Here in Central New York, April brings days of spring rain, sprinkled with a few glimpses of the summer sun. The changing weather reminds us that Earth is a beautiful place, and we need to be doing everything we can to keep it that way. This year, Earth Day is April 22, and Arbor Day is April 25. While these commemorations bring us together to revitalize our community after a long, bitter winter, they are also important reminders of the conditions and vulnerability of the world around us.

There is a critical need for ongoing education, action, and change when it comes to our environment. This year’s Earth Day theme is “Green Cities.” By improving conditions in our cities, we can improve conditions for future generations around the world.

Every year, there are many local events that promote environmentally conscious behavior and help bring Central New Yorkers together to make our world and our community better. I encourage you to find a local event or join me at the Good Ole Boys Junior Bassmasters Canal Clean Sweep on April 26 at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Oak Orchard Road and Morgan Road. During this annual event, young people ages 8 to 19 years old walk along the canal system with their parents, cleaning up debris, including fishing line, lures, bottles, cans, paper, tires, and litter.

There are also a number of local events in our community that celebrate these important holidays. From trash cleanup, to recycling, to planting trees, there is a way for everyone to help make a difference this month. I encourage you to reach out to community groups to find the volunteer opportunity that best suits you.

We must continue our efforts to take care of the environment even after April ends. That’s why I’m hosting an electronics recycling event at Fayetteville Towne Center on May 17. E-waste can be dangerous for the environment. By recycling our old electronics, we can help stop pollution.

I look forward to seeing all of you out and about, lending a hand to improve our community. As always, if you have questions or comments about this or any other community issue, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at StirpeA@assembly.state.ny.us or 315-452-1115.