KRA Grant Opportunity

October 15, 2015By 0 comment

unnamedWishing 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.

In 2003, the Kentucky River Authority (KRA) initiated a Watershed Grant Program to provide financial assistance to organizations within the Kentucky River Basin.  These grants encourage local interest in protecting water quality by funding watershed education, water quality sampling or water quality improvement activities.  Grants of up to $3,000 have been provided to recipients annually. Please click here for details about past grant projects.

Grants are awarded to legal non-profit organizations, such as schools, city/county agencies, environmental groups, youth organizations, etc. with an interest in:

  • Educating the public or students about local water quality status;
  • Improving water quality of local streams, rivers or lakes;
  • Encouraging appreciation and use of community water resources.

Completed grant applications are due no later than November 16, 2015. They should be submitted to Malissa McAlister at mmcalister@uky.edu. You  may also direct any questions about the grant program to this email address.

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Announcing: Septic System Maintenance Workshop

October 15, 2015By 0 comment

Improving Water Quality in the Dix River Watershed

Kentucky River PhotoThe Dix River watershed and its tributaries, which flow into the Kentucky River, are considered imperiled due to high levels of E. coli bacteria. Many of the streams flowing into the Dix River are unsafe for wading, swimming, fishing, and other forms of water recreation. Studies have determined that failing septic systems and straight pipes contribute to bacteria in our waterways. High levels of bacteria and other pathogens can harm or kill native plants, fish, and shellfish, and can be a hazard to human health.

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.

The next FREE septic system workshop will be held on:

Saturday, October 17th
10:00-11:00 am
Boyle County Cooperative Extension Service
90 Corporate Drive
Danville, KY 40422

Registration for the workshop is encouraged but not required. Homeowners can register by calling Bluegrass Greensource at: 859-266-1572.

This program is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act, through the Kentucky Division of Water.
Photo Credit:
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Energy Audit Kits to the Rescue

October 15, 2015By 0 comment

oliviaBluegrass 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. By using this kit you can find areas in your home that could use more insulation, are leaking cold air, or appliances that are using energy even when turned off. The Energy Audit Kit’s tools include: kill-a-watt meter, Infrared Thermometer, Foot Candle Meter, Refrigerator Thermometer, and an Instant Read Thermometer. Each of these tools provides information on how energy is used throughout your home. For example, the kill-a-watt meter is used for measuring the energy usage of appliances that generally stay plugged-in such as televisions, radios, and lamps. Many appliances go into ‘stand by’ mode even when turned off and still consume power. After seeing how much energy is consumed by appliances that are turned off, you can consider plugging electronics into power strips and turning off the strip when not in use. This will eliminate appliances using energy while in standby mode. Another example would be the Infrared Thermometer which is used for identifying poorly-insulated areas in walls, floors, and ceilings. By using this tool in the Energy Audit Kit, you can decide where insulation is most needed in your home. Not only does the Energy Audit Kit have tools, it also comes with an Audit Kit manual and a Simple Savers booklet. The manual provides instructions for each tool and how to assess their information, energy saving tips, incentives and rebates related to energy efficient changes in the home, and free to low cost resources in the community to provide weatherization assistance. The Simple Savers Booklet is a DIY manual that will guide you through the energy efficient changes you can make to your home. The purpose of the home Energy Audit Kit is for everyone in Lexington to have easy access to finding out how energy efficient their home is, and then providing them the knowhow on how to make the necessary changes to their home. Energy Audit’s can be expensive and difficult to schedule for busy individuals. The Energy Audit Kit is available to anyone who wants to make changes without spending the money and time to have an energy audit done for you. Also by doing the energy audit yourself; you can save kill-a-watt hours just by seeing how your home uses energy and making behavioral changes. Making energy efficient changes, infrastructural or behavioral, can help you save money this winter on your utility bill and also reduce environmental impact. Make a difference in your home and environment by checking out an Energy Audit Kit from your local library today!

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Bridget’s Native Tree Picks

October 15, 2015By 0 comment

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. Native trees are those that are indigenous to a certain area, have evolved in their local environment, and are adapted to the surrounding soils and climate. Native plants help improve water quality by slowing and infiltrating stormwater, provide habitat and biodiversity, reduce the urban heat island effect, and enhance the aesthetic value of our city centers and urban neighborhoods. To assist you in selecting trees, I have picked a few of my favorite native species that grow well in Central Kentucky:

Blackgum

Nyssa sylvatica

Photo 1-Blackgum FoliageBlackgum’s shiny foliage in the fall, distinct form in winter, and thick, plated bark make this tree an excellent choice for ornamental planting. This tree grows best in moist, well-drained soils, but can also withstand wet conditions and drought. Blackgum will grow in full sun or partial shade. Its leaves are dark green and glossy in the summer, and brilliant crimson, orange, and purple in the fall. Insignificant, greenish-white flowers in the spring are an exceptional nectar source for bees. Small, sour, bluish-black fruits ripen in the fall and attract many species of birds and mammals. Few insects or diseases affect this tree, making it low-maintenance in the landscape. Blackgum can reach a height of 80 feet on moist sites.

Eastern Hophornbeam

Ostrya virginiana

Photo 2-Eastern HophornbeamEastern hophornbeam’s rusty fall foliage, shredded bark, and distinct seeds make this tree a less showy but attractive choice for the landscape. This tree prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils, but can also adapt to wet, dry, rocky, poor, or alkaline soils. Eastern hophornbeam can grow in full sun or partial shade. Its simple leaves are delicate, and turn yellow to reddish orange in the fall. Male and female catkins are visible in the winter and spring, and the fruit, called nutlets, are distinct “hop-like” papery capsules. This tree has no serious insect or disease problems. Eastern hophornbeam can reach a height of 20-40 feet.

Alternate-leaf /Pagoda Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia

Alternate-leaf dogwood, also known as Pagoda dogwood, is an excellent alternative to the commonly planted flowering dogwood tree. Its whorled horizontal branches, showy flowers, late-summer berries, and vibrant fall foliage make this tree an eye-catching specimen. This tree prefers moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Alternate-leaf dogwood grows best in considerable shade, but can also grow well in full sun. Unlike other native dogwoods, the leaves grow in an alternate, rather than opposite arrangement. Fall foliage, though not brilliant, turns red, purple, and yellow. In late spring, cream-colored, showy, broad, fragrant flower clusters attract many pollinators. In late summer, bluish-black fruit are born on red stalks and attract birds. This tree is susceptible to twig blight, leaf spot and canker, but these diseases are generally not lethal. Alternate-leaf dogwood can reach a height of 15-25 feet.

Photo Credits:
1- Blackgum foliage- U.S. National Arboretum
2- Eastern hophornbeam foliage- Melissa McMasters
3- Alternate-leaf dogwood flower- Distant Hill Gardens
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Rain Garden Volunteer Opportunity this Saturday!

September 22, 2015By 0 comment

Rain Garden Volunteer Training/Opportunity this Saturday, September 26th 10am-2pm!
Rain Gardens help to reduce storm water runoff and improve water quality. We will be discussing rain gardens, their role in stormwater management, how to locate a site and construct a rain garden, plant selection, care, and maintenance of a rain garden, and how to renovate an existing rain garden. The workshop format provides both classroom and hands-on instruction including working examples and a hands-on exercise in renovating an existing rain garden.

This Saturday we are offering an opportunity to our volunteers to learn about the basics of rain garden, and then get some hands-on experience working in a local rain garden.

When: September 26th, 10am – 2pm
Where: Bluegrass Greensource office and Morton Middle School
Schedule: Training 10am – 11:45
Lunch 11:45 – 12:30
Rain Garden Maintenance 12:45 – 2pm

Space is limited! Please register by emailing ashley@bggreensource.org by Friday September 25th!

*If you are interested in installing a Rain Garden, this workshop makes you eligible for a $250 grant to install one at your home!*

This training is open to new volunteers!
Please pass on this opportunity to your friends and family.

This work was funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under §319(h) of the Clean Water Act.
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2015 Rain Garden Tours Went Off Without a Hitch

July 15, 2015By 0 comment

IMG_1908Thirty visitors from around the Central Kentucky area toured thirteen established rain gardens in Midway, Berea, and Georgetown this past weekend as part of the 2015 Central Kentucky Rain Garden Tour Series. Gardens featured in the tour include private residences, Midway Christian Church, Berea College, Scott County Fire Station No. 3, Lemon’s Mill Elementary School, and others.

“This year’s rain garden tours, despite inclement weather, turned out to be quite lovely.,” said Kara Sayles, coordinator of the rain garden program at Bluegrass Greensource. “The participating hosts and visitors were all very interested and up for exploration of native plants and rain garden construction. The mood was light and fun as we viewed a variety of rain gardens throughout Central Kentucky.”

Tour participants were educated on the construction and maintenance of rain gardens, types of native plants and trees that are appropriate, and how rain gardens, an attractive addition to any lawn, help to improve local water quality. Additionally, participants who reside in Scott, Woodford, Bourbon, Clark, Jessamine, and Madison Counties were given the opportunity to apply for a $250 reimbursement grant to start their own rain gardens.

The 2015 Central Kentucky Rain Garden Tour Series was a collaborative effort between Bluegrass Greensource, a variety of local organizations and homeowners, and the Kentucky Division of Water.

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Improving Water Quality in Central Kentucky’s Rivers and Streams

July 15, 2015By 0 comment

unnamed2Kentucky’s rivers and streams provide abundant habitat for aquatic life, numerous opportunities for recreation, scenic beauty, and a source of drinking water for our communities. Across our state, small streams flow directly into larger bodies of water. These streams, rivers, and lakes provide us with more than 100 different species of fish and other aquatic life. But many of Kentucky’s streams and rivers are polluted, are not safe for swimming or fishing, and do not provide a suitable environment for sensitive aquatic species. Water pollution is primarily caused by human activity—wastewater, chemicals, trash, and soil can run off the land and end up in our waterways.

unnamed3A watershed is the area of land where all of the water that is under it or drains off of it goes into the same place. Watersheds cross local, county, state, and national boundaries. In the United States, 2,267 watersheds spread across millions of square miles. On a large scale, a river basin is the land area that is drained by a river and its tributaries—there are many watersheds within river basins. The state of Kentucky is comprised of 12 river basins within its approximate 24 million acres: Big Sandy, Green, Kentucky, Licking, Little Sandy, Lower Cumberland, Mississippi, Salt, Tennessee, Tradewater, Tygarts, and Upper Cumberland. Within the 12 river basins in Kentucky, smaller subbasins exist. Central Kentucky includes the Lower Kentucky River subbasin, which spans portions of 25 counties.

unnamed1The Dix River is part of the Lower Kentucky River subbasin, and is highly polluted. This river and its tributaries have been found to have elevated levels of E.coli, a pathogen that can cause gastroenteritis and other health complications in humans. Some areas of the watershed have exceptionally high levels of E.coli that make streams unsafe for fishing, swimming, wading, and other kinds of water recreation. Sites recently sampled averaged at least four times the limit for E. coli. While livestock farms contribute to E.coli contamination in rural streams, extensive water testing and analysis has shown that contamination in the Dix River watershed is primarily from human waste sources, likely from failing septic systems and straight pipes.

To help improve water quality in the Dix River watershed, 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.

The next free septic system workshop will be held on:

  • Saturday, July 18th
    10:00-11:00 am
    Lincoln County Health Department
    44 Health Way
    Stanford, KY 40484

This program is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act, through the Kentucky Division of Water.

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Save Water and Money With These Low and No Cost Conservation Tips!

July 14, 2015By 0 comment

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAIf you’re looking to make your home more sustainable, re-evaluating your residential water use is a great place to start. Saving water at home can help you save some serious cash. Here are 5 tips to help you get started!

1.  Be on the lookout for lost water.

This one is easier than it sounds. Drop an ice cube on the floor? Toss it in a house plant or pet water bowl instead of the sink! Rinsing your razor in running water while shaving? Try filling the basin with water and using it to rinse, instead! Being water-aware will help you find a variety of ways to conserve water at home.

2.  Check your home for leaks.

Did you know that a leaking faucet that loses one drop per second wastes over 3,000 gallons per year? Even worse, a running toilet can lose up to 200 gallons per day! Thankfully, this is a pretty easy fix. Most repairs are inexpensive and can be done in just a few minutes. Taking the time to repair leaks in your home can save you a lot of money in the long run and certainly helps out the environment as well.

3.  Turn the water off when not in use.

Your mother knew what she was doing when she told you to turn the water off while you brush your teeth. By closing off the tap while you polish those pearly whites, you can save between three and five gallons a day. That’s roughly two thousand gallons per year! Looking to save even more? Try turning off the shower head while you lather your hair and you’ll save an additional 150 gallons per month!

4.  Put a plastic bottle in your toilet tank.

That may sound crazy, but bear with me. By filling a plastic bottle with a combination of sand and water and placing it in your toilet tank – safely away from the mechanics, of course – you can displace water in the tank. This reduces how much water remains in the tank at any given time and how much water is used when flushing. You’ll save money and water with each flush! (Be sure that you leave at least 3 gallons of water in the tank to ensure proper flushing.)

5.  Avoid your garbage disposal.

In-sink garbage disposals require a lot of water to function properly and add to the volume of solid wastes in septic systems. Instead, start your own compost bin! You’ll save water and have home-made fertilizer for use in your garden!

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Water Warriors Learn the Importance of Water Conservation

July 14, 2015By 0 comment

MidwayUniversityWaterWarriorsBluegrass Greensource is educating Central Kentucky youth on the value of water quality and conservation through the 2015 Water Warrior Summer Camp Series. Working primarily with 4th graders and operating in Bourbon, Scott, Woodford, and Owen Counties, environmental educators Emily Casey and Danny Woolums are helping campers understand the basics.

“We only have such a small amount of potable water compared to the all water on Earth,” Casey notes when asked why she thinks the Water Warrior camps are so important. “We can’t take this precious, potentially renewable resource for granted. We must teach the importance of conserving water to our children, the next generation, to ensure a clean, healthy, viable future for generations to come.”

Using activities from Project Wet, an internationally recognized water education foundation, and other environmental educational resources, Casey and Woolums are shaping a camp that both excites and educates students about the ways they can better care for our local waterways.

The Water Warrior Summer Camp Series is made possible by a grant from Kentucky American Water, whose team is committed to protecting the environment and using resource wisely, and the support and generosity of area organizations such 4-H, YMCA, the public school system, and Midway University.

Follow us on Facebook to see more photos from our Water Warrior Summer Camp Series.

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Tour showcases the beauty, benefits of Central Kentucky rain gardens

July 9, 2015By 0 comment

Screen shot 2015-06-30 at 2.11.36 PM
A rain garden is a shallow depression that captures runoff from impervious surfaces, such as rooftops, patios, driveways and parking lots, before it enters the storm water system. A rain garden uses natural processes to improve water quality by filtering pollutants and reducing the amount of storm water runoff. The water easily infiltrates into the soil because of the deep roots of the native plants and recharges the groundwater supply.

Rain gardens:

  • Significantly filter and reduce runoff before it enters local waterways and groundwater
  • Decrease drainage problems and localized flooding
  • Conserve water and reduce pollution
  • Attract pollinators such as birds, bees, and butterflies, and provide habitat for other wildlife
  • Recharge the groundwater supply
  • Enhance the beauty of yards and communities

Over the past two years, Bluegrass Greensource has held a series of workshops to provide Central Kentucky homeowners with the grants and guidance needed to install rain garden at their homes. These workshops educate homeowners about what they can do to help prevent stormwater issues at home and in their communities.

Bluegrass Greensource invites you to attend the ninth annual Rain Garden Tour series this July. The tours are a culmination of recent efforts to promote the use of rain gardens in Central Kentucky, and will showcase how rain gardens can be an attractive addition to your yard and help improve water quality.

The tours will be held on:

  • July 10 in Midway from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., starting at Midway Christian Church
  • July 11 in Berea from 1-4 p.m., starting at Union Church
  • July 12 in Georgetown from 1-4 p.m., starting at Scott County Public Library

Tour participants will view a variety of beautiful, established rain gardens varying in size, and design. They will also learn how to design and construct a rain garden of their own. Residents of Scott, Woodford, Bourbon, Clark, Jessamine and Madison counties will be eligible for a $250 reimbursement grant upon completion of a tour.

For additional details about rain gardens or the tour, visit our rain gardens page.

Kara-Sayles

Kara Sayles is an environmental educator at Bluegrass Greensource, focusing on middle and high school grade levels. In addition, she serves the Bluegrass Rain Garden Alliance as rain garden project coordinator. Kara holds a bachelor’s degreefrom The Evergreen State College. She also received an associate’s degree from Bluegrass Community and Technical College.

This article appeared in KY Forward on July 1, 2015.

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