Monday, April 25, 2011

Green Buildings

Three great video's sent to us from Karen Carter!

Green ARch with Jeanne Gang

Chicago's City Hall Green Roof

Organic Rooftop Farming in Chicago from OrganicNation

Mark your calendar! Our annual meeting is on Monday, May 16th from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sultzer Library. Come hear about the amazing year we have had, and help us to plan and ensure that 2011-12 is even better.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Earth Day - April 22, 2011

The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

What will you be doing on Earth Day? Need and idea? Go to earthday.org/

Green Fire

The Green Fire Film Project

Green Fire was produced in partnership between the Aldo Leopold Foundation, the Center for Humans and Nature, and the US Forest Service. The film provocatively examines Leopold’s thinking, renewing his idea of a land ethic for a population facing 21st century ecological challenges. Leopold's biographer, conservation biologist Dr. Curt Meine, serves as the film's on-screen guide.

Green Fire describes the formation of Leopold’s idea, exploring how it changed one man and later permeated through all arenas of conservation. The film draws on Leopold’s life and experiences to provide context and validity, then explores the deep impact of his thinking on conservation projects around the world today. Through these examples, the film challenges viewers to contemplate their own relationship with the land community.

The high-definition film will utilize photographs, correspondence, manuscripts and other archival documents from the voluminous Aldo Leopold Archives as well as historical film and contemporary full-color footage on location, including landscapes that influenced Leopold and that he in turn influenced.

The film also features commentary and insight from some of today’s most recognized and credible scholars and conservation leaders, including: three of Aldo Leopold’s children—Nina, Carl, and Estella, Leopold scholars, noted environmental writers, scientists, humanities experts, public policy leaders, business leaders,; and leaders of non-profit groups inspired by Leopold.

http://www.greenfiremovie.com/

Monday, March 21, 2011

Earth Hour - Candle Power

Earth Hour - Candle Power
March 26, 2011
8:30 - 9:30pm

Northcenter Neighborhood Association invites all households and businesses to turn off their nonessential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change.

During Earth Hour - Candle Power

Light a candle and place it in your front window so all can see your commitment to a healthy environment.
Sit out on your front porch with family and friends and share in the fun with your neighbors.
Let us know if you participate and we will compile the total power saved in Northcenter greenblog@northcenterneighborhood.org
Create your own unique Candle Power event.

For the official Earth Hour website, please visit http://www.earthhour.org

19th Annual Chicago River Day

URBAN RIVER CHALLENGE

The Chicago River vs. The Los Angeles River. The competition is ON!

The Windy City is taking on the City of Angels - but with an ecological twist. For decades, our two cities have hosted some of the largest volunteer-driven river clean-ups in the country - and this year, we’re competing to be the best.

The Urban River Challenge is a three-month competition between our two organizations to see who can

(1) get the largest number of volunteers out to our large watershed workday/cleanup events Saturday, May 14, 2011, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and

(2) add the most new Facebook fans leading up to their cleanup. The prize for this competition is the fame, acclaim and the knowledge that both of our rivers will be better off than they were before the challenge began. And, just so you know, we are in this it win it Chicago!!!!!

The competition is from March 1 through May 20, 2011. Help the Chicago River win the Urban River Challenge. Follow this link for more information! http://www.chicagoriver.org/events/chicago_river_day/

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Take the Green Lawn Challenge

A beautiful, green lawn has long symbolized America’s commitment to their homes and community. The race for a perfect, weed-free, green lawn has spawned many lawn products that promise a perfect lawn, and their use has become commonplace across our country. Over time, however, we have realized that the perfect green grass that quickly follows an application of pesticide or weed killers is masking environmental damage that occurs beyond. The soil and water supply harbor and move those contaminants, and eventually, our food and water supplies are contaminated.

Fortunately, there are numerous green alternatives to these harmful products that deliver the same results without causing harm to the environment. In North Center, we realize that each of us can make responsible choices within our own yards, but without the commitment of our neighbors, our efforts won’t have the impact to protect our soil and water supplies.

We are therefore starting the GREEN LAWNS initiative. Neighbor – by – neighbor, we are signing up North Center residents to build a coalition of people committed to obtaining a beautiful, green lawn without resorting to harmful pesticides and pollutants. By signing up, you promise to do one thing:

ensure that only eco-friendly- pesticide and weed killer products enter your yard.

As a coalition, we can use our strength to

obtain eco-friendly lawn services at a discount;
affect the products and techniques used in North Center’s parks and public spaces; and
ensure a clean soil and water supply for our health.

Join by emailing us at greenlawns@northcenter.org.