How You Can Help to Maintain Our Village in a Park

The Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) wants you! Its mission is to advise the Board of Trustees on issues affecting the Village's environment and the maintenance of its natural character. In recent years the CAC has undertaken a review of the Village's tree ordinance, explored leaf collection alternatives and it is now reviewing landscape guidance for new construction while also preparing a policy on use of renewable technologies in Village capital projects.

The CAC's approach is to carefully research and discuss policy alternatives and to craft recommendations that attempt to respect the legitimate concerns of all stakeholders. It meets once monthly for lively and often creative discussion. To insure independence of thought, it relies on diversity; it requires no particular background and places modest demands on its members.

Want to improve the Village your kids live in? Mad about those trees that got chopped down? Worried about climate change? Want a low-commitment introduction to Village Government? Or do you simply want to engage in good discussion over a slice of pie? Click here to learn more.

CAC Recommends Landscaping Guidelines

What are best practices for landscaping when planning renovations and construction projects in Scarsdale? The Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) has designed some guidelines for keeping the green in the Village in a Park and they are asking the Board of Trustees to consider distributing them to residents and builders who apply for permits in the Village.

Lee Fischman says that the CAC hopes to raise awareness about landscaping among residents and developers early in the construction process, so that they can consider trees, shrubs and planting at the same time. Though following these suggestions will not be a condition of approval for construction, these criteria could serve as guidelines both for the BAR and the applicants.

Here are just a few of their recommendations:

• Plant canopy trees to provide shade, soak up water and cool your property
• Plant a lawn garden to diversify your yard, attract birds and butterflies and provide greenery year-round.
• Use native plants as they require less maintenance, are colorful, well adapted and require less fertilizer.
• Consider alternatives to arborvitae for screening – such as evergreens, deciduous hedges and small trees.

Learn more by attending a meeting at 7 pm on Tuesday January 12 at Village Hall where the Conservation Advisory Council will present their recommendations to the trustees.