Posts tagged runoff
Interested in Greening Your Roof? Join Queen Village workshop to learn how
Jul 11th
GreenTreks has been all over the city filming various greening efforts i recent months, and this Saturday we’ll be out at the Southwark Queen Village Community Garden as the neighborhood residents put a living roof on the building that houses bee-keeping supplies.
Yup, you’re reading it right: BEE KEEPING SUPPLIES! There are nine hives at the Community Garden and the bee-kepers need a place to store equipment and extract honey — so the Honey House was born. Besides growing a vast array of edibles and ornamentals, the Gardeners have pushed the sustainability envelope and are inspiring others to rethink their own slice of the urban environment: they’ve installed solar panels (and sell power back to PECO during peak times when electricity is most in demand) and a composting toilet on the property. Putting a living roof on the Honey House to help control runoff and demonstrate how greening can happen at an intimate scale, they figured, was the next logical step.
Come and learn how easily a green roof can come together and lend a hand!
GREEN ROOF WORKSHOP
The Southwark Queen Village Community Garden and the Neighborhood Garden Association are presenting a hands on workshop to explain the concept of green roofs and allow participants to work on the installation of a simple and small roof in our garden. The workshop will help complete our new Honey House and raise money for bee equipment. The roof work will be directed by master roofer, Ray Nocella.
Come, participate, or watch, and learn.
When: Saturday, July 16, 2011, 10AM to Noon.
Where: Southwark Queen Village Community Garden
311 Christian St. Philadelphia, PA 19147
Fee: $20/person. Limit of 20 people.
Iced drinks and seating in our garden will be provided.
Call 215-320-2980 to reserve a spot.
Active Philly: Multi-Sport Connects Fitness, Health, and Environment in our Urban Oasis
Jun 24th
It’s that time of year again, when all hometown eyes are focused on the nation’s largest urban park system and the waterway that wends through the city: the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon takes place this weekend, so if you’re not racing, come out an watch.
This event has been called one of the nation’s best, and it’s near and dear to GreenTreks, not only because our Executive Director Barry Lewis has competed since the race’s inception, but because it highlights the key role a healthy environment plays in our lives.
Imagine if the Schuylkill River wasn’t surrounded by a system of parks to act as a buffer against runoff: there would be no way the swim-bike-run event could be held.*
*NOTE: In spite of the vast improvement in the Schuylkill’s water quality over the past decade, major storms flush significant amounts of pollutants and sediments into the river, so the swim portion is always dependent upon the weather in the days leading up to the race. For an up to date assessment of water quality, based on predictive models, check out phillyrivercast.org. At last check, at 11:30 am on Friday morning, the water quality was good and the water temperature was 79 degrees.
Imagine if we didn’t plan and care for greenspace by maintaining pathways through tree covered landscapes to provide shade and produce oxygen: how enjoyably could we ride and run amidst the paved in, built up city environment that heats like an oven at this time of year?
Imagine if we didn’t have a committed community of athletes, advocates, sponsors, city officials, and volunteers: the coordination, logistics, expense, and personnel requirements of hosting more than 4,00 athletes for a series of multi-sport events would never happen and could never result in such a rich experience for participants without every single person involved.
This year, we’re even more excited about the event, because race management is embarking upon a series of greening initiatives to reduce the event’s environmental footprint and give back to the community that makes the race possible. You can learn more about the initial phase of the race going green, which involves a partnership with Nathan Performance Gear and benefits the Fairmount Park Conservancy here >>
Actually, we’re over the moon about the 2011 race because Barry, who was selected as USA Triathlon’s 2010 Masters Duathlete of the Year, is once again competing as a member of Team PHLY–and they’re partnering with the Challenged Athletes Foundation to RACE FOR A REASON. If you think a triathlon is challenging, check out this video about CAF. Be prepared to be inspired.
Then get out and go after your dreams!
Then get out and go after your dreams!
Season 8 of Philadelphia Stories starts airing in May
Apr 25th
MIND-TV (formerly known as WYBE-TV 35) has just announced its selections for the 8th season of Philadelphia Stories, a series of “captivating stories which illuminate and celebrate the Greater Philadelphia region, as seen through the lenses of local filmmakers.” We’ve had programs selected before, but this year we’re more excited than ever: our 30 minute cut of Green City, Clean Waters is making its prime time debut on May 21!
We’ll remind you again, but mark your calendar now:
Green City, Clean Waters.
MIND-TV (WYBE-35)
Saturday May 21, 8 PM.
If you haven’t seen the promo yet, check it out now. The show takes an inspiring look at the amazing things that are happening all around the city in the name of stormwater management–efforts which, as many of the program’s participants point out, do way more than manage runoff. They make Philly a more beautiful, healthier, more livable place.
Green City, Clean Waters Promo from GreenTreks Network on Vimeo.
No question, we’re psyched to be selected as part of this year’s lineup–especially since there looks to be an amazing crop of films coming out of our region. As MIND-TV says, “Philadelphia Stories is dedicated to the promotion of film and video programs by our region’s independent producers. Works range from social issue documentaries to thought-provoking short narratives, creative animation and experimental programs. Philadelphia Stories favors stories and ideas that reflect the diversity in interests found in our region, including those that reach across gender, class, age, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and economic background.”
The series will air on Wednesday and Saturday nights at 8 pm, starting May 4. Check out the complete schedule >>
World Water Day 2011: What will you do?
Mar 22nd
Sure, the stats are bleak:
- Almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean drinking water.
- One in eight people on the planet drinks water that’s likely to make them sick.
- Unsafe water and a lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all disease and kill more people than all forms of violence, including war.
And yet the reality is that CLEAN WATER is possible.
And CLEAN WATER CHANGES EVERYTHING. Learn How >>
charity: water is one of of many great groups working to bring clean water to those less fortunate than us. We love their mission, their approach, and the way they share the stories of the difference they’re making all over the world.
Check them out. Learn more about the issue. Pledge your support. Go to their site >>
The story of charity: water – The 2009 September Campaign Trailer from charity: water on Vimeo.
Our video on Philly’s Green Infrastructure program is making the rounds; Clevelanders “green” with envy…
Jan 18th
Our friends at the Philadelphia Water Department continue to draw kudos for their smart approach to stormwater management, this time on RustWire.com.
Philadelphia Manages Stormwater with Green Infrastructure.
This video explains how the city of Philadelphia is reducing storm water management costs using “green infrastructure” such as bioswales. Meanwhile, the Cleveland region spends $3 billion under an order from the EPA to separate its storm and sanitary sewers. Perhaps if there would have been more thoughtful planning …
Yup, they’re using our Green City, Clean Waters video as an example of what smart planning can do. Nice!
You can Check out the article here and see what people think >>
