Atlantic States Legal Foundation

Happy New Year! Here is some good news as we head into 2021: At ASLF we are launching our One Million Gallon! (OMG!) Community Partnership Program. The goal is to prevent 1 million gallons of stormwater from entering the combined sewer system in Syracuse over the next several years through green infrastructure installations. In a nutshell, we are seeking program partners who may be interested in a one of these installations on their property located in the combined sewershed ...area (see map). The project will occur in phases, and to start ASLF will be working with institutional, non-profit, high-density residential, and commercial property owners (the next phase may include private low-density residential properties such as single family homes). Site selection will be based on suitability factors such as stormwater capture potential, community impact, and partner goals. For selected projects, ASLF will fully fund up to $0.60 per gallon of capture. Sound intriguing? For more detailed information please visit: http://aslf.org/omg-program.html See more

Happy 50th birthday, US EPA! https://www.epa.gov//epa-celebrates-50-year-progress-dedic

Did you know: ASLF owns four rain gardens in Syracuse (pictured). Green infrastructure like this captures stormwater, allowing it to infiltrate back into the ground. This reduces stormwater entering our combined sewer system, cutting down on raw sewage overflow events into our urban creeks and Onondaga Lake. The more rain gardens we have, the better the water quality downstream!

Happy International Day of Biodiversity! Today ASLF staff assisted in a shoreline restoration project in Sodus Point, NY. Native Great Lakes beachgrass (A. breviligulata ssp. champlainensis) was planted to help stabilize the beach.

Tomorrow evening via zoom Dr. Doug Tallamy will be discussing how to take biodiversity into account when making decisions about your backyard and garden. Don't miss it!

Happy Arbor Day! Today we celebrate trees and forests, and the benefits associated with them. Have you ever heard of agroforestry? In a nutshell, it's a system where trees are integrated with agriculture in various ways. There are myriad benefits associated with agroforestry, including increased ecological resilience and food security. The food forest is a good example of an agroforestry practice particularly suited to urban areas. At ASLF we are promoting both urban forestry and agroforestry as tools for improving environmental health and water quality in our communities. The The Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri is a great resource if you'd like to learn more: http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/practices/