What's happening locally on the 'green scene'?
The Star Press
April 22, 2009
Time To 'Think Green'
The Star Press launched its Muncie Green site in January, bringing together
readers who share their passion and knowledge about existing as an
earth-friendly society. Participants are invited to start their own
blogs and write columns on the
site, where
they'll find the latest news, tips and advice for living green. You
can also look for ways to live more eco-friendly each Friday in The
Star Press. The
Going Green page features gadgets, trends, tips and more to keep you going green.
From Your Home To Theirs
Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity's Home Discount Center is perhaps
the best example of how an organization can help itself and the Earth
while also serving as a valuable community resource. The Home Discount
Center sells slightly used and new donated home-repair supplies for
a fraction of the retail price. Since it opened just two years ago,
the center has saved 250 tons of material from going to the landfill.
Instead of dumping old cabinets, lamps or other household items after
refurbishing a kitchen or living room, local residents have been giving
these items to the center to sell to the community. Habitat then uses
the funds to offset costs of building homes in Muncie. In 2009, they
hope to build two complete houses in the city with the revenue from
the store. The Discount Center is located at 2620 N. Martin Luther
King Jr. Blvd.
Not Just For The Floor Anymore
Minnetrista was the first to create a "green roof" in Muncie,
spending $24,000 on a drainage system, vegetation and lightweight soil
planted over a waterproof deck on top of one of the two arbors protruding
from the entrance to the building. Green roofs are costly, but pay off
in the end -- mitigating the urban heat island effect, reducing noise,
preventing fires, reducing air conditioning costs, providing habitat
for butterflies, insects and songbirds and reducing storm water runoff.
Should the test project work, Minnetrista plans to install green roofs
over other areas of its cultural and natural history museum when the
existing roof wears out in the near future.
Ball Memorial quickly followed, installing more than 30,000 square feet of vegetation on top of its new $87 million South Tower. Ball Brothers Foundation awarded a $120,000 grant and American Electric Power Foundation an additional $200,000 to help pay for the hospital's green roof, estimated to cost $400,000 to $550,000. The green roof is expected to cut the building's energy costs by at least 10 percent to 15 percent.
Learn From Those In The Know
Members of the Smart Living Project know that one person can make a big
difference, but they eventually came to the conclusion that when a
group of like-minded individuals come together, the impact can be tremendous.
So in 2008 these eco-conscious residents introduced the Smart Living
Project to promote sustainable living. The group's website (www.smartlivingproject.org)
offers Smart Living Guides (handy how-to's for greener living), monthly
Smart Living Challenges (beginner and advanced) and will, in the near
future, look at offering workshops and forums. Meet with members of
SLP June 6-7 during the Garden Fair at Minnetrista and in September
at the Living Lightly Fair
Blue Is The New Green
The city sanitary district will receive an award from Ball State University
today for its blue bag recycling program, rain barrel initiative and
longtime efforts to improve the White River, including water quality
and wildlife.
The district picks up 135 tons of trash a day, of which 32 percent is
recycled through the blue bag program.
The district is also developing rain gardens, which, like rain barrels,
absorb and slow down storm water runoff that washes pollutants like cigarette
butts, dirt, oil and dog waste into waterways from streets and gutters.
The district contracts with East Central Recycling, 701 E. Centennial Ave., where residents can drop off household hazardous waste, used tires and old electronics. To arrange a group tour of the recycling center to see how the blue bag system works, call Nikki Grigsby at the sanitary district at 747-4742.
Mark Your Calendar For These Local Earth-Loving Events:
Spring and Summer Skies -- 7:30 p.m. April 24, Ball State University
Planetarium, 2000 W. Riverside Ave., Muncie. Tour of the spring and
summer skies of 2009.
Spring Zing -- April 25, Downtown Muncie
Cardinal Greenway Run Series (5K) -- April 25
Wildflower Celebration -- April 26, Yuhas Woods, Randolph County. Presented
by Red-Tail Conservancy
Riverbank Honeysuckle Removal -- 5-6:30 p.m. April 29, Minnetrista.
Farmers Markets at Minnetrista -- Saturdays in May; Wednesday nights
and Saturdays June-October
Neighborhood Cleanups -- May 2, 9, 16. Presented by Muncie Sanitation
District.
Red-Tail Conservancy Birdathon -- May 9, various locations.
Arbor Day Festival -- 10 a.m.-noon May 9, Westside Park, Muncie.
Stout Woods Garlic Mustard Harvest -- May 23. Presented by Red-Tail Conservancy
Garden Jubilee -- May 23, downtown Farmland
Garden Fair -- June 6-7, Minnetrista
Cardinal Greenway Run Series (10K) -- June 13
Neighborhood Cleanups -- Sept. 12, 19, 26. Presented by Muncie Sanitary
District.
Living Lightly Fair -- Sept. 19, Minnetrista
Cardinal Greenway Run Series (15K) -- Sept. 26
Turkey Trot -- Nov. 26, Cardinal Greenway
