Take the commuter challenge! 

The following information is provided by our friends at Trailnet.

Stop by one of our refueling stations for breakfast and coffee on your way to work to celebrate National Bike to Work Day with Trailnet!  Last year we saw over 330 cyclists… let’s beat that this year!

When: Friday, May 18, 2012, 6:30-9:00 a.m.

Where:

• Big Shark, 6133 Delmar Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63112
• Children’s Hospital, 1 Children’s Place, St. Louis, MO 63110, hosted by St. Louis Children’s Hospital
• Mungenast St. Louis Honda, 5939 So. Lindbergh Blvd., St Louis 63123, hosted by Dave Mungenast
• Downtown Bicycle Station, 1011 Locust Street, St. Louis, MO 63101
• Ferguson Bicycle Shop, 429 South Florissant Road, Ferguson, MO 63135, hosted by Live Well Ferguson
• Kaldi’s on DeMun, 700 DeMun Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105, hosted by Pedal the Cause
• Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63112
• Missouri Botanical Gardens, corner of Tower Grove and Shaw, St. Louis, MO 63110
• The Patio Cafe, 7711 Bonhomme Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105, hosted by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• Straub’s Webster Groves, 211 W. Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves, MO 63119, hosted by Team Revolution
• Temple Emanuel, 12166 Conway Road, St. Louis, MO 63141

Special thanks to Companion bakery for providing the fuel to our riders… aka bagels!

This article was originally authored by the Missouri Botanical Garden.

REDUCE GARDEN WASTE BY RECYCLING PLASTIC GARDEN POTS AND TRAYS
THROUGH THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
2012 Plastic Pot Recycling Program

WHAT: Plastic Pot Recycling
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Apr. 2 through Oct. 31
WHERE: Monsanto Center at the Missouri Botanical Garden, 4500 Shaw Blvd. at Vandeventer; visit website for satellite collection locations
SPONSORS: Missouri Botanical Garden; St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District; Missouri Department of Natural Resources; Monrovia Growers, Inc.
INFO: www.plasticpotrecycling.org; www.potstoplanks.com; (314) 577-5100, 1 (800) 642-8842 toll free

(ST. LOUIS):  Don’t pitch those pots! Help reduce the amount of horticultural waste in landfills by recycling your plastic garden pots, polystyrene cell packs and plant trays at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Plastic Pot Recycling will be offered starting April 2 and will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October 31 at the Garden’s Monsanto Center, 4500 Shaw Blvd. An additional 13 retail garden centers across the St. Louis region will be participating in the recycling project in 2012.

The Missouri Botanical Garden operates the most extensive public garden recycling program in the nation. With the addition of 140,000 pounds of horticultural waste in 2011, the Garden’s Plastic Pot Recycling program has saved over one million pounds of plastic garden pots, cell packs and plant trays from landfills to date. The goal for this program is to divert materials from local landfills by forging partnerships that will work to manufacture plastic timbers from 100 percent horticulture waste.

“These partnerships are crucial to find alternative ways to re-use plastic garden waste otherwise headed to landfills,” said program founder and organizer Dr. Steven Cline. “The public interest for recycling garden pots and trays is astonishing. Each year we offer this program, the response is stronger and we are proud to share this with gardening retailers who support the environmental effort.”

Horticulture plastic will be accepted at the Garden’s main collection facility located at the west parking lot of the Monsanto Center, 4500 Shaw Blvd. at the corner of Vandeventer. Thirteen area garden centers will serve as satellite collection sites in 2012: Bowood Farms, Crabapple Cove Nursery, Garden Heights Nursery, Greenscape Gardens, Hartke Nursery, Hillerman’s Nursery and Florist, Rolling Ridge Garden Center, Sherwood’s Forest Nursery and Garden Center, Schmittel’s Nursery, Summer Winds Nursery, Thies Farm and Greenhouse, University Gardens and Waldbert & Sons Garden Center. Each satellite collection site will collect horticultural plastic during their normal business hours from April 2 through September 30. Visit www.plasticpotrecycling.org for specific location and contact information.

Horticultural plastic accepted includes cell packs, trays, pots of all sizes and hanging baskets. Please shake soil and rocks out of containers and remove all metal hangers, rings or other foreign materials. Plastic bags or clay pots will not be accepted. Separate #6 plastic cell packs and trays from #2 and #5 plastic pots into the recycling trailers. Garden edging, plastic sheeting materials and food plastic will not be accepted.

The Missouri Botanical Garden strives to reduce as much of this material headed to landfills as possible and to find an alternative for its use by diverting it back into other products.

Plastic is recycled locally and converted into landscape timbers used to build raised beds and short retaining walls. Timbers measure six by six inch by eight feet long. More information on purchasing timbers may be found at www.potstoplanks.com.

“Simply educating the gardening public about how garden containers can be recycled is the first step to changing the common habit of tossing usable raw materials in the trash. Making this service available is just one more way the Missouri Botanical Garden meets its mission of sustainability,” said Cline.

Grants from the St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and California-based Monrovia Growers also support the program.

For more information on the Garden’s Plastic Pot Recycling program, visit www.plasticpotrecycling.org. For general information, visit www.mobot.org or call the recorded line at (314) 577‑5100 or toll-free 1 (800) 642-8842.  Follow the Garden on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/missouribotanicalgarden and http://twitter.com/mobotnews.

It’s the tastiest time of the year!  Residents from all over the St. Louis region flocked to Tower Grove Park last Saturday, May 5th for the official kick-off of the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market and Bazaar.  Now in it’s seventh season, the market welcomed over 5,000 shoppers and hosted over 80 of the region’s best independent farmers and food artisans.  And produce isn’t the only thing you’ll find at the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market.  Come early to enjoy free yoga and tai-chi before the market, come hungry and grab some lunch from vendors like The Farmers’ Larder, who are now serving up delicious all-beef franks dressed organic relish, and come ready for fun and enjoy free music in the Pool Pavilion. Hit up the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market from 8:00 am-12:00 p.m. every Saturday. 

For a full directory of Missouri Farmers’ Markets, visit http://agebb.missouri.edu/fmktdir/view.asp?region=5.

This post was originally authored by the Missouri Coalition for the Environment.

Missouri Coalition for the Environment, with the help of several other organizations and individuals, has completed a new report on sustainability using the Upper Mississippi River Basin as the focus area. The report takes a different, and we believe a more rational and supportable approach, to sustainability than other reports typically have. This report is based upon the concept of “strong” sustainability that dispels the inaccurate primary assumptions that our society is based upon, that there are no limits to natural resources or economic growth.

See the full report here: http://www.moenviron.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/MCE-Our-Future-UMR-Report-5-3-12.pdf.

This article was originally authored by Pamela Powell, The Hauser Group, 314-436-9090

St. Louis, Mo., May 8, 2012… The Great Rivers Greenway District and the National Park Service today announced they have teamed up to examine the potential environmental, cultural, and social impacts of Great Rivers Greenway’s planned Central Riverfront project. This is a key first step in the proposed project, which aims to improve the safety and accessibility of the Mississippi Riverfront and Gateway Arch grounds for visitors and tourists, creating an enhanced corridor that will provide for every practical mode of transportation to be accommodated, including pedestrians of all ability, bicyclists, cars, buses and trams. The Central Riverfront project is part of CityArchRiver 2015′s plans to revitalize the Gateway Arch grounds in time for the 50th anniversary of the Arch’s completion in October 2015.

The design plans call for a multi-modal transportation infrastructure corridor along the heavily traveled Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. between the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and the Mississippi River in downtown St. Louis, from Chouteau Ave. on the South to Biddle St. on the north. It includes plans to elevate Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. out of the Mississippi River floodplain and create a bike trail that will run along Leonor K. Sullivan from Chouteau Ave. to Biddle St., where it will connect with Great Rivers Greenway’s existing North Riverfront Trail. The south end of the trail will provide access to the southern portion of the Mississippi River Greenway, ultimately connecting with the new City of St. Louis Soulard Connector, another trail in Great Rivers Greenway’s planned region-wide system of high-quality greenways, parks and trails known as The River Ring.

The potential impacts of the proposed project need to be evaluated in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Recognizing efficiencies to be gained, the National Park Service will incorporate this project into the environmental assessment they are currently preparing pursuant to NEPA for other projects related to the CityArchRiver 2015 initiative. The National Park Service and Great Rivers Greenway will also coordinate on meeting requirements of the NHPA.

“Looking at the environmental, cultural and social impacts of the park and riverfront projects together allows for a holistic evaluation and enables us to better analyze the degree and impact of the change, ” said Tom Bradley, Superintendent of Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.

The project is at the 20% schematic design phase, and as part of the compliance process, the National Park Service and Great Rivers Greenway will share more details on the proposed plans and will welcome public input when the environmental assessment is released for review.

“We are excited to be one step closer to embarking on such an important project, not just for the Arch Grounds, but for the entire region,” said Susan Trautman, executive director of Great Rivers Greenway. “Leonor K. Sullivan, which is heavily used by tourists and local commuters, is an important transportation corridor for downtown St. Louis and for the future of the Arch grounds. We believe the environmental assessment process will help improve our proposed reconstruction project, which when complete, will serve as an important connector to many of our region’s parks, trails, greenways and historic sites, while greatly enhancing the front door to our region.”

For more information, visit  http://parkplanning.nps.gov/jeff_revitalization_ea, which will be updated when appropriate to include information about this aspect of the project and its status.

Help us meet our goal of 250,000 pair of shoes !

This will be a fun time for youth groups, boy scouts, and individuals that want to help us in our effort to get clean water to those who thirst. We have partnered with Shoeman Water Projects, St. Louis Green, Walmart and JOY FM to try and collect 250,000 pairs of shoes.  Walmart has graciously let us use their parking lot for our collection sites, and JOY FM is going to promote the drive. We expect a good flow of cars that will be dropping off bags of used shoes. This is were the volunteers will help unload the cars and pickup trucks and load them into the semi trailers. A fully loaded 53′ trailer can hold up to 25,000 pairs of shoes. It is our prayer that God will stir peoples hearts to collect as many shoes as possible for this amazing cause and show that the St. Louis area can make a difference half way around the world!

There are 3 types of volunteers needed:

Day Shift Volunteer

This is the most common type of position where you simply volunteer at a Walmart location near you. Sign up for one of the three days and a specific time slot. Show up at your given location and time and be ready to help.

Store Leader – 25 people needed

This position means that you will oversee the store location of your choice for all three days. You would be given a list of volunteers for that location in which you would contact them and remind them of the time and day they signed up for, and that all functions of that particular store are in place for a smooth and successful collection. Other expectations will include checking on shift volunteers and maintain a safe collection site.

Regional Manager – 5 people needed

This position means that you would oversee five store leaders. These will be grouped in clusters of east, south, central, west, and north stores.  It will your job to check in on your five stores each day and assist in any needs the store leader may have. You will not be required to physically help unload shoes. You will report directly to the Shoes For Life director, Chris Marks, for each stores’ progress.

To sign up to be a volunteer, visit http://www.ksoutreach.com/shoedrive/volunteer.

This article is provided by Cindy Bambini from Brightergy Solar Solutions.

Traditionally known as pioneers in sustainability, 501c3 organizations have long searched for a way to easily adopt solar energy. With Brightergy Solar Solutions BrighterLease, the search is over!
Founded in Webster Groves in 2003 and now headquartered in Kansas City, Brightergy has grown to become the Midwest’s leading solar development and finance firm. Through this growth our team has recognized that one of the most important segments in the region, non-profit organizations, are unable to utilize the incentives which make solar viable to for-profit entities.

All non-profits have to purchase electricity to operate their organizations. Given the choice, why wouldn’t you use solar power to provide at least part of what your organization already requires?
With a BrighterLease, your organization can now install solar energy with no upfront costs, no maintenance expense and a fixed monthly payment that is guaranteed to be less than what you are currently paying for the same amount of grid generated electricity.
What’s more, the electricity savings start immediately…which of course means more money for your mission as of day 1!

Brightergy’s turnkey solar generating systems are designed with virtually no time commitment required on your part. All aspects are directed and managed in-house including site analysis, design and engineering, permitting and incentive paperwork, installation, internal system monitoring and maintenance.
This new program has already received great response and enthusiasm from municipalities, schools and non-profits.

You can learn if a BrighterLease is right for your organization by attending our free St. Louis Business Journal seminar on Wednesday April 25th, from 7:30-9:00 am at the Missouri History Museum.
Our panel of experts will explain the incentives, the installation process and describe the benefits they’ve experienced since adopting solar – all from a non-profit perspective.
The seminar is free, but reservations are required. Please visit the event website to register: http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/event/68341

Ken Gilberg was our guest on the StLouisGreen.com Precious Earth Segment on Fox 2 News discussing Herbaria Soap, which he founded 10 years ago.

Get to Herbaria on the “The Hill” to experience naturally made soap and scented products. The main ingredients of Herbaria soap are olive oil, rice bran oil, soy and palm kernel oils. Depending on which of our forty varieties you choose, the soap may also contain exfoliating oatmeal, seaweed and emollients such as shea butter, jojoba oil and hemp seed oil.

Herbaria Soaps are made with only natural ingredients and includes scents and essential oils. Ken Gilberg, the owner discussed the various types of soaps he makes an carries and the benefits of natural soap for your body.

Herbaria Soap is located on The Hill
2016 Marconi Ave
St. Louis, MO 63110

A new book about sustainability has just been released called Sustainable Materials: indispensable, impartial popular by authors Julian Allwood and Jonathan Cullen. To learn about the book, please visit http://boingboing.net/2011/11/17/sustainable-materials.html

Here are some ways to Green your holidays this year.

Kickoff your holidays the Green way by cooking your Turkey through a paper bag. Here is the recipe found at http://www.greatpartyrecipes.com/how-to-cook-a-turkey.html On the website, you can also find more green ways to cook your Thanksgiving turkey.

Paper Bag Turkey
1 whole turkey, 23-25 pounds
1 large brown paper bag (grocery bag)
Butter, soft but not melted
Salt or garlic salt and pepper to taste

Remove neck and giblets from cavities. Rinse the turkey and pat dry with paper towels. Stuff, if desired.

Thoroughly coat the turkey with butter using your fingers or a paper towel. Season generously.

Place the turkey in the paper bag. Seal the bag with staples, paper clips or a needle and thread. (Use 2 bags if 1 is too small.)

Place the turkey on a sturdy shallow baking pan. Bake at 325° for about 5 hours. Reduce the cooking time to 4-4 1/2 hours for an unstuffed or smaller turkey.

And no, the paper will not burn, and the turkey will not taste like paper. But you will enjoy all those little gasps of appreciation when you “unwrap” your perfect paper bag turkey.

When Turkey day is done:
Buy a real Christmas tree instead of a fake.

Decorate your Christmas tree with natural materials such as popcorn and cranberries.

Use tablecloths that are made out of fabric.

Use silverware and dishes that are not disposable.

Send out online invite cards.

Buy Eco friendly gift cards made out of bioplastic materials such as corn based and a material called Mirel. Target sells these types of cards.

Wrap up larger gifts with pillowcases and smaller gifts with newspaper.

Give battery free gifts.

Choose meat and vegetables that are locally and sustainably grown.

Organize a media swap full of movies, books, CDs, etc. with family and friends.