October 15, 2009 11:02 by
Jenn 
Today, Motivators is proud to participate in what Chang.org deems as, "...one of the largest-ever social change events on the web." In an effort to raise awareness of the trying issues of global warming, Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change has been created and encourages bloggers all over the world to write about climate change.
As a green girl and a New York native, I couldn't have found a better subject for this topic, then the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve. This 52 acre nature preserve is only a five minute drive from my home and is the perfect reminder of what a majestic environment we will in, and how we must take care of it. The significance? 25 years ago, the Norman J Levy Park Preserve was a heaping, toxic landfill.
In 1983, the notorious landfill, commonly referred to as, "Merrick Mountain" (located in Merrick, Long Island) began collecting its last communal trash deposits. After over 30 years of collecting garbage, it had reached its capacity and would later be asked to be capped in 1994. With demands to abide by New York State's slope requirements, the sanitation department had to think fast.
After meeting with a Long Island engineering company, they designed a way to trap rain water in order to prevent hazardous run-offs into Long Island**s water supply and a dreaded landfill marsh from forming on the island's hills. Complimentary to the land, this allocation of rain water helped nourish the land and promoted growth. With this new water cycle in place, the Town of Hempstead began to reverse its negative impact on the environment, by beginning the transformation of landfill to nature park.
The first green project of this sort was established in 1971 in Virginia Beach and is appropriately named, Mount Trashmore. Now, New York is in the midst of the first phase of a 30 year plan to turn the world's largest landfill, Freshkills Park, located on Staten Island, into the world's largest urban park. The 30 year target is appropriate given the amount of work it will take to cultivate the land and work towards an eco-friendly park and preserve.
Currently, The Normal J Levy Park and Preserve, has an agricultural windmill that circulates water into two man-made ponds that have become flourishing fresh-water ecosystems. As a plant and wildlife sanctuary, the park and preserve is home to many species of birds, turtles, snakes and fox. To take care of overgrown grass problems, the park has even adopted a family of goats as an eco-friendly alternative to gas guzzling mowers.
With the studies of over 2,500 scientists from over 150 different countries attributing the causes of climate change to humans, it's refreshing to see positive projects sprouting right in my back yard. Likewise, as the need to go green demands our attention, more harmful landfills will be turned back to they way they once were.
"I am proud that our innovative governmental initiatives are attracting the attention of governments around the globe," said Mark Bonilla, the Town of Hempstead Town Clerk. "I hope that many other governments will be able to benefit from our very positive experience."
With innovative thinkers and compassionate go-getters proving that you can turn even the most disgusting landfill into the most beautiful nature preserve, there is no limit to the green movement.So with confidence from out current efforts and hope for a sustainable future, I encourage everyone to use environmentally friendly promotional items, appreciate the earth we live in and work together to reverse the negative impacts of climate change.
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