LOOKING FOR URBAN COMMUTERS FOR 2011 - ERGON BLOG

LOOKING FOR URBAN COMMUTERS FOR 2011 - ERGON BLOG: "Do your friends and co-workers call you a super commuter? Do you commute by bike nearly 365 days a year? Rain or shine? Do you share your experience via your blog, Facebook, or Twitter account? Let us know your commuting story! We are looking for a few hardcore commuters across the USA and Canada to spread the word of the Ergon urban lifestyle for the 2011 calendar year."

trianglechapteregb : GREEN BUILDING BASICS WORKSHOPS - Raleigh, NC - September 21-23, 2010

trianglechapteregb : Message: GREEN BUILDING BASICS WORKSHOPS - Raleigh, NC - September 21-23, 2010: "GREEN BUILDING BASICS WORKSHOPS
by the NC Solar Center's High Performance Buildings Team

September 21-23, 2010 – 1575 Varsity Drive, NC State University, Raleigh, NC
FOR MORE INFORMATION and to REGISTER, VISIT THE NC SOLAR CENTER'S ONLINE STORE:
http://store.ncsolarcenter.org/grbubawo.html

September workshop topics in Raleigh:
9/21 AM - Integrated Design & Building Science Concepts
9/21 PM - Building Envelope & ENERGY STAR
9/22 AM – Passive Solar
9/22 PM - HVAC & Indoor Air Quality
9/23 AM - Greening Existing Residential Buildings
9/23 PM - Green Residential Real Estate Broker"

Upcoming Events from Cape Fear River Watch

Cape Fear River Watch News & Events August 17, 2010 In this e-mail . . . Monthly Paddle - August on Smith Creek and Downtown September First Saturday Seminar - Aquifers Demystified by Roger Shew Invasive Species Control - Help Remove Chinese Privet from Upper Smith Creek Help Wanted - Really August Paddle - Archie Blue to Downtown, the Wet Way It's normally very simple to get downtown from the new Archie Blue Park in Wilmington: take King St. out of Love Grove. King Street turns into 11th St. Turn right on Grace Street and in less than a mile you're at the Hilton. That's too simple (and not sufficiently river-oriented.) CFRW's Monthly Paddle Series will take another route this weekend (Saturday, August 21): down Burnt Mill Creek to Smith Creek, turn left on the Northeast Cape Fear River in less than 2 miles you're at the Hilton. We'll rendezvous and shuttle vehicles starting ~8am and be on the water by 9. Join us. Details (and a link to RSVP) are here. Bring us . . . A Shrubbery! On Friday, August 27th, we'll partner with New Hanover County for a morning of Invasive Species Control along a stretch of upper Smith Creek. You may have heard CFRW staff talk about how we achieve our mission through Education, Advocacy and Action? This is the Action part. A site of ~4 acres is overgrown mainly with Chinese Privet (and a few other non-native species) which needs to be removed before native species can be reintroduced. The site will eventually be part of a "passive" county park. Volunteers are needed to help cut and carry the invasive shrub. If you've got a few empty hours that Friday we'd like to help you fill them up. If you can also bring along some simple tools (bow saw, shears, etc.) we'll extend extra thanks. Contact Kemp Burdette (kemp@cfrw.us) for details about this particular mud, dirt and sweat opportunity. Dude, What's an Aquifer? September's First Saturday Seminar will feature UNCW Professor (and CFRW Board Member and all around OK Guy) Roger Shew. Roger will discuss watersheds and ecosystems and how they are shaped and defined by what lies beneath. If you've been following CFRW's efforts to oppose the proposed Titan Cement project, you've probably heard us talk about the threat the project poses to the Castle Hayne Aquifer. Come out and learn, precisely, just what the Castle Hayne Aquifer actually is and why it's important. Saturday, September 4th (yes, we know that's Labor Day Weekend.) Blueberry pancakes and coffee and relaxed catching up: 8:30am. Seminar: 9am. Location: 617 Surry St., Wilmington. Cost: $ZERO Wanted: Education Specialist (part-time) CFRW is looking for a part-time Education Specialist to join the staff. The requirements are high, the pay low, the competition will be fierce. Click here for the full position description. Free advice to prospective applicants: spelling counts. See you on the River . . . Ni!

Lea-Hutaff Island | Audubon North Carolina

Lea-Hutaff Island | Audubon North Carolina: "Located north of Wilmington between Figure Eight Island and Topsail Island, Lea-Hutaff Island is a 5,641-acre undeveloped barrier island and marsh system that has remained undisturbed by development, dredged sand, and off-road vehicles. It has been battered by storms, flooded, overwashed and eroded, until it is now a low, narrow, ribbon of sand. One of North Carolina’s few remaining relatively pristine barrier islands, Lea-Hutaff is an important sanctuary for wildlife and a peaceful recreation area for people."

Take a tour here with the http://www.capefearnaturalist.com/

Get Out the Vote…For a State Park

Get Out the Vote…For a State Park:
"

Lumber River State Park in Robeson and Columbus counties has garnered national attention, becoming an overnight contender in a promotion by Coca-Cola for a $100,000 grant.

The competition in the “America is Your Park” campaign is based solely on online voting, with people being asked to vote – as many times as they like – for a favorite state or national park. Spurred by local tourism officials, Lumber River State Park surged ahead of other North Carolina state parks in early voting, and moved into 10th place (among 3,853 national and state parks) with more than 22,000 votes.

Based on that showing, the state parks system asked all of its supporters to help Lumber River’s quest, primarily using social media including Facebook and Twitter. Votes will be tallied through Aug. 31 at the website: www.livepositively.com/#/americasparks

We hope that consolidating our efforts and choosing Lumber River as the most likely candidate from the state will bring deserved national attention to all of North Carolina’s state parks. We had 14 million visitors to our state parks system last year, and that many supporters can make a difference once they spread the word.

The Lumberton Visitors Bureau launched a similar online campaign earlier this year, collecting enough votes to have the Lumber River named one of the state’s top 10 natural wonders by Land for Tomorrow, a coalition of conservation organizations. An 81-mile stretch of the Lumber is designated a National Wild and Scenic River. The 9,239-acre park features the blackwater river surrounded by floodplain forests, making it a big draw for paddlers and birders.

The $100,000 grant is to be used for new activity equipment, such as bikes and kayaks, or for the restoration and construction of park facilities.

- Lewis Ledford
Director, NC State Parks and Recreation

"

Dogwood alliance Demands of KFC

At this point in our campaign, KFC must be fully aware of just how energized the public is to see an end to the useless destruction of our forests. Between the nearly 20,000 emails and letters generated to KFC President Roger Eaton and over 50 media stories on our campaign there is no way they can ignore that reality.

Now it is time for KFC to clearly understand what all of us expect of them and frankly any corporation consuming so many resources from our forests. Over the next few months we will produce an eight part web series to illustrate each and every element of our sustainable packaging demand and how ignoring them is harming Southern forests and communities. Additionally, by setting out the progress other corporations have made along the sustainability journey we will show how KFC is a laggard in every area even while other companies across the country are working hard to make important changes to protect our climate and forests.

With your help our campaign will make KFC a leader. Our series will explain why KFC must:

• Phase out the sourcing of paper products originating from endangered forests
• End the purchasing of paper products from suppliers who are contributing to the conversion of natural forests into plantations
• Maximize the use of post-consumer recycled paper in all its paper products
• When recycled is not available or feasible, source virgin fiber from responsibly managed forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Reduce overall packaging
• Maximize recovery of packaging waste
• Reduce the company's carbon footprint associated with forest products
• Shift their purchasing dollars to suppliers that have policies and practices consistent with these goals

We hope you will follow the series on our interesting and informative blog and would love for you to participate in the discussion via the comments section. Is KFC having a direct impact on you or your community? Or do you have any thoughts or feedback about how fast food companies can make a difference? If so, please contact me here.

For our forests and communities,

Scot Quaranda

Campaign Director

PS Check out our two minute video on the KFC demands and upcoming series below.

The Grove Project � Wilmington Cross-City Trail – Planning and progress

The Grove Project � Wilmington Cross-City Trail – Planning and progress: "The Cape Fear Cyclists have sent out the following message to their mailing list, about a public meeting this Thursday, where proponents and opponents will go to learn more and discuss the impact of the Wilmington Cross-City Trail:

Mark your calendars to attend the Transportation Planning Meeting on Thursday from 5 to 7 P.M. at the County Government Offices off of S.College Rd. and near Racine Drive (in the Human Resources Training Center near the fish tank!). The WMPO will be presenting maps and plans for the College Acres segment of Wilmington’s Cross City Trail. (You can come and go as is convenient for you.)

Please participate to help residents of the area to understand the many values in having such a trail in their neighborhood. Currently there is some opposition to having the trail routed through their neighborhood. Throughout the country many such residents that have previously opposed rail trails and greenways near their homes, subsequent to the opening of the trails, have become enthusiastic users and cheerleaders of trails and greenways. They have realized increases in their property values because of the proximity of the trails in their communities…or in “their own backyards”. Mostly they have come to appreciate the enhancements to their family’s and community’s quality of life…health & fitness; cleaner air; easier access to schools, libraries, churches, stores, workplaces, friends, athletic fields, beach, or other local attractions. Trails will provide means of transportation to members of our community regardless of age, mobility, capability, or economic status. Increasing modes of access helps to relieve traffic congestion and the costs of transportation. Trails and green space help to nurture our bodies and spirits, while they help to build community connectedness and attractive neighborhoods with a neighborly spirit.

Wilmington and New Hanover County are gradually becoming a bicycle and pedestrian friendly region. A well planned, extensive network of trails such as the River-to-the-Sea Bike Route, the Cross City Trail, Greenfield Lake & Haliburton Park paths, and the Historic Scenic Byway will make alternate means of transportation safer, more convenient, and accessible to all. Wilmington will also be distinguished as a Destination City along the East Coast Greenway, a link in the 3000 mile off-road route that someday will host travelers along the coast from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida.

The College Acres link will be an important segment of our local trail network. Come out to the meeting to support the concept as well as, the staff and volunteers who have helped to design this proposal. Listen and speak up. Explain how the trail will benefit you, your family, and the whole community. If you live in or near the College Acres area, it is especially important that you lend your ideas and support! Come learn how the Cross City Trail will provide connectivity throughout our region…and share your ideas and enthusiasm.

"

Greenfield lake audio tour map

View Greenfield Lake, Wilmington NC Audio Tour in a larger map

Durham, NC - City of Medicine

Durham, NC - Durham Bike and Hike Map

Remember Durham is in the Cape Fear River watershed. I got this note today about a Bike and Hike Map:

Durham has a new bike & hike map! The map was developed by Greenways Inc (based in Durham) with input from many individuals and organizations and valuable guidance by an advisory committee (with representatives from DOST, BPAC, the Bicycle Co-op, a local bicycle shop, and city and county staff).

The map can be viewed on-line at:

http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/transportation/bike_hike_map.cfm

Since this is the first version of the map, an on-line form has been created to share comments and ideas. These will be incorporated into future versions of the map.

The map will be available at the Festival for the Eno this weekend (July 3, 4, and 5) at the booth shared by BPAC, DOST, and TRTC (i.e., Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Durham Open Space and Trails Commission, and Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy). A contribution of $1 is requested to help defray the cost of printing.

The map is also available at Durham City Hall in the Transportation Department (fourth floor), weekdays from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Copies will also be provided to Durham bicycle shops (REI and the Bicycle Chain) and the Durham Bike Co-op.

****

Dale McKeel, AICP

City of Durham/DCHC MPO

Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator

101 City Hall Plaza

Durham, NC 27701

919-560-4366. ext. 36421

dale.mckeel @ durhamnc.gov

Cape Fear River Watch, Inc.

Cape Fear River Watch, Inc.

A new audio tour of Greenfield lake is posted and ready for you to enjoy!

Also:
Check out this wonder guide to the cape fear river watershed.

Happy Summer, yall!

Heroes unite!

Viva La Green!