In Charleston, and especially in our sustainability scene, there are hundreds if not thousands of volunteers who are making a difference every day. They teach your kids at the South Carolina Aquarium, clean-up our beaches with the Coastal Conservation League, and help protect our rivers and marshes with Charleston Waterkeeper. Why – because they have heart.

Does this sound like someone you know? If so, now’s your chance to help. The CTK Foundation “Heroes with a Heart” Grant Award asks YOU to nominate a “Hero with a Heart,” and give them a chance to win $5,000 – a simple thanks for the hard work that they do.

Here’s an overview of awards the CTK Foundation will offer and details on how you can nominate your Hero:

• $15,000 for Three Heroes One Hero with a Heart from each of the three categories of Health and Human Social Service, Animal Rights and Environmental Protection and Arts and Literacy will be awarded $5,000 USD and a professionally produced video about their affiliated nonprofit for use in public awareness or education.
• $1,500 for One Hero The CTK Foundation will also be offering a $1,500 (USD) President’s Choice Award (the Susan Lee Winter Grant Award) for an individual working to provide creative and innovative approaches to HIV/AIDS education or prevention.
• Blogger’s Choice Award Lastly, there will be a Blogger’s Choice Award of $1,000 (USD). The CTK Foundation will choose a blogger (hopefully me) who will hand-pick one winner from any category.

Applications for all Heroes with a Heart grant awards open on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 and close Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 at midnight. Finalists will appear on the CTK Facebook page for public voting during April and winners will be announced on May 1, 2012. This award is open to registered nonprofits or charities of all types and sizes, worldwide.

What should you do?

It’s pretty easy. Go to www.communitytech.net/foundation to nominate your Hero with a Heart today! This simple action could make a real impact not only at a local nonprofit, but in our community as a whole. Remember, “You can’t go through life with two catchers mitts on – every now and then, you’ve got to throw something back.”

The Green Business Challenge will help local businesses, property owners, and residents focus on sustainability and become more energy efficient. This pilot program will kick off later this year, and they are asking interested parties to sign up soon (technically by January 21, but I’m sure they’d budge on that deadline a little). The competition format will benchmark local businesses and conclude with awards handed out by Mayor Joe Riley. This is a great chance to green up your business AND get a little recognition. Details after the jump >>

The Green Business Challenge is a voluntary friendly competition that takes participants through a process of benchmarking the energy use of a building using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. It also helps them pursue a variety of conservation and efficiency opportunities over the course of a one-year program.  The program concludes with an evaluation of participant progress towards goals, and successful achievers will be publicly recognized by Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr.

The Green Business Challenge is a partnership with the City of Charleston. It is a free assistance program that will not result in any penalty should you begin but later decide you no longer wish to participate. The City is seeking interest from local commercial property managers, business owners, and office tenants to participate in a pilot demonstration program. Your participation in the Green Business Challenge will result in reduced operation costs as well as the amount of pollution and waste generated from your property and/or business.

We ask that if you are interested in the program, or simply wish to support the idea of creating this program, that you return a letter of interest and/or support to Brian Sheehan, Director of Sustainability, 75 Calhoun, Charleston SC 29401 or e-mail a copy to sheehanbp@ci.charleston.sc.us, no later than close of business on Thursday, January 21, 2010.  We appreciate your support and look forward to working with you in the Green Business Challenge.

Good luck everyone!

Here are six new additions to the Local Guide – Give ‘em some love!

• Artisan Clay Interiors & Painting – all-natural sustainable walls
  
• EcoBilt Energy Systems – residential and commercial alt energy
• GreenBy3 – sustainability consulting for businesses
• Green Roof Outfitters – sustainable roofing
  
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Mount Pleasant – LEED!
  
• Sustainable Energy Solutions – clean energy technology
  

If your organization or business should be on our guide, just let us know.

On Tuesday, December 15th, the Plan goes in front of the Charleston City Council in hopes that its recommendations are adopted. The Council is already hearing from those that oppose the plan, so it’s crucial for all local greenies to come out in support of the Plan. This is a great opportunity to really make a difference, and let the City Council hear from those of us that believe a sustainable future is one to reach for.

Please consider doing one or all of the following:

• Sign the online petition
• Go old school and start a paper petition
• Write a letter to City Council members (samples)
• Write a letter from your organization (samples)
• Email the City Council members (contact info)
• Come to the 12/15 meeting!

Again, please share this information with each and every greenie in your sphere of influence. Thanks to everyone who has been participating in the Charleston Green Committee’s development of the Plan – you’re all rock stars! Now it’s up the rest of us to do our part to help make the Plan a reality!

• Charleston Moves
• Charleston Parks Conservancy
• Charleston Waterkeeper
• Coastal Conservation League
• Fields to Families
• Lowcountry Earth Force
• Lowcountry Local First
• Sea Island Habitat for Humanity
• South Carolina Aquarium
• SC Green
• SC LEEP
• The Sustainability Institute
• The Sustainable Warehouse

Happy dogooding everyone!

Why 350? Scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity – we are currently at 387. The intent is to use community photos collected from around the world to advocate for a reduction in CO2 emissions.

Jennifer Mathis, the founder of The Little Green Bag Project, is has created Lowcountry 350 – an opportunity for all of us to participate in this global event. On Saturday, October 24, head down to the Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park via alternative travel (walk, run, bike, skate, swim, row – just don’t drive!) for the Lowcountry 350 Climate Action Day Photo <- RSVP on the Facebook page. The event starts at 3 p.m., and the photo will be taken at 3:50 p.m. Hope to see you there!

SC Biz Magazine says,

The sustainability director will create long- and short-term goals and lead projects that promote environmental sustainability within city government and in the community. The new director also will lead some green initiatives the city has already pursued.

I really like the sound of that – a leader. The City of Charleston has organized a Green Committee, created some bike paths, and recently launched some public recycling options, but I feel that very little real progress has been made since Major Joe Riley signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2005 (almost five years ago!) Remember, movement and progress are not the same thing – I’m hoping that Brian’s leadership can help convert some of this local movement into real progress.

Brian, I cannot wait to meet and work with you. The Charleston community is ready and willing for you to lead the charge – just be sure we are running toward something BIG, and not something that’s simply “better.” Charleston is the perfect size to really make a difference, and I hope you brought some of that great Portland ingenuity with you! Good luck!

Be sure to check out all the events on our updated calendar, and let us know if we’ve missed any!

I also feel that while the drop sites give motivated recyclers an option, they are only part of the solution. I see scenes like the one above on every trash day, and sometimes the cardboard is actually broken down and stacked in a pile – they’re doing everything but driving it to the drop site! I know there is an issue with the trucks/equipment, but Charleston County needs to figure this out. If you feel like I do, and think cardboard recycling rates would soar if it was picked up curbside, then let the Charleston County Environmental Management team know — Call: 843.720.1111 Email: publicinfo@charlestoncounty.org Write: 13 Romney Street Charleston, SC 29403 —

Here are the 14 new additions to the Local Guide – Give ‘em some love!

• Charleston Parks Conservancy – Nonprofit taking care of your parks.
  
• Charleston Park Angels – Charleston Parks Conservancy blog.
  
• Cool Green Fish – Really cool local organic clothes.
• Conservation Voters of SC – Get involved with local green advocacy
  
• Daniel Island Mortgage - Local provider of myEnergyLoan
• Solar Energy Solutions – High quality solar products
  
• Pleasant Details Waterless Division – Eco-friendly vehicle washing
  
• Green Echo – Green consulting and design
  
• The Energy Detective – Local product that can help you save energy.
  
• SC Clean Energy Solutions – Natural energy for clean living
  
• Lowcountry Green Cleaning Services – All natural commercial cleaning
  
• Executive Kitchens – Eco-friendly cabinetry by Executive Kitchens
• Urban Edge Studios – Sustainable community design
  
• Tricycles and Trees – Natural toys, natural living

If your organization or business should be on our guide, just let us know.