Sustainability | The River Reporter

Willow Wisp Farm is a stop on the National Solar Tour, taking place on October 4 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

WAYNE COUNTY, PA — Wayne County residents will once again take part in the ASES (American Solar Energy Society) National Solar Tour, the nation’s largest grassroots renewable energy education … more

By SEEDS | 9/15/26

The Upper Delaware River Thermal Mitigation Bank

Every Upper Delaware tailwater angler knows the uneasy rhythm of a summer heat wave. Air temperatures climb, nighttime cooling fades, and the river warms mile by mile below the NYC Delaware basin … more

By JEFF SKELDING | 9/15/26

Correcting erosion on a Pike County road

SHOHOLA FALLS, PA — The Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) and its partners recently celebrated the completion of a $74,704 Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road project on Brooks Cabin … more

9/15/26

Want the facts on PFAS?

NATIONWIDE — Want to know how much PFAS exists in your neighborhood water systems? The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has a resource for you. An interactive map published by EWG shows PFAS … more

By LIAM MAYO | 9/15/26

The forum was held in the gynasium and the meeting room of the Dr. Duggan Community Center.

Bethel thinks green

WHITE LAKE, NY — On August 8, the Sustainable Bethel Committee held a sustainability forum, where participants learned about varied sustainability measures and heard from local officials about … more

By PATRICK KELLY | 9/15/26

SEEDS Board member Jocelyn Cramer (left), Travis, Michelle and Lily Head, Carol and Mike Burkhsrdt, and SEEDS Board member Jack Barnett.

Lily Head receives SEEDS Sustainability Scholarship

HONESDALE, PA — SEEDS (Sustainable Energy Education & Development Support) is proud to announce that Lily Head, a senior at Honesdale High School, has been awarded the 2026 SEEDS Sustainability … more

7/14/26

The Omega Center for Sustainable Living Eco Machine™ cleans and reclaims all of Omega Institute’s campus wastewater using zero chemicals and net zero energy, by mimicking the processes of the natural world.

A Living Building in the mid-Hudson Valley

RHINEBECK, NY — The Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OCSL) is one of the most celebrated examples of a Living Building in the United States because it is more than a highly efficient … more

7/14/26

The Omega Center for Sustainable Living is a net zero energy building, generating more electricity than it consumes.

Happy birthday, Living Building Challenge!

Twenty years ago, the Seattle, WA-based Cascadia Green Building Council (CGBC) introduced what has become one of the most rigorous and responsive building standards in the world. At a time when … more

By STEPHEN STUART, CPHC | 7/14/26

Microplastics are usually smaller than this—less than five millimeters in size—but you get the idea.

The invisible footprint

Lately, I have been wondering about the “wonders” of plastic. Has the synthetic age caught up with us with a Sasquatch-sized invisible footprint? Before you read what my research uncovered, … more

By HEDY SCHNELLER | 7/14/26

The Pike County Conservation District announced the successful completion of an Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program project at Egypt Valley Farms LLC in Tafton.

ACAP complete

TAFTON, PA — The Pike County Conservation District is excited to announce the successful completion of an Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) project at Egypt Valley Farms LLC … more

7/10/26

Happy birthday, Living Building Challenge!

Twenty years ago, the Seattle, WA-based Cascadia Green Building Council (CGBC) introduced what has become one of the most rigorous and responsive building standards in the world. At a time when … more

By STEPHEN STUART, CPHC | 7/9/26

Learn more

Living Building Challenge Basics Living Buildings for a Living Future | Jason McLennan | TEDxBend The Living Building Challenge – Buckminster Fuller Institute Green Building … more

By STEPHEN STUART | 7/9/26

LEED, equity and the built environment

Equity in the built environment begins with a simple reality: buildings shape everyday life. They influence who has access to clean air, safe classrooms, affordable utility bills, shaded streets, … more

By STEPHEN STUART | 5/19/26

What is LEED and how does it work?

When the United States Green Building Council (USGDC) began its work in the 1990s, one challenge quickly became apparent: defining what exactly makes a building “green.” Without a clear … more

By STEPHEN STUART | 5/19/26

The birth of a standard:

In the late 20th century, the way buildings were designed and constructed in the United States was undergoing a quiet but important shift. While building codes had long ensured minimum standards for … more

By STEPHEN STUART | 5/19/26

Cut back on trash

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — Sustainable Sullivan will be holding a workshop to start strategizing realistic, practical ways to reduce the amount of waste the county has to deal with on Friday, May 15 at … more

5/12/26

Hancock mural to be unveiled

HANCOCK, NY — The Hancock Arts Alliance, in partnership with the Western Catskills Visitors Association, Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Smart Energy Choices, and Ithaca Murals, proudly … more

5/4/26

Delving into data centers

DELAWARE RIVER VALLEY — The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) hosted a presentation from the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) on Tuesday, March 31, with the DRBC providing updates on the research … more

By LIAM MAYO | 4/6/26

Passive House: The frequently asked questions

1. Can I open the windows in a Passive House? Yes! This is the most common myth. You can open your windows whenever you like. However, you’ll find that you don’t need to open them for … more

By STEPHEN STUART | 3/18/26

Want to get inspired?

In this section, we’ve shown you a wide range of the possibilities for Passive House construction. From a library retrofit to a new-build residential community to a 19th century sailing ship, the … more

By LIAM MAYO | 3/18/26