"Bless your buttons," my Grandmother used to say. That was my feeling, when I saw the blue balloon buttons all over the area on the Earth Hour map. Thank you to Laurens, and Columbia, South Carolina for joining in; we are so glad you are participating. In North Carolina we see Wilmington, New Bern, Fayetteville, Raleigh, Carrboro, Winston-Salem, Davidson, Charlotte, Asheville, and Dillsboro are turning off the power switches. We thank you, and thank all the companies and organizations supporting this world-wide effort.
We can all act to conserve our Earth's resources, and we can think about making wiser choices in our everyday actions to protect our environment. Please join in by turning off on Saturday, at 8:30 p.m. How beautiful the sky will be as we look up together, and see the heavens in their own natural light!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Community Winners
One award was given to Jasper County, SC, to help in the restoration of their farmer's market in Ridgeland. You'll enjoy the video on their website, about how an old bean shed became Jasper County Farmer's Market and Auction Center. This season, the retail market will be open on Fridays, beginning April 24.
At Riverview Charter School in Beaufort, volunteers from the Ward Edwards Company will help start a school-community program. Students will be able to learn about the region's local history, culture, and natural environment. In Hardeeville, they will work with the Jasper County School District in curriculum development. The High School and the Middle School Math/Science and Engineering Academy will be involved.
Lowcountry Local First, of North Charleston, SC, received a grant. The dollars will go toward LLF's development of Farm Fresh Food Guide, a local food directory to go online this spring. Another inn
ovation of LLF, in partnership with the SC Department of Agriculture, is already in place: A few dozen restaurants have agreed to buy at least 25% of their menu from the State's sources. They display the Fresh on the Menu logo, shown at left.
And one of the stewardship awards went to the City of Savannah, GA, to make the city more bicycle friendly. This supports their Thrive Initiative; it began when the Mayor and City Council members signed a pledge to do everything they could to promote a healthy, sustainable environment in Savannah.
These five projects will receive a total of $9,000 in grants or in-kind contributions in this year's Healthy Community Grant Program. The competition, sponsored by the Ward Edwards Company, encourages non-profit organizations that want to improve the environment in coastal South Carolina and Georgia.
“New ideas, like the projects promoted by our grants, are the best economic development, and we need that more than ever in these difficult financial times,” said Allen Ward, President of Ward Edwards. Congratulations to the winners; and also to the company, for their vision and important contributions to the area.
At Riverview Charter School in Beaufort, volunteers from the Ward Edwards Company will help start a school-community program. Students will be able to learn about the region's local history, culture, and natural environment. In Hardeeville, they will work with the Jasper County School District in curriculum development. The High School and the Middle School Math/Science and Engineering Academy will be involved.
Lowcountry Local First, of North Charleston, SC, received a grant. The dollars will go toward LLF's development of Farm Fresh Food Guide, a local food directory to go online this spring. Another inn
ovation of LLF, in partnership with the SC Department of Agriculture, is already in place: A few dozen restaurants have agreed to buy at least 25% of their menu from the State's sources. They display the Fresh on the Menu logo, shown at left.And one of the stewardship awards went to the City of Savannah, GA, to make the city more bicycle friendly. This supports their Thrive Initiative; it began when the Mayor and City Council members signed a pledge to do everything they could to promote a healthy, sustainable environment in Savannah.
These five projects will receive a total of $9,000 in grants or in-kind contributions in this year's Healthy Community Grant Program. The competition, sponsored by the Ward Edwards Company, encourages non-profit organizations that want to improve the environment in coastal South Carolina and Georgia.
“New ideas, like the projects promoted by our grants, are the best economic development, and we need that more than ever in these difficult financial times,” said Allen Ward, President of Ward Edwards. Congratulations to the winners; and also to the company, for their vision and important contributions to the area.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Lead on, Lincolnton!
This just in: We have our first Earth Hour 2009 city in the Carolinas! Around 25 students from Lincolnton High School attended a City Council meeting to make a request. The students, members of the AP Earth and Environmental Science class, proposed that their town participate in Earth Hour and turn off all non-essential lights at 8:30 p.m. on March 28. The petition was granted, and Lincolnton, NC became the first Earth Hour city in the Carolinas. Thanks to your young people for leading the way!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
An Hour's Difference
We are enjoying our beautiful weather today! This is one of the lovely times of year when the temperatures are so comfortable, heating or cooling is unnecessary.
Time went forward an hour this weekend for Daylight Savings, and as we adapt to the change in routines, I'm thinking of another hour marking this month. Our readers have asked us to participate in Earth Hour 2009, on March 28th, at 8:30 p.m. It is a collaborative effort (that's what we like best), working to bring the world's attention to how much energy we use, how much we need, and how we can conserve it.
Earth Hour is a global 'wave,' like arms up in concert at an arena. Like a voice or instrument raised in song, it can be wonderful; but with many voices in synchronicity, the effect is fantastic. We participated last year, and the family delighted in candlelight and darkness so much that it has been repeated-- and again requested-- just for the fun of it. Let the kids prepare by playing at a place just for them.
In looking at the web site for Earth Hour, there are no Carolina towns or businesses signed up to participate. The closest city to us listed is Atlanta. Atlanta! We love 'em, but hey, if they can rock it, then surely we can too!
So we are challenging ourselves to see who can be the Carolina leader in Earth Hour. We are writing and talking to towns and cities and businesses. Help us in asking them to put us on the Earth Hour map. We can have a fun community event that will save us money in energy bills!
Time went forward an hour this weekend for Daylight Savings, and as we adapt to the change in routines, I'm thinking of another hour marking this month. Our readers have asked us to participate in Earth Hour 2009, on March 28th, at 8:30 p.m. It is a collaborative effort (that's what we like best), working to bring the world's attention to how much energy we use, how much we need, and how we can conserve it.
Earth Hour is a global 'wave,' like arms up in concert at an arena. Like a voice or instrument raised in song, it can be wonderful; but with many voices in synchronicity, the effect is fantastic. We participated last year, and the family delighted in candlelight and darkness so much that it has been repeated-- and again requested-- just for the fun of it. Let the kids prepare by playing at a place just for them.
In looking at the web site for Earth Hour, there are no Carolina towns or businesses signed up to participate. The closest city to us listed is Atlanta. Atlanta! We love 'em, but hey, if they can rock it, then surely we can too!So we are challenging ourselves to see who can be the Carolina leader in Earth Hour. We are writing and talking to towns and cities and businesses. Help us in asking them to put us on the Earth Hour map. We can have a fun community event that will save us money in energy bills!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Driving Clean
This spring, Clean Transportation, based at NC State University, will recognize individuals and groups for building better vehicles or advancing better fuel. They will present Mobile Clean Air Renewable Energy (CARE) awards in several categories.
Local pioneers are making a difference: reducing gasoline consumption and working to reduce air pollution. We've written about biodiesel fuel made from waste vegetable oils, and the conversion of gas-burners to electric cars. Golf carts, some with solar-powered batteries, are adapted to a variety of uses.
The City of Asheville was the 2008 Mobile CARE winner in the Public Fleet category. Their fleet includes eight compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. CNG is a clean burning, low carbon fuel. The City constructed the area's first public refueling station for CNG, in Mobile CARE's photo shown at left. A hospital nearby also uses the Asheville station to fuel its natural gas vehicles.
The 2009 Mobile CARE awards will be presented at the State Energy's Sixth Annual North Carolina Sustainable Energy Conference, April 14th to 15th at NC State. After that, drivers will be off on a Clean Transportation Technology Caravan, stopping at Greensboro and Charlotte on April 16th. So nominate someone by March 13, or register your own vehicle to drive in the Driving Clean and Green North Carolina Tour!
Local pioneers are making a difference: reducing gasoline consumption and working to reduce air pollution. We've written about biodiesel fuel made from waste vegetable oils, and the conversion of gas-burners to electric cars. Golf carts, some with solar-powered batteries, are adapted to a variety of uses.
The City of Asheville was the 2008 Mobile CARE winner in the Public Fleet category. Their fleet includes eight compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. CNG is a clean burning, low carbon fuel. The City constructed the area's first public refueling station for CNG, in Mobile CARE's photo shown at left. A hospital nearby also uses the Asheville station to fuel its natural gas vehicles.The 2009 Mobile CARE awards will be presented at the State Energy's Sixth Annual North Carolina Sustainable Energy Conference, April 14th to 15th at NC State. After that, drivers will be off on a Clean Transportation Technology Caravan, stopping at Greensboro and Charlotte on April 16th. So nominate someone by March 13, or register your own vehicle to drive in the Driving Clean and Green North Carolina Tour!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Run or Walk for Water Saturday
It's the 8K Run & 5K Family Fun Walk to Preserve and Improve Water Quality in the Charleston Area! Runners and walkers will head out from Folly Beach, SC, on Saturday, February 21st at 9 a.m.The event is hosted annually by the Masters of Environmental Studies Student Association (MESSA) of the College of Charleston. All proceeds are donated to a local non-profit group working to improve water quality. Last year over 250 runners participated, raising $4,000 for the Friends of the Edisto (FRED).
This year's race will benefit LowCountry Earth Force. Fees are $25 for the Run and $20 for the Walk. Get more information and register at MESSA. More sponsors needed! To volunteer or to be a sponsor at this year's race, please contact the race director, Sarah Mooney.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Champions, Enter by March 13
Kids can make some green for being green! There is time for South Carolina kids to compete in the Champions of the Environment annual contest. Entries are due March 13, 2009 for the Environmental Awareness Middle School Competition. It is open to middle school-aged students: 6th, 7th and 8th graders in a public, private, or home school setting. Students can enter in the essay or poster division. Cash awards will be given in each division, up to $150 cash.The theme for essays and posters is: “What Being Green Means To Me.” Entries must be submitted by a teacher, advisor or home school parent. Students can also contact the Champions’ coordinator to find out how to enter at (803) 898-4394 or lasallli@dhec.sc.gov. All entrants will receive a certificate of participation. This April, winners will be recognized at the Champions of the Environment Celebration at the South Carolina State Museum.
The poster shown at right is the 2008 Winner of First Place by Desmond S., of William J. Clark Middle School, in Orangeburg, SC. The web site of the SCDHEC also has grant awards for schools, and some great project ideas!
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