Staunton Green 2020

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Ken Kesson, a Private Lands Wildlife Biologist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service and one of seven panelists from SG2020’s forum titled Dawn of a New Urban Landscape – The Natives Return, recommends the following species for a butterfly garden and also lists some short native grasses homeowners in Staunton, VA may want to plant in their yards.

Forbs:
Columbine
Sullivant’s Milkweed
Butterfly Weed
Crooked Stem Aster
Tall Joe Pye Weed
Sweet Joe Pye Weed
Prairie Blazingstar
Dense Blazing Star
Beramot
Downy Phlox
Ohio Goldenrod
Ironweed
Grasses:
Prairie Dropseed

For short grass prairies:
Grasses:
Blue Eyed Grass
June  Grass
Side Oats Grama
Little Blue Stem
Prairie Dropseed
Ivory Sedge

Forbs:
Nodding Pink Onion
Heath Aster
Crooked Stem Aster
Cream False Indigo
Purple Prairie Clover
Mistflower
Violet Wood Sorel
Broad Leaved Penstemon
Showy Goldenrod
Prairie Spiderwort
Wild Petunia
Prairie Smoke
Western Spiderwort

Here’s another guide about butterfly gardening that may be helpful for you, too.

Mark your calendar…
Dawn of a New Urban Landscape — The Natives Return
7 p.m, April 21, City Hall, Council Chambers

Switching to Grass and Fueling Staunton and Augusta County

Tue. Mar. 9 – 7pm @ Francis Auditorium (in the Pearce Science Center)
On the campus of Mary Baldwin College (corner of Coalter & Frederick Streets)
#14 on this map: http://www.mbc.edu/docs/admin_docs/campusmap.pdf

Growing switchgrass in Augusta County and burning it as a clean, local and profitable fuel source for boilers and furnaces. Featuring:

* Taylor Cole – President, Conservation Partners, LLC & Warm Season Grass grower

* Ken Convery – Biologist/Project Manager, Conservation Management Institute, VA Tech

* Dale Reeves – Local Farmer using switchgrass for poultry house bedding

* Robert Whitescarver – District Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service

LOCATION:
Mary Baldwin College – Francis Auditorium
(corner of Coalter and Frederick Streets)

Tonight is your chance to comment on how the City of Staunton can enhance, restore and better manage our “green infrastructure” — an important meeting to attend! This is part of Staunton’s collaboration with the UVA School of Architecture.

Come to Bessie Weller Elementary School’s cafeteria to ask questions and give your opinion from 5pm until 7pm (Thursday, November 12).

Tuesday, November 17 the UVA students will hold a workshop with the steering committee to debrief public comments gathered at the Public Open House.  The workshop is scheduled for 9:00 am until 11:00 am in Council Chambers, City Hall.

For more information, check out the City of Staunton’s Planning and Inspections home page announcing the Public Open House.

…and by “grass” we mean exactly that: the green vegetation in your yard right now that is a hassle to maintain. Wouldn’t it be better if your grassy yard actually did more to benefit the environment?

It can, and, SG2020 will be exploring the issue in depth starting this January. As you may know, switchgrass is an alternative fuel source that can grow right here.

We’d like you to be involved. Send us your thoughts and ideas for this series of events.

• What would you like to know about switchgrass?
• Do you have suggestions about public or private places in Staunton to grow it?
• Would you be willing to allow us to replant your yard next Spring as an example?
• What other topics would be of interest for us to explore together?

Drop us an email (stauntongreen2020 ~at~ gmail.com) or leave a comment here or at Facebook.

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Have you heard about the growing national debate over clotheslines? As it turns out, clotheslines touch on questions about individual rights, private property, class, aesthetics, the environment.

From a purely environmental standpoint reducing dryer usage (and the dirty electricity that powers it) is a big deal. Some estimates put dryer usage as high as 6% of total household energy consumed. Reducing this energy use saves money and reduces your carbon footprint.

But, some feel that laundry lines reduce property values. They associate laundry lines with poverty. That’s why there is a growing trend to reverse this stereotype.

Here’s an article I wrote recently about the clothesline debate.

How do you think Staunton should address clotheslines? Good thing? Bad thing?

Personally, I’d like to see Stauntonians embrace more clotheslines. But, perhaps they’d need to be concealed from the street so people don’t get upset. What do you think?

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By Bruce Dorries, SG2020 Founding Member

After my last column about a green-living pledge, this note appeared in my mailbox: “I wonder about something,” it begins.

“Perhaps you might answer: Why can’t we recycle plastics at the Augusta County sites along with cans, bottles, paper, cardboard? I strongly believe in recycling all we can,” the writer declared. “I tried purchasing ‘without plastic’ — it isn’t possible.”

The globe is awash in post-consumer use plastic. Haphazardly discarded bottles, bags, and other packaging have become an eyesore and environmental problem everywhere. The scale of problem, on land and sea, and its economic complexity makes the issue seem nearly impossible to address.

People everywhere want to do good by the earth. They just don’t always know how.

There is evidence, both at home and abroad, of progress being made to better manage used consumer plastics.

Continue reading at The News Leader

Bonus: A Washington, DC company is working to make recycled plastic power our vehicles

In case you missed the announcement last week…

The City of Staunton, through the assistance of the Staunton Creative Community Fund (SCCF),  is distributing $200,000 to local entrepreneurs who are starting or expanding a small business through the new SPARC-PLUG program. Preference will be given to women, minorities, and low-to-moderate income individuals. SCCF is particularly committed to small businesses that are economically viable, socially equitable, and environmentally sound.

If you have a good idea and are ready to act, the time is now! These funds will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Questions? Contact Meghan Williamson or Tanya Brockett at SCCF (9 South Augusta Street). Or, stop in and chat with us at George Bowers Grocery; we in the first group of entrepreneurs last year to receive micro-lending financing through SCCF. We’ve been through the process and can answer questions. We’ve also got the SPARC-PLUG application and info available for download at our website.

What’s the greatest threat to humanity? Watch this short video for one interpretation.

Now consider how much of Staunton is built in the “old” way. Many neighborhoods have mature trees and sidewalks. Neighborhoods like Sears Hill even have walking access to Amtrak! In addition, many of us are fortunate enough to be within walking distance of downtown.

As a result, we predict the few places like Staunton that managed to escape “yesterday’s modernization” will have explosive growth and value in the future!

A big, hearty thanks to Staunton City Council! Last night they showed leadership and foresight by agreeing to establish a Green Task Force/Green Commission (name TBD).

This means our city will have one point person/group who will work with local grassroots organizations (such as SG2020 volunteers) to measure our carbon output, make recommendations on changes that can save the city and its residents energy and money, and look for green jobs and other opportunities ahead of the curve.

Below is a copy of our short presentation if you’d like to see what we shared.

A big thanks, too, to all the people here in Staunton who signed our online and paper petition. It was tangible proof there are many here who are committed to seeing positive environmental changes happen right here. Your support made the difference.

We have a lot of work ahead of us. Together with the city we need your minds, talents, and volunteering efforts. Now is a great time to get involved; please contact us at stauntongreen AT gmail.com to see what you can do to keep moving in a positive direction.

Thanks again, Staunton City Council!