Green News in the Bluegrass – October 2015 Newsletter

October 15, 2015By 0 comment

BRIDGET’S NATIVE TREE PICKS

 

Fall is upon us, and it is the perfect time to think about planting trees. Whether you are planting in the fall or planning for an early spring planting, choosing the right native species for the site is essential for the survival and vigor of the tree. Read More…

ENERGY AUDIT KITS TO THE RESCUE

 

Bluegrass Greensource provides free Energy Audit Kit’s through the public libraries for checkout. The Energy Audit Kit’s are designed to guide you through the first steps of making your home more energy efficient. Read More…

ANNOUNCING: SEPTIC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP

 

To help improve water quality in the Dix River watershed area, Bluegrass Greensource offers homeowner workshops in Boyle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties. Participants will learn about local watersheds and water quality, how to properly care for septic systems, and how to identify problems with septic systems. Following the workshop, participants can apply for a cost-share grant for septic system repairs, or for a free septic tank pumpout. To be eligible for the grants, homeowners must reside within the Dix River watershed in Boyle, Garrard, or Lincoln Counties. Read More…

KRA GRANT OPPORTUNITY

 

Wishing you could find some funding to help improve your favorite local stream, river or lake?  Are you located in the Kentucky River Basin? If so, please consider applying for a Kentucky River Authority Watershed Grant. Applications are being accepted until November 16, 2015. Read More…

IT’S COMING!

 

Wait – what’s coming?

It’s mid-October, and that means that we’re less than a month away from one of Central Kentucky’s best events – the Bluegrass Community Foundation and Smiley Pete Publishing’s GoodGivingGuide Challenge. Read More…

BLUEGRASS GREENSOURCE AND GLAA PARTNER TO PROMOTE APARTMENT SUSTAINABILITY

 

Increasing residential sustainability has been one of the primary goals at Bluegrass Greensource since its inception in 2001. This goal serves a double purpose in that it not only benefits the environment, but also offers additional incentives for homeowners looking to save money on utility expenses. But what happens for the thousands of Lexington/Fayette County residents who live in apartments and lack the ability or resources to implement such changes on their own? Read More…

BGGS OPEN HOUSE

 

There was a flurry of activity and much excitement as Bluegrass Greensource Educators hosted an open house for educators in the Bluegrass area.  Educators and students were given the opportunity to learn about environmental activities and materials available to the public. Read More…

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

 

We will be offering a volunteer training class at our office on Saturday, November 21st. Please let our Volunteer Coordinator, Ashley Bryant-Cheney, know if you are interested in attending!

Check out our Events Calendar to learn more about upcoming green events in your community! Submit your organization’s green event here.

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September Newsletter

September 15, 2015By 0 comment

RAIN GARDEN NATIVES: KARA’S PICKS

Folks around Central Kentucky often ask me which plants are appropriate for a rain garden. Rain garden soil conditions can vary from wet to dry, making them tough places for many plants to grow. Read More…

SEPTIC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE TIPS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY

Many of Kentucky’s streams and rivers are unsafe for wading, swimming, fishing, and other forms of water recreation due to the presence of high levels of E. coli bacteria. Human sources provide the most prominent contribution to E. coli exceedances. Rural areas not serviced by municipal sewage collection systems have higher human pathogens contributions from failing septic systems or straight pipes. When bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens are released into the ground, they eventually enter waterways, harming or killing native plants, fish, and shellfish. Read More…

MEET OUR NEW STAFF: JACKIE AND OLIVIA

Hear from our new Environmental Educator, Jackie Gallimore, and AmeriCorps VISTA, Olivia Oakley as they describe their first few weeks at Bluegrass Greensource and the journey that brought them here.  Read More…

SUSTAINABLE LIVING NEEDS SUSTAINABLE GIVING

Small changes lead to big impacts.

At Bluegrass Greensource, we see this in action every day.

Providing support for schools to recycle leads to recycling rates more than doubling in one year. Supporting local businesses in implementing sustainability initiatives leads to reductions in energy usage and the amount of waste produced. Partnering with major events to help them achieve a Zero Waste status leads to significant amounts of materials being diverted from landfills and into recycling and compost streams. Read More…

2015 FALL WASTE TIRE COLLECTION SCHEDULE

The Waste Tire Collection Program is an ongoing effort to rid Kentucky’s landscape of waste tires. Established in 1998 as part of the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s (EEC), the Waste Tire Collection Program works to ensure the recovered tires are recycled into beneficial products, such as tire-derived fuel or crumb rubber.

During the waste tire collection event, individuals can drop off their unwanted tires at the specified location within their county at no cost. To date, tire amnesty is responsible for the proper disposal of more than 19 million waste tires. Read More…

Check out our Events Calendar to learn more about upcoming green events in your community! Submit your organization’s green event here.

READ MORE