tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17769310603741561632010-04-30T07:06:06.621-04:00Earth-friendly resources for living lightly in North and South Carolina. Bringing ways to conserve water and energy; renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions for helping our environment; sources for buying local and organic foods and growing your own. We provide simple and green ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle in these beautiful lands.S. Conelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18195659317968835764noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-69127405331205965712010-04-30T07:06:00.001-04:002010-04-30T07:06:06.643-04:00

This blog is now located at http://carolinagreensense.blogspot.com/. You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here. For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to http://carolinagreensense.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

S. Conelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18195659317968835764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-22901032990540595222010-04-22T19:13:00.008-04:002010-04-22T19:37:51.276-04:00

William snapped himself with this elephant. It is such a great shot, I'm sharing it for Earth Day.The elephant is a resident of the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. It's a lovely place to consider the beautiful creatures and plants that share the planet with us. We loved seeing so many of them.The NC Zoo produces a poster each year about endangered species. Ask at the Education building, and they

S. Conelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18195659317968835764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-4880933622640869712010-04-16T22:00:00.011-04:002010-04-16T23:14:00.104-04:00

Earth Day was born 40 years ago. Friends of the Earth published an Environmental Handbook for the occasion, and sold a million copies. The Clean Air Act of 1970 was passed, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established. Also that year, Mother Earth News was founded, supplying practical information for the thousands of people headed back to the land. The magazine was later based

R. Deeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158990672354407103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-41737689579208712782010-04-05T13:06:00.003-04:002010-04-11T21:26:39.284-04:00

Even though we can't change the economy overnight, it does help our morale to improve our surroundings. A little effort, and contribution to the common good, is valuable to our land and our people. It also gives us a great feeling, to achieve something that is good.So it is a pleasure to join in Keep America Beautiful's annual Great American Cleanup. The activity is going on through through May

S. Conelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18195659317968835764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-19193189618256803802010-03-26T19:21:00.013-04:002010-03-27T10:49:49.275-04:00

The lights at North Carolina's State Capitol will go off for an hour tomorrow night at 8:30. We're celebrating Earth Hour! The official site shows last year's lights going off as the world turned. Join in - it's easy: turn off your lights for an hour at 8:30 pm. You can have a cookout or singalong, look at the stars, or catch up on your sleep. See you in the dark!

R. Deeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158990672354407103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-23562404781517704682010-03-25T13:39:00.002-04:002010-03-25T15:48:32.847-04:00

This season, we are planting Lemon Queen sunflowers in the garden, and hunting for bees. The Great Sunflower Project asks that we use that variety because it is especially attractive to the bees. We can help them in a fun and easy way, with this citizen science study. How do we start the hunt?Plant sunflowers, tell about the garden;watch bees come to visit the flowers,and report how many bees you

S. Conelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18195659317968835764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-13617441141515725672010-03-14T21:20:00.002-04:002010-03-14T21:22:45.168-04:00

You can join people all over the globe showing that we appreciate our Earth. Just turn out the lights! For one hour, Saturday, March 27, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., local time. Last year, 80 million Americans flipped the switch. Even the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Eiffel Tower in Paris went dark.Sign up as an individual or organization or business at The Official US Site for Earth Hour. Find

R. Deeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158990672354407103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-58003486072673710772010-03-02T16:30:00.002-05:002010-03-02T16:59:05.162-05:00

Celebrate National Wildlife week by doing what comes naturally: play. Whatever you do—at home or school—do it outdoors! Plan now. Click and get tips and ideas for the week with a Family Activity Passport. Teachers can get wild at school with a custom Educator Activity Guide that shows how outdoor time is good for students. Find ideas to make your school greener and download nature-themed

R. Deeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158990672354407103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-26877566238318460432010-02-18T14:00:00.012-05:002010-02-18T14:25:14.806-05:00

Come to Celebrate Masonboro, and learn how you can help take care of Masonboro Island! Only five miles southeast of Wilmington, it is an undisturbed barrier island and estuarine system. The island is 8.4 miles long, with almost 90% covered by marsh and tidal flats. Masonboro Island is a protected site in a network called the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERR). These sites have

R. Deeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158990672354407103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-4716899818312592642010-02-10T22:00:00.000-05:002010-02-10T22:05:18.098-05:00

You are invited to send in a video, 30 seconds or less, that shows how you would make the environment better. The catch? Use only 3 words. Green in 3 is sponsored by Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment. One contest period ends this Friday, February 12th. But there are 3 (of course) periods in all. The deadlines for the last two are March 12th and April 9th. There will be at

R. Deeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158990672354407103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-61128773292830052442010-02-08T16:03:00.011-05:002010-02-08T16:42:08.912-05:00

We are thrilled to have a gorgeous blue sky today. The first forsythia blooms are showing, and the first tips of the daffodils are out and growing. Another sign of Spring to come: this weekend is The Great Backyard Bird Count!This is always a fun event to do with the family, and it's wonderful to do with children. It only takes fifteen minutes of observation to participate. There is a special joy

S. Conelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18195659317968835764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-68007340602398779342010-01-29T17:46:00.001-05:002010-01-29T19:34:03.085-05:00

Habitat and Wildlife Keepers (HAWK) will meet the host of ETV's Expeditions with Pat on February 2, at 7:00 p.m. in the Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell Street, Matthews, NC. This free event showcases the Clemson University naturalist and host of the ETV program, Patrick McMillan.The naturalist will tell us about changes that are happening in plants and animals of the Piedmont. Habitat

S. Conelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18195659317968835764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-22965379997925875802010-01-26T18:54:00.006-05:002010-01-26T19:25:38.947-05:00

This name is so fun, I have to share it. The Winyah Rivers Foundation is having their annual River Roast South at a place called Hobcaw Barony.They offer an oyster roast, southern buffet, tea, beer, and wine. Food and drinks are from the Litchfield Beach Fish House and the New South Brewing Company. The annual meeting begins on Friday, January 29th at 5:00 p.m., and the oyster roast and buffet

S. Conelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18195659317968835764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-24570759668843121622010-01-16T19:52:00.008-05:002010-01-16T20:44:57.363-05:00

Winter is a great time to plant a few trees, while the roots are dormant. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension office provides two tree giveaways on January 22nd.The TreeFest is a tree event on January 22 and 23 in Wilimington, NC. More than 12,000 trees will be given away-- up to five seedlings per resident. A $3 donation will help buy trees for next year’s event. The event runs from 10 a.m.

S. Conelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18195659317968835764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-7552328883997624342009-12-29T21:00:00.018-05:002010-01-06T00:45:22.214-05:00

Clemson University has been awarded $98 million for research to support wind energy! It is the largest single grant ever received by the university, according to the Clemson Newsroom. The Department of Energy (DOE) is giving Clemson $45 million in federal financing under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Local sources are providing $53 million in matching money.In this five-year grant,

R. Deeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158990672354407103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-88717848721246623912009-11-14T08:19:00.029-05:002009-11-15T20:48:38.792-05:00

Thursday night, Sustainable North Carolina (SNC) gave awards to groups and individuals that advance sustainability in our state. Click on the names of this year's award winners to find out more about the great work they are doing!The first three awards go to businesses:The Triple Bottom Line award is for a company that successfully integrates social, environmental, and economic objectives. The

R. Deeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158990672354407103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-18099938306922044152009-10-24T22:00:00.002-04:002009-10-24T22:02:47.453-04:00

We applaud Duke University's plan to become "climate neutral" by 2024, one hundred years after its establishment. "Duke has long been a major center for the study of the environment," President Richard H. Brodhead said. "We are committed to being a leader in best practices in responding to climate change.” Since 2003, their new buildings have met the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental

R. Deeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158990672354407103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-29467230912716241472009-09-25T10:10:00.000-04:002009-09-25T11:07:24.105-04:00

A free event to celebrate National Public Lands Day is happening at the Cradle of Forestry on Saturday, September 26th. A Naturalist will lead a "Water Wonders" (Maravillas del Agua) walk on the paved Forest Festival Trail. The tour will tell about public lands and how the forests affect watersheds and water quality. Kids ages 5-12 can then play in a short game to learn more about the water cycle

S. Conelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18195659317968835764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-14921764964351540582009-09-24T19:00:00.006-04:002010-01-09T21:11:00.206-05:00

Welcome to the home of Henry and Bertha Buchanan! Last month volunteers from Habitat for Humanity and the Sierra Club arrived to weatherize their house. It's part of a plan to preserve affordable housing, while reducing the need for energy. And the Buchanans will save on their monthly power bills. At 7 a.m. this Saturday morning, the partnership will tackle two more houses in South Charlotte.

R. Deeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158990672354407103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-15023649721373335712009-09-19T18:11:00.003-04:002009-09-20T02:14:31.299-04:00

The Riverspeak News from the Winyah Rivers Foundation offers an upcoming paddle trip on the Waccamaw River. This photo, taken by Ed Kay, shows members of the Yakkity Yakers Club on a previous river run. The paddle series, “If The River Could Talk,” continues with a new trip you can join. On Saturday, October 3rd, the morning float on the Waccamaw River departs at 9 a.m. from Wacca Wache Marina in

S. Conelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18195659317968835764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-72151314618379511702009-08-27T00:03:00.003-04:002009-08-27T00:31:38.636-04:00

This evening, the farm of Mr. Garnett Carr in Roxboro, NC, will host an asparagus how-to class. I thought it was difficult, but the announcement states that this high-value vegetable crop is easy to grow.Presented by Carl Cantaluppi, a Horticulture Agent for the NC Cooperative Extension Service, the meeting will tour variety trial plots planted there. They will examine yields, discuss soil

S. Conelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18195659317968835764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-16746419741873047872009-06-06T09:00:00.009-04:002009-09-20T15:03:26.877-04:00

Kathy Mattea, a self- described "recovering country music star," will be the host and feature performer at the Mountain Aid festival June 19th and 20th. Others appearing include Donna the Buffalo, the Slim Redmond Band, and Ben Sollee. This year's proceeds will go to the Pennies of Promise campaign, to build a school for the children of Marsh Fork Elementary. Their current school, in

R. Deeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158990672354407103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-71353377055160679752009-04-30T17:21:00.007-04:002009-05-01T13:22:02.488-04:00

As Earth Month draws to a close, let's recognize Duke University's brand new LEAF Award, for Lifetime Environmental Achievement in the Fine Arts.Robert Redford received the first LEAF during Duke's Reunion Activities. The photo at left is from Duke News. Since the early 70's, he has shown his concern for the environment and the arts in his films, and has used his talents and resources to share

R. Deeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158990672354407103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-31206690503372263992009-04-03T18:00:00.028-04:002009-04-05T07:40:35.235-04:00

After many days of rain, everyone is ready to get out. Let's play in the sun, and dig in the dirt! If you are ready to plant something, check out the native plant sales in the area. Native plants require less work, and grow better and easier than other species. They behave themselves, and don't require you to trim them (with a machete) in a couple of years. Some non-natives are invasive, even

S. Conelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18195659317968835764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776931060374156163.post-57594707495749790512009-03-27T00:27:00.008-04:002009-03-27T01:55:45.287-04:00

"Bless your buttons," my Grandmother used to say. That was my feeling, when I saw the blue balloon buttons all over the area on the Earth Hour map. Thank you to Laurens, and Columbia, South Carolina for joining in; we are so glad you are participating. In North Carolina we see Wilmington, New Bern, Fayetteville, Raleigh, Carrboro, Winston-Salem, Davidson, Charlotte, Asheville, and Dillsboro are

S. Conelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18195659317968835764noreply@blogger.com0