Staunton Green 2020

Our neighboring cities are doing a lot to go green, save money, and create jobs. Here’s a presentation the City of Roanoke shared with us back in April. The results are inspiring.

Click this link to download the presentation yourself and see how Roanoke has benefited. It includes some lessons learned. The City of  Staunton can use their experience as a starting template.

You can plant a tree today in a Virginia state park in under 5 seconds. Here’s how:

Click on the link http://www.parkvisitor.com/odwalla/

You’re done! A tree will be planted in one of our Virginia State Parks.
This is time senstive – they are giving $1 per vote with a maximum $100,000. Please pass this on!

Did you know the efforts Staunton has already taken to protect and improve our water supply? Here is a partial list of what has been accomplished during the past few years:

I’ll add that private citizens have created riparian easements on private land, too

These efforts show a local commitment to clean water. It proves Staunton citizens can commit to hard work to ensure a brighter tomorrow for all its residents. We’re asking everyone to step up and get involved to reduce our carbon by 20% by 2020 while creating green jobs at the same time. Please sign our petition to establish the City of Staunton’s Green Task Force. Thank you!

[We still need signatures to establish Staunton's Green Task Force. Add your signature here!]

What’s a simple and free thing you can do? BYOB.

BYOB – As in, Bring Your Own Bag. Bring your own bag instead of using a plastic bag! It’s one of the easiest things you can do for a cleaner world, and makes a difference locally and globally.

Here’s how: Pack your tote in your car for easy access on unplanned shopping trips. Or, take your bag on any of your walking errands. It’s an easy habit that makes a difference.

Why the fuss? Check out this devastating presentation on the pollution and destruction caused by plastic bags. Plastic bags are made from crude oil and create a multitude of environmental problems.

Several local merchants will even give you a discount if you bring in a reusable bag. So, this simple step can save you money, too!

If you start today you can save an average of 22,176 plastic bags in your lifetime according to the link above.

Do something drastic… cut the plastic!!

One of the best things about Staunton is its preserved architecture. Thankfully, there is growing interest in green building and preservation. At least four small architecture and design companies around town focus on green-themed practices.

Here’s a contest worth entering if you’re a student or professional: Lifecycle Building Design Contest.

“Lifecycle building is designing buildings to facilitate disassembly and material reuse to minimize waste, energy consumption, and associated greenhouse gas emissions.”

Similarly, conversations around town are focused on sensible, sustainable growth that recognizes the unique needs of our city. Specifically, how can we revitalize the city core to prevent undesirable sprawl into our nearby rural areas?

One common complaint, for example, concerns the number of church parking lots downtown. They are only in use one or two days a week. Savannah, Georgia had a similar issue and decided to build on top of these parking lots — preserving parking, but also expanding living quarters and denser population. Our group isn’t suggesting this answer specifically. But Savannah’s creative re-use of space does demonstrate how critical green architectural design and city infrastructure will be for our city moving forward.

Are you seeking to enhance your leadership skills and discuss complex environmental and social issues? Apply for a short course at the Virginia National Resources Leadership Institute (University of Virginia). There are six three-day leadership sessions, and one in our area. You can earn 12 continuing education credits.

Good news: the deadline to apply is extended to June 15th and scholarships are available.

Further details at the VNRLI website. I hope one or more people from Staunton will attend!

Did you know the Chinese are investing $12 Million dollars an HOUR on green technology?

That’s a tidbit I learned listening to this interview with Van Jones (pictured here), who

has been on a crusade to, in his words, “green the ghetto” by killing two birds with one stone: reducing poverty and saving the environment.

Van Jones believes the green economy represents opportunity for new work, new wealth and better health… and we agree!

What Is It: Collecting everyday, organic waste and returning it back to the soil.

Why It’s Vital: Composting reduces material in our limited landfills and enriches our soil. It also helps replace soil lost to rainwater run-off and other erosion.

How It Helps You: Homeowners, you can enjoy healthier soil in your yard. Better soil = nicer lawns & gardens. Renters, you can feel good about reducing your trash contribution and cost (Yes, you can compost in your kitchen!). Everyone benefits.

How It Helps Staunton: Cities pay for trash removal and use of landfill space — at the taxpayer’s expense. Reducing trash volume collectively means lower costs for all. Some cities require people to pay for trash service based on how much they discard in an effort to reduce trash and its associated costs. Some, like San Francisco, are moving toward mandatory recycling and composting because of the cost savings.

Great self-portrait of Colin J and his homemade compost tumbler. Thanks, Colin!

So How Do You Compost?

Like rain barrels you can buy one pre-made or, like the photo above, make your own. There are plenty of how-to instructions online. Here’s a brief video on how to make a compost tumbler for under $10:

Some Basic Guidelines: Add “Browns” and “Greens”.

“Greens” are quick to rot and immediately add nitrogen. Some “greens” include: tea bags, grass clipping, vegetable leftovers, coffee grounds and filters. “Browns” rot more slowly and add carbon and oxygen. “Browns” include cardboard, egg cartons, fallen leaves, twigs, branches, bark, etc.

Avoid adding: meat products, cooked vegetables, dairy products, cat litter, dog poo, or weeds with seed heads. More details here.

Once your compost has “cooked” you can use the brown liquid to fertilize plants and roll the rotted material back into your yard. It reduces your trash and improves your soil – easy!

What Is It: A petition to create a Green Task Force for the city of Staunton, Virginia. Sign the petition online by clicking here or sign on paper at locations around the city. (Do you have a petition people can sign? Are you willing to distribute the petition? Contact us and/or add your location in the comments.)

Why It’s Vital: All cities have limited budgets and personnel. We must show Staunton city officials that we’re serious about setting and reaching specific environmental and economic goals. We need the city’s assistance to collect information necessary to determine our starting point.

Staunton VA, City Hall

How It Helps You: Our non-partisan Green Task Force will volunteer time on the Staunton City Council. We’ll research our baseline and make recommendations for specific actions that will reduce Staunton’s carbon emissions, save the city money, and bring more green jobs and federal/state money to Staunton.

How It Helps Staunton: Staunton will benefit from a dedicated team of unpaid, non-partisan volunteers that comprise the Green Task Force. These individuals will work to improve the economic development and environmental sustainability of Staunton to ensure our city becomes an even better place to live and work.

This is a simple action step, and it depends on you! Please sign our petition right now.