Tons of GREEN links

Why reinvent the wheel? Look at all of these contacts... Now we just have to decide how to divvy all this up, or compile it all for the inception of our online Green(GardenWeb)Pages Directory!

ADVICE/PARTNERSHIP/CONNECTING

(IDEAS: provide flyers, email notices to supporters, newsletter articles, inviting community participation?)

Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet--Silicon Valley, CA (http://www.acterra.org/)

Bringing people together to create local solutions for a healthy planet.

Conexions--Silicon Valley, CA (http://www.conexions.org/wordpress/)

Supporting programs to increase awareness and advance regenerative social, ecological, and business practices that enable Earth to thrive.

Habitat for Humanity International (http://www.habitat.org/)

Seeking to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world through volunteer labor and donations, and homeowner sweat equity and mortgage payments.

Santa Clara County Home Composting Program (http://www.reducewaste.org/portal/site/iwm/agencychp?path=%2Fv7%2FIntegrated%20Waste%20Management%20%28DIV%29%2FHome%20Composting)

Training, supplies and support for composting in Santa Clara County.

San Mateo County RecycleWorks (http://www.recycleworks.org/compost/index.html)

Training, supplies and support for composting in Santa Clara County.

Portland Yardsharing--Portland, OR (http://www.yardsharing.org/)

Uses detailed map to list properties that can host a garden, or post a listing looking for a place to garden.

Slow Food USA (http://www.slowfoodusa.org/)

Slow Food USA seeks to create dramatic and lasting change in the food system. We reconnect Americans with the people, traditions, plants, animals, fertile soils and waters that produce our food. We seek to inspire a transformation in food policy, production practices and market forces so that they ensure equity, sustainability and pleasure in the food we eat.

The Edible Schoolyard--Berkeley, CA (http://www.edibleschoolyard.org/)

Involves students in all aspects of farming a schoolyard garden and preparing, serving and eating food as a means of awakening their senses and encouraging awareness and appreciation of the transformative values of nourishment, community and stewardship of the land.

Getting Going Growing--Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, CA (http://www.conexions.org/wordpress/?page_id=33)

Non-profit community collaborative that provides support to school gardens.

Green Fork--Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, CA (http://www.conexions.org/wordpress/?page_id=16)

Goal is to open up new opportunities for local, organically grown food production.

Peninsula Permaculture--Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, CA (http://www.conexions.org/wordpress/?page_id=208)

Promotes regenerative design, renewable energy and care for local resources by creating living examples intended to bring these concepts to the forefront of people's actions and awareness.

Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture--CUESA (http://www.cuesa.org/cuesa/)

Dedicated to promoting a sustainable food system through the operation of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and its educational programs.

Solar Richmond (http://www.solarrichmond.org/)

Since 2006, Solar Richmond (SR) has served the community through green-collar job training and placement in solar PV and solar thermal. SR has always worked closely with diverse partners in city government, the non-profit world and local businesses, in order to foster a green economy in Richmond and bring good, green jobs to its residents. In 2009 SR brings more resources to the table to engage in job creation mechanisms, with an end-goal of permanent employment for program graduates in the solar industry.

The Urban Garden Project

http://urbangardenproject.wordpress.com/about-the-project/

An initiative to encourage people to learn from history, become more self-reliant, save a significant amount of money, and eat healthier, all as a result of planting their own urban garden! The goal of The Urban Garden Project™ is to encourage and catalog the creation of 100,000 urban gardens by 2020, 1 garden at a time!

Bay-Friendly Landscaping and Gardening--Alameda County (http://www.stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=8)

The Bay-Friendly Gardening Program offers the home gardener tools for creating a beautiful and healthy Bay-Friendly garden. Likewise, the Bay-Friendly Landscaping Program provides resources for the professional landscaper to design, construct and maintain Bay-Friendly landscapes for clients.

Growing Power, Inc.

(http://www.growingpower.org/Index.htm)

Growing Power is a national nonprofit organization and land trust supporting people from diverse backgrounds, and the environments in which they live, by helping to provide equal access to healthy, high-quality, safe and affordable food for people in all communities. Growing Power implements this mission by providing hands-on training, on-the-ground demonstration, outreach and technical assistance through the development of Community Food Systems that help people grow, process, market and distribute food in a sustainable manner.

(http://www.growingpower.org/Will_Allen_Good_Food_Manifesto-1.pdf)

Local Harvest--Santa Cruz, CA (http://www.localharvest.org/about.jsp)

Informational resource for the Buy Local movement and information on direct marketing family farms.

Sustainable Table (http://www.sustainabletable.org/spread/)

Celebrates local sustainable food, educates consumers on food-related issues and works to build community through food.

TRAINING/LANDSCAPING SERVICES

Native Again Landscape--Silicon Valley, CA (http://www.native-again-landscape.com/)

Special interests are in growing plants that have edible and medicinal value; provide people with the information necessary to make the conversion from high water-use gardens to ecologically friendly designs.

Common Ground--Palo Alto, CA (http://www.commongroundinpaloalto.org/)

Training, supplies and support for edible gardening in the Bay Area.

Ecology Center--Berkeley, CA (http://www.ecologycenter.org/about/whoweare.html)

Providing people with the information they need, the alternatives they seek, and the infrastructure necessary to make sustainable practices possible on a large scale.

MODELS: URBAN BACKYARD FARM SERVICES

My Farm--San Francisco CA (http://myfarmsf.com/about.html)

(an initial consultation is $50; installation cost $750; and weekly maintenance, which includes a harvest box, is $25)

Seattle Urban Farm Co.--Seattle WA (seattleurbanfarmco.com)

Your Backyard Farmer--Portland OR (http://www.yourbackyardfarmer.com/)

All Edibles--East Bay (http://www.alledibles.com/)

Edible landscaping business.

San Francisco Victory Gardens (http://www.sfvictorygardens.org/)

Victory Gardens 2008+ is a program of Garden for the Environment and the City of San Francisco's Department for the Environment. A two-year pilot project to support the transition of backyard, front yard, window boxes, rooftops and unused land into organic food production areas. Starter Kits were delivered to the houses by a VG gardener upon a tricycle and included a lesson on how to build a raised bed, planting, drip irrigation system installation, water- and time-saving timer set up and one follow up harvest and seed saving lesson.

NONPROFIT COMMUNITY FARMS/EDUCATION

City Slicker Farms--West Oakland, CA (http://www.cityslickerfarms.org/)

Builds and maintains backyard and community vegetable gardens for low-income residents.

Veggielution--San Jose, CA (http://www.veggielution.org/)

Creating a sustainable food system through community farms.

Collective Roots--East Palo Alto, CA (http://www.collectiveroots.org/)

Engaging youth and community in food system change.

Urban Sprouts--San Francisco, CA (http://urbansprouts.blogspot.com/)

Nonprofit using school gardens to help youth actively engage in school, eat better and exercise more, and connect with the environment and each other.

Village Harvest--San Francisco Bay Area (http://www.villageharvest.org/)

Organize backyard fruit harvesting, and provide education on fruit tree care, harvesting, and food preservation. Volunteers harvest or pick up your fruit and take it to soup kitchens and food banks for distribution.

FUNDING

Together Green

http://www.togethergreen.org/Projects/Grantee.aspx

Innovation Grants support creative projects that contribute to significant gains in habitat, water and energy conservation.

Captain Planet Foundation (http://www.captainplanetfdn.org/states/ca.html)

Fund and support hands-on environmental projects for children and youths.

"Food for thought":

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1826271,00.html

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_sustainable_community_development

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1255.html

http://www.efn.org/~bsharvy/edible.html

http://www.plantea.com/edibleland.htm

http://site.growbountiful.com/

http://www.soilfoodweb.com/

http://www.foodfightthedoc.com/foodfight.html

http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/06/06/sharecropper-nycs-micro-farming-public-art-project/

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/edible/

http://www.greenwillowgardens.com/

Greenies Task Force Minutes

I will be posting these regularly. The box in the staff room for recycled paper is now functioning (thanks to the person who did it!). + Redwood High School has a type of "Green Academy", they do it in co-operation with Stanford. Maybe we can use it both as a model and a springboard for our own "G.A. " here?
Greenies Task Force Minutes: Feb. 18, 2009
Meeting in Room F-16 Next meeting: D-1 March 18

Josh: opened the meeting: the grant proposal for the garden is almost ready for submission – it has gone to the district for approval. Marin suggested that there remains a need to look for donated supplies if the grant is not funded.
Recycling going well, Friday working well for bottle/can pick ups. The extra blue toters are great.

Kathy: presented garbage data from the district which indicated that MA had a better recycling rate than Woodside even though they do not have a recycling program ? ? ?

Ann: expressed the need to have a recycling day for computer disks. Vhs tapes etc. Earth Club will look into it for an Earth Day project.

Josh: shared the website donorschoose.org which funds grants to teachers for classroom needs – very simple to use and Josh received $200 worth of white board markers

Kathy: brought up the idea of a”Green Academy” modeled like the Business Academy. Erica and Ann are working on the idea.

Ann: had climate change expert come and speak to her class – suggested that it would be a great assembly for the whole school

Any green ideas going on in classes?
*Marin: water resources as theme for semester
*Josh: use discarded copy paper with one free side for scratch paper – maybe set up a box in the staff room or repo graphics could make them into tablets- maybe LIF program could make the tablets
*Turn off smart boards when not in use – they need to be on a power strip –USB also draws power – Kathy asked Josh to make an add – Erica’s Earth Day club would also like to make some ads

District has provided a sign for the bike cage with the hours of operation – one bike has been stolen from the bike cage – U locks are best for kids – the Cycling Club will put lock info on their Facebook site

Jeanne Crawford was acknowledged for her service to the district as she is retiring at the end of the month

Check the Greenies out today!

Please remember to check this website frequently for updates.

Holiday Cards... What do you do with them?

What do you do with those attractive Christmas cards that you get?  1.  you can cut out the front of the card and use that snow man for example as a gift tag.  2.  You can recycle the entire front of the card and laminated on a larger piece of stock paper and putting your own greeting on the right side of the card and re-gift the card.  Helps your pocket book and the environment.

The First Issue - "A Little Greener"

A LITTLE GREENER

Vol. 1, No. 1

This is the first issue of a regularly re-occurring e-mail about matters green.  It is brought to you by the “G2 Force*”, with Administrative approval.  Your editor, will send out topical and interesting items that either come across my desk, or, the desks of my G2 colleagues, or your desks/mailboxes.  Whatever you send me I will use.  The emphasis is on the practical.

 

• Polly Taylor, C-10 our new Foods Teacher invites Staff and Students to come to her room during Brunch and Passing Periods to fill up their water bottles, with good, clean, pure drinking water.  You can save $ and make a contribution to re-cycling!

 

• You can save money on glass cleaner, and this makes a good all-around household cleaner as well + you are using a re-usable plastic spray bottle aren't you?

1/2 cup sudsy ammonia

1 pt. rubbing alcohol

1 tsp. dishwashing liquid

Mix these ingredients and add tap water to make 1 gallon.  Pour it into a re-useable spray bottle & you can save $ and make a contribution to re-cycling!

 

• Kathy Soulard reminds us all that we can stop using plastic bags for lunches and instead buy a roll of wax paper (you know the kind your family used to use when you had lunches back in the day).  The paper can be re-used several times, plus it is much less expensive than plastic, and sometimes the less, the better.

 

• A web site entitled www.earthteam.net is staffed by students and adults with a goal of promoting environmental education and activism.  Get on their list to find out how your students can get involved with other Bay area teens and create environmental change.  They sponsor a “green screen” video program + have several lesson plans available.

 

• Speaking of lesson plans: The G2 Force is looking for "Environmental Lesson Plans", to complement the TUPE plans that substitutes can use when you are away.  A great way to practice sustainable teaching, when you are not in the classroom!  Send your plans to Polly Taylor, Marin Aldrich or Josh Rubin.

“G2 Force” is the preferred term for “The Greenies-Gardeners Task Force”.  No “…Greener” next week, your editor is out of town.  Next issue features:  Bleach vs. Peroxide in the best of two out of three falls. Woodside will soon be offering “Klean Kanteen & Chico Bags as a recycling fundraiser. Stay tuned. Do keep those cards and letters coming.  Herb Felsenfeld, Editor

Greener #2

A LITTLE GREENER

Vol. 1, No. 2

This is the second issue of a regularly re-occurring e-mail about matters green.  It is brought to you by the “G2 Force*”, with Administrative approval.  Your editor, will send out topical and interesting items that either come across my desk, or, the desks of my G2 colleagues, or your desks/mailboxes.  Whatever you send me I will use.  The emphasis is on the practical.

Kathy Soulard reports on a recyclable toothbrush you can purchase for $2.79.  The “Preserve Toothbrush” can be recycled back to the company.  You can purchase it at “Trader Joe’s” or “Target”.  The company has many other personal care, kitchen, and household products (all recyclable), programs, and environmental information that are well worth considering.  Check them out at: www.recycline.com

BLEACH vs. PEROXIDE

Bleach was invented in the late 1940’s.  As a chlorine product it has toxic properties, and has been used to kill people.  Peroxide was invented in the 1920’s and has been used to cleanse operating rooms in WWI hospitals.  It has many uses; I will note a few in this and in coming issues:

Take a capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold it in your mouth for ten minutes daily, then spit it out (you can do this while you bathe, shower, do dishes, etc.).  This will prevent canker sores and your teeth will be whiter, without expensive pastes.  Use it also instead of mouthwash.

Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free from germs.

Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell.  Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe or spray it on your counters.

There will be more to come next week on the uses of peroxide.

The G2 Force is looking for "Environmental Lesson Plans", to complement the TUPE plans that substitutes can use when you are away.  A great way to practice sustainable teaching, when you are not in the classroom!  Send your plans to Polly Taylor, Marin Aldrich or Josh Rubin. 

Woodside will soon be offering “Klean Kanteen & Chico Bags” as a recycling fundraiser. Stay Tuned.

The “Greener” Depends Upon It’s Friends:  Please let me know if you have “green” information to share. HF

Greener #3

A LITTLE GREENER

Vol. 1, No. 3

This is the third issue of a regularly re-occurring e-mail about matters green.  It is brought to you by the “G2 Force*”, with Administrative approval.  The editor, will send out topical and interesting items that either come across my desk, or, the desks of my G2 colleagues, or your desks/mailboxes.  Whatever you send me I will use.  The emphasis is on the practical.

RE:  Last Week –

Jill Baumgartel reminds us that when using peroxide, the kind I am talking about is “hydrogen peroxide” – there are many other kinds.

Greg Gruszynski notes that for those who can get there, The Rainbow Grocery in San Francisco (at Folsom Street and Division) also sells Preserve (recyclable) Toothbrushes.

Kathy Soulard reports that the G2 Force is sponsoring a fundraiser to support re-cycling efforts at Woodside.  You can purchase the following right now in D-5: 

Klean Kanteens – in black or sunset orange with loop caps for easy carrying.  It’s made of 100% recyclable, high-quality, food grade stainless steel so it doesn’t need a special lining like some other metal bottles. It’s completely BPA-free and won’t leach chemicals, toxins, or funky flavors into your water, juice, smoothie, or drink of choice. Plus it weighs only 8 oz. and is incredibly durable, so you can reuse it for years.  They are $20.00 each.  

Chico Bags in light or dark green, mango, black, hot pink, or blue with an earth logo and totally re-useable. They are five dollars each, fit in the palm of your hand and expand to hold 25 lbs.  Why use ‘em?  An estimated 1 trillion single-use plastic bags are consumed worldwide. In the United States alone, the average citizen uses between 300 and 700 plastic bags per year. Currently, 97% of these bags end up in either a landfill or littering our planet’s fragile eco-systems.  You do the math.

Big sale days are October 28 and 30 when we will be selling outside.  In the meantime see Kathy for an early purchase for a worthwhile cause.

The Editor is out of room, so that will be the 0-0-0 mark for tonight sports fans.  Next week: more peroxide hints, adding vinegar to the mix, and South Bay/Peninsula Natural Pages.