Thought I would have some big project news to share, but not yet.
For now, here are a few tidbits:
-In Halifax, Nova Scotia it looks like an urban farm is in the cards.
-This year I'll be growing nasturtium again and will definitely try some of these urban foraging recipes!
-The Department of Energy is splashing some cash to update building codes in 24 states. How in the world did they calculate that Wisconsin only needed $349,989, not the full $350,000???
Speaking of rules and regulations, the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) branch released a fact sheet outlining possible green roof job hazards. Stay up on your regs and rules, folks.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
John McCain, come pick up your drawing and Toronto delays green roofs on industrial buildings
When Toronto became the first North American city to embrace a green roof bylaw, it was big, big news. Hundreds of media outlets went gaga over Mayor David Miller's big green steps. But Toronto took a step back last week when city staff recommended delaying the requirement that industrial buildings incorporate vegetated roofs (aka green roofs, living roofs or ecoroofs) until April 30, 2012, instead of January 31, 2011.
The reason, further consultation is needed. Admittedly, this phrase "further consultation" may rankle me a bit because John McCain uses it more than the word "maverick". When he says "consultation", it's to delay the inevitable, hoping that which he detests will be delayed until the end of the time. Toronto had already made incredible concessions when consulting with developers a few years back....all that was required on industrial buildings was to green 10% of their roof.
I really, really hope Toronto's developers are not following McCain's lead, we need developers to step up and say "Hey, we've had 2 years to work on this and here are some alternatives which we like better and may be better for us all in the long run. We're committed to Toronto and are up for doing our part to help the environment." Besides, folks, I can show you how to save...maybe even MAKE money, from installing a green roof. Call me, we can talk.
A colleague of mine said "how many buildings does this really effect anyway?" I get her point. Not too many industrial buildings sprouting up in Toronto these days or anytime in the near future. Is this City Hall's way of placating developers, throwing them something inconsequential or the first step in industry's attempt to roll back the bylaw?
Stay tuned...
A few more things and it's time for bed.
-If you're in the UK and looking for to join the permaculture movement lickety-split, you're in luck.
-Urban Omnibus has a word, or ten thousand with Nevin Cohen about Five Borough Farm.
-Will 2011 be the year for deconstruction?
-And lastly if you're looking for a job in sustainable food, Sustainable Food Jobs' blog is the way to go.
[By the way, John McCain, if you're reading this, no hard feelings. If you ever return to being that bipartisan maverick so many Americans loved, swing by and I'll pull some strings to get you this!]
The reason, further consultation is needed. Admittedly, this phrase "further consultation" may rankle me a bit because John McCain uses it more than the word "maverick". When he says "consultation", it's to delay the inevitable, hoping that which he detests will be delayed until the end of the time. Toronto had already made incredible concessions when consulting with developers a few years back....all that was required on industrial buildings was to green 10% of their roof.
I really, really hope Toronto's developers are not following McCain's lead, we need developers to step up and say "Hey, we've had 2 years to work on this and here are some alternatives which we like better and may be better for us all in the long run. We're committed to Toronto and are up for doing our part to help the environment." Besides, folks, I can show you how to save...maybe even MAKE money, from installing a green roof. Call me, we can talk.
A colleague of mine said "how many buildings does this really effect anyway?" I get her point. Not too many industrial buildings sprouting up in Toronto these days or anytime in the near future. Is this City Hall's way of placating developers, throwing them something inconsequential or the first step in industry's attempt to roll back the bylaw?
Stay tuned...
A few more things and it's time for bed.
-If you're in the UK and looking for to join the permaculture movement lickety-split, you're in luck.
-Urban Omnibus has a word, or ten thousand with Nevin Cohen about Five Borough Farm.
-Will 2011 be the year for deconstruction?
-And lastly if you're looking for a job in sustainable food, Sustainable Food Jobs' blog is the way to go.
[By the way, John McCain, if you're reading this, no hard feelings. If you ever return to being that bipartisan maverick so many Americans loved, swing by and I'll pull some strings to get you this!]
Friday, January 21, 2011
Permaculture scholarships, internships and conferences
We're deep into January and spring is just around the corner (or so the calendar says), so opportunities are starting to sprout up.
-Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute (FLPCI), in upstate New York,
offers opportunities to learn sustainable design methods including mushroom inoculation workshops, summer apprentice programs (June 4 - August 11, 2011), and an two week Permaculture Design Certification course.
For more information, you can click the link above, call Steve Gabriel at (607) 527-0607, email steve@fingerlakespermaculture.org or snail mail it to:
Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute
2962 Swamp Rd.
Alpine, NY 14805
USA
-Sanctuary One at Double Oak Farm in Oregon has a few apprenticeship opportunities as well, starting in April. Contact either Della Merrill (People Care Manager) or Sansa Collins (Animal Care Manager) by phone at 541-899-8627, via email at education@SanctuaryOne.org, info@SanctuaryOne.org or snail mail:
Sanctuary One at Double Oak Farm
13195 Upper Applegate
Jacksonville, OR 97530
USA
-Lastly and also in Oregon May 19-21, 2011 at the Doubletree Hotel, is the Food Policy from Neighborhood to Nation Conference. Run by if you want to submit an RFP, you must do so by January 28, 2011.
Coordinated by Community Food Security Coalition this conference will bring together elected officials, government staff, academics and advocates for three days of networking, peer-to-peer learning, and skill building. Additionally, conference attendees will participate in the formation of a national Food Policy Network.
For more information, Emily Becker is your woman at 503-954–2970 or snail mail her at:
You seriously don't have time left
There's only 1 week to submit
Not enough time...call or email
USA
Tis all!
-Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute (FLPCI), in upstate New York,
offers opportunities to learn sustainable design methods including mushroom inoculation workshops, summer apprentice programs (June 4 - August 11, 2011), and an two week Permaculture Design Certification course.
For more information, you can click the link above, call Steve Gabriel at (607) 527-0607, email steve@fingerlakespermaculture.org or snail mail it to:
Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute
2962 Swamp Rd.
Alpine, NY 14805
USA
-Sanctuary One at Double Oak Farm in Oregon has a few apprenticeship opportunities as well, starting in April. Contact either Della Merrill (People Care Manager) or Sansa Collins (Animal Care Manager) by phone at 541-899-8627, via email at education@SanctuaryOne.org, info@SanctuaryOne.org or snail mail:
Sanctuary One at Double Oak Farm
13195 Upper Applegate
Jacksonville, OR 97530
USA
-Lastly and also in Oregon May 19-21, 2011 at the Doubletree Hotel, is the Food Policy from Neighborhood to Nation Conference. Run by if you want to submit an RFP, you must do so by January 28, 2011.
Coordinated by Community Food Security Coalition this conference will bring together elected officials, government staff, academics and advocates for three days of networking, peer-to-peer learning, and skill building. Additionally, conference attendees will participate in the formation of a national Food Policy Network.
For more information, Emily Becker is your woman at 503-954–2970 or snail mail her at:
You seriously don't have time left
There's only 1 week to submit
Not enough time...call or email
USA
Tis all!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Researching green roof plants in Colorado + big news next week!
Whenever possible I try to highlight green roof research. There are tons of studies happening around the world, here's a juicy one.
-At Colorado State University they've investigated plants in a semi-arid climate, including Bouteloua gracilis and Sedum lanceolatum plus three others. Which performed the best? You'll have to read the study to find out.
-To find out more about edible water plants check out permaculture pathways. They make great use of old bathtubs and blog like there's no tomorrow.
-Next week we'll release details of our first project for the year. Tis all I can say for now, but, 2011 has started off well.
-At Colorado State University they've investigated plants in a semi-arid climate, including Bouteloua gracilis and Sedum lanceolatum plus three others. Which performed the best? You'll have to read the study to find out.
-To find out more about edible water plants check out permaculture pathways. They make great use of old bathtubs and blog like there's no tomorrow.
-Next week we'll release details of our first project for the year. Tis all I can say for now, but, 2011 has started off well.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Urban Agriculture in India + more
A couple of interesting posts recently about urban agriculture in India. First up, looks like high food prices could cause some problems for the ruling government, so a plan is being discussed to create a ring of vegetable only farms around urban centers. For a closer peak inside some urban agriculture developments in Bangalore, already under way, follow Sai Kiran's trail.
-Space is still available in Ryerson University's Urban Agriculture Types. The online offering starts January 15, so hurry up!
-If you're down in New Mexico, the Permaculture Credit Union is looking for a director. And if you're ever EVER, looking for an urban agriculture job in NYC, Food Systems Network has you covered!
-Do urban trees lead to healthier babies? My question is, does any other kind of greening? Green roofs...green walls? Let's get those grant applications ready folks!
-Space is still available in Ryerson University's Urban Agriculture Types. The online offering starts January 15, so hurry up!
-If you're down in New Mexico, the Permaculture Credit Union is looking for a director. And if you're ever EVER, looking for an urban agriculture job in NYC, Food Systems Network has you covered!
-Do urban trees lead to healthier babies? My question is, does any other kind of greening? Green roofs...green walls? Let's get those grant applications ready folks!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
My New Year's resolution...no G.L.A.R.E.! (Gratuitous Living Architecture Representations Ever!)
Are we already a week in? If so, let's get to it.
First off, I have one resolution. I've shied away from taking a true stand in the past, but this year I resolve to not posting eye-popping living architecture conceptional drawings or whimsical green roof or green wall renderings, found pervasively online. This is the year of No G.L.A.R.E! Who knows how many of these projects ever get built. And in some cases, I hate to say it, there are more cost effective solutions. In addition, I should be supporting and highlighting the people who actually get stuff done. And there are lots of people doing small things without much fanfare. Here's to you...
On to what's new and what's new to me.
-If you're looking for tasty ways to make interesting dishes from foraged foods, Hunger and Thirst is a nice place to start.
-Can genetic engineering be used for good? By the way, click through to Conservation magazine and check out the other articles. I won't ruin the surprise by telling you any more!!!
-This story has been making the rounds, but I forgot to post about it...the EPA's attitude toward rigorous examination of that Bayer clothianidin study is infuriating. But what's even scarier is that it's not "the EPA", there aren't tens of people at fault, but power lies in the hands of a few people to review something and a whole continent can be affected. Or maybe I should be upset at Bayer?
-So I'm not feeling so great, but can still enjoy Geoff Lawton taking us on a food forest tour 300 years in the making. What's better than that? A 2,000 year old food forest in Morocco!
First off, I have one resolution. I've shied away from taking a true stand in the past, but this year I resolve to not posting eye-popping living architecture conceptional drawings or whimsical green roof or green wall renderings, found pervasively online. This is the year of No G.L.A.R.E! Who knows how many of these projects ever get built. And in some cases, I hate to say it, there are more cost effective solutions. In addition, I should be supporting and highlighting the people who actually get stuff done. And there are lots of people doing small things without much fanfare. Here's to you...
On to what's new and what's new to me.
-If you're looking for tasty ways to make interesting dishes from foraged foods, Hunger and Thirst is a nice place to start.
-Can genetic engineering be used for good? By the way, click through to Conservation magazine and check out the other articles. I won't ruin the surprise by telling you any more!!!
-This story has been making the rounds, but I forgot to post about it...the EPA's attitude toward rigorous examination of that Bayer clothianidin study is infuriating. But what's even scarier is that it's not "the EPA", there aren't tens of people at fault, but power lies in the hands of a few people to review something and a whole continent can be affected. Or maybe I should be upset at Bayer?
-So I'm not feeling so great, but can still enjoy Geoff Lawton taking us on a food forest tour 300 years in the making. What's better than that? A 2,000 year old food forest in Morocco!
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