September Sustainability and Facebook

How do you keep up on current happenings?  Seems most organizations have a Facebook page these days.  Some are better at posting than others, but all indicate how recently and include information "About" the group.  Be sure and "Like" any for which you want ongoing updates.  Here are just a few good, local orgs including us!

Pikes Peak Green Team

Energy Resource Center

Colorado Springs Utilities

Pikes Peak Urban Gardens

Pikes Peak Community Foundation

August 2016

Hello!  Sorry if we've been out of touch for a while, but it's been a great, productive summer.  Hope the same for you. 

Most of our activity these days is documented on our facebook page.  Check that for the most current events, classes, and other Sustainability information. 

We will try to update this blog monthly at least.  Whenever a new local resource, physical or virtual comes to our attention, we'll add it here where you might refer back to it at a later date more easily than through the facebook page.

In the meantime, here are a few other, local facebook pages to like and follow:

Colorado Springs Utilities
Urban Farm and Garden Show
Carbon Footprint Calculator

And here's the page for the Colorado Springs Master Bike Plan.

Resource! Colorado Springs Utilities on Facebook

Colorado Springs Utilities is on Facebook.  Lots of regular updates on local news, tips, and sustainability in general.  We'll try to share often on the PPLD Green Team Facebook page.

2016 Sustainability Season!

Welcome back!  As described in the right column, this is the Pikes Peak Library Green Team blog--your source for regional organizations, resources, events, classes, etc.  While our Facebook page is a constantly updated site with much of the same information, we hope you will find this blog readily searchable if you are trying to track down that previously mentioned organization, website, or local resource.

We started the blog about a year ago, knowing that early spring is the busiest time for many green living groups in the Pikes Peak Region.  Sure enough, it has been a quiet winter, but everyone's gearing up now for a full spring of recurring and new programs and events.  Below are just a few of the events planned around the region for March.  Remember, you can search for just organizations, resources, events and classes by clicking on those label options to the right.

EVENTS FOR MARCH 2016

Pikes Peak Urban Gardens CLASS #3 "How to Grow The Best Cool Season Vegetables... All Season Long" SaturdayMarch 19,10 AM - 11:30 a.m.


Colorado Springs Utilities has posted a full list of summer classes on Xeriscaping, landscape design and outstanding plants.  They're free. 

Catamount Institute has posted the Sustainability in Progress speaker series gathering, planned for Wed. March 16 at 6:30 p.m.

And the Pikes Peak Library District is offering the following programs on gardening.

Also, save the dates:  coming up in April:

The Big Cool Science Festival at Colorado College, Saturday, April 2, 2016.

Save the Date!  UCCS office of Sustainability, Sustainnovate: Sustainable Mobility Summit, Wednesday, April 13th 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Organization! Pikes Peak Community Foundation and Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future

About Peak Alliance:

Looking to Our Future: Pikes Peak Region 2030 (PPR2030) is a strategic road map for achieving sustainability in the region by 2030. The roadmap was developed by a broad based collaborative effort representing volunteers, professionals and community leaders from nearly 100 organizations. The PPR2030, which was finalized in March 2012, provides a framework by which our local governments, institutions, businesses, and individuals can coordinate, collaborate, and find regional solutions to regional challenges.
The PPR2030 roadmap was initially administered by PPACG under the name of “Pikes Peak Regional Sustainability Project” but is now referred to as “Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future” (Peak Alliance), a component fund of the PPCF. Peak Alliance will build upon the momentum and enthusiasm generated through the 2 + year process that resulted in PPR2030. The mission of Peak Alliance is to promote regional sustainability and advance the PPR2030 through regional collaboration and outreach.

 And here's the Facebook page for Pikes Peak Community Foundation

Resource! Environmental Working Group

From their website:

The Environmental Working Group’s mission is to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. With breakthrough research and education, we drive consumer choice and civic action.
We are a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. 

Organization! Seeds Cafe

If you haven't visited Seeds Cafe, you've missed a great experience and fresh, locally grown food.  From their website:

Empowering People through the Power of Food

We believe that food literally has the power to change lives.

It happens every day at Seeds Community Cafe’. 

Our pay-as-you-can, pay-it-forward model helps us to give people a hand up, not a hand out. When a person no longer has to worry about where their next meal is coming from, they have the power to begin to create the life they see for themselves.
At Seeds, we help them do this through the act of sharing a meal, which goes beyond just creating community. It is our mission to bring people from all walks of life together, serve them locally-sourced healthy food, and encourage them to communicate and connect. Seeds is about honoring the humanity in each other, that which binds us to each other. We are about inclusion, regardless of status, education, or religious beliefs. It is about dignity and allowing those who cannot afford to pay for a meal the opportunity to volunteer in exchange for it. We never turn away a hungry person.

Event! U.S. Green Building Chapter Colorado Green Schools Summit

The U.S. Green Building Chapter Colorado has announced this year's Green Schools Summit happening November 6, 2015 at the Arvada Center.  From their online site:

The Green Schools Summit is an annual education and networking event hosted by USGBC Colorado and organized by a dedicated group of volunteers from the Green Schools Initiative. It is Colorado’s only conference dedicated to convening green building industry professionals, school decision makers, educators and parents. The event provides a truly unique opportunity for open and productive dialogue on how to create better learning environments for our kids.
Volunteer at the Summit! Volunteers get free admission to the conference. Fill out this form and someone will be in touch with you soon.

This year’s theme is "The Balancing Act." 

Sponsors/exhibitors and community partners make this educational conference possible.
LEED professionals, AIA architects and teachers can earn up to 5 hours of continuing education.

Resource! Habitat For Humanity ReStore

From their website:

The ReStore is a great place to find new, gently used and reconditioned supplies for virtually any kind of project you have around your home or office. Of course you could wander around one of the big box stores looking for what you want, but when you shop at the ReStore you're helping Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity build our community. Our inventory changes every day so be sure to come by often.

Organization! Two local groups to keep an eye on

Check out these two local organizations!  This month is Bike Month at UCCS.  A couple events are over, but there are some great ones still to Come.

Here's their website with a link to a Facebook page:
UCCS Office of Sustainability

And Colorado Springs Food Rescue is doing great work getting healthy, local food out there where it's needed.  Here's their Facebook page:


Colorado Springs Food Rescue

Have a sustainable August

Maybe more than any other time of the year, August is the month we wonder:  why worry about sustainability?  You look around and our world seems to be able to take care of itself, just fine.  The question we should really be asking is, what would it be like to live without all this?  So keep on track, and don't lose sight of all the resources in the Pikes Peak region to keep our Augusts looking like they do this year:

Farmers markets are going strong

Stop by Harlan Wolfe Ranch garden and pick some organic produce

Colorado Springs Utilities is still having monthly classes and events

The Colorado Springs Utilities blog has great tips, updates and news for the region

Check out the news for CEC:  Clean Energy Collective

Check out the Green Cities Coalition blog

Sign up for CRES's upcoming series on Saving Money on Energy and Water Waste

There are some great benefit concerts coming up through the Catamount Institute

Resource! Community Gardens in the Pikes Peak Region

Did you know the Pikes Peak Library District has a community-style vegetable garden?  Community gardens are all the rage, if you haven't made the plunge, think about it.  A great organization to consult is Pikes Peak Urban Gardens.  Not only do they list all the garden options in the region, they also offer classes, garden tips, and opportunities to otherwise get involved.

Here's a photo of the library's garden from 2014:

Sustainability in June

June is a great month to celebrate sustainability. As we mentioned last month, this is mostly an Earth Month blog, but the organizations and resources described in March, April and May are active and available year round.

Coming up this month, don't miss:

 Farmers markets are starting up:

Don't miss Colorado Springs Utilities open house event at their Mesa Road complex that we posted last month

Colorado Springs Utilities is also having monthly classes and events:

And finally, Colorado Springs Utilities has great tips, updates and news for the region

Lastly, Green Cities Coalition is promoting World environment day with a party June 5th at Hillside Gardens

Colorado Springs Utilities Open House

From the Colorado Springs Utilities website:

Curious of which water-wise plants are best suited for your yard? Wondering how you can make your home more energy efficient?
Join us at our Open House to discover answers to these questions and more.

• Saturday, June 6
• 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Conservation and Environmental Center at 2855 Mesa Rd. (map)
• Free parking and open to the public

Ask the experts, participate in free classes and demonstrations, take home money-saving giveaways and enter to win great prizes! Plus, kids will learn about energy and water through a scavenger hunt and other activities.
Classes include:

• Renewable energy: Learn about solar power from a local installer
• Energy efficiency at home: The Energy Resource Center will share easy ways to save energy and money
• Xeriscape: Discover which low-water plants are best for your landscape

Demonstrations, tours and booths

• Electric vehicle test drives from BMW and Nissan
• Xeriscape garden tours
• Irrigation system how-to workshop
• Energy and water experts on hand to discuss your efficiency improvements
• Get hands on with our energy and water interactive home
• Visit our demonstration yards and take home easy-to-follow landscape templates
• Ask the experts: Local energy and water experts will be on hand to answer your home improvement questions
• Bake sale presented by the Friends of the Mesa Garden

Enter to win

• Window air conditioner provided by Home Depot
• High-efficiency faucet with installation provided by Team Plumbing
• Energy-efficient 5 cubic foot freezer provided by iHeart Media
• WaterSense labeled toilet and free installation from Rampart Supply
• Gift cards from Phelan Nursery, Colorado Tree Farm and Summerland Gardens
• Compost bin from Ace Hardware
• LED lights from CLEAResult
• Spin the wheel to win prizes from iHeart Media (KCCY, KKLI and KVUU will be on site)

Giveaways and exchange

• First 25 households to arrive receive a free hose nozzle
• Xeriscape perennial flower seeds
• Exchange: Bring in up to two old showerheads and receive new WaterSense labeled showerheads and a shower timer (details here)

Kids' activities

• Scavenger hunt
• Dewey, Louie the Lightning Bug and Sniffy mascots
• Water system interactive display

Organization! Clean Energy Collective

From the Clean Energy Collective website:

Clean Energy Collective has partnered with Colorado Springs Utilities to provide community solar for their customers that live in Denver, Arapahoe, Boulder, Jefferson, and Summit Counties. Space is limited, so act fast and reserve your panels before they’re all gone!

Organization! Green Cities Coalition

 From their website:

Green Cities Coalition Mission

The purpose of the Green Cities Coalition is to promote ecologically, economically and socially healthy cities in El Paso County, for the benefit of present and future residents of the Pikes Peak region. We envision healthy, equitable and sustainable communities, both human and natural.
More than 450 organizations, businesses and individuals have participated with our coalition, developing initiatives in many areas that impact the sustainability of the region. Our 2014 Champions are Jane Ard-Smith, The Bag Ladies, Blue Planet Earthscapes, Colorado College Office of Sustainability, Colorado Springs Public Market, Growthbusters, Jan-Pro Cleaning Systems, Manitou Arts Center, Market Local Food, Pikes Peak Community Foundation, Pikes Peak Justice & Peace Commission, Ranch Foods Direct, Seeds Community Café and Terra Essentials. Please visit the working group links to see what we have been working on or to join a group that shares your interests.

TOGETHER, WE CAN GREEN THE REGION!

Organization! Southeast Colorado Renewable Energy Society

From their website:

The Southeast Colorado Renewable Energy Society (SECRES) is a chapter of CRES, whose members come from the Arkansas River drainage – Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and the southeastern section of the state.  SECRES was founded in June 2003 to promote, educate and advocate for solar and renewable energy.
If you’d like to learn more about renewable energy, or connect with the renewable energy community in our region, please join us! 

Resource! Free Hazardous Waste Disposal

Here's another great resource for getting rid of dangerous household items:  the El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Facility.  They've even got a nifty video about what they do.

Organization! Pikes Peak Earth Month

Take a look at their website: "You found the go-to website for Pikes Peak Earth Month! Earth Day is more than just a day. It has spread to every day of our lives and April has become a month to celebrate our daily endeavors toward sustainability through local actions. April is also a great time to reach out to those who may not be aware of the benefits of making smart choices about the earth and its resources, to share our collective knowledge, and increase our connection with our community and the earth history."

Organization! Catamount Institute

From their website: Catamount Institute is a non-profit organization based in Colorado Springs, CO, whose mission is to develop ecological stewards through education and adventure. From School Rooms to Board Rooms, we create a vibrant community, where each of us takes responsibility for our actions and business leaders engage in practices that respect our natural resources, give back to the community, and positively affect the bottom line. Our children experience the wonders of the outdoors firsthand, while developing life skills that will serve society, as well as themselves. .