Summer Fun (and Learning!) with Bluegrass Greensource

June 23, 2016By 0 comment

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It’s Time for Summer Camp!

Bluegrass Greensource educators are working with a variety of organizations this year to provide environmentally focused activities and lessons at summer camps in the Central Kentucky area! With activities ranging from Recycle Relay to testing water quality, campers have fun learning about the environment and how we all have an impact. Check out the list below to see if Bluegrass Greensource is coming to a camp near you!

    • Burnamwood Camp | June 14th
      Northside YMCA | July 25th – 29th
    • Consolidated Baptist Church | July 18th – 21st
    • William Wells Brown Community Center | June 7th, 14th and July 5th, 12th, & 19th
    • Lansdowne | June 20th – July 7th
    • Parks & Recreation: ACE & Liberty | June 29th
    • Northern Elementary | June 22nd

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Water Warrior Camps

  • Water Warriors at Toyota Daycare, Scott County | June 13th –17th
  • Camp Kenwick | June 22nd, July 1st, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, and August 3rd
  • Water Warriors at Owen County 4H | June 20th – 22nd
  • Water Warriors at Owen County Youth Services Center | June 27th – July 1st
  • Sadieville Water Warriors | August 1st- 3rd
  • Woodford Water Warriors at Buckley Wildlife Center | July 18th- 22nd
  • Paris-Bourbon County YMCA | July 18th- 22nd 

Don’t see your camp listed, but want to get in on the Greensource fun? Ask your camp coordinator to schedule a lesson by emailing Pattie Stivender at pattie@bggreensource.org or calling 859-266-1572!

 

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Lucky's Impact Day: Wednesday, July 13th

June 22, 2016By 0 comment

Support Bluegrass Greensource at Lucky’s Impact Day!

Wednesday, July 13th, ALL DAY!

Shop for a GREAT cause!

We are thrilled to be the beneficiaries of Lucky’s Impact Day this summer. When you shop at Lucky’s Market (1030 South Broadway, Lexington, KY 40504) on Wednesday, July 13th, Bluegrass Greensource will receive 10% of the day’s total sales! Proceeds from the event will directly support our work in classrooms to bring the science of sustainability alive for Central Kentucky kids.

Meet our educators and enjoy Lucky’s Vendor Fair!

Want to say hello? Our staff will be on site from 11 am – 6 pm! From noon until 4:00, Bluegrass Greensource educators specializing in trees, native plantings, and rain gardens will be available to answer your questions. And, from 4:30 – 5:30 pm, our staff will help you make your own reusable bag from an upcycled t-shirt! 

Lucky’s Market will also host a fair of local vendors in the parking lot from 4:00 – 7:00 pm, AND be having a sale on beer (20% off!). So, come by, say hello, purchase some delicious fresh food, and help support environmental education in Central Kentucky. See you there!

Lucky’s Community Project

We are so thankful to Lucky’s for selecting us as their beneficiary this quarter! We encourage you to take a moment to watch the video below- it really captures Lucky’s commitment to being a part of the communities where they open their stores!

Lucky’s Market Community Project from Lucky’s Market on Vimeo.

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2016 Artistic Rain Barrels Now Available Online!

June 22, 2016By 0 comment

2016 Artistic Rain Barrels

The 2016 Artistic Rain Barrels are now available for purchase online!
Each rain barrel is $200 (with tax), with all proceeds benefiting Bluegrass Greensource’s environmental education activities throughout Central Kentucky. Check them out below!

Purchase yours today!

Click the button below to purchase your barrel! Remember the name of the barrel and select it from the drop down menu. Sales tax applies. Barrels must be picked up from Bluegrass Greensource offices, located at 835 National Avenue, Lexington, KY 40502.


Rain Barrel


What do rain barrels do for the environment?

Rain barrels connect to your downspout, decreasing the amount of rain that runs off your property, which aids in preventing water pollution and flooding. Every time it rains, unabsorbed water rushes to storm drains and directly to local waterways. This water carries with it pollutants such as pet waste, automotive fluids and fertilizer.

The water saved in rain barrels can be used for watering flowers, gardens and lawns all through the summer, even in times of drought. Reduced water demand will lower your use of municipal water supplies, saving you money!

There’s a rain barrel I LOVE, but I don’t want to purchase online. What do I do?

No problem! Please contact michelle@bggreensource.org to purchase, or call our office at 859-266-1572.

Can I purchase a plain rain barrel?

Yes! Bluegrass Greensource sells rain barrels year round. The rain barrels are made out of plastic, 55 gallon, reused, food grade barrels. The price for one is $75, plus tax. If you are interested in buying a rain barrel from Bluegrass Greensource, call Michelle at 859-266-1572 or email either Michelle@bgGreensource.org or info@bgGreensource.org.

 

 

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Green Waves Radio: June 17, 2016 | Guests: Cara Cooper, Ian Reece, and Emma Anderson, Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition

June 17, 2016By 0 comment

Green Waves Radio: June 17, 2016
Host: Chris Porter, Development Director
Guests: Cara Cooper (state organizer), Ian Reece (delegate), and Emma Anderson (delegate), Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition

In this episode, Chris interviews Cara, Ian, and Emma of Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition, an organization mobilizing university, college, and high school students to promote environmental justice through activism, development, and education. These young people are passionate about advocating for a more just and sustainable future, starting on Kentucky campuses.

 

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Bluegrass Sustainable Business Summit: Conference Agenda

June 7, 2016By 0 comment

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Wednesday, June 15th
8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Locust Trace Agriscience Center


2016 Schedule of Events:

8:30 am – 9:15 am      Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:15 am – 9:30 am      Welcome and Introductions

9:30 am – 10:30 am      Session A

    • Option 1- Berea Sustainable Development Panel

      Berea College Dorm (LEED Platinum certification and Petal Recognition under the Living Building Challenge)
      Joan Pauly
      Sustainability Coordinator, Berea College

      Berea Municipal Community Solar Farm and Energy Efficiency Programs
      Joshua Bills, CEM
      Energy Efficient Enterprises Program Coordinator,
      Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED)

      Berea Urban Farm and the Old Town Urban Agriculture District
      Cheyenne Olson
      Executive Director, Sustainable Berea ​

    • Option 2-Creating a Fossil Free Portfolio

      Carrie B. Van Winkle,
      Socially Responsive Investing

    • Option 3- Ecological Management – Compliance, Planning, and Sustainability

      Ward Wilson, Director of Development
      Eco-Tech Consultants, Inc.

10:45 am – 11:45 am  Session B

  • Option 1- How a Carbon Fee Could Benefit Kentucky Business

    Jason Bailey, Executive Director,
    Kentucky Center for Economic Policy

    Zach Bernstein, Manager, Research and Social Media
    American Sustainable Business Council

  • Option 2- Sustainable Spirits

    Paulette Akers,
    Division of Compliance Assistance

  • Option 3- Energy Star Portfolio Manager for Businesses

    James Bush,
    LFUCG

12:00 pm – 1:15 pm    Lunch, Keynote, Exhibits
Keynote Speaker- Michele Muller, Environmental Manager at L’Oreal

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm      Session C

  • Option 1- Getting to know the Kentucky Sustainable Business Council

    Heather Warman, Executive Director, Kentucky Environmental Foundation and Interim Director of the Kentucky Sustainable Business Council

  • Option 2- Sustainable Sites Initiative

    Nancy Church, Director, Community – Kentucky,
    U.S. Green Building Council
    Scott Southall, RLA, LEED AP BD+C, ASLA,  AIC
    CDP Engineers

  • Option 3- Green Check Program

    Rob Gates, Outreach Specialist,
    Bluegrass Greensource

2:45 pm – 3:45 pm     Session D

  • Option 1- EcoDistricts, LSC, Green Umbrella, and Bluegrass Forever Green

    Bobby Clark,
    Sustainable Business Ventures Corporation

  • Option 2- Energy Efficiency & Waste Reduction Solutions for Business

    Lissa McCracken,
    Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center

  • Option 3- The Business Case for Passive House

    David Horton,
    Green Building Consulting, LLC

4:00 pm – 4:15 pm      Door Prize Announcements and Closing

4:30 pm -5:00 pm     Tour of Locust Trace Agriscience Center

5:30 pm -7:00 pm      Happy Hour at Ethereal Brewing Company!

The Bluegrass Sustainable Business Summit is generously sponsored by:

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Green Waves Radio: May 27, 2016 | Lily Brislen, Food Connection

May 27, 2016By 0 comment

Green Waves Radio: May 27, 2016
Host: Ashley Bryant Cheney, Environmental Educator
Guest: Lily Brislen, University of Kentucky Food Connection

Ashley interviews Lillian Brislen, Director of the University of Kentucky’s Food Connection. Lily shares her expertise about local food and farm systems, the future of local foods, and economic development.

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Green Waves Radio: May 20, 2016 | Guests: Amy Preske and Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace

May 20, 2016By 0 comment

Green Waves Radio: May 20, 2016 
Host: Chris Porter, Development Director
Guests: Amy Preske and Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace

In this episode, Chris interviews two guests from Buffalo Trace distillery, Public Relations and Events Manager, Amy Preske and Master Distiller, Harlen Wheatley. This show is about all things Buffalo Trace Bourbon, from production to enjoyment, and an exciting new project called Farm to Bottle.

 

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Green Waves Radio: May 6, 2016 | Guest: Cheyenne and Richard Olson, Sustainable Berea

May 6, 2016By 0 comment

Green Waves Radio: May 6, 2016 
Host: Chris Porter, Development Director
Guests: Cheyenne and Richard Olson, Sustainable Berea

Chris interviews Cheyenne Olson, Executive Director, and Richard Olson, Chair of the Board, of Sustainable Berea about their dynamic organization working to promote sustainable ways of life. Sustainable Berea provides resources for citizens to live more sustainably, from rain barrels to urban farming, and presents numerous community events to increase knowledge about the issues facing the environment.

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Bluegrass Sustainable Business Summit 2016

April 30, 2016By 0 comment

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ADVANCE REGISTRATION: $45 per person/ $15 per student

DAY OF REGISTRATION: $55

Includes catered lunch & workshop materials.

Open to businesses and the public

Click here for the summit agenda!

Click here to register now! For further information or assistance, email bridget@bggreensource.org.

The Bluegrass Sustainable Business Summit offers a wide range of tools, tips, and knowledge to increase sustainability and improve your bottom line in your workplace and at home.

The Bluegrass Sustainable Business Summit builds upon past successes by expanding the scope of sustainability focused workshops, speakers, and sessions to encompass a regional perspective. Whether you are a seasoned sustainability professional or looking to take the first steps to green your business or home, the Bluegrass Sustainable Business Summit offers something for everyone! Workshop topics will include Sustainable Development, Energy, Water, and Reforming the Waste Stream.

Bluegrass Greensource and Lexington Fayette Urban County Government will unite an exciting new lineup of partners including:

· US Green Building Council
· KY Sustainable Business Council
· Bluegrass Forever Green
· KY Division of Compliance Assistance

In addition to traditional sessions, the summit will also host a unique slate of educational opportunities including regional case studies, narrative stage panels, hands-on demonstrations, and guided tours of the Locust Trace Agriscience Center, one of the region’s newest beacons of sustainability.

ABOUT LOCUST TRACE AGRISCIENCE CENTER

The 2016 summit will be hosted at the renowned Locust Trace Agriscience Center, Lexington’s newest career and technical high school. Locust Trace boasts a multitude of sustainable features including: the nation’s third largest array of solar thermal cells, renewable energy rainwater catchment, constructed wetlands, permeable pavement, paddocks, pastures, vegetable gardens, and orchards!

The Bluegrass Sustainable Business Summit is generously sponsored by:

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