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AWARE seeks to educate and inspire readers to make informed cultural, altruistic, and environmental choices

in their daily lives.

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Ecotourism: Sea Turtle

Conservation

Local Food and Recipes

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Local Organization: East Hampton

Food Pantry

Local Organization: Kids Stock the

House

Organic Cotton:

Eco Bags

Cosmetic Products

Krochet Kids International

Junk Mail: Paper

Toms: Shoes

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Billy Schutt Nitrogen

Pollution: A Danger to Long Island Waters

Contents

32Water Bottles

and the Environment

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The magazine aims to inform readers about what they can do to be good stewards of the environment and local community, by influencing them to make long-term change. AWARE empowers its readers to foster a sense of consciousness and be aware of how their consumption impacts others.

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Our Journey

TheNewOxfordAmericanDictionarydefinesempathyas“theabilitytounderstandandsharethefeelingsofanother.”AccordingtoJeremyRifkin,mirrorneuronsinstillempathyinus;whatweobserveofothersaffectsus.Wereacttotheplightofothersasifitwereourownexperiences.Heexplainsthatseeingthemisfortunesofothersevokesustoparticipateinempathetictasks.ThewritingsofMr.Rifkinandcreativeapproachestoproblemsolvinghaveinspiredthismagazine. Thechoicescouldbeassimpleasrecyclingwaterbottles,purchasingenvironmentallyresponsibleconsumerproducts,supportingsustainableandlocalfoodresources,engaginginecotourismorcreatingpathwaystoglobalbusinesses,whichmightincludemicroloanstothoseinimpoverishedareas.

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Individualsshouldfeelgoodabouttheproductstheybuybecause,bydoingso,theyaremakingpositivecontributionstotheirplanet.AWAREendorsesproductsthatservemultiplepurposesandputanemphasisondesireandnecessity.WeshouldconsiderwhethertheitemsthatwepurchasearehelpingorharmingtheEarthandourselves.Productscanbemorethanjustwhatyouneedinlife–theycanalsoservethecommongoodandreflectyourindividualidentity.Ashumans,wehavethecapacitytodevelopaconnectiontobothourhumanfamilyandtotheenvironment.Thesmall,everydaychangesthatwemakecanhavemonumentalimpactsonourworld.

AllwrittenandphotographicmaterialinAWAREwascreatedbyChristinAucapina

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Sea Turtle Conservation

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Why are sea turtles important?

According to the World Conservation Union, all seven species of sea turtles—

the Loggerhead, Green Turtle, Leatherback, Hawksbill, Kemp’s Ridley, Olive Ridley, and Flatback— are on the Red List of Threatened Species. Because many baby sea turtles do not make it to adulthood or the ocean, there are less

than one million sea turtles in existence today.

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In general, it can take 15 to 50 years for turtles to reach sexual maturity. Typically, female sea turtles return to their natal beach at night and may nest more than once during mating season. Females lay about three hundred eggs in one night, and the eggs take approximately forty

days to fertilize. Even female sea turtles are at risk of extinction. Poachers often steal eggs and kill females

on the beach. Turtles are sold in black markets for their shells, which are made into sunglasses, hair clips,

headbands, and other accessories. Sea turtle eggs are in high demand because they are known to

taste better than chicken eggs.

Rene collecting eggs in Tecoman, Mexico

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In certain locations, females are impeded from laying nests on the beach because they are attracted to the

artificial light of buildings and lose track of the ocean’s location. Sometimes, they do not find their way back into

the ocean. Construction on a beach can affect a nest of sea turtle eggs because it could alter the temperature of

the sand. Sand temperature is key to the incubation of the eggs; warm sand favors female sea turtles and cold sand

favors male sea turtles. In the ocean, it is theorized that baby sea turtles

spend the early stage of their development following and feeding off beds of Sargasso weeds. Often, sea turtles choke and die after eating balloons, fishing lines, and plastic bags. By keeping local beaches free from litter,

people can help the survival of sea turtles.

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Sea Turtle Nesting Sites

Around the World

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Sea turtles are constantly in danger. Many sea turtles drown because they are caught in the gear of

fishing vessels. Recently, regulations have been put into place that enforce ships to have nets called Turtle

Excluder Devices (TEDs), which have an escape flap for marine creatures.

When traveling to their favorite tropical getaways, people can educate themselves on the local culture, raise

their level of global awareness, and partake in environmental endeavors, such as helping sea turtles by participating in activities that could ultimately help sea

turtles avoid extinction.

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For two weeks during the summer of 2011, I traveled to Tecoman, Mexico and participated in a

sea turtle conservation program. A typical day consisted of small groups of volunteers patrolling the beach before sunrise and searching for turtle marks on the sand. If we found marks, we would estimate the location of the nest. Once a nest was located, we would count the eggs and move them to the camp’s corral, where the eggs are kept away from predators and can still remain nested in the sand. When the

baby sea turtles make their way out of the sand, they need to be escorted into the ocean to ensure that

they are not eaten by preys.

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EAST HAMPTON FOOD PANTRY

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The East Hampton Food Pantry is a nonprofit organization that helps feed those in need. The pantry usually anticipates feeding four

hundred families a week. Every Tuesday, families arrive at the pantry and receive a

brown paper bag filled with juice, pasta, and canned goods. Then, they enter the pantry’s

kitchen where they choose from baked goods, fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms,

milk, meat, eggs, and cheese. The pantry faces added difficulties during the winter, when many people lose jobs because of the local

seasonal economy. The pantry also takes part in hosting fundraising events, such as the

Western Fair and the Polar Bear Plunge. The pantry welcomes volunteers to either of its locations: East Hampton or Amagansett.

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Kids Stock the House

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MissionThe mission of Kids Stock the House is to support The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island (RMH-LI) in its valuable role of serving families and children in need. RMH-LI is a “home-away-from-home” for families of seriously ill children who are undergoing medical treatments in area hospitals. Many of the families who stay at the House are from Suffolk County, Nassau County, and the surrounding communities. Other families come from across the country and around the world. All day-to-day costs for running the House are supported through fundraisers,legislative grants, and the generosity of donors.

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2011: Kids Stock the House participated in a Dinner Program at the Ronald McDonald House on July 10th and October 23rd.

Kids Stock the House was founded by a local teacher and education author, Donna Christina Oliverio. Please contact Ms.Oliverio at (516) 456-2172 if you are interested in joining this worthy cause. You can also become a fan of the “Kids Stock the House” Facebook page.

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V. S

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Poland Spring attire: collaborative effort of Ji Eun Kim and Christin Aucapina.

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Within the last two decades, Poland Spring has reduced the amount of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic in

its bottles by 60%.

By changing the cap, the body of the bottle, and the size of the label, the company has reduced the amount of plastic

used to create one bottle by 30%.

Poland Spring prides itself on providing water that is 100% Natural Spring Water.

Poland Spring attire: collaborative effort of Ji Eun Kim and Christin Aucapina.

Poland Spring

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Fiji provides consumers with natural artesian water that is created by equatorial winds. Natural artesian water is confined miles

underneath the earth’s surface and usually between impermeable rocks; it is never

touched by humans.

The water bottles have the highest-grade PET resin, and do not contain Bisphenol A.

As of 2009, Fiji joined 1% for the Planet, which donates funds to environmental organizations.

Currently, 1% for the Planet has over 1,000 members in 38 countries.

The company Fiji has donated 5 million dollars toward the preservation of Fiji’s largest rainforest, and has contributed toward

educational programs in Fiji.

Fiji

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AWARE 39Fiji Dress created by Geige Silver.

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Paulina in Poland Spring attire

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Barbie in Fiji dress

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Billy Schutt : Nitrogen Pollution: A Danger To Long Island Waters

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Currently,LongIslandisfacinganecologicalcrisisduetoasu-perabundanceofnitrogeninitswaterbodies.Anexcessofnitro-geninawaterbodyisharmfulinandofitself,butitalsoallowsthegrowthoflargealgalblooms,whichcanwreckhavoconthemarineecosystem.Inthispaper,youwilllearnaboutacaseofextremenitrogenpollutionatHewlettBayinNassauCounty.

HewlettBay:ACaseStudyForEutrophicationHewlettBay,abeautifulsaltwaterestuaryinHempstead,New

York,isinthemidstofanecologicalcrisis.TheBayParksewagetreatmentplantpumpsapproximately60milliongallonsofefflu-ent(nutrient-richwaterinwhichsolidshavebeenremoved)intothebayeveryday.Nitrogenouscompoundsintheeffluentleadtoaseriousproblemcalledeutrophication,whichisanincreasedrateinthegenerationoforganiccarbon,whichinlayman’stermsmeansthat,duetophenomenasuchasheightenednutrientlevelsinawaterbody,organismssuchasphytoplanktonareabletorepro-duceandgrowmorequickly.Thisincreasedproductionofalgaecanresultinanalgalbloom,aproblemmoreseriousthanitsoundsduetotheecologicaleffectsofhavinganunusuallyhighdensityofalgaeinthewater,suchasthedeathofseagrass.Theproblemofeutrophicationandtheresultingalgalbloomscanbemadeworseduetosomealga’sabilitytocreatetoxinswhichcanbeharmfultofishandshellfish.Thealgalpopulationgrowssolargethatitcon-sumesalltheavailablenutrients.Thismass“starvation”leadstoa

die-offofalgaeandthepopulationcrashes.Thenextphaseofthisprocessoccurswhenthedeadcellssinktothebottom.Thehugeamountoforganicmattermakingupthepopulationofalgaisdecomposedbyaerobicbacteriathatquicklydepletethewaterofdissolvedoxygen.InHewlettBay,thereissomuchalgalgrowththatalmostalloftheoxygenisremovedfromthewater.Whenthisprocessoccurs,aerobicseaorganismslikefishandshellfishliterallysuffocateandwilldieunlesstheymove

outoftheimpactedarea.

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HewlettBayComparedtoOtherTestSites:Duringthesummerof2011,IworkedinChrisGobler’salgallabatSUNYStonyBrookatSouthampton.There,IwasinvolvedinaprojectthatmeasuredtheeffectsoftheBayParksewagetreatmentplantonthesurroundingwaterways.ThefoursitesIsurveyed,HewlettBay,MiddleBay,JonesBeachInlet,andEastBay,make

upanareaknownastheWesternBays.MiddleBayandEastBaydonotsufferasmucheutrophicationasHewlettBayduetotheirproximitytoJonesBeachInletandtheocean,whichallowswatertobeflushedfromthetwobaysonaregularbasis.Theflowofoceanwaterintothetwobaysdilutesnutrientconcentrationfromthesewageplantoutflow.Incontrast,HewlettBay,whichiscutofffromtheopenoceanbyalargeland

massdoesnotundergothesamedilutionprocess.ArecentstudyofthesewaterwaysbyDr.RobertSwansonshowstheimportantfactors,whichmaketheeutrophicationofHewlettBaymoresevere.Thestudyshowsthatthecooler,salineoceanwaterdoesnotflushtheareainandaroundHewlettBay.Becauseofthis,thehighconcentrationsofnitrateandothernitrogenouscompoundsexpelledfromthesewageoutflowarenotdilutedandleadtotheincreasedgenerationofphytoplankton.Theeffectsofthesemicroorganismsandtheproofthateutrophicationisoccur-ringcanbeseenbecauseoxygenisshowntobedepletedinthe

areasurroundingtheoutflow.Ifoceanwatersflushedthisarea,thelevelsofnitrogenwouldbereducedandeutrophicationwouldnot

beassevere.HewlettBayalsohasanotherunfortunatequality,whichcom-

poundsitshypoxiaproblem.Thebayisheavilydredgedandthusverydeep,upto15metersinsomeareas.Inaquaticecosystems,theamountofdissolvedoxygendecreaseswithdepth.Thisprob-lemisexaggeratedinHewlettBaybecauseitdoesnotexperienceinflowofoceanwaterandbecauseoftheextentofeutrophication.InHewlettBaycompleteanoxiaoccursonlyafewmetersbeneath

thesurface.

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Currently,LongIslandisataturningpoint.Atthispoint,nitro-genexcessdoesnotaffectourdailylivesdrastically,butifmoreisnotdonetolimithowmuchescapesintoourwaters,wemayfaceanislandwideecologicalcrisisinthefuture.Atthispointintime,weareaffordedprecioustimetochangeournegligentbehaviortowardstheenvironmentandwemusttakefulladvan-tageofit.Thefirststeptowardsaresolutionisawareness.Oncewehaverealizedhowgraveaplightwefaceitistimetoact.

Contactyourrepresentatives,maintainyoursepticsystems,uselessfertilizer;allofithelps.Wecannotaffordtokickthisenvi-ronmentalissuedownthestreetanddealwithitlater.Weoweittoourselvesandtofuturegenerationstoprotectthevaluable

resourceofcleanwaterthatsurroundsourhome.

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Organic Cotton Eco Bags

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Organic Cotton Eco Bags

AWARE 52 Eco Bag designed by Ji Eun Kim

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ECOBAGS started in 1989 with the idea of reducing waste by

creating reusable bags.

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Customers can choose from a variety of styles and materials, such as organic, recycled, and natural cotton, hemp, recycled

polymers, and wild grasses.

Eco Bag designed by Ji Eun Kim

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AWARE 57Eco Bag designed by Lucy Reyer and Noah McAskill

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The company receives its material from four countries:

United States of America, India, China, and Canada. ECOBAGS is proud to be “cleaning up the planet, one bag at a time”, and

providing bags for all aspects of life.

Eco Bag designed by Justine Friedrich

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Krochet Kids International began with three college students, Kohl Crecelius, Travis Hartanov and Stewart Ramsey, who sought to gain a better understanding of the global community. After seeing how the people of Uganda wanted to be independent as opposed to relying on the government and aid organizations, Kohl, Travis, and Stewart decided to help women make a living by teaching them how to crochet. Today, the organization employs 122 women in Uganda and provides fair wages and classes on budgeting, business management and finance. After three years, a woman can provide food, water, clothing, and education for her family. She would also have enough money to start a small business, herd cattle, or open a farm. The hats that Krochet Kids sell are handmade and signed by the women that made them. Buyers contribute to a cycle of education, employment, and mentorship. By knowing the name of the woman who made their hat, purchasers can find her story online. The organization allows women to rise from poverty, and defines its success by the number of relationships that are built.

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Mission : To empower people to rise above poverty.

VISIONTo create sustainable economic development programs that support holistic growth of individuals and communities within developing nations.

To inspire the knowledge of a generation about their abil-ity to bring change to a world that is in need.

VALUESPeople: We desire holistic freedom for our people to grow and enrich their lives physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

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Buy A Hat. Change A Life.

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The facial scrub The St.Ives Apricot Scrub Deep clean your skin and prevent blackouts before they appear.

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The Soap Pangea Organics Bar Soap Pangea uses healing and therapeutic herbs that rejuvenate and refresh your skin.

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The Bronzer Bamboo Wear This new nutrient rich bronzer renews skin condition and gives it a glow.

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The hair Moroccan oil is famous for reviving and strengthening hair. Apply this oil treatment when hair is wet, as it reduces drying time and gives your hair a great glow.

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The eye shadow Maquillage du Monde Inspired by women of India, these eye shadows are made out of pomegranate and calendula powder. They are available in six colors.

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The mascaraL’Oréal Double Extend Applies in two coats, the first nour-ishes the lashes while the second tubes them. This mascara is easily removed and waterproof.

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The eyeliner Beauté du Monde Also inspired by women in India, the Kohl is available in five shades. It it is an eyeliner that is gentle to apply.

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The lipstick Beauté du Monde Inspired by the women in Morocco, this lipstick is made from argan oil and butter to nourish the lips, and available in nine shades

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It is hard to imagine that there is such an item as vegan polish, but SpaRitual strives to enlighten its

customers by providing eco-friendly products. SpaRitual Nail Lacquer is available in a variety of shades and is 100% vegan. It is created from wild crafted plants and organic plants from around the

world, free from dyes, sulfates, and chemicals. SpaRitual Nail Lacquer was the first polish to not

have Formaldehyde, and Toluene. Pricing depends on the size of polish, but rages from five to ten dollars a bottle. Keep a look out for the polish collection that

supports the Go Green Initiative.

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Blake Mycoskie founded Toms in 2006 after his visit to Argentina. He was

inspired to help children who suffered from extreme poverty and health

conditions by giving a child in need a pair of new TOMS with every TOMS

purchase. Within the first year of business, TOMS donated 10,000 pairs of

shoes to children in Argentina, and as of 2012, TOMS has donated one million pairs of shoes to over twenty countries. Blake decided to donate shoes because

doing so would reduce injuries and allow children to go to school. Support Toms and children around the world by

buying a pair of shoes.

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AWARE 79Quail Hill Farm, September, Harvest Saturday, 2011

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The following recipes were displayed in Quail Hill Farm’s E-News letter

during the summer of 2011. The recpies endorse fruits and vegetables that

can be found in local farm stands and markets. Some of theses farms are

members of the Peconic Land Trust which is a nonprofit organization that

conserves Long Island’s farms.

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WATERMELON AND TOMATO SALADServes 4

Ingredients:3 cups of watermelon, 2 cups of tomatoes, ¼ lb of feta cheese, 1 small red onion, basil leaves, 1 tsp of lemon juice, 1 of red wine vinegar, and 2 Tbs of olive oil.

Local Recipies

Combine the watermelon, cut in 1‐inch chunks, with the tomatoes, cut in 1‐inch chunks. Add the Feta cheese, cut into ½ inch dice, 1 small red onion, minced, basil leaves, and the lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and olive oil.

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Trim and scrub (removing all hairs) the golden beets, medium‐large, and cut them into ½” cubes. In a large skillet, add the olive oil and

heat to medium heat. Add the beets, cover and cook, stirring occasionally,

until the beets start to “sizzle.” Reduce heat to just above low and cook 10 –15 minutes, or until you can insert a fork into a beet but it is still firm. Add the fennel. Remove end and

trim stalks of the fennel bulbs. Cut bulbs lengthwise and slice across into smallish

pieces. Cut usable stalks and fronds into ½” slices. Add the anise‐hyssop, chopped, to the beet/fennel mix, salt to taste, and continue

cooking until desired.

Ingredients: 3 golden beets, 1‐2 Tbs of olive oil, 3 fennel bulbs, ½ cup of anise‐hyssop, and salt.

GOLDEN BEET and FENNEL SAUTÉ with

ANISE‐HYSSOP

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FRIED OKRAcontributed by Jane Weissman

Ingredients: ½ cup of water, 1 cup of flour, black pepper, hot pepper flakes, chopped parsley, 10 small pods of okra, canola oil, and salt.

Note: Zucchini sticks, squash blossoms, and sage buds (+ 2 sets of leaves) can be prepared the same way.

Make a pastella by pouring the water in a bowl and adding enough flour

to achieve a yogurt‐like consistency. Add black pepper, hot pepper flakes, and lots of chopped

parsley. Wash and trim small pods of okra. Drip pods into the pastella and

fry in very hot canola oil (375°F if using an electric

frying pan). Remove, drain on paper towels, transfer to platter and

sprinkle with salt.

AWARE 87Quail Hill Farm, September, Harvest Saturday, 2011

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CURRIED OKRA WITH CHICKPEAScontributed by Jane Umanoff and Bo Parsons

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients: 1 onion, 3‐4 cloves of garlic, 3 Tbs of olive oil, ¼ tsp of curry powder, ¼ tsp of ground cumin, a pinch of cayenne,

a pinch of turmeric, 4 tomatoes, 1 lb of okra, and 1 can chickpeas.

Saute the onion, chopped and cloves of garlic, minced, in the olive

oil. Add curry powder, ground cumin, a pinch of cayenne and a pinch of turmeric. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, chopped, and okra (approx. 3 inches long,

washed, stems trimmed). Bring to a boil. Lower heat, add salt and

pepper to taste, adjust spice seasonings, and simmer for

20 minutes. Add chickpeas and cook a few minutes more.

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Quail Hill Farm Address: 660 Old Stone Highway, Amagansett, NY, 11930 Season Summer harvest days are Saturdays and Tuesdays, from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Round Swamp FarmAddress: 184 Three Mile Harbor Road East Hampton, NY 11937 Season: May through December Hours: Daily 8AM-6PM; Sundays 8AM-2PM Products Offered: Fresh produce, fish, lobsters, homemade baked goods,

The Milk Pail & Amy’s FlowersAddress: 757 Mecox Lane Water Mill, NY 11976 Season: Year round Hours: Monday through Saturday; 9:30am-5:30pm Sunday; 10:00am- 5:30pm Products Offered: Apples, peaches, blueberries, cherries, pears, bedding

Sag Harbor Farmers Market Address: 1742 Country Road 79, Sag Harbor, NY,11963Season: Winter Market is open every Sat. 9AM-1PM from Nov - May 2012.

Vicki’s Veggies AmagansettOpen seven days a week all year long7am to 8pm 596 Montauk Highway, Amagansett, NY, 11930

Buy from local farms and markets to support substantial living on the east end.

jams, relishes, and flowers.

plants, cider, pies.

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“ Just say No,” and join 41Pounds on its mission to reduce deforestation by controlling what goes into your mailbox. Futile mail does not benefit the environment. Out of the 100 million trees that are cut every year, 42% of trees go into the production of paper. On average, adults receive 41 pounds of junk mail, and spend 70 hours sorting through such mail. 41Pounds invites people to conserve 1.7 trees and 700 gallons of water by reducing their junk mail for five years. Within 16 weeks of 41Pounds’ service, your junk mail can be reduced by 95%. The service requires you to provide basic personal information and enables you to help the environment.

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Dress created by Geige Silver

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Intheend,theconsumershouldfeelgoodthattheyarecontributingtowardthewellbeingofothersandthemselves.

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Christin Aucapina

AWARE is also available online on ISSUU under “AWARE a Senior Project”.