Spring Watershed Festivals and Septic Maintenance Workshops

March 11, 2015By 0 comment

After a cold and snowy winter, Garrard, Lincoln, and Boyle Counties will welcome the long-awaited spring with festivals celebrating the Earth and focusing on the importance of clean water. Bluegrass Greensource is working with local partners to host two festivals and workshops in April.

The Garrard/Lincoln County Earth Day and Watershed Festival will be held on April 18th from 10:00-3:00 at Garrard County High School. Garrard County High School offers a perfect venue for the event. The outdoor area features a rain garden, a monarch butterfly way station, and ample space for local vendors, children’s activities, food, hiking, and music. Free workshops will be held inside and will focus on water quality in the Dix River watershed, septic system care and maintenance, organic gardening, rain barrels, and monarch butterfly way stations. A guided hike at nearby Tom Dorman Nature Preserve will take place in the afternoon.

The Boyle County Earth Day and Watershed Festival will be held on April 25th from 11:00-3:00 at Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Danville Campus. Boyle County’s Earth Day Festival’s theme of Water Quality will help educate the community about the importance of clean water and the ways they can protect their local waterways. Local vendors, children’s activities, art contests, food, music, and a 14-mile bike ride will be featured at the festival. The Boyle County Earth Day festival will also offer a variety of free workshops indoors, including septic system care and maintenance.

Bluegrass Greensource will host the Septic System Care and Maintenance workshops at the festivals. Septic workshops will focus on the Dix River Watershed in Garrard, Lincoln, and Boyle Counties and the impact of failing septic systems on human health and on the environment. The workshops will give local residents an opportunity to learn about local watersheds and water quality, how septic systems work, proper septic system maintenance, and how to identify problems in a septic system. After attending a workshop, homeowners may apply for financial assistance for system repairs or installation, 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. County health departments are partnering with Bluegrass Greensource to help make this project possible. Please contact Bridget Abernathy at bridget@bgGreensource.org or (859) 266-1572 for more information or to register for an upcoming workshop in advance. Workshop registration will also be available the day of the festivals.

The spring festivals and septic workshops are funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under §319(h) of the Clean Water Act. The Garrard/Lincoln County Earth Day and Watershed Festival is co-sponsored by Earth Angels, Garrard/Lincoln Solid Waste, and Garrard/Lincoln County Cooperative Extension. The Boyle County Earth Day Festival will be held in conjunction with Clarks Run Environmental and Educational Corporation, Boyle County Cooperative Extension, and Bluegrass Community and Technical College.

Festival Locations and Additional Information:

Garrard/Lincoln County Earth Day and Watershed Festival

April 18th, 10:00-3:00

Garrard County High School

599 Industry Road
Lancaster, KY 40444

https://www.facebook.com/events/362190993964925/

 Boyle County Earth Day and Watershed Festival

April 25th, 11:00-3:00

BCTC Danville Campus

59 Corporate Drive
Danville, KY 40422-9690

https://www.facebook.com/events/956443684365965/

 

 

 

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Large Turnout for Spring Rain Barrel Workshops

July 10, 2014By 0 comment

In May and June, Bluegrass Greensource hosted seven rain barrel workshops in Bourbon, Clark, Scott, and Woodford Counties, sponsored by Kentucky American Water.  Representatives from Bluegrass Greensource taught workshop participants about water conservation, its importance, and the purpose of rain barrels, as well as demonstrated for participants how to make a rain barrel. After the demonstration, each participant put together his or her own rain barrel to take home.

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Thanks to generous support from Kentucky American Water, local citizens can participate in a workshop for just $10 per person. Over 140 people participated in the spring workshops.

If you are interested in learning to make your own rain barrel, Bluegrass Greensource will be hosting more rain barrel workshops this fall in Bourbon, Owen, and Scott Counties with the support of Kentucky American Water.  The dates of these workshops will be announced in early August. If you are interested in attending, please visit www.bgGreensource.org to get the registration information, or join our mailing list to be among the first to receive the schedule!

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It's Not Easy Being Green – We're Here to Help!

March 13, 2014By 0 comment

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The 5th annual Go Green, Save Green Workshop, sponsored by LFUCG, is scheduled for March 20, 2014 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the BCTC Newtown Campus (500 Newtown Pike). This one-day workshop will educate businesses of all types and sizes on practices that are both environmentally friendly and money-saving.

This workshop is a fantastic opportunity to network with sustainability professionals and learn more about the steps that businesses can take to save energy, improve water quality, and reduce waste, all while reducing your costs!

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Whether you’re just getting started implementing eco-friendly practices at your business or you’re a seasoned sustainability professional, there are sessions to fit your needs. This year’s workshop offers specialized tracks for various types of businesses including industrial-sized businesses, bars and restaurants, apartment complexes, and religious institutions.

This year, we have partnered with the Kentucky U.S. Green Building Council to expand our offerings, including a session that will provide continuing education credit for LEED professionals. Sessions on energy efficient thermal comfort, grants for developing brownfields, water incentive grants, low impact development, and net-zero building will offer much to consider for businesses looking to ‘go green.’

Homeowners as well as businesses will benefit from learning about current recycling efforts in Lexington, the ins and outs of composting, and water quality issues. There will also be a presentation from the builder of Kentucky’s first net-zero energy home.

The cost to attend is $25 (general attendee), $15 (student attendee), or $50 (vendor). On-site general registration on the day of the event will cost $40. The registration fee covers admission to all sessions, a zero-waste breakfast and catered lunch, a tour of the LEED Certified BCTC Newtown Campus, chances to win door prizes (including a Haiku Fan from Big Ass Fans), and a drink ticket for happy hour. Happy Hour and networking will take place at Blue Stallion Brewing Company after the sessions. Parking is free and conveniently accessible.

To register, please visit ggsg.eventbrite.com by March 18th. Registration after that date cannot be guaranteed to include lunch.

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Septic Workshop

February 11, 2014By 0 comment

Going Green Can Save You Green

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government with Bluegrass Greensource will be hosting the 5th annual Go Green, Save Green Workshop on March 20, 2014 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the BCTC Newtown Campus at 500 Newtown Pike. This one-day workshop will provide you with the know-how to make your business more environmentally friendly while saving you money.

This workshop is a fantastic opportunity to network with sustainability professionals and learn more about steps your business can take to save energy, improve water quality, reduce waste, while reducing your costs.

“As a small business owner, I really learned a lot of budget-friendly green ideas,” states Jana, a past-attendee. “This workshop always has great information for anyone looking to do things a little bit more ‘green’ and it’s a good chance to see what others are doing too.”

Whether you’re just getting started, implementing eco-friendly practices at your business or you’re a seasoned sustainability professional; there are sessions to fit all your needs, including specialized tracks for:

  • Industrial businesses
  • Small businesses/Start-ups
  • Bars/restaurants
  • Non-profits
  • Religious institutions/Faith community
  • Apartment and Property management
  • LEED Design (Fulfills continuing education credits for USGBC)
  • Your Business!

This year, we have partnered with the Kentucky US Green Building Council to expand our offerings, including sessions that will provide continuing education credits for LEED professionals.

The cost to attend is $25 and covers entrance to all the sessions, a zero-waste breakfast and catered lunch, a tour of the LEED Certified BCTC Newtown Campus, chances to win door prizes (including a Haiku Fan from Big Ass Fans), and an invitation to the Happy Hour at Blue Stallion Brewing Company. Parking is free and conveniently accessible.  To register, please visit ggsg.eventbrite.com.

Vendor opportunities are also available; please contact Lisa Conley or Schuyler Warren at (859) 266-1572 for more details.

To download a Go Green Save Green Workshop poster, click here.

 

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Garrard County Joins Us for Septic Workshop

December 11, 2013By 0 comment

Septic Workshop photo

Homeowners attended a free workshop about septic system care and maintenance, hosted by Bluegrass Greensource in partnership with the Garrard County Health Department on November 5th.  The workshop, held at Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory, gave local residents an opportunity to learn about how the septic systems in their homes work, how to take care of them, how to tell if they’re not working properly, and what to do if a problem is suspected.  Additionally, Malissa McAlister of the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute discussed the history of water quality sampling in the Dix River watershed and the impact failing septic systems have on human health and on the environment.  Following the workshop, participants were able to apply for financial assistance, including free pumpouts and cost-share grants for system repairs or installations.

The workshop was the first in a series of similar workshops to be held as part of a grant program funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act through the Kentucky Division of Water.  Bluegrass Greensource will offer a total of nine homeowner workshops over the next three years, as well as a series of watershed festival events in local communities and water-related activities in area Kindergarten – 12th grade classrooms.

The next free septic system workshop offered through this program is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, January 14th from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at McKinney Elementary in Lincoln County.  Only residents of the Dix River watershed in Boyle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties who attend the workshop are eligible to apply for the financial assistance programs.  Please contact Sandy Bottoms at sandy@bggreensource.org or (859) 266-1572 for more information.

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Septic System Care Workshop Coming Soon

October 16, 2013By 0 comment
Image courtesy of Snohomish Health District
Image courtesy of Snohomish Health District

Did you know that a failing septic system can require expensive repairs, pose a health risk to your family, and have negative impacts on water quality? Bluegrass Greensource is hosting a free septic system care workshop on Tuesday, November 5th from 6 – 7 PM at Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory near Crab Orchard, KY.

Participants will learn about local watersheds and water quality, as well as septic system care and how to identify problems. Additionally, residents of the Maywoods area who attend the workshop may be eligible to receive a free pumpout or a cost-share grant for system repairs.

Light refreshments will be provided. Please call (859) 266-1572 or email sandy@bggreensource.org to register!

The workshop is the first of a series of septic system care workshops and water quality outreach events to be held in Boyle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties over a three-year period. This program is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act.

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Garrard County Joined Us for a Septic Care Workshop

October 15, 2013By 0 comment

Septic Workshop photoHomeowners attended a free workshop about septic system care and maintenance, hosted by Bluegrass Greensource in partnership with the Garrard County Health Department on November 5th.  The workshop, held at Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory, gave local residents an opportunity to learn about how the septic systems in their homes work, how to take care of them, how to tell if they’re not working properly, and what to do if a problem is suspected.  Additionally, Malissa McAlister of the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute discussed the history of water quality sampling in the Dix River watershed and the impact failing septic systems have on human health and on the environment.  Following the workshop, participants were able to apply for financial assistance, including free pumpouts and cost-share grants for system repairs or installations.

The workshop was the first in a series of similar workshops to be held as part of a grant program funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act through the Kentucky Division of Water.  Bluegrass Greensource will offer a total of nine homeowner workshops over the next three years, as well as a series of watershed festival events in local communities and water-related activities in area Kindergarten – 12th grade classrooms.

The next free septic system workshop offered through this program is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, January 14th from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at McKinney Elementary in Lincoln County.  Only residents of the Dix River watershed in Boyle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties who attend the workshop are eligible to apply for the financial assistance programs.  Please contact Sandy Bottoms at sandy@bggreensource.org or (859) 266-1572 for more information.

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Rain Barrel Workshop

June 21, 2013By 0 comment

KAWC_Logo

Bluegrass Greensource will be hosting a series of rain barrel workshops sponsored by Kentucky American Water. These workshops are free to the public and are limited to one barrel per person. Registration is required due to limited availability. All you need is a drill and a jigsaw and at the end you get to take home your very own rain barrel.  Extra tools will be provided.

Upcoming Workshops

Bourbon County Rain Barrel Workshop

Sponsored By: Kentucky American Water

When: Tuesday, June 25th at 6 pm

Where: Community Room, Paris-Bourbon County Library

To register for this event, please go here.

The workshop will be held at the Paris-Bourbon County Library located at 701 High St in Paris KY. For questions or further information please contact Michelle Patterson at Bluegrass Greensource, 859-266-1572.

Clark County Rain Barrel Workshops

Sponsored By: (add KAW logo here)

When: Saturday, June 29th at 9am and 11am

Where: Clark County Extension office

To register for this event please go here. Please note there are separate registrations for the 9am and 11am workshops. The workshop will be held at the Clark County Extension Office located at 1400 Fortune Drive in Winchester. For further information please contact Michelle Patterson at Bluegrass Greensource, 859-266-1572.

 

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