from Edward Murtagh

Going Green Event, May 21 2005

The County will be holding a Going Green at Home Event Learn how your home can be more energy efficient, have cleaner indoor air , and make a contribution to the environment (including Sligo Creek). Event includes presentations by experts in various fields (see below). For the whole story,go to www.goinggreenathome.org.

Schedule

11:00 a.m.
PBS Pilot Program "Build It Green!" Film Screening Created by Desert Moon Productions, Inc. "Build It Green!" is an upcoming half-hour national PBS series made for national syndication, it will be the first home improvement style entertainment television show focused solely on environmentally-friendly techniques. Hosted by contractor Charlie Popeck and architect Jill Burtin, the half-hour program will look at new home construction and renovation projects in various parts of the country.
11:30 a.m.
Sustainable Energy and Design John Spears, Sustainable Design Group Inc. and International Center for Sustainable Development John Spears is an internationally recognized expert in energy conservation, renewable energy systems, indoor air quality, and sustainable design. He is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and was awarded the Environmental Professional of the Year in 1995. Since 1973, John has been providing design and consulting services in the areas of residential and commercial building energy conservation, renewable energy systems, "Green Building" design, indoor air quality, and sustainable community development.
12:00 p.m.
Effects of Global Warming and Home Energy Solutions Mike Tidwell, Chesapeake Climate Action Network Mike Tidwell's documentary film - "We Are All Smith Islanders" - details the dangers and solutions associated with global warming in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. In 2002, Mike founded and now directs the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to fighting global warming in the region through the promotion of clean, renewable energy. His pioneering home in Takoma Park is fueled almost entirely by wind, solar and corn power, and is regularly opened to the public as a community laboratory.
1:00 p.m.
Changing the Paradigm, An Ecological Approach to Landscape Design Jenny Reed and Lauren Wheeler, Natural Resources Jenny Reed and Lauren Wheeler are partners with Natural Resources, an ecologically focused landscape design firm specializing in residential and community settings. Jenny Reed earned her M.A. at the Conway School of Landscape Design and has been designing landscapes in Maryland for the past fifteen years and is also an owner of Gardens by Design. Lauren Wheeler is an ISA certified arborist and also has an M. A. from the Conway School of Landscape Design. For twenty years, she has worked as a landscape laborer, garden designer, company owner, and consultant.
1:45 p.m.
Door Prizes A drawing for door prizes includes a canoe trip for two on the Anacostia River, an organic lawn care kit, tickets to "Wings of Fancy" live butterfly show at Brookside Gardens, Building Green books edited by Alex Wilson and Mark Piepkorn, and more!
2:00 p.m.
Sustainable Features for Your Home Jason Holstine, Amicus Design and Build, LLC. Jason Holstine focuses on design, construction, and products that create green, clean, and healthy buildings. His firm synchronizes contracting services and responsible products-- such as no-VOC paints, low-VOC flooring, energy efficient mortgages, renewable energy options, and alternative framing technologies--to create a simpler, more affordable way to realize sustainable goals. Project partners include the US EPA; Energy Star; US Departments of Energy and Housing and Urban Development; the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing; and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
2:30 p.m.
Putting Your Landscape Garden to Work: Produce Attractive, Edible Landscapes and Wildlife Habitat Louisa Thompson, Gardens that Work! Louisa Thompson became a master gardener in 1992, was in the first BayWise training class, was on the Board of Directors of Maryland Native Plant Society (MNPS), and now serves on the Steering Committee of MNPS' Greater Baltimore Chapter. She demonstrates how different types of environmental gardening practices- native plants, BayWise practices, rain gardens and other kinds of conservation landscaping, and growing food - can be integrated with the principles of ornamental landscape design.