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.

2016 Farmer's Markets

Here's a list of this year's markets:

Class! PPUG Growing Warm Season Veggies

Hundreds of gardeners attend these sessions led by local expert Larry Stebbins.  Registration urged but not required.  Large number of local vendors also on hand with regionally appropriate products.

CLASS #4 "How to Grow the Best Warm Season Vegetables...And Get Incredible Yields in Less Space!" Saturday, April 16, 2016

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.

Resource! Colorado Springs Utilities "Re: Sources" Blog

This post is worth it just for the photo!  Be sure and check CSU Re:Sources blog for great tips, news, and other information.  This post is about Range Anxiety.  Do you know what that is?  Hint: it's nothing to do with the cow in the photo.

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. 

Resource! PPLD Green Team Facebook page

In order to give our patrons even more information on current events, programs, and timely projects and sustainable practices, the PPLD Green Team now has a Facebook page.  It will probably be more current than this blog, but this will be a great place to look when searching for regional resources, organizations and annual events. 

Resource! Recycle Yard Waste for Free

 With all the rain this summer, everyone will have lots of leaves and other yard waste to dispose of. Put it to good use rather than sending it to the landfill. Rocky Top accepts free yard waste (with some restrictions) Saturday afternoons, with a non-perishable food donation.

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.

Have a Sustainable July

Welcome July!  Hope you're having a happy and sustainable summer.  Though this is primarily an Earth Month blog, going into May, we wanted to post something so you know the PPLD Green Team is alive and well.

This is just a quick update.  Not a lot of events planned based on their event calendars, but check out the organizations and resources described in March, April and May which are active with resources and services available year round.

Coming up this month, don't miss:

 Farmers markets are going strong:



Colorado Springs Utilities is still having monthly classes and events:

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

High Prairie Library is offering a gardening event later this month


And otherwise, get out and enjoy all that the region has to offer (in a sustainable way, of course)!

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

Resource! CS Utilities Blog Posts

This message from Colorado Springs Utilities:

Hope you enjoy and spread this great information to your customers, clients and friends:

General Water Supply and Education The relationship between measuring snow pack and water supply

Understanding graywater use and rainwater harvesting

Landscape Information Free Xeriscape Classes

Spruce Up Your Sprinkler System

April's Featured Plant

Conservation 4/20 Leaky Toilets and Stewardship

Resource! Nature Conservancy DVD's from PPLD

Want to be inspired or motivated?  Check out one of these great movies about nature conservation from your local Pikes Peak Library District facility.

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!

Resource! Energy Myths

Turn off those florescent lights and your computers and monitors.  Don't believe the myths.  The University of Oregon offers this information on common household myths:

Energy Conservation Myths

Resource! Sustainability Quotes

Check out the quotations on this website, one of many collecting the wisdom of the ages about living sustainably:
Sustainable Baby Steps

Resource! Colorado Springs Utilities Efficiency Rebates

From the Colorado Springs Utilities Website:

Whether you are remodeling your home or just trying to reduce your monthly utility bill, we are here to help with money-saving rebates on energy and water efficient products.

Start by identifying areas in your home where you may be wasting valuable energy and water by completing a free home energy audit and review our water efficiency resource pages. When you take advantage of these efficiency tips and recommendations, you can reduce your usage, lower your utility costs and save natural resources.

Next, you can put money back in your pocket by taking advantage of rebates for efficiency upgrades, appliances, irrigation and renewable energy.

Start saving now.

https://www.csu.org/Pages/resrebates.aspx

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.