The Story of Stuff Project
I’ve been following this project for a while now, and wanted to help spread the word. Have you ever wondered where stuff comes from and what happens to it when you throw it out? Check out this animated short film to learn more. Also, check out the other films on their site: http://www.storyofstuff.com
Help Kickstart an Edible Garden for Students
About this project:
On October 8th, 2011 we are building an on-campus edible garden for the students at John Adams Middle School in South Central Los Angeles! This garden will turn what was formerly an asphalt slab into a beautiful outdoor classroom, where students will learn nutrition, environmental awareness and science. They will be able to learn about composting, water reclamation, life cycles, and the origin of the foods they eat, encouraging environmental stewardship and healthy, thoughtful eating habits. In addition to the educational benefits of these gardens, they also enrich the aesthetic of the campus for children who are otherwise surrounded by concrete. The garden experience provides a safe social setting for students to thrive; with gardens, the classroom is given local focus, tangible results, and involvement in inquiry-based education that can take place at each child’s own speed.
EnrichLA is a different kind of organization. We are all volunteer, we have zero overhead and we get things done. These funds will go directly toward building the new on campus edible garden at John Adams Middle School. We coordinate soil tests, asphalt removal, and purchase a 50/50 soil and compost mixture. We design the on campus garden to suit the needs of staff and students, and purchase fruit, vegetable and native plants for harvesting. We build raised beds for these plants and install fencing if needed. On the garden build day, our volunteers come together to put all these pieces together so that by lunch time we have a beautiful and fertile environment prepared for these students to enjoy.
Garden projects bring science, math, and environmental concepts to life so children can see and understand what it is they are supposed to be learning. Many children would have very little contact with the natural world without school garden and habitat exposure. This makes school garden projects even more important, and your help even more crucial!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tomasogrady/build-an-edible-garden-at-john-adams-middle-school
Houseplants Improve Air Quality
Toxic chemicals found in our homes can be harmful to us and our pets. However, plants thrive on toxins and improve our air quality. Below are plants that will improve the air quality in your home and are safe for you and your pets. These house plants can be fairly easy to maintain, even for those without a green thumb.
Kentia Palm |
 Spider Plant |
African Violet |
Bamboo Palm |
 Gerbera Daisies |
 Areca Palm |
 Boston fern |
 Lady palm |
Source: http://loreleisierra.blogspot.com/2010/03/houseplants.html
National Honey Bee Day
August 20, 2011 is National Honey Bee Day, which is a day for honey bees and a program for the entire year. If you haven’t seen Vanishing of the Bees, then I highly recommend it. It is extremely educational and a must see!
The National Honey Bee Day program is held one day each year, but that does not mean the public can not help the bees the rest of the year. Awareness of the environment around you is a yearlong effort. Just as beekeepers reach out to the public beyond the festivities and events associated with National Honey Bee Day, the public can also get involved daily with helping the bees.
Paddle the LA River – Summer 2011
Kayaks and Canoes on the Los Angeles River – FoLAR Friends of the LA River
Natural Carpets and Rugs
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Materials used in commercial carpet or rugs can cause health and environmental concerns. According to the EPA, chemicals in carpet can be a potential risk to reduce indoor air quality because of the emissions and VOC’s from the adhesives used in carpeting. The most common adhesive is Polypropylene which can cause health issues.
Choosing 100% Natural rugs like wool, jute, hemp, cotton, sisal, sea grass, etc… could ensure better air quality and reduce the risk of exposure to chemicals. Also, choose carpeting with natural rubber adhesive.
Natural fiber carpets and rugs may not be as soft or cushy as some synthetic carpeting. If you are just protecting the floor, then isn’t it worth it to live in a healthy environment?
EPA on Greening Your Carpet: http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/carpets2.htm
Offset Your Carbon Footprint
I bought a plane ticket for one of my relatives, and the travel website offered the option to offset my carbon footprint. I’ve heard of doing this, but I haven’t had the opportunity to do it before.
When you offset your carbon footprint you help to reduce climate change and restore critical wildlife habitat. Your contribution to The Nature Conservancy’s carbon offset program will help fund projects that produce measurable reductions in greenhouse gasses.
Contributing to the offset program isn’t going to be a substitute for your lifestyle changes. If you must travel by plane and are concerned about your carbon footprint, then offsetting is one way to help the planet. I was excited to make a contribution, and I will continue to do it in the future.
Carmegeddon Weekend
This weekend, July 16 & 17th is called “Carmegeddon” in the Los Angeles area, because one of the largest freeways will be closed for 2 days. The 405 freeway is used by millions of people daily. It just goes to show how dependent people are of their cars. They are freaking out!
So, now what? Well, there are other forms of transportation such as walking, biking, and public transportation. The bus & subway are free all weekend. Amtrak offers a 50 percent discount for travel between Union Station and Bob Hope Airport during Carmegeddon.
Unfortunately, the Getty is forced to shut down during one of their busiest times of the year. I’m sure several businesses are going to suffer this weekend.
Well, this weekend will force everyone to shop local, eat local, and hangout in their own neighborhoods. Hmm… forcing everyone to be green? What a concept!
Backwards Beekeepers
Backwards Bees is a group of organic, treatment-free beekeepers in Los Angeles, with branches now forming in other cities.
They’re “Backwards” because they rely on observation and natural practices to keep our bees thriving rather than pesticides, chemicals, or treatments of any kind.
They’re continually growing as more and more people discover the enjoyment and worth of encouraging our native feral bee population. Their goal is to do right by the bees so that the bees can return the favor.
Bees are essential to the environment and we al need to do our part to help them thrive. If you have a bee problem, then please contact Backwards Bees or a humane beekeeper in your area.
http://www.backwardsbeekeepers.com
