Carolina Green Sense

Mountain Aid Festival in NC, June 19-20

2009-06-06T09:00:00.008-04:00

Kathy Mattea, a self- described "recovering country music star," will be the host and feature performer at the Mountain Aid festival June 19th and 20th. Others appearing include Donna the Buffalo, the Slim Redmond Band, and Ben Sollee. This year's proceeds will go to the Pennies of Promise campaign, to build a school for the children of Marsh Fork Elementary. Their current school, in Raleigh County, West Virginia, is threatened by a coal sludge impoundment in the hills above them.

Mountain Aid 2009 will be held at the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival farm, near Pittsboro, North Carolina. Tickets are $22.50 in advance and $30 on the concert day; kids are free. Gates will open at noon on June 19th. Tent camping is $10, vehicle camping, $4.

Robert Redford Gets LEAF Award

2009-04-30T17:21:00.007-04:00

As Earth Month draws to a close, let's recognize Duke University's brand new LEAF Award, for Lifetime Environmental Achievement in the Fine Arts.

Robert Redford received the first LEAF during Duke's Reunion Activities. The photo at left is from Duke News. Since the early 70's, he has shown his concern for the environment and the arts in his films, and has used his talents and resources to share it with others. He has taken a leadership role in non-profits such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Apollo Alliance. He has lobbied Congress and convened conferences on these issues.

"Robert Redford’s body of work as an actor, director, producer . . . highlights the critical but often underappreciated role artists can play in inspiring people to take action for the environment,” said William L. Chameides, dean of the Nicholas School of the Environment.

For more information about the award or Redford's long career, see The Duke LEAF Award. The site includes video of the award ceremony and audio of Redford's acceptance speech.

At News 14's interview, Redford was asked how the award would be compared with getting an Oscar. He said, "I like this a lot."

Sunshine, Please

2009-04-03T18:00:00.028-04:00

After many days of rain, everyone is ready to get out. Let's play in the sun, and dig in the dirt! If you are ready to plant something, check out the native plant sales in the area. Native plants require less work, and grow better and easier than other species. They behave themselves, and don't require you to trim them (with a machete) in a couple of years. Some non-natives are invasive, even pretty ones like wisterias and English ivy.

The NC/SC Native Plant Sale is this weekend, at the Museum of York County on Saturday, April 4, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The sale features iris, cardinal flower, butterfly weed, and native blueberry plants.

Greenville, SC hosts a Native Plant Society Sale on Saturday, April 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The sale will be held by the Upstate Chapter in the parking lot of Jeff Lynch Appliances in Greenville. Here is its Flyer, SCNPS_09Spring_sale.pdf.

Also on April 18, from 9 a.m. to noon, is the Spring Native Plant Sale and Bog Garden Workshop. The Lowcountry Chapter of the SC Native Plant Society presents it in the parking lot of Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, in Charleston. They also offer the Bog Garden Workshop at 10:00 a.m. Here is that Plant Sale Flyer/Poster.

Look for several events on the 25th: first, the TLC Irvin Learning Farm Primavera Preview, a mouthful that I can't say three times fast. Another event in North Carolina that day is the Duke Gardens Plant and Craft Festival, with music, crafts, and more.

The South Carolina Botanical Garden Plant Sale is also on April 25th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You can talk to Master Gardeners there about plant selection and care. All proceeds benefit the SC Botanical Garden at Clemson, 295 acres of natural landscapes, gardens, streams, and nature trails. I really want to see the 400 varieties of camellias there!

Blue Balloons!

2009-03-27T00:27:00.008-04:00

"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!

Community Winners

2009-03-22T13:00:00.024-04:00

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 innovation 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.

Lead on, Lincolnton!

2009-03-09T16:20:00.011-04:00

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!

An Hour's Difference

2009-03-08T13:50:00.009-04:00

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!

Driving Clean

2009-02-22T21:30:00.001-05:00

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!

Run or Walk for Water Saturday

2009-02-18T13:00:00.009-05:00

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.

Champions, Enter by March 13

2009-02-14T13:48:00.021-05:00

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!

Juice for Cool Earth

2009-02-01T10:42:00.007-05:00

Wait! Before you recycle that orange juice container, take a closer look at it. I almost missed the side that shows the promotion for Tropicana's Rescue the Rainforest. Their offer says that you can save 100 square feet of rainforest for every carton code you enter on a web site.

They ask for name, address, and e-mail, and you have the option to receive electronic announcements. That's something I'm willing to give for the effort to save acres of rainforest. This project with Cool Earth continues through the end of this year.

The company says, "We are committed to being respectful of mother nature and responsible in our use of natural resources... From turning our orange rinds into animal feed to utilizing renewable landfill gas to help power one of our plants, we continually look for new ways to reduce our impact on the environment."

Thanks, Tropicana. That makes the juice taste even sweeter.

Birds in Snow

2009-01-29T20:22:00.009-05:00

It is really enjoyable to see what's happened This Week at Hilton Pond. The snow cover wasn't amazing this past week, but the bird studies really are. Be sure to scroll down that page to see the great photographs and read about them all. There is a good deal of information at Hilton Pond Center of Piedmont Natural History in York County, SC.

Director Bill Hilton Jr. is apparently heading for Costa Rica about this time to band hummingbirds in his Operation Rubythroat. Hmm.... it says space is still available for week two of this project. It would be so wonderful to go! For right now, I'll plan a field trip when he returns to Hilton Pond. What a treat it is to have such a resource and naturalist here.

Carolina Cooler on Jan. 24th

2009-01-21T18:00:00.001-05:00

What's a Cool City? The Sierra Club says it has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions levels. On the Cool Cities America site, we can find local cities listed, from Bethania, NC, to Charleston, SC. Each city pursues its goal in its own way. A Cool City could increase its use of hybrid cars and renewable energy. Another might choose to connect greenways to bus routes and implement energy-efficient building codes.

Sierra's NC Chapter is offering a workshop, Building Solutions for Cool Cities, in Winston-Salem. Raleigh's project will be featured. Participants will hear about constructing or rehabbing municipal buildings for energy efficiency, along with steps toward LEED certification (explained here by Wikipedia).

It's this Saturday, January 24th, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Worrel Building, Wake Forest Law School, in Winston-Salem, NC. For more information and registration, please call 919-833-8467.

On the Wing

2009-01-19T11:00:00.007-05:00

If you have ever thought of visiting Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary in Charlotte, Thursday would be a good time. Michael Balough will begin this year's lecture series, speaking about Dwarf Conifers in Southern Gardens. Wing Haven, almost three acres enclosed in brick walls, includes formal gardens, fountains, and statuary, integrated with woodland areas and paths, as shown in the photo at right.

The lecture series is appropriate for novice or expert gardeners. Speakers will include authors, horticulturists, garden designers and conservators. There are also many other ways to get involved in Wing Haven. The education department offers a full schedule of public events: garden tours, workshops, classes for children and adults, and plant sales. Volunteers are welcome; gardeners are always needed in the nursery. A new group will help in the Herb Garden the first Thursday of the month, and others will be recruited to work with the antique plants in the Rose Garden.

Elizabeth Barnhill Clarkson wrote that her gardens "were no less than a paradise to the thousands of feathered guests, both winter and summer." Wing Haven continues to provide excellent habitats for many kinds of birds.

During this year, Wing Haven plans to open the garden of Elizabeth Lawrence. She produced very successful books about plants that she watched and studied. Her garden, located at 348 Ridgewood Avenue, will be also used to teach about preserving green space and conserving the environment.

The Balough presentation will be held at Wing Haven, 248 Ridgewood Avenue in Charlotte, on Thursday, January 22nd at 9:30 a.m. If you are interested in volunteering or finding out more about their programs, call Wing Haven at 704-331-0664.

Got Carbage?

2009-01-06T09:23:00.001-05:00

Last month, a South Carolina group launched a company to create a better car litter bag. Do-GreenNow, based in Hilton Head, calls it the CarbageSac, intended to prevent highway litter. They must hate roadway trash as much as we do.

The idea began in a pick-up truck on the way to a recycling center. President Bretton Griffin says it is designed to hang from the glove compartment or headrest posts, for collecting litter in your vehicle. Griffin points out that it could also be good on boats; the water does need to stay clean too.

They say the well-designed bag can be imprinted as a marketing tool, for advertisers to distribute as an environmental initiative. We like it when someone works to clean up the joint! Get more information and contact the company at CarbageSac or phone (843) 384-6535.

Citizens for the Planet

2009-01-03T10:40:00.002-05:00

"Who threw out Aunt Emma's bug spray?"

Here's a fun way learn about caring for our world. There are some neat resources on Citizens for Planet Earth, an educational campaign for the PBS series Journey to Planet Earth, hosted by Matt Damon. Another area offers field adventures that explore environmental issues. Check it out!

Not Just for Superheroes

2008-12-15T11:13:00.003-05:00

With so many different materials we use, recycling can sometimes be confusing. South Carolina's Recycling web site has some great information. This has resources for residents, teachers, students, and businesses.

Teachers have lessons, materials, presentations, and grant funding information available. If students want help for a science fair, it provides a guidebook for creating projects that focus on recycling, energy, and water conservation. We got a kick out of their cool posters, like this one at left. You can print one, or call 1-800-768-7348 to get printed posters by mail. See if there is something new that you can use!

Grown at Home, Made by Hand

2008-12-13T15:37:00.010-05:00

For those of us charmed by local treasures in our gift-hunting, check out the goodies in the Homegrown Handmade Art Roads and Farm Trails of North Carolina.

"Travel along back roads to sample fresh goat cheese and scuppernong wine, artists' studios and sidewalk cafés," entices the site. The alliance between arts and agriculture in the Foothills, Piedmont, and Coastal areas has created trails to find local treats. Buying local, food and arts, exploring different areas of the map--that's a siren song to me!

The self-directed driving trails have art galleries, horse farms, you-pick farms, locally owned restaurants that feature local food products, and bed-and-breakfast inns. They also include events and activities; from music at harvest festivals to food and crafts at local fairs.

You can also get a printed guide to all the trails in this book of the same title. Very useful for adventuring...

Farm to Fork

2008-12-06T11:00:00.007-05:00

Welcome to Reverend Sara Morgan's stand at the Health Department Market! The Department wants to make it easy for everyone to get their fruits and vegetables. This is in Wayne County, in eastern North Carolina. It's the site of a community that is working to build a sound food system for its people.

The Wayne Food Initiative (WFI) has developed an ambitious program. They envision healthy, knowledgeable and engaged citizens, with nutritious and affordable food accessible to all. The natural world will be protected by sound environmental practices; local farming and businesses, strong. The young people will learn and grow to become the future leaders.

The seed grant for this project was provided by the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS). It's a partnership of NC State University, NC A&T University, and the NC Department of Agriculture. They work closely with various agencies, organizations, and citizens like those in Wayne Couny. Now CEFS is looking at the whole state and asking: "What will it take to build a sustainable local food economy in North Carolina?"

Tell them what you think! Come to a regional meeting and help out. If you are involved in any aspect of the food industry or would like to be, bring your information and ideas to this working session. Meetings have been held in Raleigh, Burgaw, and Asheville. This month's schedule includes the regions around Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Greenville. You can get more information about the regional meetings and about this initiative at Farm to Fork. Choose one of the many ways to get involved in "Building a Sustainable, Local Food Economy."

Here is the meeting schedule:

Charlotte area - Monday, Dec. 8th, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Cabarrus Arena and Event Center, 4751 Highway 49 North, Concord.

Winston-Salem/Greensboro/Highpoint - Wednesday, Dec. 10th, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. SciWorks, 400 W Hanes Mill Rd, Winston Salem, (336) 767-6734. Directions at SciWorks.

Greenville - Monday, Dec. 15, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. St. Timothy’s, 107 Louis St., Greenville, (252) 355-2125.

Cheers to Beidler Forest

2008-12-02T09:41:00.006-05:00

Have you seen Beidler Forest? Audubon South Carolina operates two wonderful centers: Francis Beidler Forest, and Silver Bluff along the Savannah River. The centers have educational and visitor programs to add to their natural resources.

Francis Beidler Forest, in Four Holes Swamp, is a 16,000-acre wildlife sanctuary. It features a boardwalk that is almost two miles long, through an old-growth cypress-tupelo swamp. South Carolina's Governor Mark Sanford proclaimed the week of November 30-December 6th to be Beidler Forest Week. This recognizes the Francis Beidler Forest, and applauds Audubon's efforts to preserve wetlands in the Palmetto State. Here's a tip of the hat - or, a raise of the binoculars to them! Let's put it on our must-visit list.

Catawba River Film Festival

2008-12-01T15:00:00.002-05:00

Join me at the movies! On Thursday, December 4th, at 6:30 p.m., the Catawba River Film Festival will present an evening of short films.

In Birthplace of the Winds, you can watch a National Geographic expedition in remote Alaska - explorers kayaking in waters among volcanic islands, following the routes of the native Aleuts. Other settings include Malawi and Hawaii. All four showings focus on important issues concerning our world's water.

After the movie, Catawba Riverkeeper David Merryman will lead a panel discussion. Senator Dan Clodfelter of North Carolina and Bruce Henderson of the Charlotte Observer will participate. The Film Festival will be in the Pease Auditorium at Central Piedmont Community College's main campus. General admission tickets are $5, children under 12 are free, at CarolinaTix or by phone at (704) 372-1000.

Before the film program, a reception will be held in the student art gallery, beginning at 5:30. The gallery is showing student work created from recycled materials for the series, America Recycles. This event, catered by Earth Fare, will honor donors who support the work of the Riverkeepers. Guests may purchase tickets for the reception separately, at Reservations.

You can also contact Erica Geppi for more information at (704) 679-9494.

Dig It Saturday

2008-11-17T18:30:00.004-05:00

Can you help plant trees? On Saturday, volunteers are needed to plant thousands of them on the western side of Mountain Island Lake. This tree project, sponsored by the North Carolina Sierra Club and the Central Piedmont Group, helps filter groundwater and creates a buffer to keep our drinking water clean.

The participants will meet at the Henderson Park Swim Club on November 22nd, work from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m, and be treated to a thank-you luncheon and celebration, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

If you can help, the NC Sierra Club asks you to visit their registration site, which also provides a map to the Swim Club. Tools will be supplied, but it will be helpful if you can bring a shovel or gardening tools. If it rains, bring rain gear; if it storms, sponsors will notify you and reschedule. For more information, please contact Jennifer Keech, jkkeech@aol.com, of the Central Piedmont Group, or call Kara Craig, of the NC Sierra Club, at (919) 833-8467.

Fair Oil

2008-11-12T13:00:00.003-05:00

Last month, the North Carolina State Fair opened a day earlier, and the attendance on Sunday was a record for the last day. We especially applaud an exciting project at this year's event: around 8,000 gallons of used cooking oil was collected. The used vegetable oil will be converted into biodiesel fuel, to be used by the NC Department of Agriculture at their research stations. It's great to see our "waste" being recycled!

River Stories Contest

2008-10-28T11:10:00.013-04:00

There are only a few more days left to enter this contest. Tom's of Maine is offering a car to those who are caring for their rivers and keeping them healthy. Send a video by October 31st to enter this River Stories Contest and win a Toyota Prius! It's nice that this company is working to offer environmentally-friendly products, and is also sponsoring the Rivers Awareness Partnership, providing the winner with a cool car for a thank-you gift.

Some of the videos already entered are really interesting, too. I was charmed by the riverkeeper of "The Living Blackwater and Nottoway Rivers" and moved by "49 Megawatts" (in photo at right). We know some of you have been working hard to protect the Catawba, Eno, Pee Dee, Saluda, and other Carolina rivers. Enter the contest and let everyone know about it!

Low-Flow Landscaping

2008-10-20T20:00:00.001-04:00

With the recent rains, my grass is luxuriant, an emerald carpet! I have neither aerated it nor fertilized it, just watched the free water coming down. But I will not be lulled into complacency. I remember the summers: when my grass was brown and so dry that it crackled when I stepped on it. So I am getting down to business, planning for next year. In my research, I'll look for plants that are native to the Carolinas and drought-resistant. I would like to go for indestructible, if that's not aiming too high.

Here's an attractive North Carolina front yard, shown by H2Ouse Water Saver Homes. Some plants in the picture are clickable, leading us to a larger picture of the plant, along with its identification. You don't have to dig very deeply to find the word "xeriscaping," sometimes spelled "zeriscaping." It combines "xeri," the Greek word for dry, and landscaping. It includes common sense ideas for conserving water, such as mulching, and grouping plants that have similar water needs together.

I am envisioning beds of perennial wild flowers that need very little water. I would like a rock garden, or maybe a path paved with field stones, through the tiny lawn that remains. Something like this - shown in H2Ouse's back yard - with blue star creeper between the stones, would be nice. I have already learned that paving should be done with permeable bricks or paving stones, so that water can soak into the ground, instead of running off.

NC's Division of Water Resources gives a brief summary of xeriscaping. The topic is also included in Clemson University's thorough coverage of Low-Maintenance Landscape Ideas. Like they say, wait till next year!