Cape Fear Green

Walking Fish Winter 2012 Season

2012-01-10T11:54:00.001-08:00

----- Forwarded Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 2:14 PM
Subject: Winter 2012 Season

Dear All,

We hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Happy New Year! We are very pleased to announce our 2012 Winter CSF in Durham. The season will begin on Thursday, January 19th and will be bi-weekly for 13 weeks with 7 seafood deliveries. The last delivery date will be April 12th.

This winter you can expect to see a variety of species including flounder, triggerfish, snapper, oysters, clams, and crabs.

We hope you are looking forward to some fresh and delicious local NC seafood this winter and please spread the word!

Thank you all for your support,

~The Walking Fish Crew

Please visit our website to purchase winter shares: www.walking-fish.org

Join us on Facebook

What is a CSF?

Based on the community-supported agriculture (CSA) model, a community supported fishery (CSF) is a program that connects local fishermen to a local market. CSF members pre-pay for a "season" of fresh, locally caught seafood, and in turn fishermen provide a weekly share of premium fish or shellfish. CSFs seek to reconnect communities with their food system, encourage low-impact fishing practices, and build relationships between fishermen and community members.

Who we are?

Walking Fish is a mission driven cooperative that is dedicated to supporting healthy fisheries and the communities that depend on them. This initiative, founded by graduate students at Duke University, takes root in the belief that people –whether they are coastal fishermen or local consumers – play an important role in creating solutions to the social, economic, and environmental challenges we face. The goals of this business are simple: to foster economic opportunities, to cultivate healthy communities, and to encourage environmental stewardship. We recognize that conservation is intimately linked to the well-being of people and communities, and we believe that in order to work towards ecological sustainability we must also work towards local economic stability and social equity.

iPhone Tour at NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill

2011-06-09T07:45:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
This isn't in the Cape Fear Region, but it seems mighty cool. I wonder if we could do something like this here closer to home.

-Newman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

North Carolina Botanical Garden Partners with GPTrex to Offer Interactive Mobile Adventures
Botanical Garden visitors have more to explore with interactive app for Apple mobile devices

Chapel Hill - The North Carolina Botanical Garden has partnered with GPTrex, a Chapel Hill-based company founded by parents and educators, to produce interactive, family-friendly adventures for visitors with an iPhone or iPad with 3G capabilities. Using the devices' built-in technology and intuitive touch screen interface, the mobile adventures offer families a whole new experience when visiting the Botanical Garden.

A unique look at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, the "Garden Explorer" adventure is like having your own naturalist guide. Visitors learn about the Botanical Garden's work with rare plants, unique amphibian habitats that are found in the display gardens, and the role of prescribed fire in land management. They will even get a chance to hear a frog call and watch video of a prescribed fire.

To play this and future interactive adventures at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, visitors need to download the free GPTrex application from the Apple App Store. From within the application, families can easily access "Garden Explorer" by visiting or searching for "North Carolina Botanical Garden." The application houses a growing collection of place-based adventures at cultural, community, and tourism destinations nationwide.

The North Carolina Botanical Garden, part of the University of North Carolina, has been a leader in native plant conservation and education in the southeastern United States for more than 30 years. It is located off of the US 15-501/NC 54 bypass (Fordham Blvd.) in Chapel Hill. Admission is free and visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and, for the summer (June - August) 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays. More information: http://ncbg.unc.edu

Contact:
Grant Parkins
Natural Science Educator, North Carolina Botanical Garden
parkins@unc.edu

International Migratory Bird Day Events

2011-05-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

10 Year Anniversary Open House: International Migratory Bird Day Events

$5 donation per vehicle

Space limited, please call or email to sign up!

Balsam Mountain Trust, Sylva NC 828-631-1061

May 14, 8:30am - 3pm

8:30-9:30am Bird walk with Blair (Intermediate
level, walk through fields, woods, and along creek)

9:00-9:45am Birding 101 for families with
Michael on nature center grounds

10am-noon Craft table with Lindsey, bird ID games in and
outside

10:00 - 11am Owls: with Jackson and Blair (on nature center
deck) and photo shoot

11:30am-noon Fly and feed a hawk (Michael &
Lindsey)

12-12:30pm Lunch break all: please bring your own food &
drink and picnic here if you would like

12:30-2pm Crafts & bird ID in garden with Blair

12:45-1:30pm Meet some falcons, fastest birds
in the world! Becky

1:00-1:30pm Eagle feeding demonstration with Michael
(discussion of eagles)

2:00pm Kid's bird walk with Blair
(all welcome, up nature center trail and towards stables)

2:00pm Bird of prey photo shoot
(Michael & Becky)

3pm Done!

from: www.bmtrust.org

BIRDING BY EAR at The Agape Center for Environmental Education

2011-05-09T19:17:00.000-07:00

BIRDING BY EAR at The Agape Center for Environmental Education- Rural
Duncan (near Fuquay-Varina)

Join Mike Campbell, NC Wildlife Resources Commission Education Specialist
for this 4-hour workshop.

This workshop will offer information to learn the songs and calls of
resident and neo-tropical migratory songbirds, and match these vocalizations
with field marks to identify these birds. Useful tips, tricks and mnemonics
will be provided to help with identification. Weather permitting, this
entire workshop will be held outdoors and will cover several habitats, which
will include some hilly terrain.

This workshop will qualify for public school CEU credit, as well as NC OEE
Certification.

Bring your own lunch to enjoy. Picnic space is available.

Reservations required; space limited to 24 participants.

When? May 24, 2011

Time? 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Cost? $15.00 ? includes refreshments

Where? Agap? Center for Environmental Education, Fuquay-Varina, NC
(www.agapekurebeach.org/aceabout.htm )

To REGISTER contact:

Mir Youngquist-Thurow

Environmental Education Director

Agap? Center for Environmental Education

ACEed@agapekurebeach.org

919-552-9421 x 210

Sail Wilmington NC : Sailing Tours and Charters on the Cape Fear River

2011-02-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

Sail Wilmington NC : Sailing Tours and Charters on the Cape Fear River: "Sailing trips on 'Jammin’ will glide upriver along the river front and head downriver past the state ports towards the Brunswick River southern entrance.

Motorboat trips will cruise into the waterways and salt-marshes near Carolina Beach, and Wrightsville Beach.

Capt. Alan Held makes sailing a breeze."

I met Alan at the Cape Fear RiverWatch. He's the one next to the pancake grill with a big smile on his face. He is an "Energy Smart" home builder and contractor part time and a sailing charter boat captain part time. Very interesting and fun guy. I hope to get out on the cape fear river with him this Summer.

LOOKING FOR URBAN COMMUTERS FOR 2011 - ERGON BLOG

2010-10-14T08:40:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-19T12:27:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-15T14:59:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-03T16:28:00.001-07:00

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

2010-07-28T08:20:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-07T13:14:00.001-07:00

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

Durham, NC - City of Medicine

2010-07-01T08:14:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-07-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-05-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

Viva La Green!

EARTH DAY VOLUNTEERS

2009-03-26T20:26:00.001-07:00

LEED EB reminder

It's not too late to register!

LEED for Existing Buildings:
Operations & Maintenance

Thursday, April 16, 2009
5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance is a standard developed by the U.S. Green Building Council which guides building owners, facility managers, and service providers in the sustainable ongoing operation of buildings.
For more details and a registration form ...

To reserve your seat, email
joy.a@cfgba.org

CFGBA IS LOOKING FOR
EARTH DAY EVENT VOLUNTEERSS!

The Cape Fear Green Building Alliance will once again be an exhibitor Wiilmington's Earth Day celebration. This year's event will take place on Saturday, April 18th from 12 to 6 pm at Hugh MacRae Park.

We are in need of volunteers to help staff our booth -- acting as ambassadors for our organization. The primary role of the volunteer is to provide booth visitors with information on the mission of CFGBA and activities. A board member will be on hand during each shift and we'll make sure that you have the information you need to feel comfortable in promoting CFGBA. It's a great opportunity to interact with a large population of people who share common interests around sustainable living in our area.

For Earth Day 2009, we need folks to staff three two-hour shifts: Noon - 2pm, 2pm-4pm, 4pm-6pm

If you'd like to help us with this event or any other future event, please email susan.j@cfgba.org.

For Earth Day, please make sure you state any shift preference that you may have.

We appreciate your ongoing support of the Cape Fear Green Building Alliance!

................................................................
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CFGBA - March 2009 Newsletter

2009-03-07T18:59:00.001-08:00

Untitled Document

Please join us for our next meeting Wednesday, March 11 at 7PM
at The Balcony on Dock Street

Local Builders Go Green
4 Builders Describe How They Made the Change

A panel discussion featuring John Monteith, President of Monteith Construction;
Ralph Konrady, owner of RK Custom Cuts Construction; Craig Stevens, President of
Stevens Fine Homes; and Bill Christopher, co-owner of ILM Design-Build will represent
four different sectors of the construction industry and speak about their experiences
transitioning from traditional construction to green building.

March 2009 issue of the CFGBA Newsletter

................................................................
 This email should only be sent to those who have asked to receive it. To unsubscribe, return to the web form where you first subscribed and click the "unsubscribe" button, or contact the owner of the website.

CFGBA - February Newsletter

2009-02-05T19:00:00.001-08:00

Untitled Document

Please join us for our next meeting Wednesday, February 11 at 7PM
at The Balcony on Dock Street

Home Energy Budgets
a presentation by UNCW's Roger Shew

Mr. Shew will talk about energy sources and costs for the home/car owner, including information on small changes individuals can make that add up to big money and emissions savings. Mr. Shew graduated from UNCW with a BA in Earth Sciences (1976). He went to UNC-Chapel Hill for his Master's in Geology (1979) before joining Shell Oil Company. Mr. Shew worked for Shell for 20 years in New Orleans and Houston where he was a development geologist, researcher, and finally geology instructor for Shell. His work included onshore and offshore research and training on reservoir characterization (seismic, well logs, core); in particular on deep-water depositional systems. While working, he also attended the Univ. of Houston and received his MSci.Ed. (1995). Mr. Shew left Shell, though he still consults, to come back home in 1999 to volunteer. He started teaching part-time at UNCW, which evolved into full time in the Dept. of Geography and Geology and Dept. of Environmental Science; he teaches Intro to Graduate level courses including a course on sustainability. His interests include geoscience education and science curriculum development.

February 2009 issue of the CFGBA Newsletter

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Fw: CFGBA - January Newsletter

2009-01-09T20:23:00.001-08:00

NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2009

MEETING THIS MONTH….

Welcome to 2009!!

Please join the Cape Fear Green Building Alliance (CFGBA) on Wednesday, January 14th for our first meeting of the year! Our first meeting of the new year will feature Victor Brown with NC Greenpower. Victor has been with NC GreenPower for a couple of years now and has given several talks around the area including at the State Fair and NC Science and Technology School. He has a General Contractor's License and has his own renewable energy company called Solar Weather Works. His background includes Renewable Energy Technology and Green Building diplomas from NC State. He is currently working on innovative projects such as changing out the traditional police car light bars to incorporate LED lights into them. He plans to speak about NC GreenPower's new carbon offset program and the renewable energy portfolio for the state. Just in case you missed it, last month we had our yearly General Meeting and a Green Social to end 2008 & begin planning for 2009.

* Please stay after the presentation for our 'forum' to discuss issues of interest to those in attendance at the meeting. Bring any thoughts or ideas you have on 'green' to discuss.

Looking NE @ Dock & Front

RENEWALS & NEW MEMBERS:

Please join CFGBA or renew your membership today!

Yearly member dues and sponsorships are essential in order to sustain CFGBA as well as to expand the services we offer to members and the public.

For more information on member benefits and for a printable application form, please visit our web site at www.cfgba.org. You can also join at the General Meeting this month. Remember to make checks payable to SEACC. Our mailing address is CFGBA, P.O. Box 1768, Wilmington NC 28402. Thank you for your support.

BIG THANKS!!! CFGBA's would like to thank all the new Business Sponsors & Members of the who've renewed in the last month or two!!

New and Renewing Business Members:

Alpha Counseling Center

Green Design

Kingpost Design & Construction

Ligon B. Flynn Architect PLLC

Mott Landscaping

Natural Awakenings Magazine

Re-Align Technologies

Seacoast Systems\

Sexton Construction Co., Inc

Sustainable Wilmington

Urban Design Architect

Anne & Bradshaw, G.C.

Bluewater Designs, LLC

Electronics 2 You

McKim & Creed

Pervious Solutions

The Village of Woodsong

Tongue & Groove LLC

New and Renewing Silver Sponsors:

Maximum Design & Advertising

Highland Roofing Company

B & O design studio, PLLC

Also, a big thank you to all of our family & individual members who are too few to mention- but represent a key core of our energy & support.

LOCAL EVENTS:

1/13/08
CAN/Climate Action Network Monthly meeting.
7.00 pm to 9 pm. (new night)
Unitarian Universalist Annex Bldg. Wilmington, NC.

Cape Fear Climate Action Network meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm in the Annex Building at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wilmington, 4313 Lake Ave. Please contact Heidi Kaufman at Heidi Kaufman [ heidika42@yahoo.com ] for getting on the e-mail contact list and for meeting agendas for meeting. See www.capefearcan.com for details.

1/18/09

Workshop; Plant Propagation 101

1:00 to 4:00 pm

Progressive Gardens

Come join us at Progressive Gardens for a fun-filled day of plant propagation. We will demonstrate how to: Build a propagation machine, Germinate seeds with a higher germination rate, Easily propagate cacti and other succulents, Take cuttings in different growing mediums.

Workshop will be hosted by Emili Harmon, and Rob Donald. Participants will take home lots of plants, and the knowledge to cultivate them. Propagation methods: budding, layering, bulbs, cuttings, grafting, corms, divisions, tissue culture, offsets, rhizomes, runners, seeds

Register for a mere $15; spaces are limited. Call (919) 457-7721 for more detail. Progressive Gardens 6005 Oleander Drive Wilmington NC

1/24/09
Go Chemical Free (series of workshops)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (8 weeks- Saturday afternoons)
Progressive Gardens, Wilmington

Learn how to identify chemicals hidden in everyday products and food with guidance in selecting safe alternatives. Local parents and owners of GoChemicalFree.com share their passion for creating awareness of the harmful effects environmental exposures have on our health. They are offering a series of 8 workshops designed to help other families make safer and smarter choices for healthier living in a modern day world. Eight Workshops Total. Each seminar is $45 per person, or sign up for all eight workshops for $300 and save $60 off the admission price!

Workshop One-1/24: Ready Set Start. Daily low dose exposure to chemicals accumulate in the body causing serious health concerns. Learn eight simple steps towards creating a safer environment and making better choices in reducing harmful exposures for you and your family.

Workshop Two-1/31: Clean and Simple. Cleaning supplies can be a source of many harmful chemicals. Learn how to go beyond green and back to basics for all of your cleaning needs.
Location: Progressive Gardens, 6005 Oleander Drive (previously Make Art)

Workshop Three- 2/7: You Are What You Eat. How to get back to basics with food. Tips for using less processed foods and making smarter choices when dining out.

Workshop Four- 2/14: Keeping Your Family Clean. Learn how to understand label claims and select body care products free of harmful ingredients.

Workshop Five- 2/21: Breathe Deep. Indoor air quality is said to be more harmful than outdoor air quality. Take a closer look at common household furnishings and how they affect the air that you breathe in your home.

Workshop Six- 2/28: Navigating the Green Tape. Understanding packaging secrets and organic loopholes. Learn how to "really" read product labels and make safe selections.

Workshop Seven- 3/7: It's Child's Play. Children are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of environmental chemicals. Learn to protect them from toxic exposures when selecting products such toys, crafts, clothing and more.

Workshop Eight- 3/14: Arsenic or Lace. Are the poisons you use slowly killing the pests you love? Choosing safe and natural products for pest control, healthy yards and gardens.
Location: Progressive Gardens, 6005 Oleander Drive (previously Make Art)

Contact: Michelle DiBenedetto at contact@gochemicalfree.com or 910-264-8978. See the website for more Info: www.GoChemicalFree.com

2/7/09
Cape Fear River Watch Seminar
8.30 am to 12 noon (pancakes @ 8.30!)
Cape Fear River Watch, Surrey St. Downtown ILM.

Cape Fear River Watch offers a free educational seminar the first Saturday of each month, at their headquarters. Cape Fear River Watch (CFRW) has been working to protect and improve the water quality of the Cape Fear River basin since 1993. In addition to supporting the work of the Cape Fear Riverkeeper as a member of the Water Keeper Alliance, CFRW offers a variety of environmental education, action, and advocacy programs for all residents of the Cape Fear watershed. Call Bill Murray @ (910)297-2664, or e-mail wmurman@yahoo.com for more details. Web: www.cfrw.us

2/12/09
Cape FearBio-fuels Meeting
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
Tital Creek Co-op. ILM.

Cape Fear Biofuels is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of a biofuels infrastructure and related technologies in the region while creating moral, economic, and social value through sustainable development.

Cape Fear Biofuels meets the 2nd Thursday of each month, Tidal Creek Co-op community room (upstairs).

Email: info@capefearbiofuels.com or call 910-471-5778
See their website: www.capefearbiofuels.com for more details.
Tidal Creek Co-op; 5329 Oleander Drive; Wilmington NC 28403

Every Monday
UNCW/ECO meeting

7.00 pm-8.00 pm
UNCW/Fisher Student Center, Einstein's

UNCW/ECO is a new student-run organization dedicated to environmental issues at UNCW, as well as in Wilmington, the state of North Carolina, and beyond. ECO strives to increase awareness and promote activism by building a cohesive, diverse group of individuals united by a common interest in protecting the environment. Meetings are for UNCW students, but they will have other events monthly. Meetings are typically held every Monday throughout the school year. For info contact: David Pinsky
@ davidjpinsky@gmail.com or see their new website: www.uncweco.com

Every Saturday AM.

Change the world - Volunteer w Full Belly Project
1020 Chestnut st. Wilmington, NC 28401 (Corner of 11th and Chestnut)
Every Saturday 9:30-1:00 (Unless otherwise posted)

Volunteers learn carpentry, metal working, and just what Appropriate Technology means... and are given the unique opportunity to design simple solutions that will impact the lives of millions in developing countries.

If you are skilled in mechanical engineering, carpentry, or have worked in developing countries, consider becoming a Design Team Leader. Contact Jeff Rose at jeff.rose@fullbellyproject.org for more information.

Also Every Saturday AM…

8.00 am to 12.30 on Water Street by the river.
The Riverfront Farmers' Market is back & it turns 5 This Year! Bring a friend from 4/19 on, and come help us celebrate all season long. The City of Wilmington Parks, Recreation & Downtown Services Division established the Riverfront Farmers' Market in 2004. The Riverfront Farmers' Market is a curbside market featuring local farmers, producers, artists and crafters who sell their goods directly to consumers, educate consumers about local farming and seasonal eating, to encourage and promote the use of locally grown farm products. Products offered include fresh fruits and berries, vegetables, plants, herbs, flowers, eggs, cheeses, meats, seafood, honey, baked goods, legumes, pickled items, jams and jellies, wine, art, crafts, and more. There is different musical entertainment weekly!

EDUCATION/SEMINARS:

Various LEED Technical Review Workshops:

1/30/2009 LEED for Homes - Raleigh, NC 12.30 to 5.00 pm. NC Solar Center

Are you ready to enter the rapidly growing green building market?

Attend the LEED® for New Construction and Major Renovations Technical Review Workshop presented by the U.S. Green Building Council. Gain the knowledge needed to maximize both residential & commercial building performance, achieve LEED certification and take the LEED Professional Accreditation Exam. See the USGBC weblink; http://www.usgbc.org/Workshops/Workshoplist.aspx for details on specific events. Additionally, there are online classes for: LEED 101, LEED for Homes, and an Introduction to LEED for Schools. Prices vary.

1/15-17/09

Securing our Energy Future: Next Generation PV's & Solar Fuels

UNC-Chapel Hill

The past two decades have witnessed a dramatic increase in global energy consumption. While this need has been largely met by fossil fuels, increasing global competition has generated growing concern over future availability and environmental impact. CO₂ emissions are adversely affecting global climate, and developing renewable carbon-neutral energy sources constitutes a grand challenge for the scientific community.

SERC, the UNC Solar Energy Research Center is positioning the University to be a leader in formulating a sustainable energy future. Our current research focus is on solar fuels by artificial photosynthesis and next-generation organic and hybrid photovoltaics. SERC is hosting its first annual symposium on January 15 - 17, 2009, on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This symposium is sponsored by the Research Triangle Energy Consortium. There are over 15 scheduled speakers & presentations over 2 days. Registration is $150 for professionals & $75 for students. See http://www.unc.edu/serc/rtec_meeting/index.html for full schedule and details.

1/22/09

Learn More about Solar Energy/Photovoltaics

5.00 pm to 6.00 pm

Sapona Green Building Center

FREE seminar on solar energy systems, otherwise known as PV or Photovoltaics. Presented by Joseph Sheffield of Alternative Energy Concepts. Call or email to sign up (Matt or Elaine Jack); saponagreen@gmail.com or 910-313-6608. Light refreshments will be served. We hope to see you all there! On a sidenote- Sapona Green will be moving at the end of the month- see their website for complete details on their new home!!

4113-B OLEANDER DRIVE/ANDERSON SQUARE WILMINGTON, NC 28403 www.SaponaGreen.com

1/24/09

Sustainability Now! Symposium

9.00 am to 5.00 pm

Unity Church of the Triangle; Raleigh, NC

Andy Wood, Director of Education for Audubon North Carolina , will be among a host of environmental speakers featured at the Sustainability Now! symposium in Raleigh on Saturday, January 24. From 9-5 that day, a variety of speakers will address a wide range of sustainability issues.

A local symposium featuring NC speakers talking about positive steps toward becoming sustainable NOW! Topics and speakers:
Simple Living: Achieving and Honoring Simple, Just, and Sustainable Ways of Life ~ Wanda Urbanska
Change How You Garden ~ Pam Beck
Living in a Local Economy ~ Lyle Estill
Renovating Your Home to Be Carbon-Free ~ Stephen Hren
Thomas Berry's Sense of Sacred ~ Carolyn Toben
Motivating to Action: Education and Activism in the Legislative Process ~ Andy Wood.

Andy Wood's program - Motivating to Action: Education and Activism in the Legislative Process will focus on climate change legislation that will be proposed in the new Congress. The presentation will connect participants to Audubon's Climate Action programs including the Petition to Repower, Refuel, and Rebuild America, e-Activist List, and an upcoming collaborative National Teach-In. The symposium will be held at the Unity Church of the Triangle in Raleigh. Learn more about the symposium and register through the church's website (listed below). Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door; Students $10‏

Contact: Karen Bearden at chickadeebirders@earthlink.net or 919-844-9050. More Info @ the website: http://www.unitytriangle.org/calendar.html

1/27-30/2009

Green Building Basics Week of Workshops

½ day sessions

512 Brickhaven Drive, Raleigh, NC

January 27 7:30 AM -12:30 PM

Part 1 of the Green Building Basics Week of Workshops

Interested homebuilders and building professionals are invited to attend this half-day workshop on the integrated design practices and site considerations prevalent in residential green building.

January 27 12:30 PM- 5:30 PM

Part 2 of the Green Building Basics Week of Workshops/Building Envelope and Energy Star Workshop

Interested homebuilders and building professionals are invited to attend this half-day workshop on the building envelope considerations prevalent in residential green building, and how the national Energy Star energy conservation program (www.energystar.gov) plays a part.

January 28 7:30 AM -12:30 PM

Part 3 of the Green Building Basics Week of Workshops/Passive Solar & HVAC

Interested homebuilders and building professionals are invited to attend this half-day workshop on the passive solar design and HVAC considerations prevalent in residential green building.
January 28 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Part 4 of the Green Building Basics Week of Workshops/IAQ and Materials

Interested homebuilders and building professionals are invited to attend this half-day workshop on the indoor air quality and materials considerations prevalent in residential green building.
January 29 12:30 PM -5:30 PM

Part 5 of the Green Building Basics Week of Workshops/Water & Appliances

Interested homebuilders and building professionals are invited to attend this half-day workshop on the water conservation considerations and appliance, lighting and renewable energy choices prevalent in residential green building.
January 30 7:30 AM -12:30 PM
Part 6 of the Green Building Basics Week of Workshops/Healthy Built Homes
$50 through January 23, 2009; $80 aft erwards.
January 30 12:30 PM -5:30 PM

Part 7 of the Green Building Basics Week of Workshops/LEED for Homes

Interested homebuilders and building professionals are invited to a half-day introduction to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes Program, a national residential green building program. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) named the North Carolina Solar Center (NCSC) a LEED for Homes Provider in February 2008.

2/3/08

Making Energy Work: Building a Sustainable Energy Economy

n the Southeast

8:30am- 6:00pm

Raleigh, NC Convention Center

The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, along with our partners and sponsors, is pleased to present Making Energy Work: Building a Sustainable Energy Economy in the Southeast on February 3, 2009 in Raleigh, North Carolina at the Raleigh Convention Center.

The forum will bring together over 800 leaders from across the region and nation to discuss the Southeast's emerging new energy economy and developing sustainable energy resources. Participants will include local, state and federal government, educators, business and industry, facility managers and owners, design and engineering companies, academic institutions, economic developers, and community organizations from across the Southeast. For more information on the forum and to register, go to www.makingenergywork.org. For more information on sponsorship opportunities or contact Van Crandall, NCSEA's Development Director, at van@energync.org or (919) 832-7601 ext. 109.

2/21/09

Healthy City > Healthy People: Design Solutions

6^th Annual Urban Design Conference

NC State University College of Design &
Raleigh Dept. City Planning/Urban Design Center
8 am to 4:30 pm

Raleigh Convention Center; 2 East South Street

PDF Registration Form

The 6th Annual Urban Design Conference, Healthy City > Healthy People: Design Solutions, will provide case studies and strategies for design and planning of urban environments that enhance the health and well-being of their citizens. Presenters will address specific issues of transportation choices, open space, mixed-use development, promotion of physical activity and social opportunities, initiatives that reduce human impact on the environment and spur progressive economic development, and planning processes which promote a healthy built environment.

SPEAKERS TO DATE:
Lawrence Scarpa, AIA. Pugh + Scarpa Architects, Santa Monica, Ca.
Livable Places: Ideas for Affordable and Sustainable Mixed-use Communities

James Charlier, AICP, Charlier Associates, Boulder, Co. (transportation planning; growth management) Five Practical Steps to Healthy, Sustainable Mobility

Cynthia Girling, Professor and Chair of Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia (author of "Skinny Streets and Green Neighborhoods: Design for Environment and Community") Sustainable Urbanism: integrating density, livability, transportation and healthy environments

Mindy Fullilove, M.D., Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Professor of Clinical Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University Medical Center (author of "Root Shock: How Tearing Up City Neighborhoods Hurt America and What We Can Do About It") Public Psychology of Urban Design

2/29/09

The Natural learning Initiative
Growing in Place Symposium:Planning and Design for Urban Families
Marbles Kids Museum • February 29, 1:00-5:00 PM
Registration: $50 Use urban design conference registration form.

2/29/09

Cherokee The Sustainable Sites Initiative: Defining Sustainability at the Landscape Level
February 29, 2007, 6-7:30 PM
Marbles Kids Museum; free and open to the public. Free and open to the public.

2/29/09

USGBC Triangle Chapter LEED for New Construction Technical Review Workshop
Friday, February 29, 2007, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
NC State University. McKimmon Center, Raleigh
Fee: $345 for USGBC members; $445 for non-members
Separate registration: USGBC Workshop Registration and Information

3/1/09

5th Annual Urban Design Conference (SOLD OUT)
8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Cardinal Club in downtown Raleigh; 150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 2800
Urban Growth: Intelligent by Design, Sustainable Models for Development – registration closed

4/14-5/09

The New Reality: A Time to Act
The Sixth Annual North Carolina Sustainable Energy Conference
McKimmon Center, NC State Univ. Raleigh, NC.

With energy becoming tied to economic recovery and environmental quality, attending this year's conference will give you insight into strategic opportunities unfolding in North Carolina. Policies such as the North Carolina Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard, renewal of federal tax credits, an expected energy-related stimulus package, as well as the volatility and escalation of conventional fuels are driving interest in energy technologies. Customize your conference experience by selecting sessions that are most relevant to your organization's needs. Sessions will cover the following topical areas:

Energy Efficiency – Residential, Commercial, Industrial

Economic Development and the Green Economy

Utility Savings Initiative in Public Buildings

Save money when you register by March 13, 2009!

Renewable Technologies • Alternative Fuels and Transportation • Consumer Issues• Linking Investors to New Projects For more information, call 919.515.2261. Register at http://continuingeducation.ncsu.edu/sec.html

Presented by www.energync.net "Ensuring a sustainable energy future."

6/11/09

Energy Savings in HVAC Systems

9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Piedmont Natural Gas, Wilmington, NC

Receive an overview of common HVAC systems, lighting basics, and information on new lighting and HVAC technologies. Learn where lighting and HVAC energy is going and why. You'll be introduced to energy conservation measures and discuss evaluation methods. Learn about control and distribution of HVAC energy, and how to assess the physical condition and efficacy of your current interior and exterior lighting systems. You'll gain a working knowledge of current cost-effective technologies for commercial and industrial lighting and HVAC applications that will help you determine potential energy and dollar savings associated with changes to your lighting and HVAC systems.

Attend and You'll Learn: Lighting and HVAC terminology, Lighting sources/efficiencies, T-5 fluorescent lamps ,Dimming for HID fixtures, Pulse-start metal halide lamps, Interior lighting controls (occupancy sensor, timed switches, etc.), Facility ventilation air flows, How to determine if total system CFM is correct and balanced, HVAC controls, Types of HVAC duct systems (single-zone, dual-duct, terminal-reheat, etc.

Who Should Attend: Plant engineers, professional engineers, energy services engineers, and maintenance supervisors and operators who wish to gain asic knowledge of lighting and HVAC systems and energy cost savings opportunities Registration Fee: $199

Get 6.0 Engineering Professional Development Hours (PDHs), a networking lunch, & a Certificate of Attendance Instructor: Thomas D. "Dan" Mull, P.E., C.E.M. Please contact Janice Bullock for additional information. Click here for more information or to register online.

GREEN CONFERENCE PLANNING FOR 2009!!

1/26/-28/2009 2009 AHR Expo Chicago, IL www.ahrexpo.com

2/23-25/2009 Cleantech Forum XXI-Upside Driver in a Downside Market San Francisco, CA http://cleantech.com/cleantechforum/sanfrancisco09

2/25-27/2009 RETECH 2009 Las Vegas, NV http://www.retech2009.com/?src=usgbc

3/4-6/2009 Better Buildings: Better Business Conference 2009 Wisconsin Dells, WI http://www.ecw.org/university/ecuevent.php?ecuid=63

3/10-12/2009 GreenCities Florida Orlando, FL www.greencities.com

3/20-22/2009 Lehigh Valley Green Building Expo Lehigh Valley, PA www.lvgreenbuilders.org/expo

3/25-26/2009 Green Intelligent Buildings Conference 2009 Arlington, VA www.greenintelligentbuildings.com/conference

3/25-26/2009 Greenprints Atlanta, GA www.greenprints.org

3/26-28/2009 Green East Expo & Conference 2009 New York, NY www.GreenEastExpo.com

3/29-31/2009 2009 Environments for Aging Conference Boston, MA http://www.efa09.com/ME2/Default.asp

4/7-8/2009 Carbon Trade Ex America Washington, DC www.carbontradeexamerica.com

4/15/2009 Municipal Green Building Conference and Expo Downey, CA

4/25-26/2009 Get Green Expo Richmond, VA www.getgreenexpo.org

5/27-29/2009 National Green Builders Products Expo Las Vegas, NV www.NGBPE.com

6/7-12/2009 34th IEEE Photovoltaic Conference Philadelphia, PA http://www.34pvsc.org/index.php?page=contact

9/16-18/2009 21^st Century Bldg. Conference Charlotte, NC http://www.21buildingexpo.com/

11/3-5/2009 Ecobuild 2009 London, UK. http://www.buyusa.gov/uk/en/ecobuild_2009.html

11/11-13/2009 Greenbuild 2009 Phoenix, AZ

3/24-26/2010 GLOBE 2010 Vancouver, BC

PROJECTS:

Solar Powered Fountain Project

Cape Fear Green Building Alliance, is organizing the design and construction of a solar powered fountain/project in downtown Wilmington. The purpose of the fountain is to create a refreshing, aesthetically pleasing, relaxing space for pedestrians downtown, and to showcase state-of-the-art renewable energy & green building technologies in a local project. CFGBA board member Todd King is looking to revitalize the Action Team for implementing this project. He'll have an update from a recent meeting @ Sapona Green!

If you signed up for the project sub-committee and offered additional support, please contact the CFGBA Administrator at info@cfgba.org and check in with Todd or another board member at our general meeting.

OPPORTUNITIES/ANNOUCEMENTS/NEWS:

Titan Series on WHQR

Every Wednesday in January

This month there will be a Titan Cement Plant series on WHQR. Our local NPR (National Public Radio) station will run a series on the proposed Titan cement plant on Wednesday mornings at 6:51 a.m., 8:51 a.m. and again at 12:06 during Mid-Day Edition. Listen live at 91.3FM, or the streaming version on www.whqr.org. The stories, by Catherine Welch, will also be posted on the www.whqr.org web site Catherine Welch
Email: whqr@whqr.org or contact 910-343-1640 for more info.

Rainbarrels!!! Back by popular demand….

The 2^nd Thursday of every month the New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District is proud to welcome to the fall season its rainbarrel program.

Sponsored by: City of Wilmington Stormwater Services, NH Co. Soil & Water District & RainWater Solutions

Dates of Sale: 1/8/09, 2/12/09, 3/12/09.

Time of Sale: 9 am to 5pm

Location: New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District office. Conservation District

(Located in the NHC Government Complex, along the side of the Rain Water Solutions

building facing College Rd between Club Tan and the Driving School.)

Mailing Address: 230 Government Center Dr, Suite 100

Physical Address: 127 S. College Rd, Unit 38

Rainbarrel facts:

• Holds 65 gallons of water

• Quantities are limited, first come, first serve

• Made from 100% recycled material

• $95 (35% below retail) Cash & local checks only!

For info call; 910-798-6032 or go to rain@nhswcd.org

Cape Fear 'Going Green'

CFGBA member Valerie Robertson has been working hard on the latest issue [volume 1, issue 4] of her publication, "Cape Fear's Going Green." Look for the issue next week @ our annual meeting, which includes articles on this years Green Building & Solar Tour, the new Ocean exhibit @ the Cape Fear Museum, profiles on green businesses & a Green Gift Guide. As a complement to the magazine, the Going Green Publications Web site: www.goinggreenpublications.com, offers a comprehensive calendar of green events, a list of resources, a glossary of eco-friendly terms, and a forum for your green thoughts. It also allows viewing of current and back issues of "Cape Fear's Going Green." Taken together, the magazine and Web site serve as your guide to eco-friendly resources in southeastern North Carolina. Check out the site, or pick up a print version of the magazine at any CFGBA meeting or at distribution sites across the city.

Top Buildings of 2008!!!

According to Inhabitat- the Top 10 GREEN Architecture Projects of 2008!

10. GREENPIX Zero Energy Media Wall Lights up Beijing

9. SOM's Stunning Cathedral of Christ the Light

8. The New Green California Academy of Sciences Unveiled!

7. The World's First Energy-Generating Revolving Door

6. Thai Temple Built From One Million Recycled Bottles

5. China's Spiraling Shanghai Tower Breaks Ground

4. Recycled Subway Cars Turned into Studios in London

3. ZIGGURAT: Dubai Carbon Neutral Pyramid will House 1 Million

2. Retreat to an Ewok Eco Sphere in the Trees

1. Amazing Green Roof Art School in Singapore

'Green' backlash, or hangoveruse….

Lake Superior State University issues a list of 'words to be banished' for over or misuse in the English language & this year sustainable terminology seems to be at the forefront of a backlash. As well as "maverick", "staycation" & "bailout"- "green" & "carbon footprint" led many ballots. According to them- 'Environmental buzzwords are getting the axe this year' Excerpts from their site; (http://www.lssu.edu/banished/current.php)

GREEN – The ubiquitous 'Green' and all of its variables, such as 'going green,' 'building green,' 'greening,' 'green technology,' 'green solutions' and more, drew the most attention from those who sent in nominations this year. "This phrase makes me go green every time I hear it."

"I'm all for being environmentally responsible, but this 'green' needs to be nipped in the bud."

"Companies are less 'green' than ever, advertising the fact they are 'green.' Is anyone buying this nonsense?"

"If I see one more corporation declare itself 'green,' I'm going to start burning tires in my backyard."

"This spawned 'green solutions,' 'green technology,' and the horrible use of the word as a verb, as in, 'We really need to think about greening our office.'"

CARBON FOOTPRINT or CARBON OFFSETTING –

"It is now considered fashionable for everyone, tree hugger or lumberjack alike, to pay money to questionable companies to 'offset' their own 'carbon footprint.' What a scam! Get rid of it immediately!"

"I envision microscopic impressions on the surface of the earth where an atom of carbon forgot to wear its shoes."

In Case You Missed It….. In December, we had our annual general meeting

Scott Ogden, Out-going 2008 Secretary

Cape Fear Green Building Alliance

2008 Top-10 Green Building Products

Every year BuildingGreen announces their list of Top-10 Green Building Products. As the industry grows by leaps & bounds each year, they create what they think are the most innovative or influential new products. Here they are:

Integrity Block

Safe 'N Sound Emerald doors (Masonite)

FSC-certified Plyboo Pure Bamboo Flooring

Natura Paint PolyWhey Floor Finish

O Ecotextiles Natural-Fiber Fabrics

Matrix Total Home System (NTI)

SunCache Solar Water Heating System (Harpiris Energy)

Agilewaves Resource Monitor

Rainwater H2OG Storage Tanks

................................................................
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Fw: Cape Fear River Watch News & Events

2009-01-07T03:52:00.001-08:00

January 2, 2009

No First Saturday Seminar

The silence you've heard from Cape Fear River Watch does not mean that we've been keeping the news of a January First Saturday Seminar all to ourselves - it means that we've been unable to schedule a speaker for this weekend. We offer big, slobbering apololgies to everybody who was looking forward to pancakes and education tomorrow morning: it's not happening.

We do have some vague hope of holding a movie night sometime next week. Of course, issues such as which night and what movie have yet to be determined. We'll let you know.

There WILL Be a Watershed Clean-up.

There WILL be an opportunity to get out and clean up an endangered watershed somewhere nearby on the second Saturday of the month: January 10. The watershed targeted will likely be along Smith Creek. Interested cleaner uppers should meet at CFRW's Environmental Education Center at 617 Surry St. at 9:00am to carpool/caravan to the by then determined clean-up site. CFRW supplies bags, tools, gloves, bottled water and vague direction. You just have to bring your own enthusiastic and grubby clad self.

Pure Water, Pure Farms and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in New Bern

The Neuse River Foundation is hosting a 3 day national summit on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center from January 12-14. The purpose of this "Pure Waters, Pure Farms" Summit is to bring together advocates from across the country for the purpose of sharing ideas and techniques that have proved successful in eliminating pollution in industrial animal production. Waterkeeper Alliance Chairman Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will be the keynote speaker on the 12th.

There are three options to participate in this event:

1) You can attend all three days of workshops and the opening dinner. Cost is $100. Registration and an agenda can be found at www.waterkeeper.org.

2) You can attend a pre-keynote dinner of "farm-raised" pork BBQ (vegetarian option available) on the 12th. Cost is $30.00/person and reservations can be made by going to www.waterkeeper.org and clicking on the "Pure Farms, Pure Waters" link.

3) Come to the free presentation by Bobby Kennedy, Jr. at 7:30 PM. Reservations are recommended as seating is limited. Email info@neuseriver.org or call the NRF office at (252) 637-7972 to reserve your tickets.

Final Raise the Bar

The final "Raise the Bar: Wii" event for the benefit of Cape Fear River Watch will be held on January 8th at Market Street Saloon. These bi-weekly happy hours sponsored by Miller Lite and Sea-Comm Media and featuring food, beverages, environmental education, raffles and, of course, Wii, have been a hit these last few months. Raising money for CFRW has been good, too. Join us for one last Wii at Market Street Saloon on the 8th from 5:30-8pm.

Thank you, Sea-Comm. Thank you, Miller Lite.

If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or simply click on the following link: Unsubscribe

Cape Fear River Watch
617 Surry St.
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401

Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

A rubbish life for LA marathon recycler - Yahoo! News

2008-12-23T08:47:00.000-08:00

A rubbish life for LA marathon recycler - Yahoo! News: "'I'm eating fresher food, I'm saving money, helping the local economy, supporting farmers instead of corporations. For me that's worth it. It's just thinking about doing the right thing,' he says."

Green living!

Dogwood Alliance - Fast Food Giant Yum! Releases Corporate Social Responsibility Report

2008-12-16T16:01:00.000-08:00

Dogwood Alliance - Fast Food Giant Yum! Releases Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Hooray - Yum Brands, parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, has released a corporate social responsibility report. Good on them for acknowledging they have a social responsibility. And kudos to the Dogwood alliance for their efforts in bringing attention to your responsible use of the endangered southern forests.

However, the folks at Dogwood alliance say the report doesn't address the issues of buying sustainable paper for packaging. Read Yum brands CR report for yourself here.

In a perfect world, the paper that covers your Taco Bell burrito or Pizza Hut pizza would come from existing plantations -- not endangered( and beautiful) forests. The Dogwood alliance makes it very clear for Yum brands. Just follow the five steps:

Yum! Brands can show leadership in the fast food sector by adopting a sustainable paper purchasing policy committing to:
Increase and maximizing the use of PCR content.
End sourcing from endangered forests
End sourcing from forests converted to plantations…
Increase packaging efficiency and reduction
Source paper from sustainably managed forests like those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

Check out the link above to see what you can do.

Update -
So, after do downloading CR report, I did a search for the word paper. I found thatthey are including moving to a paperless training system as a environmentally friendly policy. that's cool. My job is paperless training systems -- e-learning, training websites, and computer-based training. They also go on to list examples of using recycled packaging materials. That's great!
"We are working with our suppliers and
UFPC to increase recycled content
in our packaging. "

I think that's a victory. But, it doesn't go far enough. The Dogwood alliance agrees. We want Yum Brands to use FSC sourced paper. And not just "work with suppliers" - demand, require, pressure, help, cajole suppliers to increase recycled material and use sustainable forestry practice.

So, a good day but a little short.

Fw: News and Events from Cape Fear River Watch

2008-12-13T05:14:00.001-08:00

News from Cape Fear River Watch

December 12, 2008

Big Fish, Big Event, Big Thanks

Congratulations to everybody involved with last weekend's 1^st Ever Annual Cape Fear River Watch Invitational Striper Tournament and Gala Kick-Off Banquet and Auction (1EACFRWISTAGKOB). It was a Very Big Success (VBS). Special thanks to all of the volunteers who worked so hard to make the event a VBS. Special congratulations go to the fishermen and captains who caught (and released) more than 70 Striped Bass on Saturday. More than 40 of those stripers were measured and tagged before releasing and will provide important data when/if they are caught again in the future. Pictures are available. Enjoy your moment of fame; planning for the 2009 Event (the 2EACFRWISTAGKOB) begins shortly.

Time To Get Dirty

Now that everybody has been well fed (thanks Hieronymus!) and entertained and educated and picked up some killer bargains at the auction, it's time to get back to the day to day work of keeping the Cape Fear River clean. We need volunteers to come out tomorrow (Saturday, December 13^th) to help clean up a length of the river's Burnt Mill Creek tributary. As usual CFRW provides tools, bags, gloves, and bottled water. Volunteers should present themselves (attired in clothes that can get a little dirty) and a positive attitude. Meet at CFRW's Environmental Education Center (617 Surry St., Wilmington) at 9:00 to carpool/caravan to the dirty place. 3 or 4 hours later you'll be tired and grubby and filled with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. If the River could talk, it would thank you.

Don't Forget About Titan, They Haven't Forgotten About You

Titan Cement has been quiet lately about their efforts to build a gigantic Cement Kiln and associated open pit limestone quarry on the banks of the Northeast Cape Fear River and pristine Island Creek. Despite the much hyped "years long regulatory process" this doesn't mean they've been inactive. Word on the grapevine is that they've been pushing the North Carolina Department of Air Quality to issue a draft air permit as soon as possible (before the EPA's new mercury regulations are issued in March.)

The good folks of Stoptitan.org are encouraging all concerned residents to write to NCDAQ to urge them to delay issuing any permit before adequate state and federal regulations are in effect. Contact names and addresses as well as a sample letter are available at the stoptitan website. So, as you're addressing your Christmas cards (or other generic holiday greetings), why not send a nice note to Keith Overcash at NCDAQ? I'm sure he'd like to hear from you.

Birding At Greenfield Lake

It's migratory waterfowl season again and the trees, water and skies at Greenfield Lake are brim full of birds. Now is the perfect time to take a birding cruise on the lake with CFRW Naturalist and Avian Biologist Joe Abbate. Tours are by reservation (minimum of 4 persons) and last 90 minutes aboard CFRW's silent and graceful electric launch (known variously as the Gator Belle, El Legardo, Dickson's Boat, or Big Green, depending on what entry people think won the naming contest.) Contact Joe to arrange a tour at 910-762-5606 or by e-mail at joe@cfrw.us. Bring your binoculars, cameras, bird guides and a notebook and be ready to add to your life list of bird species. $15/person

UNC Press - Looking for Longleaf: The Fall and Rise of an American Forest, by Lawrence S. Earley. Author Q&A.

2008-09-18T06:20:00.000-07:00

UNC Press - Looking for Longleaf: The Fall and Rise of an American Forest, by Lawrence S. Earley. Author Q&A.: "Looking for Longleaf
The Fall and Rise of an American Forest

by Lawrence S. Earley"

Sorry I haven't written in so long!

But I had to write about a fantastic presentation by Larry Earley given at the Cape Fear Museum on Tuesday night as a part of their Community Conversation lecture series. He had a very informative slideshow and talk about the nature of the Longleaf Pine forest and conservation efforts.

He hasn't made the presentation available on the internets but he has written a book about the subject and gave an interview to the UNC Press- (linked above)

If you are concerned about loss of these forests with their historic, cultural, and ecological significance, please check out the link. Also, the dogwood alliance is actively involved in petitioning corporate consumers of paper products (fast food chains in particular currently) to stop buying paper sourced from these precious forests. You can find out more about the Dogwood Alliance here - http://www.dogwoodalliance.org

Project H Design � About

2008-02-20T21:20:00.000-08:00

This link I found on Inhabitat - the green design blog. It reminded me of Full Belly Project. So, I posted it here. :)

Project H Design � About: "Product design initiatives for Humanity, Habitats, Health, and Happiness.

Project H Design is a charitable organization that supports, inspires, and delivers life-improving humanitarian product design solutions to global communities in need. We champion industrial design as a tool to address social issues, a vehicle for global life improvement, and a catalyst for individual and community empowerment."

UNCW: CAIC - Student Government

2008-02-12T11:13:00.000-08:00

UNCW: CAIC - Student Government:

"'The Conservationist's most important task, if we are to save the earth, is to educate.'
-Peter Scott, founder of World Wildlife Federation

Awareness of sustainable living is changing the way we go about our daily activities. The Student Government Association of UNCW is hosting a conference for students from all across the state in an effort to encourage discussion on the topic. The inaugural Carolina Collegiate Conference on Sustainability will focus on ways for students to help their campuses and communities become more sustainable for future generations.

To be a part of the change, join us on Saturday, April 5, 2008."

Check out the link for more information on this event on the UNCW campus.

myabodo : see your world change

2008-02-11T04:49:00.000-08:00

myabodo : see your world change

What is it? It's an interactive graphic that allows you change the choices around your home. -Like driving a hybrid car or drying clothes outside.

Why it's important? I think it's a very clear visual way to see the effects of our lifestyle / home choices.

check it out!

WWW.BIKEWILMINGTON.COM

2008-02-08T12:31:00.000-08:00

Well, it's getting warm out and, having a free afternoon, I decided to leave the truck and take the bike to meet friends at India Mahal for lunch. It's the first time I tried to communte from my new place on Military Cutoff.

I took the short section of Wrightsville to Hooker and then through the endangered long leaf pine forests of UNCW. As I rode I thought of Anchorage and the wonderful bike paths... then I remembered seeing some construction along Eastwood drive on my drive to work. Hmmm - could this be the extension of the bike trail?

WWW.BIKEWILMINGTON.COM

I found this website for the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, MPO for short. From the website:

What is the MPO?
The Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO) is the regional transportation planning organization which is made up of elected officials from each of the Wilmington area's local governments as well as the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
The WMPO facilitates the cooperative, comprehensive and continuing transportation planning process that serves as the basis for the expenditure of all federal transportation funds in the area for streets, highways, bridges, public transit, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Every urban area with at least 50,000 people in the United States is required to have a similar organization. There are 17 MPOs in the state of North Carolina.

That's pretty cool. And the site has some great maps and etc. So I wonder when I can ride that path to work?

Rick Dove at the Feb. CFRW 1st Saturday

2008-02-04T20:49:00.000-08:00

Feburary First Saturday Meeting at the Cape Fear RiverWatch HQ - Downtown Wilmington, NC

Doug Springer and Joe Abbate kick off the meeting with announcements. Everyone is happy because we had plenty of pancakes

Dixon, Rick and Doug were glad to see so many people supporting the RiverWatch and RiverKeeper organizations.

From the CFRW website:

Rick has been monitoring and documenting hog pollution and its effects on North
Carolina's Rivers for 14 years - from the ground, on the water and in the air.
No one is better qualified to speak about the devastating environmental problems
associated with industrial hog production.

His talk was inspirational and enlightening. He spoke about industrial hog farms and the chronic evironmental violations they commit against our community. Find out more about him at http://www.riverlaw.us/ and see a video of one of his talks in Alabama

Rick is championing a new program to monitor the hog industry pollution in Eastern North Carolina. This program is looking for volunteers to document the pollution by photographing violations (like illegeal spraying of lagoon waste) from airplanes and water sampling. Please be in touch with the Cape Fear RiverWatch at http://www.cfrw.us for more information.

Links:
Smithfield Foods on WikiPedia
The Meatrix - cartoon depictions of industrial food

Cape Fear Green Building Alliance

2008-01-18T10:14:00.000-08:00

The first meeting of the Cape Fear Green Building Alliance in 2008. Resea Willis spoke about a group she started in Brunswick County called Brunswick Housing Opportunities (BHO). She did her part during the meeting by mezmorizing the audience with a presentation style that was clear and engaging. Her purpose was to educate stakeholders about the housing crisis for working people - where those who work in the community can't live in the community due to high housing costs; and the systems / attitudes / concepts that perpetuate and inflame this crisis.

CFGBA meetings are held in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina at "The Balcony", Front & Dock St, above Roudabush Cafe. There was quite a turn out of more than 40 people, I would say.

Resea Willis dazzled with style and substance. Telling stories that clearly outlined the housing shortage and the challenges to finding a solution.

After the presentation, a good discussion formed around planned communities and what makes a good sustainable community - and how to make it happen. Good working communities were mentioned that are established in Western North Carolina.

The board of CFGBA with Alan Held and the speaker from Brunswick Housing Opportunities, Rissa Willis .

Full Belly Project

2008-01-18T09:47:00.000-08:00

The Full Belly Project in Wilmington North Carolina

The Full Belly Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to
empowering people in developing countries with the ability to achieve
independent and sustainable economies by facilitating the design and
distribution of appropriate technologies.

read more about Full Belly at there website - http://www.fullbellyproject.org

Three people standing around and one doing work! Ha! ... Actually, I made them stop working and pose for the picture. The full belly workshop is like Santa's workshop - I've never seen so much action going on.

My Friend, Evie, with the Full Belly organizer and universal nut sheller, Jock Brandis. The shellers are being designed, built and tested here in Wilmington, so that plans can be shared with low-tech communities around the world.

The energy of the place is reflected in this photo. With vision and hard work, sparks fly.

Helping hands are what make it happen.

Wanna get involved with this group? Check out their Website!

Cape Fear RiverWatch Jan. First Saturday part 2

2008-01-18T09:03:00.000-08:00

After the meeting, of course, there were lots of good conversations.

Dr. Huber discussed topics concerning inquiry education and his RiverRun data visualization tools.

Ruth from the Dogwood Alliance (http://www.dogwoodalliance.org/) discussed a campaign for our wonderful forests.

Dr. Cahoon and Alan talked about Cape Fear water quality and river ecology.

Be sure to check out the CFRW calendar for more events like this.

First Saturday at RiverWatch part 1

2008-01-18T08:48:00.000-08:00

Cape Fear RiverWatch presented The first Saturday meetings started in 2008 with Dr. Larry Cahoon and Rich Huber from UNCW. These two professors presented an environmental seminar on Riverrun Technology. Riverrun is an interactive web based data tool used to visualize water quality data for the Cape Fear River.

Alan Held enjoying blueberry pancakes. That's right. BLUEBERRY PANCAKES!

I figure there were at least 30 people there.

The 'Talk' centered around the RiverRun project build by Dr. Huber and Cahoon. It's a 'Data visualization tool' that displays the data collected from the river over time in a format that allows users to answer questions about water quality. It's an excellent decision making tool for policy makers and learning tool for students.

See part two for the 'after party'

green building means common sense

2008-01-14T19:58:00.000-08:00

Common sense plays a big role in regards to green building. For instance choosing products that can be renewed, use less energy to produce and ship, and have less impact on the planet.
The second part to this equation is to use these products to build a structure that requires
less energy to operate. Existing structures can also be adapted to become more energy efficient.

There is a payoff by going green. A building will be more affordable to operate and be more environmentally friendly.

I am here to help if you want to start today making your home a smarter place to live.

Alan Held Wilmington N.C.

Hello Green World

2008-01-06T09:09:00.000-08:00

This is the first of many posts about creating a healthy environment in your home in and around the Cape Fear region of Eastern North Carolina.

It's an exciting time. There are many challenges to face and obstacles to overcome. We can do it with friendship and cooperation.

Cape Fear Green

Walking Fish Winter 2012 Season

iPhone Tour at NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill

International Migratory Bird Day Events

BIRDING BY EAR at The Agape Center for Environmental Education

Sail Wilmington NC : Sailing Tours and Charters on the Cape Fear River

LOOKING FOR URBAN COMMUTERS FOR 2011 - ERGON BLOG

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

Upcoming Events from Cape Fear River Watch

Lea-Hutaff Island | Audubon North Carolina

Get Out the Vote…For a State Park

Dogwood alliance Demands of KFC

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

Greenfield lake audio tour map

Durham, NC - City of Medicine

Cape Fear River Watch, Inc.

Heroes unite!

EARTH DAY VOLUNTEERS

CFGBA - March 2009 Newsletter

Please join us for our next meeting Wednesday, March 11 at 7PM at The Balcony on Dock Street

CFGBA - February Newsletter

Please join us for our next meeting Wednesday, February 11 at 7PM at The Balcony on Dock Street

Fw: CFGBA - January Newsletter

2008 Top-10 Green Building Products

Fw: Cape Fear River Watch News & Events

A rubbish life for LA marathon recycler - Yahoo! News

Dogwood Alliance - Fast Food Giant Yum! Releases Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Fw: News and Events from Cape Fear River Watch

UNC Press - Looking for Longleaf: The Fall and Rise of an American Forest, by Lawrence S. Earley. Author Q&A.

Project H Design � About

UNCW: CAIC - Student Government

myabodo : see your world change

WWW.BIKEWILMINGTON.COM

Rick Dove at the Feb. CFRW 1st Saturday

Cape Fear Green Building Alliance

Full Belly Project

Cape Fear RiverWatch Jan. First Saturday part 2

First Saturday at RiverWatch part 1

green building means common sense

Hello Green World

Please join us for our next meeting Wednesday, March 11 at 7PM
at The Balcony on Dock Street

Please join us for our next meeting Wednesday, February 11 at 7PM
at The Balcony on Dock Street