For many years I was not quite “on board” as they say about the importance of the New York State Burn Ban. But we now live in an altered climate with so many changes happening that the United States Department of Agriculture Hardiness maps which divides the entire US landmass into eleven different planting areas and each zone is ten degrees warmer (or colder) during an average climate season than the adjacent zone. For instance, for many years here in Sullivan County we were listed as Zone 5a(1990) then Zone 5b(2012) and today the Town of Highland is in Zone 6a in the newest revised plant hardiness map formulated in 2023. 

If you are any type of gardener, it’s because the local climate is getting warmer-which means more very warm temperatures and unsettled weather and many more garden pests. Owning a small farm, I can attest to that! I pay closer attention to the State of New York agriculture warnings and adjust my vegetable and flower plantings accordingly, and now some seeds packets are now marketed as heat tolerant. After witnessing a wild fire and seeing recent reports on the news of the massive total damage they cause especially this year in California, I pay attention when the New York State Burn Ban (open burning regulations) went into effect starting on Sunday, March 16, through Wednesday, May 14.

There are a bunch of gardening and lawn cleanup practices that use burning that are prohibited, including burning refuse, household trash, plastics, tires and other debris-including the use of a burn barrel. Also, lawn debris, leaves, any type of treated wood, plywood and particle boards cannot be burned outside during the Ban. The only exception to the Burn Ban is small campfires and some areas may require a special permit even for gas or propane fire pits. Small cooking fires are allowed but cannot be more than three feet high and four feet in length. If a general concern for our environment or doing your part to protect our grasslands, forests and the neighbors isn’t enough motivation, consider that violators caught by local police officers are subject to criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for the first offense. For the latest information about fire safety and prevention in communities go to  the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s FIREWISE page at dec.ny.gov/news.

Easter is right around the corner, on Sunday, April 20 to be exact. During the last few years there seems to be fewer traditional Easter Egg Hunts happening. I haven’t seen anything about Circle Park having one and since the Yulan Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary disbanded a few years ago, the Yulan Fire Department seems to have permanently canceled their egg hunt which was a lot of fun and took place in the Yulan Ballfield. I have seen a notice that the Barryville United Methodist Church (where the Farmers Market is held) will be holding an Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12 starting at 1p.m. 

In addition to the Easter Egg Hunt, there will be crafts and refreshments. Everyone is welcome and you do not have to be a member of the Church or pre-register for the event. The Barryville United Methodist Church is located at 3405 Route 97 in Barryville. I will look out for any other Egg Hunts that may be happening and list it here in this column.