Watershed Stewards Academy

     The Anne Arundel Department of Public Works and Arlington Echo have joined forces to create the Watershed Stewards Academy.  This program is intended to "train community leaders...to reduce the negative impacts of stormwater runoff in Anne Arundel County."  Participants go through 12 training courses over the course of 5 months that culminates in a community Capstone Project.  Most classes take place locally at Arlington Echo.  Once completed the certification, participants will be qualified as Master Watershed Stewards and will serve as a resource to the community at large as to how to keep our waterways clean and protected.  If this interests you, there are only two more informational sessions left (one is tommorow) which you must attend one of in order to register for this program.
     Even if you are not interested in becoming a Master Watershed Steward, you can certainly use the resources of those who already have completed the certification.  Use the website below to find and contact local stewards.  They can talk to you on subjects such as Reducing Pollution, Capturing Stormwater, Cleaning up invasive species, and Land Preservation.
What can you do to protect our waterways today?

Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards Academy

Solar Desalination

     In the deserts north of the Dead Sea, (and in many other parts of the world), growing crops is challenging.  These locations get little to no rainwater, so every drop of water counts for survival of people and their food.
     New research by engineers in Isreal have come up with a way to use the salty water that is abundant in aquifers far below the surface of the desert.  Previously, one obvious problem has been desalinating the water so it can be used on crops.  These researchers have developed a filter that uses much less energy than current standard technology, making it able to be run from small solar arrays.  At the same time, they are experimenting with crops that actually like the saline wastewater which is a by-product of the desalination.  In this way they are hoping to be able to provide low cost, off the grid solutions to countries in the Middle East and Africa that "are losing ground to desertification."   Thanks to these engineers, what was previously a difficult venture could soon become a new mode of sustainable agriculture.

Check out the full article below

Solar-power-desert-oasis-using-desalination-fights-world-hunger

Back to School

Just in time for your last minute back to school shopping..... this article from Earthtechling shows some great green products and gadgets that will help to reduce waste and encourage recycling.


Green-back-to-school-supplies-for-an-eco-friendly-semester

Gas Energy Choice

    In previous posts we have talked about choosing your energy supplier, and having options for wind, and other alternative energy sources.  Recently, our household changed our Natural Gas supplier as well.  You many ask-- "what is the alternative source for natural gas?"-- well, there isn't really an alternate commercial choice for that.  However, Washington Gas and Energy Services (WGES) has recently started offering Carbon Offsets for your natural gas purchases.  By paying just a little bit more per therm, WGES is able to sponsor projects such as tree plantings in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, or capturing and burning off methane from local landfills.  In our house, that "little bit more" equates to less than $20 per year in additional gas costs more than we have paid in the past.  Signing up is just as easy as changing your electricity supplier-- let WGES know that you would like to make the switch and they will handle the rest.  Everything will still be routed through your BGE bill.

   We all make choices about what we support with our purchases.  What is important to you, and what will you choose today?

WGES Carbon Offsets

Buy Local Challenge

   This week is the annual Buy Local Challenge.  What do you have to do in order to participate?  Buy local food.  This effort, which was launched 5 years ago by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, encourages Marylanders to buy local produce from local farms at Farmers Markets, or participating shops and restaurants.  Buying locally is not only good for the environment, but it promotes your local economy.  The added benefit is that you get to know where your food comes from and often are able to talk directly with the farmers.
    Just because the challenge is running this week, does not meant that you cannot participate any time during the year.  Be aware of what you are buying, know where it comes from, and help the environment at the same time.
    Below are links to the Buy Local program website, and a list of local farmers markets.

   Buy Local Challenge

Anne Arundel County Farmers Markets

Water Restrictions and Drought

     Today, the residents of Western and Northern Anne Arundel county were placed on water restrictions.  Because of the ongoing drought conditions combined with the large water main break in Baltimore City, officials need us to limit our water use for the next two weeks until the water main is repaired.  This restriction impacts communities in the following zipcodes:  20701, 20724, 20755, 20794, 21054, 21060, 21061, 21076, 21077, 21090, 21108, 21113, 21122, 21144, 21225, 21226 and 21240.   
     
     Residents of these areas may NOT:   Water their lawns or gardens with a sprinkler or open hose, Wash vehicles or equipment at home, Wash paved areas, Fill or top off home pools or fountains.
     You are allowed to water your lawn or garden from a bucket, watering can, or hand held hose with a nozzle.  These restrictions are mandatory and do carry a fine if you are cited.


     As we are forced to use less water out of a requirement, please remember the farmers across the county who are facing severe drought as well.  As record temperatures and lack of rain continue, farmers are loosing crops and food prices will eventually rise.  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack noted that 78% of U.S. corn and 11% of soybean crops have been hurt.  Please pray about what we can do not only to help these farmers, but also how we can help those who will suffer and possibly go hungry, when food prices increase.  

Preserving Land

     We found an interesting article recently that talked about preservation of land and conservation of forests in the Dominican Republic.  In an effort to protect endangered species of birds, they are attempting to establish a biological preserve that can serve as a new home to these birds.  Preservationists are working with the government to acquire new land and allow natural reforestation.  Many private ventures are popping up that combine sustainable practices with other activities such as farming cacao and macadamia, or eco-tourism, and allow the re-growth of previously clear cut areas of the country. 
     They note that "It's much bigger than just this one little migratory songbird...If we protect it we automatically protect all the other elements of the flora and fauna, many of which are themselves under siege."  It is important to remember the cascade effect that is happening here. In the same way that we talk about the cascading events of bad things that get triggered when we are poor stewards of the earth, so also can we trigger a cascade of benefits when we start repairing the damage we have done.  Every action you take as a good steward of God's green Earth will have greater benefits than the action itself.  Start somewhere and take action.  Every act of stewardship is important.


Saving the Dominican Forest and an Elusive Songbird

Healthy Soil

     How healthy is your soil?  What nutrients does your lawn or garden really need?  We have talked in previous posts about being aware of the fertilizers that you put on your lawn or garden, as excessive nutrients are not good for the Chesapeake Bay.  But how do you know what excessive really is?  One way to find out is by getting your soil tested.  The Maryland Cooperative Extension office at the University of Maryland tested soil in the past, but they do not any longer.  Instead, they have published some guidelines and information on where you can send to get your soil tested, and what you are looking for.

     A soil test can not only tell you the pH, but also what kind of nutrients might be lacking or overly abundant, and whether there are any levels of heavy metals present.  Tests can cost anywhere between $6 and $20, and take anywhere between 1-2 days and 2 weeks to get results based on where you decide to send it.  The link below gives information on soil tests and a list of places you can get it done.  Once you know more about your soil, you will not necessarily need to apply a broad spectrum fertilizer to your lawn or garden, but instead will be able to add only what is needed.  Feel free to improve the quality of your soil and the heath of your plants, but do it in a responsible and educated way that protects the environment.



Maryland Cooperative Extension Soil Testing

EWG Shoppers Guide

The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit organization that lobbies on a wide range of  policies involving the protection of human health and how it relates to the conservation and sustainability of natural resources.  One of the resources that they publish is a Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in produce.  EWG is fully supportive of you eating more fruits and vegetables.They note that "the health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure."  However, at the same time, they want you to be aware of the typical pesticides that you might find in conventionally raised produce so that you can minimize the associated health risks.
    EWG has a list of "good" and "bad" fruits and vegetables as they relate to pesticides.  While it is not always feasible to buy everything organic, this list gives you a starting point of where the higher health risks lie and which produce would be more beneficial to buy as organic if you are able.
     We all have to make choices about the type of consumers we are and what kind of agricultural practices we are willing to support.   While making a statement with your purchasing practices is a good place to start your activism, we all know that it is neither easy or feasible to make a statement with every purchase.  But, start somewhere.   Make a intentional choice.  Support practices that are not harmful to your health or the environment.  


EWG Shoppers Guide

Beach Water Quality

      So why does everyone say that controlling the water runoff from your property is important?  One reason is because it affects the quality of the water that is all around us.  Anything that you put on your lawn or garden such as fertilizers or pesticides, or even animal waste gets caught in the runoff and acts at pollutants.  Where does the runoff go?  In most cases sewer and stormwater are combined together.  Typically they are treated at a wastewater treatment plant before being further released into the environment.  Often, however, that combined wastewater is released untreated during a stormwater overflow.  The untreated water makes its way to our rivers, streams and Bay.
     All around the country this affects us when we go to the beach.  Some beaches have such poor water quality that swimmers can become sick from the pollutants.  The Natural Resources Defense Council recently released a report giving the status of many beaches around the country.  Samples were taken and then beaches were rated based on the amount of pollutants found.  Among the best rated beaches for minimal pollutants included beaches in Ocean City, MD and Dewey Beach, DE.  Below, you can find links to the report and a more specific link to the quality of specific beaches in Maryland.
     Please do your part to control what goes into our water, and help us minimize the pollutants.  It is not just the environment that you are keeping healthy, but your neighbors as well.


NRDC Testing Report

Maryland Beachwater Quality

Crofton Rain Garden

Look at what others are doing in our community!  The Crofton Civic Association, in conjunction with a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, was able to plant a large rain garden at the entrance "gate" to Crofton.  This rain garden will help filter runoff going into the adjacent pond, and will keep the area from getting swampy when it rains.  Volunteers who participated also received information and education from a Master Watershed Steward and the Bay-Wise program (which we have written about previously).   The large grant from Chesapeake Bay Trust is generated by the sale of Bay Plates and those who donate to the Bay Fund through their tax forms.
Congratulations to Crofton and the participants of this project, and thank you for helping to protect our environment.

Capital Gazette Crofton Rain Garden article

Changing Your Energy Supplier

Someone recently asked us, "Where do I go to change my energy supplier?".   Great question-- here is the answer!  
     Energy comes from a variety of sources-- coal fired and nuclear power plants, wind farms and solar.  All of that electricity is supplied to a common grid, and then distributed to the users.  While in our area, BGE is the only source for energy distribution, we have many options of how our energy is created or supplied.  Changing your supplier is as easy as doing a little research to decide who you want to use, and then signing up with that company.  The company that you sign up with will do all of the background paperwork to coordinate with BGE, and actually make the change.  Be aware that by default, BGE is both your supplier and distributor.  Also note that within all of the various options of suppliers, there are different rates available for different terms.  Maybe you only want to test the waters and see how it goes... then sign up for a one year contract with a supplier and at the end of the year, if you do not renew with them-  you will typically get defaulted back to BGE.  In our house, we found a company that had comparable rates to what BGE was offering, but provided 100% Wind Energy.  They even gave us a great little sticker to put in our front window that says so. 
     Some may ask, "how do I know that the electricity I am buying through this supplier is the energy I am getting?".  The truthful answer is that no one really knows where the electrons that are coursing through your wires were actually generated.  No matter where or how the electricity was generated it all goes to a common grid system and gets routed to where it is needed.  What is important is that you are showing your support for renewable energy by how you spend your money.  If enough of us show that we are happy to spend our money on renewable energy technologies, then eventually companies such as BGE will want to find ways to switch from coal fired technologies to more or equally lucrative alternate options.  Make a statement today about what is important to you.  Choose to spend your money on electricity supply that does not damage the earth.  Check out the links below to get the details on how to make the change.

How Energy Supply and Distribution Works

How to Choose and Switch Your Supplier

List of Supplier Options