Silver Spring Middle School Makes Every Day Earth Day

by Susanna Parker

On Friday April 26, I was excited to represent Bethesda Green at the Francis Scott Key Middle School’s 6^th Annual Green Day. As the culmination of their Earth Month activities, the school invited representatives from environmental organizations around the Maryland & DC area, including the U.S. National Park Service, the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Locust Grove Nature Center, the Department of Natural Resources, and more, to staff tables and discuss their environmental and sustainability efforts. Treva Coates, coordinator of the IB Middle Years Programme, explained that while Green Day is an annual event, the school’s environmental and sustainability efforts continue year round.

Francis Scott Key is an excellent example of a green school. Several years ago, the old building was torn down and a modern up-to-date building was constructed in its place. However, rather than generate tons of construction waste, Francis Scott Key was re-built using 95% of the materials from the old building. Additionally, the new building is equipped with solar panels, and the back field has geothermal tanks installed beneath to assist with the temperature management of their water. These accomplishments are some of the reasons that Francis Scott Key Middle School is a LEED Gold School and the first school in Montgomery County to be designated a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School.

The staff at Francis Scott Key are passionate about getting the students involved in environmental stewardship. They have eliminated the use of Styrofoam trays in the cafeteria, and taught the students to separate trash, paper, and plastic after they’ve finished eating. As I walked through the building on Green Day, I noticed the presence of paper and plastic recycling bins in every hallway and room. To make sure that the student population works with the program, the school has formed a student-led School Energy and Recycling Team that monitors the proper use of the recycling and trash containers in each classroom. Besides the SERT team, there is also the School Beautification Group; students rotate into the group every four weeks learning about ways to be green and sustainable and participate in the monitoring of the recycling program. Finally, a staff member sponsored the Green Crafts club, in which she teaches students how to design and make crafts and jewelry from recyclable materials such as plastic bags.

Throughout the day, students were sent into the activities hall in groups and walked around to inspect the tables and learn about the various organizations. The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation presented students with dwarf sunflower seeds and growing pods; the Locust Grove Nature Center showcased shells and exoskeletons of species native to Maryland; Montgomery County School Energy & Recycling Team discussed the waste cycle and demonstrated the differences between incandescent, compact fluorescent, and LED lightbulbs; A.I.R. Lawn Care displayed its solar-powered trailer and equipment and talked about the importance of green landscaping. Watching the kids’ reactions as they learned more about the green movement was a great experience. Some kids really seemed to be inspired by what they saw, and I’m sure that Francis Scott Key will see a spike in its SERT team and School Beautification Group. A school that’s already taken such great steps toward sustainability is sure to go further in that direction, and the newly inspired students will certainly help lead them down the path.

Images courtesy of Treva Coates.

Susanna Parker is a recent college graduate and volunteer with Bethesda Green. Her interest in sustainability leads her to look for green solutions in uncommon places.

 

Happy Birthday, Bethesda Green

Five years ago today, a passionate group of people came together at the Bethesda Theatre to kick-off a new initiative.  On January 23, 2008, Bethesda Green was officially born.

Many of you may recall that we had close to 400 people join us from all different sectors, many who still talk about being part of that special day.  We started as a group open to the community and today still see inclusiveness as one of our core strengths.  The seven core principles (from our initial proposal) were:

1. Community engagement
2. Scale up what works
3. Identify opportunities
4. Educate and market
5. Leverage existing networks
6. Sustain the initiative
7. Phased approach

Thanks to all the board members who helped make Bethesda Green possible.

• To Seth Goldman and George Leventhal, whose leadership and guidance gave the organization its birth.
• To Ilaya Hopkins, Jeff Burton and Greg Rooney, whose leadership as board chairs propelled Bethesda Green forward.
• To the Bethesda Green staff, whose commitment to excellence and efforts are gifts to the community.
• And to Mike Mielke, my initial founding partner, whose purposefulness and enthusiasm for sustainability inspired me to build green, livable communities.

Our goals, when we launched were to focus, organize and accelerate the local sustainability movement.  In 2012, we instituted a three-year strategy around themes of incubate, initiate, and educate.  This year, we will begin the process of redefining our strategy post 2013.

We have made a huge difference to this community and the many people who have been part of Bethesda Green.  It may sound cliché, but our work is just beginning.  I hope you stay involved and recognize the impact this organization is having on our community and others following our lead.

Happy Birthday, Bethesda Green

 

Summertime on two wheels

by Kiera Zitelman, UMD Environmental Economics student

From trails between downtown monuments to bike lanes on Woodmont Avenue, the DC metropolitan area is brimming with bicyclists in these summer months. The success of Capital Bikeshare (affectionately known as CaBi), which has added 874 new docks in the last eight months, has introduced a new community of casual bicyclist-commuters around the city. Users pay an annual, monthly, or daily fee to rent one of over 1,500  bikes from over 100 stations around the metro area. CaBi plans to expand into College Park with a $375,000 state grant this fall.  Future plans look to Rockville, Alexandria, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and other suburbs.  A recent survey of CaBi’s 18,000 users showed annual transportation savings of over $800 a year and avoided 5 million collective miles of driving.

While bikesharing programs grow around the country, Bethesda enjoys some excellent bike trails. The Capital Crescent Trail and C&O Canal Towpath put Georgetown within an hour’s ride of downtown Bethesda. DC’s high gas prices and rising Metro fares make biking an excellent alternative to driving or public transportation. And biking is a great form of exercise, too – an hour of moderate speed burns close to 500 calories.

Getting on a bike has never been a better idea. The Washington Area Bicyclist Association offers educational events for adults and children. Annual Bikeshare memberships are just $75, and new or used bikes can be easily found at area bike shops and online. Try replacing one commute a week with a bike ride instead, or plan a family trip on the weekend. Happy riding!

 

Register to Attend the Bethesda Green Gala, October 7!

Bethesda Green Gala

Here at Bethesda Green, our mission is to serve as a model for environmentally sustainable living and business practices — and to grow new green businesses in our Bethesda Green Business Incubator. We provide information to people and organizations about reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and building cleaner, healthier communities; and we help guide the nascent green firms in our program.

Now we want to recognize the environmental efforts of the Green Champions in our community, those people, businesses, other organizations and communities that are walking the walk when it comes to green living and business practices.

Please join us for a celebration!

Bethesda Green Gala

Thursday, October 7

6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Imagination Stage in Bethesda

“An evening of inspiration, celebration and recognition of local green champions, highlighted by the presentation of the 2010 Bethesda Magazine Green Awards.”

The evening will include the presentation of the inaugural Bethesda Magazine Green Awards, heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and a dessert reception. Plus we’ll have a silent auction of environmentally friendly gifts and services.

We received more than 120 nominations for the Bethesda Magazine Green Awards. From these, a panel of judges chose 7 winners in 5 categories:  People 18 and younger, people 19 and older, communities promoting and implementing green practices, businesses or non-profits that have created innovative green products or green services, and businesses or non-profits that have significantly incorporated green practices into their culture and operations.

Come out and celebrate green achievements! Visit the Bethesda Green Gala web page for details and registration information.

See you October 7!

 

Shredding It in Bethesda for Security and the Environment

By Beverly Firme, guest blogger

A man dumps documents at the Community Shred, August 15. (Photo by Beverly Firme)

The Bethesda Row Community Shred, sponsored by Bethesda Row, Equinox Fitness and  Bethesda Green and held at Bethesda Lane and Elm Street on Sunday, August 15, was an opportunity for local residents to bring papers and documents to discard and shred in a secure way.  Remember how rainy it was that day?  The downpour did not deter people from coming out with bags of papers to shred.  Someone pulled up every few minutes and got out of their car with bags – and sometimes bags and bags and bags – of papers.

A crew from Clean Cut Shredding was on hand to get the paper into bins and then to their on-site shredding truck for shredding.  “It’s important that we help the community,” said Dawn Jessel, Public Relations Manager.  A subsidiary of Georgetown Paper Stock of Rockville, the company provides document shredding for area businesses and private homes.  Clean Cut Shredding provides a high level of security and privacy when it comes to shredding papers.

“We have locks on our containers, and they are locked at all times.  Our bins are padlocked with unique combinations to ensure security.  The truck we have is state-of-the-art”, said Larry Etman, Director of Clean Cut Shredding.  “It enables us to take the paper from the container to the shredder without us having to touch it.  We have no idea what’s going in there.”

Shredding papers and documents is serious business.  Identity theft is a growing concern – most of us know someone who was had their identity stolen and all are at risk.  The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.

Shredding does help protect against identity theft, but there’s an environmental reason for shredding documents as well:  It makes recycling personal documents easier.  Clean Cut Shredding shreds all paper into confetti-sized pieces, and then recycles the confetti into household paper products. So, you can protect yourself and the environment by making shredding a regular part of your routine.

After the event, Etman reported they shredded close to 3 tons of paper (5,500 lbs) that day, which works out to 47 trees saved!

Many residents asked about the next Community Shred as they emptied their bags into the bins.  Stay tuned – Clean Cut Shredding is glad to consider additional Community Shreds if there is interest and need.  We’ll keep you posted!

 

From Button Farm to Food Bank

Fox5 had a great story last week about how Manna Food Center buys fresh produce from local farmers–including Button Farm, which is run by the Menare Foundation, a Bethesda Green Business Incubator company.

Any leftover produce from grocery stores or the participating farms gets put into compost bins and sent back to the farms to become natural fertilizer to grow more produce. A complete circle! Check out the Fox5 story and video report.

 

Bethesda Row Paper Shredding Event, August 15

Passing along some event info for ya’ll:

THE BETHESDA ROW COMMUNITY SHRED
Sunday, August 15
10am – 2pm

Located on: Bethesda Lane at Elm Street (Upstairs at Bethesda Row Loading Dock)

Sponsored by:  Bethesda Row, Equinox Fitness of Bethesda, Bethesda Green

The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.  In fact, this crime may take many forms and often without any warning to you!  Clean Cut Shredding, Inc. utilizes the experience gained from over 100 years of recycling solutions from its parent company Georgetown Paper Stock of Rockville, by offering the Washington area’s most complete shredding solutions.

Note:  Clean Cut Shredding will shred all paper into confetti-sized pieces, and then recycle the confetti into household paper products.

Join us Sunday, August 15th outside of the Upstairs at Bethesda Row loading dock on Bethesda Lane (at Elm Street)  from 10am and 2pm.  This event will be complete with Clean Cut’s very own 27ft. truck/shredder outfitted with a monitor – so you know the job is getting done!  Please note: Plastic items such as CDs and Credit Cards are not permitted. We will also have our strong and trusted volunteers from the NEW Equinox Fitness of Bethesda on hand to assist with any transporting you may need.  Learn more about Equinox’s commitment to living green.

 

Ask the Expert Events at Community Forklift

Here are a few more July green events for the greater DC area–one is TONIGHT! (I forgot to include them earlier in the week.) Both take place at Community Forklift.

• Thurs. July 22, 6:30-7:30 pm – Ask the Green Builder – Brian Higgins will discuss environmentally-friendly improvements to his own house and take questions about your homes.  He is president of Green Home LLC, a local company that aims to be “the smart, affordable choice for energy efficient, healthy, and earth friendly additions, renovations and solar heating.”
• Wed. July 28, 6:30-7:30 pm – Ask the Home Energy Expert — David Brosch is an energy auditor, trained weatherization practitioner, certified HERS rater, and a certified home performance contractor.  He will explain what all these terms mean, share tips for reducing your energy bills, and answer your questions.  David’s local business, Green Homes Blue Sky LLC, was formed to offer homeowners energy conservation and green construction services.  Their goal is “to make the world a little bit better and your home a lot better.”

Location:

Community Forklift, the Thrift Store for Home Improvement
4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston MD 20781 (Hyattsville area, east of Takoma Park)

Contact: Ruthie@CommunityForklift.com

 

Local Green News and Events for Tuesday, July 20

Here’s what’s in green news this week.

• Optimism Reigns at Md. Green Economy Forum - State government officials and business leaders from green companies sounded upbeat about the prospects for creating and retaining more green jobs in Maryland, at the state’s first Green Economy Forum last week. The event’s centerpiece was the release of a report by the governor’s Green Jobs & Industry Task Force. The report identified six recommendations to create and retain green jobs, support clean and renewable energy, protect Maryland’s communities and preserve the state’s natural resources.
• Maryland Markets Hotels to Green-Minded Guests – State program names the Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland University College in Adelphi, as its first “Green Travel Partner.”
• Silver Spring’s NOAA a Leader in BP Oil Cleanup – Employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Silver Spring have often been working 16-hour days, 7 days a week, to map the flow of oil-contaminated water, alert commercial ships of clean water routes, set up ship-cleaning stations to prevent the spread of oil and deal with the catastrophic environmental impact of the BP oil spill.
• Building an Ultra-efficient Car for XPrize Contest - The entry from a team of mechanics and engineers from Lynchburg, Va., reached the final round in the Progressive Automotive X Prize contest, an international competition to build the first car that can go 100 miles on a gallon of gas and at least 200 miles without refueling.
• Chevy Volt Will Carry 8-Year Battery Warranty – GM announced last week that the primarily electric Chevy Volt, due in showrooms this fall, will come with an 8-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty.

Local Green Events

• July 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Pepco 2010 D.C. Appliance Swap: Customers can bring in old, inefficient appliances that Pepco will safely recycle at no cost to the customer. Pepco will also be handing out applications for and information about available rebates on the purchase of certain ENERGY STAR ® qualified appliances. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win a $1,000 Home Depot gift card! Location: Home Depot at 901 Rhode Island Ave., NE.
• July 24-25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Montgomery County’s 21st Annual Farm Tour and Harvest Sale - Spend a day or two in the country petting farm animals or having lunch by a scenic pond. Purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants and more. Pick your own at some farms! Visit one or more of 14 participating farms (and one vineyard)–including one farm (Button Farm Living History Center) run by a Bethesda Green Incubator organization,The Menare Foundation.
• July 26, 8-9:30 a.m. – Introduction to the Montgomery County Green Business Certification Program – Takes place at the BCC Chamber of Commerce, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1204, Bethesda. The session will also cover an introduction to Bethesda Green and Montgomery College’s Sustainability Practitioner Certificate.
• July 29, 4-5:30 p.m. – Bethesda Green 101 – This monthly session provides the history of Bethesda Green and information about how to get involved as a volunteer or intern.

 

Local Green News and Events for Monday, July 12

Here are some of the latest green news stories and events for Bethesda and Montgomery County, Maryland.

• Restaurants Brace for Gulf Oil Spill Fears: Potential customers want to know if seafood is available and whether it is tainted or not, according to this article in the Montgomery Gazette.
• Some BP Stations See Drop in Sales Due to Oil Spill Backlash: Local station owners say anger is misplaced; some endure reduction in business up to 50 percent. AAA says sales have fallen across the nation.
• Grass-roots Gripes About Artificial Turf Gain Traction: After being pushed by concerned parents and environmental groups, the Montgomery County Council has asked three county agencies to conduct a study of the costs, risks and benefits of artificial turf fields versus natural grass fields.
• How to Conquer the Invasive Lionfish? Eat It Until It’s Gone: The relentless invasive predator is decimating coral-reef ecosystems in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The solution for this endangered species, according to a Washington Post story: Catch and sauté it, until it’s gone from its non-native range.
• Goldman, Bethesda Green Among Washington’s Green Giants: Washingtonian Magazine has a “Green Giants” online feature that includes Bethesda Green co-founder Seth Goldman. The print edition (May issue?) also mentions BG Executive Director Dave Feldman.

Local Green Events

• July 13, 6:30 p.m. — RePower at Home Meeting in Bethesda: Montgomery County Kick Off meeting of RePower at Home at the Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd. Learn how to make energy improvements in your home a breeze.  RePower at Home explores ways to reduce home energy usage. Repower at Home is project of the Alliance for Climate Protection, a national nonprofit group. RSVP to Brenna Muller, brenna.muller (at) climateprotect.org.
• July 13, 7-9 p.m. — Green Night Out with Green DMV — This fundraiser for non-profit group Green DMV features Van Jones and will be hosted by NBC4′s Wendy Rieger. Green DMV promotes clean energy and green jobs in low-income communities across America as a pathway out of poverty. Takes place at the Longview Gallery, 1234 9th Street, NW.
• July 14, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. — RainScapes Overview Program Class: This class will be a general overview of the RainScapes program with special emphasis to landscape contractors but all are welcome to attend to learn more about the program. Class highlights will include Rainscapes techniques design criteria, how to earn and properly fill out a Rebate application as well as an introduction into program opportunities in the Targeted Neighborhoods in the County.
  The class will be held at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center in Bethesda at 4805 Edgemoor Lane, 2nd floor from 9am-1pm.  Pre-requisite: Must have attended a previous training course to attend.  To register and get info, e-mail Rainscapes.application@montgomerycountymd.gov.
• July 27 and 28, 7-8:30 p.m. — Help Shape the Future of Parks and Recreation in Montgomery County! Montgomery Parks, M-NCPPC, and the Montgomery County Recreation Department are hosting public meetings to share the results of Vision2030 research, and to seek public feedback on how best to address key issues and needs identified through our survey and focus groups. Input will help guide the long-term planning for our county’s parks and recreation services, facilities, and programs.  For more information go to:  http://visionmontgomery2030.org/.  There will be two sessions:

1. Tuesday, July 27, 7-8:30 pm, Park and Planning Headquarters, 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
2. Wednesday, July 28, 7-8:30 pm, Upcountry Regional Services Center, Room A, 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown