No Impact Man Here!!

I am very very excited to share that Colin Beavan affectionately known as No Impact Man will be the convocation speaker here in MY very own community at Illinois Wesleyan University! The event is open to the public.  Note: Seating will be limited!

30,ooo college freshman have read Colin’s Book as part of their summer reading freshman orientation.  30,000 !!!!!!

Wesleyan turned the read into an opportunity for discussion and their very own version of No Impact Experiment.

To quote IWU’s press release:

To celebrate Beavan’s visit to campus, the University Wellness Center is encouraging all faculty, staff and students to participate in a “No Impact Experiment” from Sept. 12-19. It will be one week of cutting consumption, and rethinking a disposable way of life. Each day of the week, participants will attempt to reduce their impact on the environment with steps such as taking public transportation, reviewing what goes into the trash, not buying any new items, powering down unused items and giving back to their community. “Each day builds on the next,” said Illinois Wesleyan’s Visiting Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Health Laurine Brown, “so that ideally, by week’s end, participants have stopped consuming new goods and making trash, switched to a non-polluting transportation, and all while discovering hidden lessons about what is important in your life.”

I personally think that this is not only admirable, character building and a remarkable way to build campus community.

I think it’s really cool!! Way to go IWU.

Colin Beaven


Pearly Eggplant

photograph by karen hanrahan

I am so taken with the beauty of fruits and vegetables.

This stunning pearly lavender gem is an eggplant from Prairierth Farm.

Katie authors a delightful blog that shares her very full life as an employee, student, farmer and soon to be wife!

I didn’t purchase the above eggplant, because eggplant is one vegetable that I am not fond of,  however I did take a picture of it because LOOK at it!!

It is so beautiful!!

Shiso

This richly pigmented leafy wonder is called Shiso

Shiso is Japanese

In Korea they call it Ghatnip

it is a cross between mint and basil

it smells absolutely heavenly

I have been adding it to my salad-centric evening meals

I am very drawn to it’s color and rugged texture

Nanam at Epiphany Farms introduced me

(smile)

photograph by karen hanrahan

Back To School Thoughts From Green Moms!

I can’t believe that it’s our THIRD annual back to school carnival with green moms!

What a gathering of remarkable GREEN minded back to school information. Please mark this post as a resource for you and share it with those you might know!

Happy Back To School!!

photograph by Karen Hanrahan

Reduce Stormwater Runoff With A Rain Barrel!

Stormwater Runoff Pollution

In your neighborhood, water from rain, snow melt or sprinklers flows over yards and pavement into storm drains. The water is not treated as it flows directly to our creeks, rivers and lakes. As water moves, it picks up natural and human-made pollutants. Your help is needed to prevent pollution of water that we use for swimming, fishing or drinking.

What are Sources of Pollution?
• Motor Oil
• Antifreeze
• Soap from washing vehicles
• Paint
• Fertilizers and pesticides
• Yard debris
• Trash
• Pet wast
e

The Ecology Action Center, City of Bloomington, Town of Normal, McLean County Highway Department, and Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District are working together to protect our local waterways.

We All Live Downstream – Let’s Keep Our Water Clean

Don’t Dump
• Recycle and dispose of hazardous wastes properly. Not sure how? Call 309-454-3169 for detailed information.
• Many service stations will recycle your motor oil.

Keep Storm Drains Clear
• Don’t rake or sweep leaves, grass or soil into the street
• Vegetate bare or erosion-prone spots
• Do not litter. Help pick up litter.

Be Yard Smart
• Avoid fertilizing before storms
• Minimize use of pesticides and lawn chemicals
• Compost yard waste and use a mulching mower for grass clippings
• If you live near a waterway, do not mow your grass up to the waterfront as increased vegetation will help filter out pollutants contained in runoff
• Use native plants in your landscaping as they require no fertilizers, little to no watering, and are pest-resistant

Around the House
• Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces on your propert.
• During home improvement projects sweep up all debris and clean paintbrushes inside
• Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on a lawn instead of the driveway
• Install rain barrels or a rain garden to help keep rain water onsite

Pick Up after Pooch
• Clean up pet waste frequently and dispose of properly

Stormwater can include water from both point-sources and from non-point sources. Point-source locations can create such pollutants as chemical runoff, oil leaks, sewage and bulk trash. Non-point sources cause pollution from car fluid leaks, fertilizers from farms, pesticides from gardens, paint, if dumped into the sink or toilet in your home, trash from littering, and “natural” litter, such as grass clippings, leaves or animal feces.

Other Articles Of Interest:

Aquatic Ecosystems

Rain Barrels

Rain Gardens

Water Conservation

Stormwater Education/Resources

When I bought my home a year ago, I added a rain barrel to my green list of things to do.   Being able to build one’s own is pretty darn cool and the Ecology Action Center makes it possible and very affordable too.  I attended this workshop recently with my neighbor.  I created this image essay to share the story. Click the image below and it will take you to a slide show at Flickr.

photographs by Karen Hanrahan

Funny  – I was also interviewed by the local TV station that day.

the text and resources above are sourced directly from Ecology Action Center w/ permission