Conservation Celebration Family Fun Sept 27

The Conservation Celebration nature festival at Rust Nature Sanctuary will be fun for the whole family.

On September 27 from noon to 4 pm you can enjoy live Bluegrass by Acoustic Burgoo and music by Moon Music, art and nature crafters, magicians and street theatre, food and fun. There will be lots of hands-on activities for children, guided nature walks, house tours, nature exhibits, exhibits of solar and other “green” personal and home products.

Admission is free.

WHEN: Sunday September 27: Noon to 4pm

WHERE: 802 Childrens Center Road, Leesburg, VA 20175 [Google Map]

The Audubon Naturalist Society’s Rust Sanctuary is a 68-acre nature center with historic Manor House and grounds located at 802 Childrens Center Road, just minutes from downtown Leesburg.

To learn more about the event visit the Event Web Page or call 703-669-2561.

R U still buying bottled water?

[Cartoon by Steve Greenburg]

Via ENVIRONBLOG

Is Vinegar some miracle solution?

Vinegar is often suggested as an eco-friendly, economical alternative to store-bought household cleaners.

AboutMyPlanet.com suggests:

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer and is a great all purpose cleaner, on anything but marble. The strong smell will disappear when it dries. Use it by:

-mix 1 part water to 1 part vinegar for an all purpose cleaner that you can use on the stove, appliances, & counter tops, stone and brick surfaces
-add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle instead of fabric softener
-pour vinegar around the inside rim of the toilet bowl and scrub to get rid of rings
-mop the floor in the bathroom with a vinegar diluted with water
-add a couple teaspoons to a spray bottle filled with water for window cleaner

eHow.com gives us a whole room-by-room breakdown of how to clean with Vinegar.    Then there’s 62 Little Known Uses Of Vinegar, 131 Uses for Vinegar, and not to be outdone 1001 uses for White Vinegar!

Now ScienceDaily reports scientists are researching “Cleansing Toxic Waste With Vinegar“.  According to a March 10 post, Engineers and environmental scientists at the University of Leeds are developing methods of helping contaminated water to clean itself by adding simple organic chemicals such as vinegar.

The research team, led by Dr Doug Stewart from the School of Civil Engineering and Dr Ian Burke from the School of Earth and Environment, has discovered that adding dilute acetic acid (vinegar) to the affected site stimulates the growth of naturally-occurring bacteria by providing an attractive food source. In turn, these bacteria then cleanse the affected area by altering the chemical make-up of harmful chromium compounds to make them harmless.

“From the results we have so far I am certain that we can develop a viable treatment for former industrial sites where chromate compounds are a problem,” says Dr Stewart. “Our next step is to further our understanding of the range of alkalinity over which our system can operate. As society becomes more environmentally-aware, new regulations demand that past mistakes are rectified and carbon footprints are reduced. By designing a clean-up method that promotes the growth of naturally occurring bacteria without introducing or engineering new bacteria, we are effectively hitting every environmental target possible.”

It takes a village, er rather … cul-de-sac

Cul-de-sac Commune?  For some of you that conjures up visions of hippies trying to escape reality.  In today’s world however, this may be a way for suburban America to get off the grid and make a major move to sustainability.

A commune is defined simply as “a community where resources are shared.” (Wikipedia)  This is an idea whose time has come … or rather come again.

The Cul-de-sac Commune Project asks…

“Do you live on a cul-de-sac? Or a dead-end road? Or an apartment building (or condo) with an interior courtyard? Why not come together with your neighbors and share resources? Create a shared compost pile, gather weekly for potlucks and friendship, start a recycling program, barter services, share childcare, or anything else that you cook up.”

According to their website, the many problems America is currently confronting (economic, political, environmental) means that we’ll need to turn towards each other more than ever before; for inspiration, for comfort, for help, for joy. It’s a simple act to take that ‘turning towards’ and make it official. The act of starting a commune can be literal, or symbolic. Becoming more collective is the goal.

The Cul-de-sac Commune Project is the first in a series of projects triggered by ‘Wanna Start a Commune?’ (WSAC). Check it out.

I love this post

Chris Baskind has a very nice post at Lighter Footstep.

The Seven Stones of Simpler Living speaks of Chris’ childhood and the fascination of stacking stones by a stream.  In fact I think all of us would be better off if we just took 10 minutes a day to close our eyes and IMAGINE we are stacking stones next to a stream!

He says:

There’s something deeply satisfying about stacking stones. It’s a common motif in Zen gardens, which seek to create order out of nature’s seeming chaos. In doing so, they highlight the harmony and balance of our place in the world.

It’s not difficult to find a lesson in the stones for those of us trying to simplify our sprawling lives. We’ve chosen seven from the riverbed for you today — ideas that can help you live a lighter, healthier, more sustainable life. Stack them as you will.

He goes on to offer some simple, sage advice about reducing our footprint on this good earth.  I like it.

No “out there” tree-hugger stuff.  Reduce your consumption, your waste, and your energy use.  Try growing your own food, stop driving around wasting fuel, reduce your personal stress level and try giving back.

Check it out HERE >>>

Natural way to keep wasps from freaking out your guests

Michelle Kaufmann has a great Green-it-Yourself project for a rainy spring day.  Before the weather turns into “picnic and outside barbecue weather”, here’s a way to make an environmentally safe wasp catcher for pennies.

This has got to be so much better than those toxic sprays that shoot 15 feet and get toxins all over you and everything else.  Check out the video below.

How healthy and eco-friendly is seafood?

The Environmental Defense Fund website has an online Seafood Selector.

According to their website, you can Make Smart Choices When Eating Seafood by choosing fish that are good for you and the ocean.

You can use their list on the go.  Here’s a preview.

Also try their downloadable mobile seafood guide [PDF] and downloadable sushi guide [PDF], for when you’re not connected to the Web.

• new Sushi Selector.
• Print a Pocket Seafood Selector [PDF] or Pocket Sushi Guide [PDF].
• Learn about EDF’s work to move fish off the Eco-Worst list.

http://www.edf.org/home.cfm

Round Hill starting Community Garden

The Town of Round Hill, Virginia is “sprouting a community garden” in town!  What a grand idea that supports sustainable living on so many levels.  Here’s the scoop from their website:

Community organizers are working with The Town of Round Hill to plan for 25 garden plots on a sunny, water-accessible site near Potts Barn on Falls Place on the Eastern end of Town. What you would grow in your own, pre-tilled, 20′x20′ or 10′x20′ plot?

Proposed amenities and features being planned include ornamental landscaping, a memorial garden, a weather-sheltered bulletin board, water sources, exterior fencing, a shared garden shed, managed compost piles, a food-bank food collection program, and a wildlife habitat surrounding the nearby wetlands. What ideas do you have about what such a garden would look like?

Whether your yard is too small or too shady, or your just want to share your love of gardening with others in the community, there is something to interest everyone in this project. Volunteers are encouraged to help in the planning process; please contact the EARTH (Edible Agriculture ‘Round THe Hill) Team at RHCG@rebaf.com or 540 338-2574.

Photo: Women’s Center Community Garden Project at Pacific Lutheran University

HOW WILL THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT?

A Community Garden…

preserves town green space
beautifies and enriches the neighborhood
reduces stress and improves mental health of participants
encourages exposure and connection to nature
opportunity for positive social interaction and building community
opportunity to adopt and nurture surrounding wetlands
opportunity to grow and donate food to the local food bank

Discussion group will explore the connection between food and sustainability

Menu For the Future

If you are you interested in exploring the connection between food and sustainability you may want to join a six-session discussion group based on a discussion guide and readings developed by the Northwest Earth Institute.

The goals of the discussion will be to explore food systems and their impacts on culture, society and ecological systems; gain insight into agricultural and individual practices that promote personal and ecological well- being; and consider our role in creating or supporting sustainable food systems. The guide promises to offer inspiration and practical advice in taking steps to create more sustainable food systems.

WHEN: The Discussion Group will meet on Tuesday nights,  from Feb 24 – March 31 (6 weeks)

WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun [directions]

FEE:  The only fee is to pay for the book/guide.

The discussion group is offered to the public as a service through the Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun.

For more information or to indicate your interest email atranslator@gmail.com or Gina at fabermail@fastmail.fm.

Discussion Course Goals:

• To explore food systems and their impacts on culture, society and ecological systems.

• To gain insight into agricultural and individual practices that promote personal and ecological well-being.

• To consider your role in creating or supporting sustainable food systems.

Topics Covered:

1. What’s Eating America: Given the array of food choices and advice, eating in modern industrial society can be wrought with confusion, contradictions and anxiety.  Session One considers the effects of modern industrial eating habits on culture, society and ecological systems.

2. Anonymous Food:  Session Two traces the historical shift from family farms to industrial agriculture to present day questions surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMO) and industrial organics.  The session examines the ecological and economic impacts that have accompanied the changes in how we grow and prepare food.

3. Farming for the Future:  Session Three explores emerging food system alternatives, highlighting sustainable growing practices and the benefits of small farms and urban food production.  The session considers how individuals can make choices that lead to a more sustainable food supply.

4. You Are What You Eat: Session Four explores food systems from a human health perspective.  The session considers the influences that shape our choices and food policies from the fields to Capitol Hill, and the implications for our health and well-being.

5. Toward a Just Food System: The readings in Session Five examine issues of hunger, equity, and Fair Trade.  The session considers the role that governments, communities and individuals can play in addressing these issues to create a more just food system.

6. Choices for Change: Individuals and communities are discovering the benefits of choosing local, seasonal and sustainably grown and produced foods.  Session Six offers inspiration and practical advice in taking steps to create more sustainable food systems.

Check out local CSAs

Wikipedia defines Community-supported agriculture (CSA) as a socio-economic model of agriculture and food distribution. A CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. CSA’s focus is usually on a system of weekly delivery or pick-up of vegetables and fruit, sometimes dairy products and meat.

Clagett Farm CSA

What that really means is that you can support local agriculture and own a share of the harvest by investing in your local farmer.  Great concept!  Instead of feeding the big agri-monster and get-rich-quick investors along the food chain, you support your own community.

You get fresh-from-the-farm goods, and the farmer is able to spread the risk around to “members” to finance the operation.

LoudounExtra.com has a great article on “Where to Get Your Greens On“. Now’s the time to sign up for the 2009 growing season, which typically runs from May to October.  Here’s some local opportunities:

Great Country Farms

Moutoux Orchard

Potomac Vegetable Farms

Stoneybrook Farms

Blue Ridge Center Mountain View Farm

Fresh and Local

A comprehensive list of local and organic food sources for Loudoun can be found at
http://www.sustainableloudoun.org/farmfood.html

Local Harvest can help you find local food and more

Use Local Harvest to find “real food, real farmers, real community” near where you live.

Find local farmers and crafts and more through this simple interactive web site.  Go to [this link] and search by your home zip code.

The only way to stop feeding the Wall Street monster (and other special interests) is to support local merchants!

I love my coffee

I drink a lot of coffee.  I enjoy my coffee.

Thanks to a post at Eco Child’s Play, there are some ways you(and I) can green our coffee habit.

flickr photo: überstrøng morning java by D'Arcy Norman

Brewing your own coffee at home is much more sustainable than buying it outside of the home.  I love Starbucks, Greenberry’s, and other coffee shops but the fact is they are expensive and generate lots of wasted paper cups, lids, paper and coffee stirs.

Even better, I discovered you can take the Good Earth Coffee “Brew at Home” Pledge and Good Earth will donate $1 to The Trust for Public Land, a non-profit that works to conserve parks, gardens, and natural places.

Coffee drinkers toss away 28 billion disposable coffee cups each year, cramming landfills with about 100 million pounds of largely uncompostable trash. So, by drinking your morning mug of Good Earth Coffee at home, you’re not just saving time and money, you’re also doing something good for the environment.

With that in mind, we’re urging coffee drinkers nationwide to take the Good Earth^® Coffee “Brew at Home” Pledge – a simple commitment to brew more and toss less.

And if you sign today, there’s an extra “perk”: For each pledge we receive, Good Earth^® Coffee will donate $1.00 to The Trust for Public Land until we reach our $20,000 donation goal.

When you make your coffee at home use a thermos or one of the coffee makers that has a carafe.  That way, you are not using energy while you “keep the pot boiling”. After brewing, the coffeemaker shuts off but your coffee stays warm and fresher without burning.

Lastly, consider buying organic, shade Grown, and/or Fair Trade coffee. Organic coffee is grown without the use of pesticides; shade grown coffee is grown without unnecessary clearing of rainforest, which disrupts bird habitats (shade grown is also sometimes referred to as “Bird-Friendly”); and Fair Trade refers to the practice of providing fair wages and conditions for workers.

Check out 5 Ways to Green Your Coffee at Eco Child’s Play >>>

Ahh … the feel of cool, soft moss under your feet. But, in your bathroom?

This looks like an interesting idea and what could be greener?

This bathroom carpet is made of imputrescible foam called plastazote. Each cell welcomes a piece of moss (ball moss, Island moss, forest moss). The humidity of the bathroom and the drops flowing from the body, water the mosses. This vegetable carpet procures a great feeling to your feet.

Via Coroflot >>>

How about a Stinging Nettle sofa?

Anyone who has hiked a Virginia floodplain and wandered off the well-worn path has probably had a memorable encounter with Stinging Nettle.  This herb grows to be a few feet tall and delivers a nasty sting to bare skin.  Even pushing through a patch of Stinging Nettle wearing jeans can be a painful experience.

Now imagine Stinging Nettle upholstery on your favorite chair.  Some new kind of torture?  No.

Image: wikipedia. Urtica dioica, commonly called stinging nettle, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant, native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America, and is the best known member of the nettle genus Urtica.

This plant apparently being used in Europe to produce the “most sustainable fabric ever.” According to a post at treehugger, nettle fibers are stronger than cotton and finer than hemp and has natural fire retardant properties.  There’s more

“Projects for converting stinging nettles into fine fabrics have popped up across Europe, in Germany, Italy, and now in the UK. Four years of research led by a team at De Montfort University in Leicester have enabled Camira Fabrics to develop an award winning upholstery, which the company is calling their “most sustainable fabric ever.” Coming from a company with a track record of commitment to sustainability, that says a lot.

The judges at the London 100% Design exhibition, where STINGplus was launched, agreed. They awarded Camira Fabrics the 2008 Award for Sustainable Product Design.” CONTINUED

Loudoun Green Enterprise and Beer Jan 9

Green Enterprise & Beer next meeting January 9, 2009  6:00PM

Where: American Flatbread
43170 Wynridge Dr. (Suite #110)
at The Broadlands Marketplace
Ashburn, Virginia
phone: (703) 723-7003

What is Green Enterprise & Beer?

It is an  informal type of gathering where anyone can come by and discuss ideas for conducting business in a more environmentally friendly way.  Are there green or sustainable businesses in Loudoun County? Do you have a good green business story to share? Or do you know of green initiatives in a traditional business? Tell others about the ones you know and learn about more. We all know about the problems, it’s time for solutions. Drop by to meet new friends, have a beer and take part in an informal discussion on green and sustainable business.

In general gatherings will be held on the first Friday of each month unless there is a conflict such as a holiday. Check this page for the latest updates.

Productivity 501 helps you go paperless, save a tree

Productivity 501.com has a “how-to” post on going paperless. I know going paperless is not always easy to do but remember this formula …

paper = death of trees and/or more stuff in the local landfill

flickr photo: "logs on deck" Uploaded on December 29, 2006 by iangbl

If you can’t go entirely paperless, at least try to first reuse, then recycle paper. Maybe these links will help you reduce your paper consumption.

• 8 Tips for Going Paperless-Sheila Riley
  Now that technology offers so many different options for organizing documents and facilitating communication, using telecommunication instead of regular mail is a good option for many people. This article gives some ideas that were developed and used by the Blue Valley school district in Overland Park, KS.
• The Perils and Perks of Going Paperless-James Champy
  As technology advances, many companies, especially those in the health care field, have begun to move toward paperless systems. This article explains some of the benefits and drawbacks of moving to a paperless system.
• Going Paperless: Is It (Finally) Time?-Chad Dickerson
  This article explores the challenges that a person faces when switching over to a paperless system. The aspect of the paperless conversion that the author focuses on is the type of scanner that best fits this type of an adjustment.
• Going Paperless-Unclutterer
  Sometimes the things that would have never been thought possible in earlier years become a reality. Paperless communication is one of those things. This article talks about some of the paper clutter that can be eliminated with a scanner and a bit of time. The author also provides a helpful link to another article on going paperless.
• The Pain of Going Paperless-Gene Marks
  Even though technology can accomplish wonderful things and save tremendous amounts of time, it can also be overrated. As the author of this article points out, sometimes the old way of doing things is the more efficient way.
• Going Paperless-Small Notebook
  As paper clutter builds up, often so does a person’s level of frustration! The author of this article shares their method of keeping paper clutter down to a minimum by using a computer and scanner, while acknowledging that paper is still good for some things.
• Get Organized and More Efficient by Going Paperless-Money Blue Book
  Creating a paperless work space is, indeed, usually more efficient than its cluttered counterpart. The author of this article points out that, in addition to helping you cut down on mess, a paperless system enables a person to search through documents and keep from misplacing them as easily.
• Pushing Paper Out the Door-Hannah Fairfield
  In this article, the author tells how one family organized what would normally be processes that use paper into paperless systems. The high cost of ink in recent years has also made the use of scanners and computers for storing information an attractive proposition.

GO TO SOURCE PAGE >>>

Kid Friendly Stainless Steel Bottles

With all the concern about BPA in reusable water bottles, WaterGeeks has a Kid Friendly Stainless Steel Bottle.  WaterGeeks also says of their choice of material …

According to U.S. Department of Public Health and Human Services, the adverse health effects from nickel are highly dependent on the degree of exposure. Many health experts are now recommending to use stainless steel cookware low in nickel content.

Because of this, we decided to use stainless steel #201 (typically called 18/0) and not stainless steel #304 (typically called 18/8) when is comes to our water bottles in order to have the lowest nickel content possible and still have food grade. This 12oz bottles comes in 3 great colors and has an ergonomic design making it easy for children to hold. And best of all, the sippy adaptor turns this bottle into a sippy cup for infants.

- available in 3 colors: stainless, blue, pink
- made with unlined, 18/0, food grade stainless steel
- wide mouth for ice cubes and easy cleaning
- ergonomic, curved design
- lightweight, easy to carry
- non-leaching and BPA-FREE
- fits most cup holders
- comes standard with a pop-up sport cap
- sippy adaptor also available

Here’s a great idea – Start a GREEN TEAM at work

Image via Wikipedia

Starting a GREEN TEAM at work …

Your workplace may be in need of some greening.  Employers may not object to more eco-friendly practices and in fact, may be interested but don’t know how to get started.  It may be that if you and some co-workers take the lead, you may be able to start some sustainable practices at work and save your employer some money in the process.

According to Kastle Waserman at Yahoo! Green,

“A green team is a group of employee volunteers who look for ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle in the office. They team up to bring their individual skills and passion into a collective for changing behavior among their peers.

Their efforts not only help the environment, but they can improve the company bottom line. Offices with green teams enjoy the benefits of lower electricity bills, less waste, and engaged employees who build project management, communications, and leadership skills as they plan out their eco-friendly campaigns. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

How to start? Yahoo! Green suggests:

1. Post a notice or email others and ask who is interested in environmental issues and is willing to bring that passion to work in forming a green team.
2. Get together and brainstorm on various ideas:

• Improving energy conservation, from lights to computers.
• Boosting recycling (tip: start with paper!).
• Finding alternatives for food and drink containers in break rooms and cafeterias
• Organizing carpools and ride-sharing, encouraging public transportation use and biking.
• Lessening the company’s overall environmental impact.

What next?

Set up a meeting. Ask what topics the group is interested in taking on. Designate a leader — someone who will keep a list of the issues that come up in team meetings.

READ MORE >>>

Chelsea Green Guides – lots of good info packed into a readable, affordable book

The Chelsea Green Guide series includes 6 small books, one each on the following relevant topics:

1. Greening Your Office: From Cupboard to Corporation: an A-Z Guide
2. Composting: An easy Household Guide
3. Energy: Use Less — Save More
4. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: An Easy Household Guide
5. Water: Use Less — Save More
6. Biking to Work

These guides are just a little bigger than pocket size and can easily be tossed into your purse, briefcase, or lunch bag (for lunchtime reading).  Each book is packed with information.  What I especially like is how the books are laid out.  For example, “Greening your Office“, “Composting“, and “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” all have an  A to Z Guide in each book.  This section provides a quick reference of easy to find tips listed in alphabetical order.  So if I want to find out how to green my mousepads, I can go right to the topic.

Both the “Energy” and “Water” guides get right to the point with 100 practical conservation tips listed in bullet fashion.  (If you did just a few of these the Green Guides would pay for themselves many times over).

“Biking to Work” covers all the basics beginning with how to pick out a bike and “Composting” gives you all the hows and whys necessary to begin lowering your ecological footprint.

These are readable, up to date, informative and affordable.  You can learn more about the books and purchase a whole six-pack that includes all of the guides HERE.

100 ways you can be green

Newways has a list of “100 GREEN STEPS“.  Their “100 steps we can all make to go greener in the coming year!” covers home, yard and office; air, water and reducing waste.

Check it out HERE