Week Five - October 10, 2012

Elemental Asheville: Environmental Integrity in WNC

Preserving and enhancing our natural resources

Location: Bent Creek Experimental forest Training Center and Green machine, Woodfin

Organizations

Bent Creek Experimental Forest

Renaissance Computing Institute 

Western North Carolina Alliance 

City of Asheville Office of Sustainability 

Vandemusser Design 

French Broad River Keeper 

RiverLink 

Curbie Green Machine Recycling 

Recommended Reading

Duke Study:  Toxins Reaching NC lakes, rivers

Factsheets - RiverLink

Adopt-a-Stream Project Sheet
BMP Factsheets
Environmental Education - Overview
Paddle Trail Sheet
RiverLink Projects and Outreach Factsheet
Volunteer Project Sheet
Wilma Dykeman Fact Sheet

Background Reading - Jim Fox

WNC Vitality Index

Background Reading - Julie Mayfield

Article on Smart Growth

Background Reading - Amy Musser's on Energy Conservation (replacing Chris Mathis-Panel 2)

National energy education development project - Energy consumption in the US

RESNET interactive HERS index

Boulder, CO Green points 

Boulder, CO Two Techs and a Truck

Cincinnati, OH LEED tax exemptions

Additional Background Reading & Resources

Garbology: America's Dirty Love Affair with Trash by Edward Humes

Living Green & Saving Energy – Tips, news, and commentary on going green and saving money

Going Green Magazine – Easy ways to go green

Living Green Magazine – Where Green is Read! 

Natural Life Magazine – Green family living

National Geographic Green Guide/Green Living – Pertinent, useful ideas and resources for green living, saving energy, gardening, reducing & recycling, green household.

National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is the nation's most effective environmental action group, combining the grassroots power of 1.3 million members and online activists with the courtroom clout and expertise of more than 350 lawyers, scientists and other professionals.

Backyard Composting – North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service – Asheville 828  255-5525

A Recycling Revolution – Facts for folks who thrive on information

Clean Air Council – protecting everyone’s right to breathe clean air – lots of recycling tips.

Global Stewards – Eco-friendly tips and sustainable solutions for a healthy planet.

Top Environmentally-Friendly Cars – a new study highlights vehicles that are least harmful to the environment.

Green Clothes – Fashion and eco product news – lots of articles, resources. One of interest:  Eco Products from Coffins to Edible Shoe Cream. 

Green Home Guide – US Green Building Council – ideas for eco-friendly building, remodeling.

Ways to Get Involved

List of local and regional organizations with an environmental focus

Volunteer with the WNC Alliance

Presentations

Jim Fox

Julie Mayfield

Hartwell Carson

Amy Musser

Karen Cragnolin