MARCH
24 2023
DEC Reminds New Yorkers: Annual Residential Brush Burning Prohibition Began March 16
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY 4-H YOUTH SPEAK UP AT PUBLIC PRESENTATION DAY Local youth take part in annual public speaking contest. BY LISETTE CABRERA
Jamestown, NEW YORK (March 21, 2023) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Youth Development New York State Department New York first enacted strict Program recently held a of Environmental Conservation restrictions on open burning in two-day Public Presentation contest at Jamestown Com(DEC) Commissioner Basil 2009 to help prevent wildfires munity College on March Seggos today announced and reduce air pollution. The the annual statewide ban regulations allow residential 4, 2023 and March 6, 2023. prohibiting residential brush brush fires in towns with fewer Over the course of two days, burning begins March 16 than 20,000 residents during 65 youth ages 5-18 stepped and runs through May 14. most of the year, but prohibit up to the challenge and Since 2009, DEC has enforced such burning in spring when gave presentations on topics the annual brush burning most wildfires occur. Backyard ban to prevent wildfires and fire pits and campfires less than ranging from “The Wonprotect communities during three feet in height and four feet derful Honeybee” and the “History of Lego” to “African heightened conditions for in length, width, or diameter Swine Fever”. Presentation wildfires. are allowed, as are small cooking fires. Only charcoal styles included demon"This winter was warmer or dry, clean, untreated, or stration, illustrated talk, and drier than most, but unpainted wood can be burned. speech, dramatic interpretaregardless of the winter People should never leave these tion, and recitation.
Spring Burn Ban Reduces Wildfire Risks, Protects Lives and Property
weather, we are always at a greater risk of wildfires in the spring," Commissioner Seggos said. " This ban helps protect our communities, natural resources, and the Rangers and other firefighters who extinguish the fires. We're encouraging all New Yorkers to think about safety first, before starting a potentially dangerous fire."
fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State. For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to DEC's FIREWISE New York webpage.
The presentation contest is designed to challenge 4-H’ers skills and knowledge of giving a public presentation while also recognizing their abilities. Public speaking aligns with the Some towns, primarily in New York State 4-H Youth and around the Adirondack and Development values that Catskill parks, are designated promote the development of "fire towns." Open burning skills that help young people Even though some areas of is prohibited year-round in succeed in higher education, the state remain blanketed in these municipalities unless their chosen career path, snow, warming temperatures an individual or group has can quickly cause wildfire a permit from DEC. To find and as members of their conditions to arise. Open out whether a municipality families and communities. burning of debris is the is a designated fire town or This contest provides an single-largest cause of spring to obtain a permit, contact opportunity for 4-H'ers to wildfires in New York State. the appropriate DEC regional develop and practice comWhen temperatures warm office. A list of regional offices munication skills, build and the past fall's debris and is available on DEC's website. self-confidence, enhance leaves dry out, wildfires can knowledge in a selected substart and spread easily, further Forest Rangers, DEC ject matter area, and share fueled by winds and a lack of Environmental Conservation green vegetation. Each year, Police Officers (ECOs), and local information with others. DEC Forest Rangers extinguish authorities enforce the burn Teams of volunteer evaluadozens of wildfires that burn ban. Violators of the State's tors provide feedback to the hundreds of acres. In addition, open burning regulation are youth. After each presentalocal fire departments, many of subject to criminal and civil tion youth meet with their which are staffed by volunteers, enforcement actions, with a evaluators to discuss the all too often have to leave their minimum fine of $500 for a strengths and weaknesses of jobs and families to respond first offense. For search and their presentation. to wildfires caused by illegal rescue, reporting a wildfire or debris fires. DEC will post the Fire Danger Map for the 2023 fire season on DEC's website once there is a moderate risk anywhere in New York.
illegal activity on state lands and easements, call 1-833-NYSRANGERS (1-833-697-7264). To report environmental law violations, call 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267).
Master Gardener Helpdesk Returns for the 2023 Growing Season -BY MASTER GARDENER, PEG NY" look for the RED Cornell Signs. HITE JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (March 15, 2023) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Master Gardener Program is excited to announce the Master Gardener Help Desk reopens April 5th for the 2023 gardening season!
The Master Gardener Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization Chautauqua County and administration apMaster Gardeners are proved by Cornell Univerready to help with your sity as agent for the State of gardening questions, plant New York. It is tax-exempt or animal identification under section 501(c)(3) of or other gardening issues. the Internal Revenue Code. Bring your questions The association is part of to the Help Line by the national cooperative telephone, e-mail or walk extension system, an in on Wednesdays Noon educational partnership to 2PM, starting April between County, State, 5th and continuing every and Federal governments. Wednesday during the As New York’s land grant growing season. Our university Cornell admingarden experts will review isters the system in this your request and set you in state. Each Cornell Coopthe right direction. Also, erative Extension associas an extra bonus if you ation is an independent bring in a soil sample our employer that is governed garden team will test for by an elected Board of DipH! pH is important for the rectors with general overadsorption of nutrients in sight from Cornell. All your soil. Master Gardener associations work to meet services are free. the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national Contact us on 716/664goals. For more informa9502 extension 224, e-mail tion, call 716-664-9502 or us at chautauquamg@ visit our website at www. cornell.edu or visit us at cce.cornell.edu/chautauthe JCC Carnahan Center; qua. Cornell University 525 Falconer Street; P.O. Cooperative Extension Box 20; Jamestown, provides equal program NY 14702-0020, during and employment opportuhelpline hours. The "GPS nities. friendly address is 241 James Ave; Jamestown,
Youth who gave exceptional presentations were selected to participate at the Western District Public Presentation Day contest
Photo Submitted Mackenzy Graziano poses as she prepares to deliver a speech on the topic of “Challenges Facing Agriculture Education” at the annual 4-H Presentation Day.
at the Revive Wesleyan Church in Hamburg, NY on March 25th. This year Abigail Carlberg, Anna Carlberg, Kendall Eckman, Hannah George, Mackenzy Graziano, Liam Griffith, Angel Heppner, Esther Knappenberger, Adam Lesch, and Garrett Lesch were selected to participate at the Western District level with Madalyn Reading and Logan Ellsworth selected as alternates. Youth that excel in presenting at the Western District level may become eligible to move onto experiences and competitions with other 4-H’ers from the state who have also excelled in public speaking.
Chautauqua County 4-H youth members have other opportunities to give presentations at their club and animal projects as well as at the 4-H Youth Building at the Chautauqua County Fair. Public speaking is not something most people typically enjoy. We commend and congratulate all who stepped up to the challenge to prepare and present their topics on Public Presentation Day! The 4-H Youth Development Program is one of many programs offered
by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell. edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.
CCHD ANNOUNCES AN UPCOMING ANIMAL RABIES IMMUNIZATION CLINIC
Drive-in Rabies Immunization Clinic Scheduled for April 1 in Falconer Pre-Registration for this Drive-in Rabies Clinic is Required MAYVILLE, N.Y.: -The Chautauqua County Health Department has announced a free rabies vaccination clinic to be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023. This clinic will take place from 10 am to 12 pm at the Village of Falconer Highway Building at 1 Coleson Drive in Falconer, N.Y. The clinic will be a drive-in clinic and animals must be pre-registered to receive vaccinations. Vaccinations will be provided free of charge to all dogs, cats, and domesticated ferrets three months of age and older. Distemper shots and/ or Microchips will also be available, at no cost. #VaccinatedandLoved The Chautauqua County Humane Society (CCHS) and the Chautauqua County Health Department will co-sponsor the event. You must pre-register online at: https://on.ny.gov /3JGULTa There are a limited number of spots available at the clinic, so pet owners should pre-register online as soon as possible. If you register but decide not to attend the event, please cancel your appointment so the spot is available for another pet. You can cancel appointments via the confirmation email you receive when you register or call CCHD at (716) 753-4567. Walk-ins may not be accepted. At the clinic, vehicles
Photo Submitted Pictured above, a veterinarian administering a vaccination.
will enter from South Work St. onto Coleson Dr. near the front of Tops Markets. Pet owners will stay in their vehicles with their pets. Pet owners must bring previous rabies vaccination records for each animal receiving a shot to ensure proper and effective vaccination; clinic staff will confirm previous rabies vaccination records. All dogs must be on a leash. All cats must be in a carrier. Animal handlers will transport animals from the vehicle to the veterinarian for vaccination.
New York State Public Health Law requires each dog, cat, and domesticated ferret over the age of four months to be vaccinated against rabies. County residents are encouraged to be responsible pet owners by having their pets vaccinated. Rabies is a very serious disease of warm-blooded animals caused by a virus. Raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes are common disease carriers. The virus is transmitted to humans and animals through saliva and it can enter the body from a bite, scratch,
scrape or open cut. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system and can cause brain swelling and ultimately death within days of the onset of symptoms. For more information about the clinic and rabies in general, visit www.chqgov.com/ environmental-health/ rabies-prevention or contact the Chautauqua County Health Department at (716) 7534481.