Posts filed under 'Green events'
November 17th, 2008
Have you noticed little green “Bravo”or “peacock” bugs on your TV screen? Did you see Ann Curry from “Today” at Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania?
What’s going on? Well, it’s Green Week at NBC and its various channels. Here’s the history:
In November of 2007, NBC Universal launched its first official Green Week. Throughout the week, NBC Universal presented over 150 hours of environmentally themed content across multiple platforms. Then, in April of 2008, NBC Universal celebrated Earth Day with over 100 hours of green-themed content over multiple platforms during what was coined Earth Week 2008.
Now, NBC Universal is proud to present Green Week 2008. With a new theme and message of “Green Your Routine,” NBC Universal has set out to provide actionable content and entertainment for its viewers and users across multiple platforms.
According to this article, while NBC is promoting a good message, it doesn’t rake in the ratings for it. And it ups its carbon output tremendously by flying its stars around for the “Ends of the Earth” series.
In case you miss all the PSAs, you can see them online, like this one. Thanks, Bo, for telling me to turn off the faucet. That’s the most “Days of our Lives” I’ve seen since high school.
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
November 7th, 2008
From the interesting press releases department:
If you have to plan an event, consider making it a green one, thanks to tips from Stratford University. Consider these possibilities:
– Composting the food scraps for local farms.
– Serving organic food that comes from sustainable sources.
– Using glass dishes instead of disposable ones, if possible. If disposables are more appropriate to the event, choose biodegradable ones.
– Securing a green building location for the event.
– Sending out green invitations, such as those that are tree-free, recycled, virtual, or contain seeds to plant.
– Opting for local organic flowers and plants for decorating.
– Encouraging use of public transportation during event itinerary when possible, instead of hiring dedicated vehicles.
November 5th, 2008
I learned from the Nature Conservancy that a group of about 40 volunteers who have tended a restored prairie at Nachusa Grasslands south of Rockford, near Oregon, will celebrate by having a private potluck lunch at 1 p.m. and a public hike at 2 p.m. Saturday, respectively.
They have put in 9,000 hours planting, harvesting, milling, monitoring pollination of rare plants, fostering violets that feed endangered butterflies and running prescribed burns.
The press release says:
The few remaining prairies of the Great Plains can no longer survive without the efforts of people, and the efforts of the people at Nachusa have resulted in the continuous conservation and restoration of one of the largest surviving prairies in the Prairie State.
Find other hike info here. To RSVP, contact Becky Hartman at 630-309-2110 or bhhartman2001@hotmail.com.
Tour of Nachusa Grasslands Preserve, Illinois. Photo by Andrew Simpson/TNC
A Conservancy Restoration Ecologist leads a tour at Nachusa Grasslands, one of the Conservancy’s greatest ongoing success stories and one of Illinois’ largest and last surviving prairie landscapes. Photo by Chris Helzer/TNC
October 29th, 2008
I Googled “green Halloween” for the heck of it, since the big day is Friday.
Sure enough, there’s a whole site devoted to Earth-friendly, kid-friendly and healthy ideas. For example, I remember when I used to get money while trick-or-treating, and I loved it. I think my kids would, too, until they get a little older, at least.
Lots of good ideas there.
October 27th, 2008
… I’m gonna go eat worms.” Remember that song?
Well, you don’t have to eat ‘em, but you can put worms to work for you by composting at home. They break down organic materials and create tunnels in soil that allow water to percolate and air to circulate.
You can learn more and make your own worm composting bin next month. The University of Illinois Extension program, led by Meghan Bowe, will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 8, at Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden. It’s “fun for the whole family.”
Register online here or at 815-986-4357.
Parting thought, courtesy of the Extension:
Worms are nature’s recyclers. There are 500,000 worms living in an acre of soil at any given time. Those 500,000 worms are capable of leaving behind 50 tons of nutrient rich castings. They are part of a natural composting process, which is nature’s way of recycling its own waste.
Try not to think about all those worms too much. After all, it has been raining a lot lately.
October 21st, 2008
Yes, I’m already thinking about Christmas shopping: I’ve gotten two gifts already. Though I’ll probably lapse until early December like usual for the rest.
Anyway, last year, I volunteered — VOLUNTEERED! — to cover Black Friday shoppers starting at 3 in the morning in line at Best Buy and later at Kohl’s. My photo package is still online. And someone the other day remembered seeing me on TV that morning at Target, which I did for WREX.
While I usually work the day after Thanksgiving, I don’t think I want to cover the madness again this year.
If I do get up that early, I’ll shop online for the super deals.
I thought about this green angle to shopping because I got a press release about making a Green Friday from a Chicago fair trade store.
The Greenheart shop offers holiday shoppers an alternative to the madness by allowing its guests the option of hand making their own gifts this season or offering eco-friendly or fairly traded gifts as an option this holiday season. Throughout the day, the Greenheart Shop will offer free workshops such as knitting, refashioning sweaters into mittens, re-styling old T-shirts, jewelry making, and more. Snacks and refreshments will be provided to add to the relaxed experience.
Rockford has a fair trade store, too, called Just Goods, 201 Seventh St., Rockford, 815-965-8903.
October 20th, 2008
Do your part in the greenest of ways: Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden would like someone to donate an unwanted or oversized tree for its lobby during the holiday season.
According to a press release:
“The ideal tree would be a fir or spruce tree that has grown too large for its space,” says John Moors, Director of Horticulture & Maintenance at Klehm. “We can easily accommodate a taller tree by just using the top portion. This is a great way to honor a tree that was scheduled for removal anyway.”
Deadline: Nov. 10. Klehm can provide transportation arrangement. Call 815-543-9563.
Overall, Klehm strives to be eco-friendly. This is what Executive Director Jane Snively told me in an e- mail:
“Klehm strives to model ‘green’ behaviors whenever possible. Using setback thermostats, recycled toner cartridges and glass, not paper plates are a good start, but we can always do more. We believe that if we can promote Earth-friendly habits even further, then it’s our responsibility to do so. To celebrate the holiday season in a way that reflects our commitment to preserving our natural resources, we decorate Klehm with as many natural materials as possible. Cones, dried flowers, vines and berries all make beautiful holiday decorations.”
In case you’re out of the loop, Klehm, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, is an 155-acre living museum with an assortment of plant life unlike any other natural area in the United States. For more information visit here or call 815-965-8146.
October 15th, 2008
One of my fellow blogs, ADwire, shares this.
I still stand by my assertion that I see so many “green” ads.
October 13th, 2008
That’s the title of the free breakfast at 7 a.m. Oct. 22 at Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Country Club for Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful. The presentation will highlight KNIB’s contributions to the community. Call 815-964-7291 for info. Go if you want to learn more about the group.
September 23rd, 2008
… and other fall Boone County attractions, you might see a sign for Angelic Organics farm.
There is a walking tour from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 27 at the farm, 1547 Rockton Road, Caledonia. Cost is $15. Call 815-389-8455 to register. Expect to learn about growing food without chemicals — and dress for the weather.
I’ve meant to go there to buy a cilantro plant. I’m tired of buying a bunch and using only a few leaves.
Previous Posts
