Government

“Are You Our Next Environmental Volunteer Awardee?” By Rockland County Executive Ed Day

Published

10 months ago

June 26, 2025

The Rockland County Division of Environmental Resources is officially accepting nominations for the 28th annual Rockland County Outstanding Environmental Volunteer Award.

To be eligible to receive the award an individual must be at least 18 years of age and a Rockland County resident. Individuals who have been nominated in the past, but not chosen, are eligible to be re-nominated.

Rockland County is a beautiful place that my administration, on top of protecting our people, is always striving to do more to preserve our environment and guide Rockland towards a greener future.

My administration is proudly ranked one of the top local governments nationwide by the Environmental Protection Agency for utilizing 100% U.S. green electricity.
My administration also launched Rockland’s Sustainability Project. Under this initiative almost two dozen departments are working together on generating a long-term plan to improve the County’s rankings in the New York State Climate Smart Communities and Clean Energy Communities programs. The more milestones we achieve in these programs the more grant funding we are eligible for, ultimately opening the door for more green investments without impacting the wallets of local taxpayers.
In addition, we purchased and preserved over 300 acres over the past year under our Open Space Acquisition Program including a historic house and barn located at 101 Old Rt. 304 in New City, known as the DePew House.
But protecting the beauty of Rockland cannot be accomplished by this administration alone; residents must also do their part.

Which is why every year we try to find one of those environmental heroes and honor them for their prestigious efforts with the County Executive’s Outstanding Environmental Volunteer Award. This award recognizes exceptional individuals who care for our parks, champion our watershed programs, encourage recycling, and work every day to enhance the natural beauty of our county’s open spaces.

Submission deadline is Friday, August 29th with the winner then honored by me with a tree dedication ceremony at Kennedy Dells Park on Wednesday, October 8th @ 11 a.m.

For more information, contact the Division of Environmental Resources at 845-364-2670 or via email at ENV@co.rockland.ny.us.

This is a weekly column by Rockland County Executive Ed Day.

Government

Rockland County Urges Water Conservation as Climate Change Impacts Supply

Published

2 days ago

April 19, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

NEW CITY, NY — The Rockland County Task Force on Water Resources Management is encouraging residents to learn how climate change is affecting water availability and what steps they can take to protect the county’s supply.

Experts say climate change is increasingly being viewed as a water crisis, as rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns lead to stronger storms, flooding, and drought. Although water covers much of the planet, less than one percent of freshwater is readily available for human use, making conservation critical.

Rockland County depends entirely on local surface and groundwater sources to serve homes, schools, businesses, and healthcare facilities. As the population grows and climate conditions evolve, officials say responsible water use is essential to maintaining a stable supply.

“Protecting our water supply is essential to the long-term health and economic stability of Rockland County,” said Ed Day. “Education and conservation are key tools that help ensure our water resources remain reliable for future generations.”

💧 Simple Ways to Conserve Water

Residents can make a meaningful impact with small, everyday actions:

Fix household leaks promptly
Take shorter showers
Turn off the tap while brushing teeth
Use water-efficient appliances
Plant native or drought-tolerant landscaping
Water lawns and gardens efficiently

Reducing water use also lowers energy consumption, since energy is required to pump, treat, and heat water—helping cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Officials encourage residents to follow the task force online for updates, resources, and conservation tips. More information is available through the county’s water conservation program.

Government

Rockland County Offers Free Mosquito Dunks and Minnows to Fight Summer Mosquitoes

Published

2 days ago

April 19, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

The Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) is giving residents two free tools to fight mosquitoes:

1. Mosquito Dunks®

Donut-shaped tablets placed in standing water
Kill mosquito larvae before they become biting adults
Safe for use in:
- Unused/covered pools
- Hot tubs
- Other stagnant water containers

2. Fathead minnows

Small fish that eat mosquito larvae (up to ~200 per day each)
Good for:
- Unused pools
- Ornamental ponds
- Water sources with at least 8 inches of water