One of Two Roots of Woodstock Bike Racks

As Woodstock gets ready to celebrate Earth Day on Monday, April 22, we wanted to recap some local environmental milestones.

In 2003 the Woodstock Environmental Commission (WEC) procured a New York State Energy Research Development Agency grant covering eighty percent of the project cost of a photo-voltaic panel array for the municipal building at 76 Tinker Street. On March 13, 2007, the Town of Woodstock unanimously passed a Zero-Carbon Initiative. The goal was to achieve a net zero emission of carbon dioxide by the end of 2017.

In 2009 the Roots of Woodstock Live Concert was held on August 15 at the Bearsville Theater. This 40^th anniversary Woodstock festival concert also raised money via an Eco Raffle. The monies raised enabled the concert promoters to purchase two bright red bicycle-shaped Dero bike racks. One was placed in front of Houst’s on Mill Hill Road, and the other in front of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Arts booth on Rock City Road.

Also in 2009, the WEC produced The Green Guide, a 39-page handout detailing ways Woodstockers can lower their eco-footprint. In June 2011, the town installed a solar array atop the Woodstock Highway Garage. The town currently generates over five percent of its electricity needs from solar arrays. Woodstock is continuing to work on a plan to reach its net zero emission goal by 2017.

~ Weston Blelock