tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62165050733098109572011-10-06T10:08:33.485-07:00Green Berks - Join the ConversationBerks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-85006049805169387482011-04-26T07:50:00.000-07:002011-04-26T07:53:03.294-07:002011-04-26T07:53:03.294-07:00Where to Recycle Just About Anything!Vali Heist, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of the Clutter Crew, talked about ways to get rid of clutter in your home last week at our Green Drinks event. She had handouts about Green Organizing - emphasizing the environmentally-friendly principles of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, and Remix". Click here to view the handouts in PDF format.Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-13716906342073088702011-02-09T08:12:00.000-08:002011-02-09T08:14:13.511-08:002011-02-09T08:14:13.511-08:00Energy Savings ChecklistHere is a checklist for energy saving tips, courtesy of Jim Kurtz, General Manager of Reading Electric Renewables. To Do Today• Turn down the temperature of the water heater to the warm setting (120 degrees).• At night and whenever you leave your home, adjust your thermostat to save heating energy in the winter and cooling in the summer.• Replace incandescent lights with compact fluorescents or Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-41422507425252033112011-01-07T11:40:00.000-08:002011-01-07T11:43:14.708-08:002011-01-07T11:43:14.708-08:00Green Resolution Winners Announced!Thanks for all of the great posts to our blog last week. Good luck with your New Year's resolutions.We randomly selected the winners of the blog:Kristina D.MicheleNancy K.Winners will receive a $10.00 Gift Certificate for the Berks Conservancy store.WINNERS: Please email Kim Lewis at the Berks Conservancy at kim.lewis@berks-conservancy.org for complete details on how to redeem your Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-31056485333470233922010-12-30T08:12:00.000-08:002010-12-30T08:23:01.792-08:002010-12-30T08:23:01.792-08:00Most Interesting "Green" New Year's ResolutionNew Year's Eve is a day away and a lot of us have started making resolutions for a better year already. Most famously, the resolutions are about losing weight, eating better, and exercising more. The Berks Conservancy wants you to think outside the box this year - tell us your new year's resolution RELATED TO GOING GREEN. Submit an entry to our blog and get a chance to win one of the items from Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-58128936904197922672010-11-15T11:14:00.000-08:002010-11-15T11:22:26.078-08:002010-11-15T11:22:26.078-08:00Take the Challenge for a Greener Berks50 ways to go green. You pick 25. Complete them and check 'em off.We challenge you to accomplish AT LEAST 25 items and submit them online to the Berks Conservancy by June 1, 2011 to be entered to win some great prizes.RULES: Listed here are 50 things to do to "Go Green". We challenge you to accomplish AT LEAST 25 items, once you are finished, submit it onlineBerks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-90347619223040583162010-08-13T06:38:00.000-07:002010-08-13T06:46:20.884-07:002010-08-13T06:46:20.884-07:00Ways to Reduce Plastic ConsumptionBecause plastic is 100% non-biodegradable, plastic items that are used every day are finding their way into our water ways. Did you ever hear of the Great Pacific Garbage? It is not a pretty sight. Click here to see a video with photos. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page for U-tube video.)Below are some tips to REDUCE your plastic consumption.Bring your own cloth bags when shopping.Don't buy Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-12730175138811457722010-08-03T07:24:00.001-07:002010-08-03T07:24:30.394-07:002010-08-03T07:24:30.394-07:00Ways to Get Your Kids OutdoorsPlan and pack a picnic. Nothing says summer like eating outdoors!Go on a nature walk/scavenger hunt. There are many trails in Berks County to go for a walk. Try one new playground or park every week. Mix it up by visiting different parks and playgrounds in the Berks County area.Designate one day every week when the family does not drive the car. Whether it is during the week or one day on the Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-20849479619526521962010-06-28T10:48:00.000-07:002010-06-28T10:49:46.096-07:002010-06-28T10:49:46.096-07:00Cool off with these tips this summerSet your air conditioning thermostat to 78. Go higher, if the humidity is low enough and you feel comfortable.Drink lots of water. Cold drinks drop your body's core temperature and cool you down quickly.Keeping your blinds, shades and curtains closed. It helps keeps heat from getting inside your house.Do laundry early in the day and late at night. Don't forget clotheslines: they generate no heat Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-73276303214459773812010-06-28T10:46:00.000-07:002010-06-28T10:48:32.049-07:002010-06-28T10:48:32.049-07:00FREE Skoy ClothsThanks to all who posted to our blog last week. If you posted to our Ways to Reduce Paper Consumption blog prior to today, please send your mailing address to kim.lewis@berks-conservancy.org so we can send you a sample of the SKOY cloth.Great ideas to go green!Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-89195883845247104562010-06-21T10:22:00.000-07:002010-06-21T10:27:48.668-07:002010-06-21T10:27:48.668-07:00Ways to Reduce Paper ConsumptionPaper products are one of the easiest items to recycle.Here's a few ways to reduce your paper use and save a few trees:Choose recycled paper products. Everything from recycled office paper to recycled toilet paper is available at local grocery stores.Replace your paper napkins with cloth napkins, and your paper plates with regular dishes.Sign up for e-statements and pay your bills online. It Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-62054858248071763822010-05-24T12:39:00.000-07:002010-05-24T12:41:12.162-07:002010-05-24T12:41:12.162-07:00Having a picnic this Memorial Day?Having a picnic this Memorial Day?Here are some easy green tips and money saving coupons for your picnic:Outdoor furnitureClean with green and natural cleaning products instead of using toxic chemicals. Seventh Generation is a great product and has some good coupons available at http://www.seventhgeneration.com/couponsCreate Less WasteUse biodegradable utensils, bowls and cups to create less Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-71537252905258426282010-05-04T06:09:00.000-07:002010-05-04T06:15:32.886-07:002010-05-04T06:15:32.886-07:00Earth Day Contest Winners AnnouncedThanks for all of the great posts to our blog last week. It's great to see the community working together to make Earth Day special!We randomly selected the winners of the blog:Kris SchultzGreg MarshallJess at AlverniaElizabeth at Bullfrog FilmsJudy at Tilden Twp.Winners will receive a $10.00 Gift Certificate for the Berks Conservancy store.WINNERS: Please email Kim Lewis at the Berks ConservancyBerks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-33684199464603802052010-04-26T13:08:00.000-07:002010-04-26T13:20:54.247-07:002010-04-26T13:20:54.247-07:00What did you do for Earth Day last week?The Berks Conservancy was VERY BUSY last week celebrating Earth Day with Berks County friends and neighbors. We held presentations, visited schools and organizations, planted trees, and much more.But we want to know WHAT YOU DID!Post what you or your group did for Earth Day right here! Five randomly selected entries will receive a $10.00 Gift Certificate for the Berks Conservancy Store.Make sure Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-61151514999858699422010-04-05T12:37:00.001-07:002010-04-05T12:39:58.449-07:002010-04-05T12:39:58.449-07:00Great tips to start growing your native plants!Native plants are the trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses, ferns and other plants that have evolved in a particular area (such as southeast Pennsylvania) over thousands of years. Over this long period of time, the plants have adapted to the particular growing conditions present here, including temperature, rainfall, winds, soils, slopes and wildlife.If you haven't worked with native plants before, Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-42672240775212014662010-03-19T08:11:00.000-07:002010-03-19T08:14:16.229-07:002010-03-19T08:14:16.229-07:00Fixing Small Leaks Conserves Water, Saves MoneyThe sound of a dripping faucet or running water inside the toilet is more than a minor annoyance; you are wasting water and pouring money down the drain. In fact, more than one trillion gallons of water are wasted each year in U.S. homes due to leaks. To raise awareness of the problem, the Environmental Protection Agency organized the “Fix a Leak Week” (March 15-21) campaign aimed at educating Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-40991788687340966482010-03-04T13:56:00.000-08:002010-03-04T14:00:38.383-08:002010-03-04T14:00:38.383-08:00Greening Your HomeThe energy section of The State of the Environment Report has a very useful list of green initiatives for homeowners. These include installing compact fluorescent light bulbs, using low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) products, plugging the leaks, setting back thermostats and installing low-flow showerheads.I want to add one more --- dividing your heating and cooling system into zones. Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-88407393008997717252010-03-01T08:00:00.000-08:002010-03-01T08:01:23.182-08:002010-03-01T08:01:23.182-08:00Top "Cleanest" Fruits and VegetablesLike the dirty dozen of produce, there is a list of the top cleanest produce you can purchase that is not organic. These are least likely to contain pesticide residue. Here's the Cleanest:BananasKiwiMangosPapayaPineapplesWatermelonsAsparagus AvocadoBroccoliCauliflowerCornOnionsPeas When organic is not available, here's some tips to protect you from "non-organic" produce: Buy fresh vegetables andBerks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-50816376621482744542010-02-22T08:53:00.000-08:002010-02-22T08:55:45.630-08:002010-02-22T08:55:45.630-08:00Top Foods you should Buy OrganicWhen you go to the grocery store, there are many foods that you can buy organic. The cost can be more than double the price of conventional foods. Is it worth spending more when it comes to buying organic? According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), consumers can reduce their pesticide exposure by 80% by avoiding the most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating only the cleanest. Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-21829116293280440162010-02-19T13:45:00.001-08:002010-02-19T13:47:05.273-08:002010-02-19T13:47:05.273-08:00Source Water Protection: Implementation is the KeyOne of the water indicators used in the State of the Environment Report was the number of water systems in Berks County with Source Water Protection Plans. These voluntary plans outline the area that contributes to a water supply, identifies potential sources of contamination within those protection areas, and develops management strategies for protecting a water system’s source water supply. It Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-38667300722250593772010-02-08T09:03:00.000-08:002010-02-08T09:06:11.539-08:002010-02-08T09:06:11.539-08:00Have a "Winter Cleaning"A great way to spend some of your time when its cold and snowy outside is to have a "Winter Cleaning". Leave Spring to getting outside more instead of "Spring Cleaning" your house. Here's a strategy that is very effective:Start four piles for you to separate your items that you don't want anymore: RECYCLING, CLOTHING, PAPERWORK and CHARITY.RECYCLINGIf an item can be recycled, there is no reason Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-41100307123408342422010-02-01T08:07:00.000-08:002010-02-01T08:08:56.090-08:002010-02-01T08:08:56.090-08:00Green Your LaundryLaundry is a fact of life, a never-ending cycle of dirty and clean clothes. When it's wash day, there are things to consider that saves money and energy, along with helping the environment. Here are some tips to consider: Your Mom would probably cringe when she reads this BUT "It's OKAY to use cold water when washing dirty whites."Using hot water for both washing and rinsing uses three and a halfBerks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-81720939989859306082010-01-28T08:48:00.000-08:002010-02-01T08:37:48.018-08:002010-02-01T08:37:48.018-08:00EPA Setting New Air Standards for SO2 and NO2 for First Time in Over 30 YearsEarlier this week (1/25/2010), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set a new, more protective ambient air quality standard for short-term nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations that can aggravate asthma and other respiratory ailments, the first time in 35 years EPA has lowered the NO2 standard. See “EPA Strengthens Air Quality Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide/First new NO2 standard in 35 Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-67488746515849478532010-01-21T08:00:00.000-08:002010-01-21T08:39:32.292-08:002010-01-21T08:39:32.292-08:00Your ENERGY Options - consider a change!If you are a PPL electric customer, rate caps on electric prices have expired at the beginning of the year. Now is a great time to switch to a renewable electricity supplier or purchase some Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). Both are easy to do and will significantly lower your carbon footprint.Con Edison and Direct Energy offer plans sourced from wind and hydroelectric sources with only a small Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-69157380251346014372010-01-15T05:27:00.000-08:002010-01-15T05:31:17.488-08:002010-01-15T05:31:17.488-08:00So what exactly is a benthic macroinvertebrate?By now you have probably read the Conservancy’s State of the Environment Report and learned about water, land, air, waste, and energy issues in Berks County. Hopefully you have taken the report’s advice to heart and looking at what changes you might make in your life to help make a difference. After reading that one lawn mower emits as much pollution per hour as 11 cars, I decided to look into Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216505073309810957.post-86664470709129586832010-01-08T05:29:00.000-08:002010-01-08T05:31:43.874-08:002010-01-08T05:31:43.874-08:00Motivation for the New YearMy dear friend Susan Fromm recently received an award and much deserved recognition for her long time volunteer efforts for the organization, Berks Women in Crisis. In accepting her remarks she eloquently referenced the Conservancy's State of the Environment report. I'd like to share with you her inspirational remarks as motivation in the new year. "Last month the Berks County Conservancy Berks Conservancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17068144043291514430noreply@blogger.com0