s carbon footprint by choosing local or meatless meals.

• Food Rescue App to connect excess food with individuals in need.

• Avoid Food Waste by promoting food waste initiatives, including supporting proposed statewide legislation to mandate grocery stores to donate/rescue excess food.

Community ActionCommunity Cooks with Local Food Actions

“The Food Forum inspired me, especially Mark Bittman’s points about what and how we eat and (its) impact on the environment. I am growing tomatoes, raspberries, lettuce and carrots, and I am now less likely to buy manufactured food.”

— Elisa Zuckerberg, Food Forum Attendee

Bedford Community Tackles Waste

Nick Sourbis of Katonah drops his kitchen waste at the Recycling Center in bins donated to the Town by Bedford 2020.

“Between Community Compost and recycling we have virtually no trash.”

— Diane Pinkus, Bedford Village resident

Food Forum attendees from a variety of food sharing organizations, farms and community gardens, along with Bedford 2020’s Food/Ag Task force leaders and keynote speaker Michel Nischan of Wholesome Wave.

Since the inception of Bedford 2020’s Greenlight Award, over 50 students from three local high schools have competed with “big green ideas” to address environmental issues.

This year’s theme was Solid Waste Reduction and participants educated hundreds of students, parents and community members, encouraging action around plastic bags, recycling, composting and reusable items like school supplies and lunch trays.

Thanks in part to a grant by the Westchester Community Foundation, this highly successful program will be available to students in five high schools this coming year. The 2017-2018 theme, Changemaker 2020, will challenge students to change behav-ior to benefit the environment.

Inspiring School Communities

“The Greenlight competition is an invaluable experience for students. I was honored to play a role in the process of nurturing budding change agents.”

— Michelle Land, Greenlight Judge and Clinical Professor, Department of Environmental Studies and Science, Pace University

Greenlight Award Finalists from Fox Lane, John Jay and Harvey School along with judges at the final round in May.

photo by Fresh Energy

Bedford 2020 recently helped promote a bill for a statewide legislative standard for Solar Gardens — ground mounted solar arrays that include pollinator friendly, native plantings to create “pollinator habitats.” States that have set a standard for solar gardens have seen

rapid expansion of ground mounted solar and agricultural benefits.

While the legislative standard did not come up for a vote this spring, Bedford 2020 will continue to push for passage of the legislation next session and is working to pilot demonstration solar gardens in New York.

“Bedford 2020 has been at the forefront of the solar pollinator effort in the state and your influence and outreach has generated support that will be critical in getting the standard passed next year.”

— Patrick McClellan, State Policy Director,

NY League of Conservation Voters

Promoting Renewable Energy and Sustainable Land Use

Community Choice for Green PowerBedford 2020 helped Sustainable Westchester launch Community Choice Aggregation, now managed by Westchester Power. This program allowed 14 municipalities, including the Town of Bedford, to negotiate with energy suppliers to bring 100% green energy to their residents. In its first year the program reduced CO2 greenhouse gas emissions by 164,000 tons. This structure could allow for more aggressive develop-ment of a local renewable energy supply and opportunities for electric vehicle charging, demand response, energy storage solutions, and community solar. Bedford 2020 is watching this program closely and will continue to update the community on its progress.

Community Engagement

Waste and Recycling Chair Peter Kuniholm and Community Composter John Abbott.

Volunteers greet Community Composters at the Town Recycling Center.

The 2017 Greenlight Award winning team.

Bedford 2020 challenged supporters to make a “Gesture of Love” to the environment.

In partnership with the Community Center of Northern Westchester, Bedford 2020 volunteers launched a program to sew beautiful reusable bags from scrap materials, to be used en lieu of plastic bags.

Interns Claudia Pou and Emma Grace Housman.

John Jay High School Students working on their Greenlight Award project.

Congressman Sean Partrick Maloney with Fox Lane High School students at the Food Forum.

Food Forum keynote speaker Mark Bittman, renowned food writer and author.

Programs and ProgressThe Program The Progress

Energize Bedford Home Energy Efficiency Program

Over 1,200 Energized homes in Northern Westchester. Over 200 Energized homes in Bedford.

Single Stream Recycling More than doubled the percentage of recyclables in the waste stream from 16 to 35%, reducing landfill and incinerator waste.

Community Compost Launched program to take kitchen scraps out of waste stream this July. Sold out of first 100 compost kits in less than two weeks.

Take It or Leave it Shed Launching program May 2018, to repurpose items that would otherwise go into the waste stream.

Bedford 2020 Food Forum

Over 900 community members convened to learn and take action around local food issues.

Plate and Planet Creating pilot to engage community members in reducing their carbon footprint by going meatless at least one day a week.

Greenlight Award Competition

50 students from 3 high schools have created “big green ideas” to address environmental issues, and educated hundreds of students and school community members.

Solar Gardens Creating demonstration projects to highlight program potential to increase renewable energy, support threatened pollinators, support local agriculture.

Newly Energized Bedford homeowners. Bedford 2020 opened a new office in downtown Katonah this past year. Stop by and see us!

Community Support

Every effort has been made to report names accurately in this publication. If we have made any errors or omissions, please accept our apology, and contact Executive Director Midge Iorio, at 914-620-2411.

Energy Task Force Mark Thielking, ChairLauren BriosWendy BreitnerEllen ConradMichael DeCandiaJim DiamondAlec GuettelNick GutfreundKathryn HoenigMary Beth KassPatrick McManusDan Potash

Food & Agriculture Task Force

Olivia H. Farr, Co-ChairKaren Simons, Co-ChairAnnie FarrellAlexandra ForresterMargaret GiffordDavid JurosNancy KronenbergStephanie KupfermanMimi LinesVicki MarwellVickie MorrisSuzi NovakAnita StockbridgeJim Wood

Transportation Task Force Michael BlakeneyHeather FlournoyCaroline NiemczykNat RockettDennis RowanMark ThielkingLuke Vander Linden

Waste & Recycling Task Force

Peter Kuniholm, ChairLauren BroisEd CampbellDan ColleluoriNeil CutlerFilippine de HaanUrsula La MotteCJ MitchellFiona MitchellLeslie NeedhamVeronique PittmanAnita StockbridgeBetsy Weir

Water & Land Use Task Force

Virginia Maybank, Co-ChairDon Weeden, Co-ChairElyse Arnow BrillRod ChristieTeresa Donkin Lori EnsingerAmy GallenFilippine de HaanNancy KronenbergHeather LanghamMimi LinesFiona MitchellVickie MorrisGlenn Ticehurst

Business Task Force Stuart E. Marwell, ChairJim Diamond Dan GinnelLeslie LampertGreg RileyMichael SchechterDiana TylerJim Wood

Civic Task Force Lee V. A. Roberts, Chair

Religious Entities Task Force

Rabbi Jason Nevarez, ChairRev. Dr. Paul Alcorn Rev. Lucia P. BallantineMarion BlountRev. Melissa BoyerVelma LewisRev. Merle McJunkinKarla McJunkinRev. Michael Tino

Schools Task Force Kirtley CameronJayni ChaseTerry CostinSarah DouglisNick GutfreundJanet HarckhamVeronique PittmanRyan Smith

Community PartnersThe Climate Action Plan was conceived to be a community-wide, collaborative effort. Bedford 2020 would like to rec-ognize and thank Task Force Members and the many organizations, businesses and special friends who have worked to achieve our collective goals.

Task Force Volunteers

ORGANIZATIONSAntioch Baptist ChurchBedford Audubon Bedford Central School

District Bedford Farmer’s Club Bedford Free Library Bedford Garden Club Bedford Hills Free Library Bedford Hills Lions ClubBedford Hills LiveBedford Hills Neighborhood

Association Bedford Historical Society Bedford Village Business

Association Boys and Girls Club of

Northern Westchester Branch OutCaramoor Community Center of

Northern Westchester Community Watershed

Clean Water CoalitionElectric Automobile Ass’n,

Southern NY Chapter Energize NYFederated Conservationists

of Westchester Food Bank for WestchesterFood and Water WatchFresh EnergyGlynwoodGreenburgh Nature CenterGreen Schools Alliance The Harvey School John Jay Homestead Hilltop Hanover FarmHopp Ground Garden Club Katonah Chamber of

Commerce Katonah-Lewisboro School

District Katonah Museum of ArtKatonah Village Library Katonah Village

Improvement Society Leave Leaves Alone Marsh Sanctuary Mianus River Gorge Mount Kisco Child Care Ctr. The Mount Kisco Interfaith

Food PantryThe Nature Conservancy,

Eastern NY Chapter Neighbor’s LinkNew Castle Sustainability

Advisory BoardNY League of Conservation

VotersNo. Westchester HospitalPace-NRDC Food Law

Initiative

Pleasantville Community Garden

Pound Ridge Land Conservancy

Rippowam-Cisqua School Riverkeeper Rusticus Garden Club Rye Sustainability Cmte.Sharing WorksSolarize Westchester St. Matthew’s Church Stone BarnesSun Raven Farm: Home of

Slow MedicineSustainable Westchester Teatown Lake Reservation Temple Shaaray Tefila UU FellowshipVote Solar Ward Pound Ridge

ReservationWestchester Community

FoundationWestchester Green

Business Challenge Westchester Growers

AllianceWestchester Land Trust Westchester PowerWestmoreland Sanctuary Wholesome WaveVolunteer New York!

BUSINESSES Bedford Magazine Café of Love, Ladle of Love Captain Lawrence Brewing

Co. Catskill Distilling Co.City Carting and Recycling Clark Assoc. Funeral HomeCounty Waste Management Curtis Instruments Diamond Properties Ginnel Real Estate Healthy Home Energy &

ConsultingHickory and Tweed Joule AssetsKelloggs and Lawrence Katonah Wine and Liquor Lloyd Bedford CoxLong Run Media and Nick

Gutfreund Mill River Supply Mt. Kisco Chamber of

Commerce The Reading RoomThe Record Review Red Barn ProduceRobison Oil/Bright Home Ross Solar Group Sav-A-Tree

Snow Hill FarmStop and Shop, NY Metro

DivisionSuburban CartingSunrise Solar Solutions Tesla Motors Thomas Fox Catering Village Social/LocaliWinter Brothers Carting Wizard Studios

SPECIAL FRIENDS Town of Bedford Board,

Dept. Heads and StaffEd BaumMark BittmanSupervisor Chris BurdickKate Burson Deb CastellanoJayni and Chevy ChaseMayor Michael Cindrich Francis CorcoranDoug DeCandiaDavid FentonBoo Fumagalli Katie GinsbergMike GordonLisa GreenBambi HatchBill HeidepriemAnne Jaffe HolmesEmma Grace HousmanHeather Iannucci Ashley KiddBrian LaKampMichelle LandSteve LangdonVirginia LaniganPhipps LawrenceJeanne MarkelRob MartinMichael MilliusJoe MontuoriGeoffrey MorrisMichel NischanNina OrvilleCatherine ParkerAnthony PatiernoClaudia PouBea RhodesRebecca RobanLaura RossiDavid SandbankMatthew SaravayRon SchulhofShanyn SiegelNancy SteinerMichelle SterlingJeff TannenbaumGlenn WeinbergKevin WinnSherry WolfElena Wolfe

Sarah Douglis and Marc Yaggi

Kathryn Dysart David Fenton and Sylvie ErbJonathan and Amy Gallen David and Nancy Gernert Ginny and Marty Gold Kathryn Hoenig and

Douglass MaynardMrs. Ronald Hoenig Peter Humphrey and Clare

PiersonAndre and Kelly Hunter Chris Stern Hyman Kent Karlsson Philip and Jill Lawrence Shirley Lindefjeld Christopher London and

David HutchinsonCarey Lowell Brendan Maloof Rabbi Jason and Nicole

Nevarez Christine O’Neill Foxhall and Helen Parker Ricardo Pou and Vivian

SongKen and Lee Roberts Dr. Marian Rose Stuart and Wendy Ross Paul and Pamela Salvatore Margaret Sandwick John and Susan Scofield Cathy and Paul Shaffer Clare Sherwood and Henry

CohnKaren Hinkier Simons and

Mark SimonsTed and Nathalie Strauel Liz Taggart Had and Louise Talbot Glenn Ticehurst and

Virginia LaniganJames Tilley Bill and Teresa Waterman Bill and Catherine Ziegler 

Gifts from $100-$249John and Ann Albert Jim and Bonnie Alloy American Online Giving

Foundation, Inc. Gail Ames and Sylvia

FabrianiAlan and Judith Appelbaum Atlantic-Westchester, Inc. Timothy and Katryn

Barefield David and Sally Beckett Steve and Pat Beckwith Bedford Hills Nursery Doug and Ann Bermingham Steve and Sheryl Bernhard Tom and Nancy Blaney Jeffrey and Sherry

Blockinger Bradsell Painting and

Carpentry Erich and Cynthia Braun Mr. and Mrs. Christopher

Burdick Ellen and Herbie Calves

Kirtley and Seth Cameron Sally Casey and David ParryPhilip Baston and Deidre

Courtney-Batson Susan Crown Anne Dybwad Harvey Eisen and Andrea

HerronJack Farr Sam Farr Bob and Kirk Ferguson Steve and Sue Fields Elisha Fisch and Maria

Alba-FischHerb and Tina Foster Bill and Wendy Foulke Maxine Ganer Carol Goldman and Joe

SimonettiJerome and Dorothy

Goldstein Hannah Gorman and

Dinnerthyme CateringBill and Susan Greene Nick Gutfreund and Mary

DuncanJoseph and Sue

Handelman Carla Hawryluk Susan Heller Daniel Herman and Beth

Falk Jere and Josette Hochman Melissa Hoglund David Howell and Susan

AllportMark and Gail Imowitz Midge and Frank Iorio James and Jeannie Kane Katonah Insurance AgencyHerbert and Nancy

Kaufmann Pat Keesee David and Rhonda

Kershner Alison Koppelman Stuart and Nicole Kovensky Lewis and Laura Kruger Carol Kurth Louise Lamphere Michael Landsman and

Evyan MetznerTed and Karen Lerner Beth Lev Mimi Lines Peter Linz Joe and Lisa LoveringBea Maguire Keelin and John

McCormack Patrick and Maureen

McManus John and Kim Morris Nicholas Moy and Sherry

Wolf John and Leslie Needham Steve and Sylvia Ohler Steven and Carol Parker Steve and Helen Peeples William Pence and Maria

Blasiak-PenceSondra Peterson 

Rina Pollak Jim and Susan Polos Elizabeth Reid Donna Reimer Mary Ann and Christopher

Robinson Jeff and Janice Rodner George and Joanne

Rosamond Paul and Elizabeth Sander Camillo and Denise

Santomero Wallace and Elizabeth

Schwartz Ted and Mary Jo Shen Louis and Jeannie Sorell Douglas and Kim Speegle Nick and Martha Spofford Roger and Beth Stern John and Barbara Sullivan Derval Thomas and Judith

SpencerRod and Marilen Tilt Charles and Bonnie Tisi Lloyd Trufelman and

Allison ChernowBart and Diana Tyler Drusilla Van Hengel Gerard Virga and Stacey

Nathan-VirgaJohn and Phyllis Warden Marian Ware Susan and Martin Wayne Jonas and Sharon Weiner Harry and Aimee Whitman Bong and May Yu 

Gifts under $100Anthony and Grace

Bardinelli Bedford Farmers Club Flo Brodley Charles and Meredith

Brown D.A. Bruley Carol CioppaFlorence Clark Donald and Margaret Coe Joseph and Andrea Colao William and Patricia

Colavito Jan DeAngelo Laura Desmarais Cathy Dreilinger Ted Emerson and Diane

PincusRobin Queen and Dr.

Michael Finkelstein Lisa and Michael Finn David and Sally Firestein John F. Fox Peter Friedrich and Pamela

GeismarKate Galligan Jeanette Galvin Ira and Amy Greenstein Rebecca Haag Kelley and Doug Housman Ward and Jackie Jones Brian and Alka Kaminer Joan and Billy Kantor Julie Killian

Gifts $10,000 and Above Ellen and Whit Conrad The Durst Organization The Endeavor Foundation Olivia and John FarrBambi HatchCharles and Carolee Jones Victoria and Steve Morris  Veronique and Bob Pittman

Gifts from $2,500 - $5,000Coleman and Susan Burke  Seema Boesky Caroline Niemczyk Karen and Bruce Sabath Fred and Serena Whitridge The 2020 ClubMr. and Mrs. Peter Arnow Tom and Barbara Israel Mary Beth and Evan Kass Stuart and Vicki Marwell Mr. and Mrs. Daniel

Tishman Dr. Lucy Waletzky James and Twink Wood 

Gifts from $1,000-$1999James Attwood and Leslie

WilliamsJon and Nancy Bauer Daniel Benton Mary and David Boies Jane Cooper and James

GreenbaumMolly Friedrich and Mark

CarsonGordon and Cecily Grand Richard and Martha

Handler George and Marina Hatch Whitney and Tizzy Hatch Diane and Blair LewisPeter and Gretchen Menzies Mary Morgan and David

CallardRichard and June Ottinger Andrew and Lexann Richter Nat and Courtney Rockett Paul and Nancy Ross Axel and Sarah Schupf Jim and Karen Shiel Toby and Frances Thacher Mark and Moira Thielking

Gifts from $500 to $999Marilyn Beck Paul Bird and Amy Parsons John Chatzky and Debbie

Mullin

Clark Associates Funeral Home

Mary W. Curley Charles and Amy Day Paula Desperito Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Durst Elizabeth and Bruce

Fiedorek Kenneth and Maria Fields Nicholas and Edmee Firth Mark Goodman and Lisa

Haas Janet Harckham Joel and Laura Kaplan Edward and Janet Kelly David and Julia Klagsbrun Peter and Jane Kuniholm Anthony and Heather

Langham Cliff and Dorothy Lanier John Oram Stephen and Carla Perl Yvonne Pollack John Rudge and Sara WealeMark and Lisa Schwartz Megan Smith and Sayan RayEdward Smyth and Mary

Breasted Smyth Nicholas Sourbis and Karen

LuciaNancy Steiner and David

MichaelisCelia Szava and JB

HendersonJohn and Adele Talty Jeffrey Tannenbaum and

Nisa GellerMichael and Maryann

Tarnok Melissa Vail and Norman

SelbyChris Wedge and Jeanne

MarkelDon Weeden and Vanessa

SmithRichard and Audrey Zinman

Gifts from $250 to $499John and Kathy Abbott Joshua Arnnow and Elyse

Arnow Brill Skip and Michaela Beitzel George Bianco Wendy Breitner and Ken

KirshenbaumLeslie Cecil and Creighton

MichaelJayni and Chevy Chase Joan and Edward Cohen Pierre and Christian

Daviron

Donors Sept. 2016 - August 2017B2020’s mission could not be fully realized without the many generous financial contributions from friends and community members. Thank you!

P.O. Box 812Bedford Hills, NY 10507

bedford2020.org OCTOBER 2017

Loring and Diana Knoblauch Michael and Barbara

Kornfield Stanley and Barbara Kravitz Grace Kulwin Tom and Ursula La Motte Pamela Lillis Susan Lodge Corinne McKenna Carol and Allan McLeod Mianus River GorgePeter and Christine Milano Jiri and Hilda Minarik George and Linda

Moskowitz Ginger Norton and Doug

RuskinPatricia O’Callaghan Tricia O’Donnell Virginia Pancotti Sandra Pell Ann Perkowski Elin Peterson Sullivan Fred and Marjorie Piker Barbara Plechaty Camille Rapisarda Emily Rauch Shari Reig Maria Reina Philip and Dorinn Rodman Rudolph Rodriguez Mrs. Oren Root Richard and Barbara

Saravay Roger Savitt Richard and Doris Seidlitz

Mona Shapiro and Christopher Parke

Gina Shea Bill and Heide Shilstone Patricia L. Shulman Henry Smith-Miller and

Laurie HawkinsonMaida Snapper Marga Spiller Mark and Krista Stanley Stanley and Elisabeth Starr Stepping Stones

FoundationCheryl Sue Thomsen Jon Townley and Jody MackTruck Restaurant and

Nancy RoperJean and Carol Valles James and Jenny Vellano Roger and Nancy Vincent Joseph Wallace and Sharon

AvRutickLaura Weiland Jerry and Barbara Weinberg Carole Weiss Norman and Vera Winskill Elena Wolfe Robert and Anna Zable

Event SponsorshipsBambi’s Bar at the Bedford

PlayhouseBedford Magazine: Town

VibeClark Associates Funeral

Home

Curtis InstrumentsHealthy Home Energy and

Consulting, Inc.Joule Assets Ladle of LoveNorthwell Health: Northern

Westchester HospitalStop and Shop: NY Metro

DivisionWizard Studios

GrantsNew York State Dept. of

Architecture and MarketsRusticus Garden ClubWestchester Community

Foundation

February 3, 2018Fox Lane High School, Bedford, NY

Don’t miss Bedford 2020’smost important Summit!

Save the Date21st Century

Climate Solutions:

BringingInnovatıonHome

WARM HOME.COOL PLANET.HOT SAVINGS.Act now and get a10% DISCOUNTfor details visitbedford2020.org/energize

Look how far we’ve come!