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Partner Spotlight: Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Service Challenge Objective: Energy Conservation
Advocacy Action: Alliance to Save Energy
Donation Suggestion: Western New York Environmental Alliance
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper® protects and restores our water and surrounding ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations. We protect clean water. We restore the health of ecosystems. We connect people to water. We inspire economic growth and community engagement.
For the past 30 years, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper has been the guardian of Western New York’s fresh water. Our mission is four-fold: we PROTECT the water, we RESTORE both the waterways and the surrounding ecosystems, we CONNECT people to their waterways, and we INSPIRE both economic activity along the waterways and community engagement.
In the late 60s, the Buffalo River was officially declared dead. Fast forward to 1989, with not a lot of improvement, and Friends of the Buffalo River is formed. Our organization worked tirelessly for the last three decades, and with many partners, to bring the Buffalo River back to life. It’s a tremendous, largely untold success story that played a large part in the city’s resurgence and renaissance in recent years. The story of the Buffalo River is a tale of caution, determination, hope and resurgence, and our mission going forward is to work to achieve the same successes on our other waterways, as well, in addition to protecting our headwaters throughout the watershed.
service challenge
service challenge
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Sweep Cleanup Program: From now until the end of October, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper needs your help to protect our waterways and prevent plastic pollution. You can get involved by completing a solo sweep and cleaning up litter on your own, or joining a small group of volunteers at one of our cleanups.
You can complete a solo sweep on your own, at any time, and at any location. Even if you are not near a waterway, litter that is along streets and sidewalks can enter the storm sewer system and unfortunately end up in our waterways. Any public park, neighborhood, or publicly accessible beach or shoreline is a great place to complete a solo sweep. Here is a link to more information on how to cleanup safely.
Once you have completed your solo sweep please submit a solo sweep report! Click here to report your sweep. This data helps us to understand the litter and plastic pollution problem in Western New York. Those that submit sweep reports will be entered to win a prize at the end of the month!
You can find all of these opportunities and more on our website HERE!
Campus & Outer Harbor Clean Ups- Saturday, October 24 10-12 a.m.
1) Campus Clean Up- Meet in front of the Chapel at 10 a.m.
2) Outer Harbor Clean Up- Meet at the Lakeside Bike Park, 825 Fuhrmann Boulevard, Buffalo, NY 14203 at 10 a.m.
If you'd like to participate in either the Campus Clean Up or the Outer Harbor Clean Up, RSVP to Alisa Slawinski at slawinsa@canisius.edu.
Project Conservation Club will provide gloves and bags. Dress for the weather!
Check out the flyer below for more info!
sustainability suggestions
sustainability suggestions
Reduce At-Home Plastic Use!
Use reusable containers and storage items instead of disposable bags and plastic wraps.
Bamboo toothbrushes that are just as effective as plastic ones, but without the necessary waste.
Shampoo bars may not work for every person but try to be more aware of the companies who use natural or organic ingredients that are more gentle on the Earth.
Reduce Food Waste!
Reduce the amount of food that you purchase. You can purchase food that you know you will consume before the expiration date.
Your raw foods, minus meat, can go into composting! You can either start composting for your own use or see if your waste management will take organics. Learn more about composting HERE.
Reduce Material Waste!
Did you know that more than 15 million tons of used textile waste is generated each year in the United States alone? Less than 20% of that waste is recycled while the majority goes to the landfill. Part of your clothing that is thrown into the landfill is made of synthetic material, and will not decompose for hundreds of years.
So, what can you do? Ethical, or conscious consumerism is a great step toward change. Every time you go shopping, ask yourself these questions: "Do I need it?" and "Does this company match my ethics?" Reflecting on your purchases before you buy them is a way to reduce your post-consumer waste.
advocacy action
advocacy action
ALLIANCE TO SAVE ENERGY: Founded in 1977 by a pair of U.S. senators who recognized the enormous opportunity of energy efficiency, the Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders advocating for enhanced energy productivity to achieve economic growth, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security, affordability and reliability.
Our Vision: A nation that uses energy more productively to achieve economic growth, a cleaner environment and greater energy security, affordability and reliability.
Our Mission: To improve energy productivity by:
Leading bipartisan initiatives that drive technological innovation and energy efficiency across all sectors of the economy, through policy advocacy, education, communications, and research.
Convening and engaging in diverse public private partnerships, collaborative efforts and strategic alliances to optimize resources and expand our sphere of influence.
Help determine our energy future NOW by advocating for energy efficiency as the first solution for addressing global energy concerns. Take action on an initiative by clicking here, or sign-up to become an Efficiency NOW Advocate and receive e-mails on all E-Now Alerts.
donation suggestion
donation suggestion
Click here to make a monetary donation to Western New York Environmental Alliance. WNYEA is an independent, member-run organization with a mission to mobilize change through collective action and collaboration, in order to ensure sustainable, thriving ecosystems and communities in Western New York. With more than 100 member organizations, affiliates and supporters, the WNYEA wants to ensure that the environment is the key factor in local and regional planning.
Watch the clip below to learn about the Western New York Environmental Alliance and what its doing to make a healthier, cleaner, greener WNY!
educational resources
educational resources
Interested in learning more about environmental issues? Check out the resources below!
Chasing Coral, Netflix Documentary
Before the Flood, Netflix Documentary
Cowspiracy, Netflix Documentary
A Plastic Ocean, Netflix Documentary
Our Planet, Netflix Documentary
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