Go Green Charleston • Your Local Guide for Sustainable Living, Environmental News, Community Action » Events

The Tri-County Carolina Yard Experience

Chad Norman — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:17:41 +0000

If you’re struggling to find green ways to keep your property looking nice, or just looking for new ideas to expand your eco-landscaping repertoire, the Tri-County Carolina Yard Experience might be the perfect event for you (March 13, 9-2pm, Charleston Exchange Park)

Tri-County Carolina Yard Experience is based on the Carolina Yards & Neighborhoods program, which helps people work WITH the environment around their property – not against it. Sounds cool!

This is a free, environmental event focused on the home landscape-including environmentally friendly gardening practices, recycling, rainwater harvesting, pond management and much more! Hands-on demonstrations and educational displays by county extension agents and Master Gardeners.

A ton of local sponsors, including Clemson Extension Tri-county Master Gardeners, DHEC, and Charleston, Berkeley & Dorchester County Recycling, have made this free event possible. On Saturday, March 13th, head down to the The Charleston Exchange Park, Ladson SC from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and get your green yard on!

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jezpage/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Show Your Support for the Charleston Green Plan

Chad Norman — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:07:49 +0000

For the last few years, the Charleston Green Committee has been working hard to keep the city focused on sustainability. Earlier this year, the Committee finalized the Charleston Green Plan (download), a comprehensive set of studies, ideas, and recommendations to improve the city’s sustainability.

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!

International Day of Climate Action :: Mount Pleasant Event on October 24

Chad Norman — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:59:33 +0000

This Saturday, October 24, is the International Day of Climate Action – a chance for communities around the world to unite behind a cause that affects us all. 350.org is facilitating over 3700 community actions in 163 countries. These actions will feature photographs of the number 350 taken in iconic locations.

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!

9 Reasons You Can’t Miss the Charleston Green Fair This Sunday

Chad Norman — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:17:25 +0000

The 2009 Charleston Green Fair is upon us, and I hope you’re planning on heading down to Marion Square on Sunday to revel in our community’s greeness. Last year’s event was a huge success, and all signs point to even better results this year. Please come visit the Go Green Charleston booth in the nonprofit tent – we’d love to see you! Here are 9 reasons you can’t miss the Charleston Green Fair:

Exhibitors – There are well over 100 exhibitors to check out, including green builders, food providers, nonprofits, transportation, and energy solutions.
It’s FREE – There are no doors to Marion Square, so come on down.
The KidZone – Inspiring our kids to be more sustainable is an important part of the solution, and there will be plenty of cool activities in the KidZone.
Live Music – Check out headliner Jesse Colin Young on the main stage, which is sponsored by the fabulous Coastal Conservation League.
Speaker Tent – The learning never stops, so check out the speaker tent for a wide array of sustainability-focused presentations.
Nonprofit Education Tent – Come check out all the local dogooders (including us!) that are making a difference in our community.
Sustainable Seafood Cooking Contest – Watch as local chefs are challenged to create tasty meals using local and sustainable ingredients that you get to sample.
Inspiration – Sometimes it feels like you’re the only one trying to make a difference. It’s not true, and the Green Fair will inspire you to continue your efforts.
You Can Meet Us – OK, maybe not a can’t miss reason, but we can’t wait to meet YOU!

The Charleston Green Fair kicks off at noon on Sunday, September 27.

Green Events Abound in September

Chad Norman — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:31:06 +0000

Spring is usually the busy season for green events, but this September looks to be giving it a run for the money. There are 5 events just this week, including a Green Drinks Gathering, Green Business Networking Event, and fundraiser for Lowcountry Earth Force. This sustainable tour de force culminates with the Green Drinks Neighborhood Block Party on Sunday. Later in the month, the Charleston Green Fair will be happening along with all its satellite events, including the Green Business Expo and Green Flix.

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

Carrotmob Charleston :: The Movie

Chad Norman — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:23:22 +0000

Did you participate in Carrotmob Charleston last April? If not, here’s your chance to get a feel for the project and what it was able to accomplish. Carrotmob was organized by Green Drinks Charleston and Carolina’s Eco-Unit, and helped raise $1600 to help the Queen Street Grocery green up their building. Carrotmob is a great way to support local business, the sustainability movement, and encourage community involvement (here’s our coverage). Enjoy this short film from The Cut Company:

Water Week Featured Org – Coastal Conservation League

Chad Norman — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:42:29 +0000

The Sustainability Institute has been hosting Charleston Water Week to help encourage local residents to conserve this precious resource. And since we want to help the cause, we’re featuring different water-related nonprofits that serve our local community.

The Coastal Conservation League, who is celebrating their 20 year anniversary, is working hard every day to preserve our beautiful Lowcountry coast. They have a wide range of programs that are making a lasting impact on our community. The Coastal Conservation League is fighting bridges to small marsh islands, protecting freshwater wetlands, fighting port expansion, and watching out for our rivers just to name a few. With all of these active programs, plus a major effort to get local residents involved, their legacy can been seen throughout the Lowcountry.

Be sure to check them out online, get involved, and make a donation!

Water Week Featured Org – Charleston Waterkeeper

Chad Norman — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:10:59 +0000

The Sustainability Institute is sponsoring Charleston Water Week to increase awareness around the conservation of our most precious resource – H2O. We want to help the cause, so each day this week we are featuring a different water-related nonprofit serving our local community.

Charleston Waterkeeper was founded in September 2008 to preserve and protect the integrity of Charleston’s waterways by defending against pollution and contamination. Their focus is on our three major rivers and the tributaries that feed into them. By being an advocate for water, listening to local residents, and working with local officials, Charleston Waterkeeper is making a positive impact on our waterways that will last for generations. I really dig their abandoned boat program.

Please visit Charleston Waterkeeper online, Facebook, or on Twitter. If you want to get more involved, become a member by making a donation.

It’s Charleston Water Week!

Chad Norman — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:53:08 +0000

The great peeps over at The Sustainability Institute are sponsoring Charleston Water Week – a week-long celebration and educational series about water-related issues facing our community and planet. Water conservation and protection is becoming more and more important as potable water supplies diminish, so I think it’s great that the extra attention is being given to this important issue.

In conjunction with Charleston Waterkeeper and Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium, The Sustainability Institute is offering a bunch of water-related workshops this week. These workshops include Water Wise(r), Rainwater Catchment Systems, Green Roof Systems, Green Boat Maintenance, and more – good stuff!

In honor of Charleston Water Week, each day we’ll be featuring a different local nonprofit or business that is focused on water conservation and sustainability. After the jump, check out our list of local water orgs and businesses, as well as links to previous posts about water conservation.

Water-related Organizations and Businesses

Water-related Posts on Go Green Charleston

Happy Water Week everyone!

Meeting Jacki Baer from Fields to Families

Jennifer Norman — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:47:54 +0000

Zoe and I had the absolute pleasure of volunteering a few hours of our time for Fields to Families. I was introduced to this non-profit through two of Chad’s coworkers, who are on the board, and I instantly wanted to help. After looking at my schedule and capabilities, I decided helping at a booth at the Mt Pleasant Farmer’s Market would fit.

Jacki Baer is the founder – I wouldn’t guess her age, but I would guess she has the energy of a woman in her thirties. Jacki is passionate and meticulous. Zoe and I loved getting to know her and her organization. To witness her informing inquiring patrons that Fields for Families delivered over 80,000 pounds of fresh produce to the needy was truly inspiring.

There are many volunteer opportunities available, from gleaning the fields with your kids, to chatting about their cause with friends. This Tuesday, June 30, Whole Foods is donating 5% of their total sales for that day to Fields to Families. Stop by the booths at local farmer’s markets too, check their blog often, and take notice of this non-profit, I hope it grows (I couldn’t resist.)

Hope to see you in the fields!