SAVE OUR SANDHILLS SPEAKER EXPLAINS “GREEN GROWTH TOOLBOX”
On January 26, Save Our Sandhills will host Brenda Johnson, a specialist in ecology and wildlife, to describe why The Green Growth Toolbox, a cooperative, non-regulatory effort developed by the Wildlife Diversity Program of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, is so important to North Carolina in general, and Moore County in particular.
By its own definition, “Green Growth is a nature-friendly way of developing communities. It means conserving habitat and biological diversity while building homes, businesses and shopping centers.” Its tools consist of a handbook, GIS data package, and a website.
This project was conceived because of the unprecedented population growth fueled in North Carolina in recent years, along with projections that over the next 20 years, 3 million additional people would move to North Carolina, threatening our environment, public health, and quality of life.
Therefore, in 2005, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission developed the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan, which identified sprawling patterns of land development as a top threat to wildlife resources. Since land use in North Carolina is regulated at the local government level, where officials often do not have sufficient knowledge concerning risks to wildlife while they develop policies concerning growth, The Green Growth Toolbox concept gained traction.
Green Growth helps to bridge the gap between scientists and local decision makers by offering wildlife data and important wildlife conservation principles so that well-informed decisions can be made. While planning for growth, communities learn how to protect important species and habitats by locating their important natural resources and determining how best to conserve them through land use planning. Habitats support much more than wildlife.
They also sustain healthy ecosystems, healthy economies, healthy communities, and a high quality of life. This is why The Green Growth Toolbox emphasizes 10 benefits to communities: “1. Better health all around, 2.Economic return, 3.Environmental safeguards, 4.Avoid environmental conflicts, 5.Attract new economy businesses, 6.Increase prosperity, 7.Generate tourist income, 8.Reduce costs to taxpayers and local government, 9.Respond to public demand, 10.Improve quality of life.”
In North Carolina, 45 local governments (including counties and municipalities) have received Green Growth Toolbox training at 11 workshops which targeted jurisdictions that are experiencing significant habitat conversion to development. Twenty-one local governments have received technical guidance on 31 land use planning projects. Locally, both Moore and Harnett County planning staffs attended Green Growth Toolbox Workshops and received follow-up technical guidance, including one that took place at our local Weymouth Woods Nature Preserve Auditorium in mid-2010. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission has been working in partnership with regional organizations, including Sustainable Sandhills, the Coastal Land Trust, and Land of Sky Regional Council.
In Moore County, The Green Growth Toolbox has been used to provide recommendations to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that is currently under revision by the Planning Board. UDO’s are the rulebooks for how building and development occur in a community, and thus can have heavy impacts on wildlife habitat. Most Green Growth recommendations to the Moore County UDO were made to the Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Subdivision Ordinances, since these usually impact large tracts of land at a time. The UDO process is currently ongoing, and work continues to see Green Growth recommendations adopted.
Brenda Johnson has worked with Sustainable Sandhills for two years as their Green Growth Planner. Sustainable Sandhills, a nonprofit dedicated to conserving the natural resources of the eight-county region surrounding Fort Bragg, concentrates on four main program areas: Green Business Certification, Green Schools, Green Growth, and Local Food.
Johnson holds a B.A. in Zoology from Ohio Wesleyan University, an M.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from NC State University, and has several years’ experience in ecology and wildlife biology research. Her work at Sustainable Sandhills is funded by a fellowship through Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).
She is currently working with both Moore County and Harnett County to incorporate Green Growth strategies into their land use policies.
Join us for an informative and interesting evening; refreshments will be served. Thursday, January 26 at 7 PM in the Southern Pines Civic Club, corner of Ashe Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. All are welcome.
Showing posts with label greening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label greening. Show all posts
6/25/2010
10/14/2009
Farm Up the Street Is On the Tour!
Almost twenty sites so far • FREE!!! • Self guided tour
Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, & Moore Counties
Come out and join us to see firsthand what ordinary people with ordinary homes are doing with “GREEN DESIGN.” We’ll also highlight what each of us can do on a daily basis to “LIVE GREEN.” Talk with vendors one-on-one at tour sites about all sorts of green technologies, and visit some of our areas greenest businesses. We’ve got everything from a straw bale house to an inside look at Fort Bragg’s sustainability initiatives to Raft Swamp Farms, a completely organic farm right here in our region!
Don’t miss it! Want to go green but don’t know how? ... Let us give you a 'green'print!
for more info: www.sustainablesandhills.org • 910-484-9098
Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, & Moore Counties
Come out and join us to see firsthand what ordinary people with ordinary homes are doing with “GREEN DESIGN.” We’ll also highlight what each of us can do on a daily basis to “LIVE GREEN.” Talk with vendors one-on-one at tour sites about all sorts of green technologies, and visit some of our areas greenest businesses. We’ve got everything from a straw bale house to an inside look at Fort Bragg’s sustainability initiatives to Raft Swamp Farms, a completely organic farm right here in our region!
Don’t miss it! Want to go green but don’t know how? ... Let us give you a 'green'print!
for more info: www.sustainablesandhills.org • 910-484-9098
10/08/2009
10/05/2009
Sustainable Sandhills Meetings, Events
MOORE COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM
Thursday, September 24, 2009 | Team Meeting
The Team was given updates on the following projects and events. To learn more, please view our meeting summary.
Local Food Consumer Survey
Green Living and Design Tour, November 7th
Sustainable Sandhills Pickin' on the Porch Fundraiser, October 15th
Our next film in the sustainable film series is "Fresh", October 22nd
Household Hazardous Waste collection day, November 21st
During the "take action" portion of the meeting we invited Rich Cregar to discuss carbon legislation, global warming and green transportation.
Please view our full meeting summary for more details.
If you have a green topic you would like to learn more about, please contact Amanda Blue and we will try to include that topic in future meeting presentations, discussion and community action.
SAVE THESE DATES!
Thursday, October 22, 2009 | Sustainable Film "Fresh", Sandhills Community College, Dempsey Student Center, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 | Charles Birnbaum lecture, "Our Cultural Landscape" at the Sunrise Theater, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Charles Birnbaum, Founder and President, The Cultural Landscape Foundation, Washington, DC, will speak on "'Our Cultural Landscape." Introduction by Lawrence Earley, author of Looking for Longleaf, The Fall and Rise of an American Forest. The program will explore the unique role landscape design played in the establishment of the town, and why residents should care to sustain our landscape heritage. For more information visit The Classical Design Foundation website at www.classicaldesignfoundation.org, or contact Ray Owen at (910) 638-3982
Our next CAT meeting and green topic will be determined soon. Please check our website for updates. www.sustainablesandhills.org
Thursday, September 24, 2009 | Team Meeting
The Team was given updates on the following projects and events. To learn more, please view our meeting summary.
Local Food Consumer Survey
Green Living and Design Tour, November 7th
Sustainable Sandhills Pickin' on the Porch Fundraiser, October 15th
Our next film in the sustainable film series is "Fresh", October 22nd
Household Hazardous Waste collection day, November 21st
During the "take action" portion of the meeting we invited Rich Cregar to discuss carbon legislation, global warming and green transportation.
Please view our full meeting summary for more details.
If you have a green topic you would like to learn more about, please contact Amanda Blue and we will try to include that topic in future meeting presentations, discussion and community action.
SAVE THESE DATES!
Thursday, October 22, 2009 | Sustainable Film "Fresh", Sandhills Community College, Dempsey Student Center, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 | Charles Birnbaum lecture, "Our Cultural Landscape" at the Sunrise Theater, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Charles Birnbaum, Founder and President, The Cultural Landscape Foundation, Washington, DC, will speak on "'Our Cultural Landscape." Introduction by Lawrence Earley, author of Looking for Longleaf, The Fall and Rise of an American Forest. The program will explore the unique role landscape design played in the establishment of the town, and why residents should care to sustain our landscape heritage. For more information visit The Classical Design Foundation website at www.classicaldesignfoundation.org, or contact Ray Owen at (910) 638-3982
Our next CAT meeting and green topic will be determined soon. Please check our website for updates. www.sustainablesandhills.org
9/14/2009
6/04/2009
6/02/2009
Environmental Heroes
http://www.treehugger.com/galleries/2009/04/environmentalist-heroes-earth-day.php?page=1
5/21/2009
CCNC, NC Green Tie Awards
http://www.conservationcouncilnc.org/our-work/green-tie-awards-1/green-tie-awards
Inn at Bryant House Going Green
http://www.innatbryanthouse.com/our-part-in-the-green-movement/our-part-in-the-green-movement/our-part-in-the-green-movement.html
5/20/2009
Love a Challenge
A quote on ecology, environment, awareness, proactivism, ego, responsibility, and healing
"I love a challenge and saving the Planet seems like a good one."
Paul Stamets, author of Mycelium Running
"I love a challenge and saving the Planet seems like a good one."
Paul Stamets, author of Mycelium Running
Potluck in the Pasture, CCCC, Jun 7
“Potluck in the Pasture” celebrates Chatham’s agricultural and artistic heritage
PITTSBORO – Art and food lovers take note: ChathamArts celebrates the county’s unique agricultural and artistic heritage at the annual Potluck in the Pasture on Sunday June 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Central Carolina Community College’s (CCCC) two-acre Student Farm in Pittsboro (764 West Street). You’ll have a unique chance to see what’s growing at America’s first two-year sustainable farming program, share a potluck picnic of locally produced food, and meet local artists and musicians. You may also purchase farm fresh food and make a donation to ChathamArts, the nonprofit arts council. For more information: contact ChathamArts at www.chathamarts.org or 919.542.0934 or call Katy McReynolds, Potluck Coordinator, at 919.444.1900.
“This is our way to pay tribute to our farmers and artists who inspire and nurture us,” said Daryl Walker, director of the potluck project. “We hope the Potluck encourages more people to buy locally produced food and art and become more aware of the farmers and artists who contribute to our community and our economy.”
Two of the artists who will display their work are also working farmers: Mixed media painter Kristy Church is co-owner of Winfield Farm and portrait/landscape artist Tim Tron is co-owner of Grandview Farms. Other artists include: Cindy Bainbridge, Roger Dinger, Michele Mosca, Rita Spina and Diane Swan. Live music will be performed by Breadfoot (a.k.a. Stephan Meyers) and singer/songwriters Chris Kelley and Mike Slaton.
Visitors are asked to bring a potluck dish to share with at least one locally grown ingredient (and the recipe noting origin of local items), as well as a beverage, lawn chair or blanket, and a donation to ChathamArts, which supports diverse arts through gallery sales, and cultural programs in the schools and community.
Local food ingredients for your potluck dish are easy to come by in Chatham. They might come from your own garden or neighboring farms; from local farmers’ markets at the Chatham County Fairgrounds in Pittsboro or Southern Village (Thursdays), Fearrington Village (Tuesdays), or Pittsboro, Siler City, Carrboro and Sanford (Saturdays); or from Chatham Marketplace in Pittsboro, or Weaver Street in Southern Village and Carrboro.
CCCC’s Sustainable Agriculture Program was the first of its kind in the nation. Its two-year associate’s degree and certificate programs provide hands-on training in every aspect of sustainable, chemical-free farming, including vegetable and fruit production, animal husbandry, financing, management and marketing. It’s part of an array of innovative programs at CCCC encouraging sustainable energy, food, technology, building practices and public policies, earning the campus the new moniker “Green Central.”
Debbie Roos
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
919.542.8202
debbie_roos@ncsu.edu
www.growingsmallfarms.org
PITTSBORO – Art and food lovers take note: ChathamArts celebrates the county’s unique agricultural and artistic heritage at the annual Potluck in the Pasture on Sunday June 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Central Carolina Community College’s (CCCC) two-acre Student Farm in Pittsboro (764 West Street). You’ll have a unique chance to see what’s growing at America’s first two-year sustainable farming program, share a potluck picnic of locally produced food, and meet local artists and musicians. You may also purchase farm fresh food and make a donation to ChathamArts, the nonprofit arts council. For more information: contact ChathamArts at www.chathamarts.org or 919.542.0934 or call Katy McReynolds, Potluck Coordinator, at 919.444.1900.
“This is our way to pay tribute to our farmers and artists who inspire and nurture us,” said Daryl Walker, director of the potluck project. “We hope the Potluck encourages more people to buy locally produced food and art and become more aware of the farmers and artists who contribute to our community and our economy.”
Two of the artists who will display their work are also working farmers: Mixed media painter Kristy Church is co-owner of Winfield Farm and portrait/landscape artist Tim Tron is co-owner of Grandview Farms. Other artists include: Cindy Bainbridge, Roger Dinger, Michele Mosca, Rita Spina and Diane Swan. Live music will be performed by Breadfoot (a.k.a. Stephan Meyers) and singer/songwriters Chris Kelley and Mike Slaton.
Visitors are asked to bring a potluck dish to share with at least one locally grown ingredient (and the recipe noting origin of local items), as well as a beverage, lawn chair or blanket, and a donation to ChathamArts, which supports diverse arts through gallery sales, and cultural programs in the schools and community.
Local food ingredients for your potluck dish are easy to come by in Chatham. They might come from your own garden or neighboring farms; from local farmers’ markets at the Chatham County Fairgrounds in Pittsboro or Southern Village (Thursdays), Fearrington Village (Tuesdays), or Pittsboro, Siler City, Carrboro and Sanford (Saturdays); or from Chatham Marketplace in Pittsboro, or Weaver Street in Southern Village and Carrboro.
CCCC’s Sustainable Agriculture Program was the first of its kind in the nation. Its two-year associate’s degree and certificate programs provide hands-on training in every aspect of sustainable, chemical-free farming, including vegetable and fruit production, animal husbandry, financing, management and marketing. It’s part of an array of innovative programs at CCCC encouraging sustainable energy, food, technology, building practices and public policies, earning the campus the new moniker “Green Central.”
Debbie Roos
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
919.542.8202
debbie_roos@ncsu.edu
www.growingsmallfarms.org
5/12/2009
eBlast, Sustainable Sandhills
Sustainable Sandhills 2009 Earth Day/Week Events Review
There is no busier week of the year for Sustainable Sandhills than the week of Earth Day. Here is a roundup of a few of the events we are involved in during “Earth Week 2009” in the Sandhills. Activities included the Apple Crate, Sandhills Community College, Fayetteville Technical Community College, the Air Quality Poster Contest Awards and Alma Easom Elementary School.
Cumberland County Local Government Goes Green
In celebration of “National County Government” Week, May 3-9, and with encouragement by James Martin, the County Manager, Cumberland County is going green. As part of the Sustainable Sandhills’ “Greening Local Government” project, 12 Cumberland County departments are now Certified Green Businesses!
New Century International Elementary School Breaks Ground
Cumberland County government and school system officials participated in the ground-breaking ceremony for New Century International Elementary School, the first LEED elementary school in the Sandhills region. In addition to the school, a new branch of the Cumberland County Library System will also be built.
May 3-9: National County Government Week
May 7: Greening Fayetteville’s New UDO Community Meeting, 6:30 - 8:00 pm,PWC Operations Center, 955 Old Wilmington Road, Fayetteville.
May 7 - 8: North Carolina Conservation Network Retreat
May 19: Moore County CAT meeting, 6:30-8pm, Sandhills Community College, Dempsey Student Center, Clement Dining Hall, 3395 Airport Rd, Pinehurst.
May 21: Cumberland County Sustainable Film Series, 6:30-8pm, "The Power of Community - How Cuba Survived Peak Oil." Pate Room, Cumberland County Public Library Headquarters, 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville.
May 26: Harnett County CAT KICKOFF, 6:30-8pm, Central Carolina CC, Harnett County Campus, Miriello Administration Building, Room #135, 1075 E. Cornelius Harnett Blvd (Hwy 421), Lillington.
Support Sustainable Sandhills
Our continued growth and success depends in large part on your support.
Become a fan of Sustainable Sandhills’ new Facebook page to find out more about upcoming projects in your community!
There is no busier week of the year for Sustainable Sandhills than the week of Earth Day. Here is a roundup of a few of the events we are involved in during “Earth Week 2009” in the Sandhills. Activities included the Apple Crate, Sandhills Community College, Fayetteville Technical Community College, the Air Quality Poster Contest Awards and Alma Easom Elementary School.
Cumberland County Local Government Goes Green
In celebration of “National County Government” Week, May 3-9, and with encouragement by James Martin, the County Manager, Cumberland County is going green. As part of the Sustainable Sandhills’ “Greening Local Government” project, 12 Cumberland County departments are now Certified Green Businesses!
New Century International Elementary School Breaks Ground
Cumberland County government and school system officials participated in the ground-breaking ceremony for New Century International Elementary School, the first LEED elementary school in the Sandhills region. In addition to the school, a new branch of the Cumberland County Library System will also be built.
May 3-9: National County Government Week
May 7: Greening Fayetteville’s New UDO Community Meeting, 6:30 - 8:00 pm,PWC Operations Center, 955 Old Wilmington Road, Fayetteville.
May 7 - 8: North Carolina Conservation Network Retreat
May 19: Moore County CAT meeting, 6:30-8pm, Sandhills Community College, Dempsey Student Center, Clement Dining Hall, 3395 Airport Rd, Pinehurst.
May 21: Cumberland County Sustainable Film Series, 6:30-8pm, "The Power of Community - How Cuba Survived Peak Oil." Pate Room, Cumberland County Public Library Headquarters, 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville.
May 26: Harnett County CAT KICKOFF, 6:30-8pm, Central Carolina CC, Harnett County Campus, Miriello Administration Building, Room #135, 1075 E. Cornelius Harnett Blvd (Hwy 421), Lillington.
Support Sustainable Sandhills
Our continued growth and success depends in large part on your support.
Become a fan of Sustainable Sandhills’ new Facebook page to find out more about upcoming projects in your community!
1/21/2009
7/14/2008
5/06/2007
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