Sustainable Jackie

Time for a break

2009-08-31T10:06:00.000-07:00

With grad school rapidly approaching and lots of changes underway (work, marriage), I'm going to be taking a break from blogging. This has been a fun side project for me and good practice in the blogosphere. It may resurface sometime down the road, perhaps in a slightly different form/context (tehehe).

Thanks to my friends and family for supporting my little writing endeavor! And thanks to the new connections who stumbled across my little blog.

Things that make me happy

2009-08-24T20:58:00.000-07:00

It's the little things in life. Like just-right reusable containers with a yummy zucchini muffin. I just hope I can find one like this as I replace my old containers with new BPA-free and stainless versions!

Art and Sustainable Cities: A Dialogue

2009-08-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

I'm currently working on the third in our series of Art and Environment Dialogues. It's sure to be a great event! Please spread the word and attend if you can.

Art and Sustainable Cities: A Dialogue

August 27, 2009

11:30 am–1 pm

Olympic Sculpture Park, PACCAR Pavilion

SAM and the Cascade Land Conservancy present the next panel discussion exploring the intersection of art, culture and the environment. Can steps be taken to ensure that revitalization and increased density are beneficial for both the arts and artists? How can we avoid artists being pushed out of our cities by rising prices? What roles do diversity and equity play in building vibrant, sustainable cities? Join us as we consider these and other questions.

Featuring:

Michael Kinsley, American political journalist (moderator)

Randy Engstrom, Founding Director, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center

D.K. Pan and NKO, Founders, Free Sheep Foundation

Buster Simpson, Northwest Artist

Beth Takekawa, Executive Director, Wing Luke Asian Museum

“Art and Sustainable Cities: A Dialogue” is part of SAM’s Pivotal Perspectives series. Bringing together some of the most compelling thinkers on a given cultural subject, Pivotal Perspectives is a timely and innovative forum that addresses pressing issues in art and society.

Free and open to the public. To reserve your space, please email boxoffice@seattleartmuseum.org or call the SAM Box Office at 206.654.3121.

Presented with support from the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs

I drove my first Zipcar!

2009-08-18T19:10:00.000-07:00

World, I'd like to introduce you to "Cushinberry":

Photo by Brian W. Carver
(Note: This isn't the exact car, but a Cushinberry twin.)

Yesterday I found Cushinberry online, and I made an appointment for our first meeting - in the parking garage of a condo near work. I used my Zipcar to open the doors, and we set off for my meeting at the UW. We made it without any problems; no traffic and easy parking. I had never driven a hybrid, and it was amsuing to notice how quietly she runs. When it was time to head back to work, Cushinberry was patiently waiting for me. With plenty of time remaining in our appointment window, we returned to Cushinbery's reserved parking space in the condo and said our goodbyes. It was a good first outing, and I look forward to our "second date" real soon!

:)

We did the Danskin!

2009-08-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed that I didn't write much in anticipation of the Danskin...well, that's because I was REALLY nervous and unsure of whether or not I could do the swim. But, on Sunday morning I was out there with my friends. I'm proud to say that we all finished - and I think I speak for everyone when I say we're glad it's done!

We started out with a 1/2 mile swim - this was the scary part for me. We all lined up in the water, then swam in a triangle that ended back at shore. I was doing a lot of backstroking and was definitely one of the slowest in my wave, but I did it!

I was sooooo much happier to be on my bike. The swim was behind me, and I knew I could make up some time during our 12 mile ride across I-90. I managed an average speed of 15mph, which I think is pretty respectable given that I have been on all of 2 rides this season...

I am not a runner. In fact, I really hate running when it doesn't involve following a soccer ball. Still, it was so exciting to be on the last leg of the race, that I was practically giddy on our run/walk. Here I am running up to the finish.

All in all, I'm glad I was there with my friends. The Danskin is a really amazing event - seeing so many woman of all ages come together to challenge themselves.

Now that it's done, I plan to support Fiance-with-the-mostest in preparing for his triathlon in September. When school begins, I hope to schedule myself for regular time at the gym, and hopefully some of the great classes offered at low prices for students. I think relaxing workouts, like yoga, will be more appropriate for a while! :)

Coming to the end of the Low Car Diet

2009-08-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

I just submitted my final Low Car Diet post. Here it is, and I'll let you know when you can see the full story on Zipcar's website.

It's been a great final Low Car Diet week, highlighted by a car-free trip to the Sounders and a stay-at-home weekend:
http://sustainablejackie.blogspot.com/2009/08/our-car-free-trip-to-sounders-game.html
http://sustainablejackie.blogspot.com/2009/08/car-free-weekend-filled-with-cleaning.html

I haven't needed to use my Zipcar credit yet, but I'm planning to for a work meeting later this month and an upcoming trip to visit my parents on the Hood Canal. I love that we can take the ferry to Bainbridge and get a Zipcar there!

This has been a great experience. It reinforced the things that I'm already doing right, and helped me identify the areas where I can improve. At this point we are almost ready to sell a car, and the availability of car sharing is an important benefit in support of "taking the leap." I would highly recommend a do-it-yourself Low Car Diet to anyone considering selling a second car, or becoming car-free!

A car-free weekend, filled with cleaning

2009-08-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

It's been an interesting, productive weekend.

On Friday night we enjoyed a lovely sing-along/karaoke evening with friends, until the cops came by with a noise complaint. Considering we were singing Disney songs and you pretty much can't find a more law-abiding group of 20-somethings, we found this rather amusing.

Since then, Fiance-with-the-mostest and I haven't left Kirkland or used any form of motorized transportation all weekend. On Saturday I slept late, and then relaxed into the afternoon. At that point we started "the cleaning." You see, the house was a DISASTER. I wish I had before pictures, except I'd be too embarrassed to show them. Stress, heat, and jam-packed schedules meant we did a lot of procrastinating in the little time we had available to pick up. Plus, we still had organization to do since I moved in more than 4 months ago (sad).

So, we cleaned. And I'm pretty darn happy with the results. Things are organized, and everything has it's place. There are even pictures on the walls! I'll be the last person to tell you it's perfect, and we have a lot of stuff for a small space, but I feel sooooooo much better.

The blue bins on our TV stand now house Rock Band equipment.

We removed the hutch from the desk (I hate hutches. Hate them.), and created a more functional space. In this photo we're making use of my iFish and a fan, but at least there is ROOM for that!

Here's the rest of the office. You can see the floor again!

I love containers. It's kind of a problem.

We got a great bookcase a few weeks ago to fit under our counter and provide extra storage in an unused space.

FWTM picked some of our beautiful pale yellow sunflowers from the garden.

We also have ideas for some paint color changes (more details to come)...it's so exciting to be able to make these adjustments, and to feel comfortable in our home. It's also exciting to donate the things we don't need/want and simply our lives...

We still have to figure out where we're taking all the donations - I'll be reporting back. It's tricky trying to do the right thing and keep unwanted items out of the landfill. But, for now, I'm enjoying a quiet, relaxed evening in our clean space. (Contented sigh.)

Our car-free trip to the Sounders game

2009-08-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

Last night Fiance-with-the-mostest and I went to the Sounders vs. Barcelona game with 66,000 of our closest friends. In addition to celebrating the arrival of the amazing Barcelona team, we were honoring my little brother's birthday. Thanks for picking such an awesome activity, bro!

We knew that traffic and parking would be intense given the crowds, so we decided that FWTM would spend a day on the Low Car Diet, too. It went something like this:
- FWTM drives in to work and Jackie buses to work, as usual.
- Jackie hangs out at work after she's off, taking the opportunity to go for a triathlon training run.
- FWTM uses a convenient free ride ticket to bus from his office in Issaquah to downtown Seattle.
- We enjoy the game!

Can't you tell we're having fun? And I love the scarf!

- Following the flow of the crowd, we head to the International District station in the tunnel and catch the bus home. We just barely got on that bus. A group of 4 behind us were the last allowed on, and we were packed in tight. Others had to wait for the next bus, at least 30 minutes away (sad). I don't say this to scare people away - we just need more support for bus services!
- We walked home from the transit center (1/2 a mile, my usual commute).
- This morning FWTM left early and put his bike on a bus from Kirkland to Redmond. From Redmond it is easy to ride around Lake Sammamish to Issaquah. Unfortunately there is a big hill to get out of Kirkland and the roads aren't very nice, and it would take 3 buses to take public transit all the way to his office.
- Jackie bused to work as usual.
- FWTM reports that he had no problem loading his bike, thanks to clear instructions just for newbies like him. He did experience a bit of rubbing from one of his brakes, and didn't have a multi tool to make repairs. Something must have shifted since our ride on Sunday. He will drive home with his bike loaded on the car tonight.

Altogether I'd call that a successful experience! We got home as quickly as we could have in a car (maybe even faster), and we saved parking money. FWTM also eliminated a full day's worth of commute miles. Woo hoo!

Things I accomplished while commuting this week

2009-08-04T21:48:00.000-07:00

Exercise - walked more than 13 miles
Read - About 100 pages of Little Women
Checked e-mail - Oh, Blackberry. What would I do without you?)
Spent much needed time spacing out
Achieved cooling - I'm fortunate to ride a bus with air conditioning.
Ran errands - Stopped in stores to look for a card, watered the garden on the way to work
Remembered things I'd forgotten
Made lists of things I shouldn't forget
Observed traffic and construction without having to navigate it myself - Thank you, METRO drivers!
Reduced the carbon impact of my commute - Woo hoo!

At least under standard conditions, items #1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 couldn't be done in a single occupancy vehicle. I'm also pretty sure #4 wouldn't be a very good idea.

I feel very accomplished.

Oysters

2009-08-03T16:20:00.001-07:00

I'm published! It only took 4 years after I originally wrote and submitted two articles on native Olympia oysters for me to make the big time in the Journal of Shellfish Research. Hehe.

But seriously, it's pretty cool. I spent almost 2 years on the project, which included historical research on oyster management as well as a field project on restoration techniques. I checked out books from the Washington State Library in Tumwater that no one had borrowed for almost 20 years. I trudged through mud in my hip waders, and nearly had to live there when I became stuck and the tide was rising around me. I even braved the tideflats in the middle of the night (when low tides occur in the winter time) to collect shells for examination back in the lab.

In the end, I decided that I enjoyed teaching science more than doing it myself. But, I never could have figured that out without doing years worth of undergraduate research - and support work for other people's research - on Mt. St. Helens recovery ecology (scanning slides), microbial ecology of deep sea hydrothermal vents (real lab work with vials and microscopes - I even presented at the Geological Society of America!), geoduck/eelgrass interactions (more mud and lots of measuring), and of course my native oyster projects.

So what does this have to do with sustainability? Two things:

1) I found my passion - part of my journey toward personal sustainability. I had to try out ecology to learn that I would rather make science accessible to the public - and I think I'm pretty good at it. I just didn't have the patience for lab work, and I wanted to work more actively with people. If I got to the point where I was teaching, I think I'd like that part of academia.

2) My oyster work is an example of the science behind sustainability. So often we recognize a problem (i.e. oyster populations are dwindling), but it's hard to understand why and how to solve the problem. It's an exciting moment, as in many arenas - climate science, green energy, agriculture, etc. - we're looking for and finding new options that are leading towards solutions. It's incredible to think, but my work could inform people doing on the ground restoration. Believe it or not, people do read this rather obscure journal!

And I'm just proud! :)

Low Car Diet: 2 week update

2009-07-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

As of today, we're halfway through the Low Car Diet. So how has it been going? Here's a break down:

Wednesday 7/15 - Launch of the diet. I took the bus to work early to set up for the event - it was a lovely morning, and I was amazed how easy it is to take the bus at 6 in the morning! That day I walked from SAM downtown to the Olympic Sculpture Park, back to Watermark Tower, back to OSP for a meeting, and downtown (again) to catch a bus to Bellevue. Whew! In Bellevue I met Fiance-with-the-mostest, and we got some dinner and saw Harry Potter. It was great, since Bellevue is on FWTM's way home from work, and we were able to carpool home after the movie.

Thursday 7/16 - I took the bus and walked to and from work. That evening I was packing for our trip to Hawaii (yay!). Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend a very fun book club. Usually I carpool with friends, but those folks weren't attending. I thought about using a Zipcar, but I wouldn't be able to return it without a late night bus ride or keeping the car overnight. And I thought about using Dave's car when he got home, but that just didn't feel right with the diet. I decided it was a good lesson - that sometimes reducing your miles means choosing how many events you can handle - but it wasn't easy.

Friday 7/17 - Friday 7/24 - Maui! This week wasn't the most accurate test since I had a pre-planned vacation. FWTM and I joined my family for a wonderful and relaxing trip. While not the greenest, I did notice some sustainability choices associated with our trip. 1) We did use rental cars on the island, but had 2 cars for 10 people. 2) Dave and I were staying just down the beach from my family, and we walked back and forth about half a mile each way. 3) We did a great zipline course through a company working to be green. 4) Most of the time we stayed close to the hotels, limited our need for transportation. 5) We spent a lot of time enjoying the local flora and fauna. 6) We ate lots of locally grown foods.

Saturday 7/25 - We spent most of the day recovering from our trip. We did use FWTM's car for a trip to the Marymoor garden to water and to get food. It took us some time to readjust to life at home.

Sunday 7/26 - This was another day primarily spent relaxing and recovering. We didn't drive at all. We also tried the outdoor pool within walking distance for the first time, since I will need to use it during the challenge to continue my training for the Danskin triathlon. In the evening we walked to the Kirkland garden, and harvested some zucchini, lettuce, and peas.

Monday 7/27 - My first day back to work! I bused and walked in the morning, bused and walked to the library and a meeting downtown, and bused home. FWTM and I returned to the pool for a swim tonight. We decided to divide and conquer to get to the grocery store and the garden on foot before dark, which worked out great. We're lucky to have all these resources so close to home!

Tuesday 7/28 - A slow day. I bused and walked to and from work, and walked to the garden in the evening.

Wednesday 7/29 - So far I've done my normal commute to work (bus and walk). Iwalked to the downtown museum and back later today to stop by a colleague's baby shower. Tonight...well, I'm not so sure yet. I'm either going to soccer or to hang out with Fiance-with-the-mostest and his family. Given the temperature, I'm hoping for a game cancellation and option 2.

So far, I'm finding that my biggest limitation is stress. Here's something I've figured out about myself: I like to please people. I feel beyond horrible when people are upset with me, or I have to say I can't do something. I try to do everything, get stressed, have to say no to something, and then feel MORE stressed because I'm upset. Ugh.

How does this relate? Well, when I'm car-free and coordinating trips with FWTM, sometimes evening events are harder to get to. Take tonight. I can bus to soccer, but I have no idea how I'm going to get home. I can't think of any buses that run near there at that time, or at least not frequently. So, I could get a Zipcar, but I'd have to get it overnight (I'm still deciding). If I go hang out with Fiance-with-the-mostest, I will most likely hitch a ride with some of his family that will be carpooling over, and then ride home with FWTM. In any case, I have to PLAN these things. Normally I thrive on my detailed Google calendar (thinking color coding and syncing), but add in the stress factor...well, it's not pretty. My next "challenge" is obvious - find ways to manage stress, and my schedule, so they don't take away from the Low Car Diet.

We'll see how I do...

Garden = Yum

2009-07-27T22:14:00.001-07:00

I love my garden. Having fresh produce is, well, cool! I mean, how could you not be excited about all this?

And that's just one harvest a couple of weeks ago. We can pick something almost every time we visit. The peas have been one of my favorites. It's so fun to eat a few fresh off the plant while watering the garden.

The broccoli is producing well, too. I'm not a big fan (though I like our better since we grew it), but Fiance-with-the-mostest is pleased. The side shoots - what grows after you cut the main stem - have been producing, too.

And more is on the way! Our tomatoes are growing, the potatoes have died back (that's what they are supposed to do), and the onions are flowering.

I do have some sad news to share. Our lavender plant has passed on. I actually dug it up, and the roots just never took after transplanting from the nursery pot. I'm not sure if it was me, or if it was always doomed. Rest in peace little lavender. We loved you.

Broccoli bouquet?

2009-07-27T22:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, broccoli does flower. Remember when Fiance-with-the-mostest and I put some broccoli in water to see what would happen? The results were actually kind of pretty!

Who's up for a broccoli bouquet?

Mahalo, Hawaii

2009-07-26T14:19:00.001-07:00

We're back from Maui after a wonderful, relaxing week. I'll be back to blogging soon, but until then, here are a few trip highlights:

We survived the road to Hana, and even climbed to the top of a waterfall. Woo hoo!

Along the way, we visited the Garden of Eden. It was paradise for the photographers in our group (including Fiance-with-the-mostest).

I still managed some nice shots, despite my non-fancy camera.

Near Hana, we saw a black sand beach with lava tubes. We weren't very good at obeying the warning signs, though.

See?

This is how FWTM spent most of his time...

On another day, we did a zipline course with my brothers in Ka'anapali. Last year we did the one at Haleakala, so we were ready to zip!

I really like Skyline Eco Adventures and their "active zipping" style. You are in a rock climbing harness, and at each line they clip you in, and you jump. On most zips you even control your direction, and you have to get your feet down for landing. Other companies on Maui use chairs - so not as fun (in my opinion).

Here I am in action! The views were amazing, and we were lucky to have some clouds for cooler conditions.

Here's the last zip - 1000 feet across and more than 20 seconds of time in crossing.

The video is kind of small, but here's the older (and bigger) of my little brothers on our final zip. Wait for it - first you'll hear the line, then see him as a small dot, and finally he'll land right next to where I'm filming.

Thank you, Hawaii. We had a great time!

Off to Hawaii

2009-07-16T23:54:00.000-07:00

In just over 8 hours our plane will take off and we'll be on the way to Maui. Hoorah!

Here are some highlights of my last Hawaii trip:

I'm looking forward to the beach, pool, zipline, and just relaxing. And of course I'll be thinking about the Low Car Diet and how to lower the impact of our vacation. :)

More after the 24th...

Starting the Low Car Diet

2009-07-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right: car not carb.

Yesterday morning we hosted the launch of Zipcar's Low Car Diet Challenge at the downtown Seattle Art Museum next to the Hammering Man. Through the program, 30 participants are committing to live without their car for the next month, and instead will walk, bike, ride the bus, and use car sharing. I am one of the participants, and will be representin' for SAM.

The event was great - 20 of the 30 Seattle-area participants came out, and we heard from past participants, all ceremonially turned in our keys, and received an awesome goodie bag of SWAG. It was great to meet some of my fellow participants, and I can't wait to learn more about them as we all blog about our experiences.

Zipcar also brought out a couple of stylish cars, and now they have me excited about trying out fun options like the Mini Cooper convertible and some of the new hybrids. Why would I want to stick with my same old car when I can car share and keep trying something new?

So what are my goals for the challenge? For one, I hope to assess our ability to live as a one-car household. I haven't used my car more than a couple of times a week in a long time, and now that I've moved in with fiance-with-the-mostest, it seems silly to have my little Honda sitting on the street all the time. I already take the bus to work, we can walk to our garden, the grocery store, and many restaurants, and we carpool most evenings and weekends anyway. Now that I'm headed back to school and we're planning our wedding, having the extra money from selling my car would be nice.

I also see this as a next step in living sustainably. Being free of my car means one less car on the road, and it will give me the extra incentive to not use a car when it isn't really necessary. I feel like having a car naturally leads to laziness. If I have a car, I have a place to park it, and it means I can sleep for 5 more minutes if I drive, it's hard to break the cycle of car culture. Even when I combine trips, I still feel guilty when I have my car at the garden or grocery store that is 5 minutes from my house. Maybe I'm not using a lot more gas, but I am adding to congestion, not getting extra exercise, and not setting a good example.

But, it's not going to be easy. 95% of the time it won't be an issue, but those other 5%...

What I've realized, though, is that I just need to do my best. Like any other diet, it has to be sustainable. I want to approach this challenge from the perspective of how we would manage transportation without my car. That means recognizing that I will still ride in a car sometimes, and this is the "low" car diet rather than "no" car diet (I don't think I'm ready for that one yet).

So, wish me luck!

Education

2009-07-10T13:30:00.000-07:00

I. Am. So. Tired.

It's a busy week, to say the least. There are a lot of really wonderful things happening (like the bachelorette party and wedding of one of my best friends), and things that are frustrating (getting a sore throat).

Next week you will start hearing about my newest adventure: Zipcar's Low Car Diet. But, given my tiredness, I've been struggling for blog ideas.

So, I thought I'd tell you more about my pending reintroduction to the world of academia (AKA graduate school). At the end of September, I will begin the Master's in Education program at the University of Washington, in the area of Curriculum and Instruction.

So how did I get here? Just a touch over 4 years ago I graduated from UW with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a B.S. in Biology. Outside of classes, I was co-president of the Earth Club (planning Earth Week events on campus), worked on several undergraduate research projects (including studying oyster restoration ecology - yes, I'm serious), trained as a Beach Naturalist (I'm such a nerd), and volunteered and worked in a number of other capacities. I learned a lot about myself and what I liked (and didn't like) to do.

After a couple of brief stints after graduation, I started working at our local science museum. I LOVED it. Everyone else liked science. It was like nerd heaven! It was so easy to make friends, feel included, and pass an 8 hour work day! But, I'm ambitious. I wanted to advance, get benefits, and be a leader. So, I started splitting my time to teach environmental education. If I thought I was in love before, this time I was hit hard. I regularly doubted myself as a teacher, but working with kids was incredibly rewarding. I'd come home singing camp songs, exhilarated and covered in dirt. What more could you want in life? But, alas, I still needed a job with benefits, and was about to be kicked off my dad's. Note: I almost cried when I recently went to see the newly expanded and LEED-certified nature center. It's amazing.

For the past two years I've been in my current position, working on environmental programs for the art museum. I'm still amazed that I got this job. How could they have looked at me and thought I could do this? But, I learned. I asked questions. I shared ideas. I worked hard. Sometimes I forget just how much we've done (and how much I've grown). It's hard to express how grateful I am to my boss and this museum for taking a chance on me.

Why go back to school then? I love to learn, and I care about helping others to learn (especially about the environment). I'm a very academic person - in that sense, I could probably start down the path to most any career I wanted. I don't mean that to brag at all, my friends will tell you I'm sufficiently clueless about other aspects of life to make up for my book smarts. But Education is one of the most challenging fields I have ever experienced. As a teacher, I always want to do better and give more. I have a love-hate relationship with challenge.

Long term, I hope that I will work at an environmental education center again, be a leader to informal educators, develop curriculum, help build partnership between information education institutions and schools, and even mix in some green event planning and sustainability consulting (those are all about education, too). I admit it, I get bored easily. I thrive on change and building new things. For me, teaching feels that way.

It's kind of crazy how many changes I'm experiencing this year: moves, grad school, engagement. I don't love the transitions (I thrive on routine), but I do know that I wouldn't have it any other way. It's amazing to think about where life will be in a year!

From the garden with love

2009-07-05T12:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July! A story about our own "Victory Garden" seems like a lovely tribute.

Yesterday we had an awesome harvest of produce from the garden to share with my family for a holiday meal.

Basil! My goodness this stuff is expensive at the store, and relatively easily to grow. We decided to pick a good number of leaves, and try out our new food processor (yay!) by making pesto. Not only was it remarkably easy, the resulting pesto pasta was DELICIOUS. We used this pesto recipe, this time with pine nuts. Next time we might try walnuts. We combined the pesto and penne pasta with some added sauteed onion, zucchini, and garlic (since, as you'll see, we need to use zucchini in everything).

Yesterday was also our first harvest of snow peas and sugar snap peas. We grew up these plants from seed, and now the vines, supporting themselves on twine to grow upwards, are as tall as me. It was remarkable to me how quickly they went from seeds in the grown to producing bushes, and the results were delectable. We shared with my family, and dipped in a little ranch.

Our broccoli is a bit less successful. Broccoli is a cool season plant, and this hot weather and drought has been a bit too much. They seem to be flowering prematurely. The florets pictured above are on the verge of opening into yellow flowers, and we felt this head was too far gone. So, it's being employed as a centerpiece/science experiment. But, we did pick some properly mature, if small, heads. We've read that after the first harvest, broccoli will produce smaller side florets, so we're leaving them to see what happens. And we still have many more plants still to flower, so there will be no shortage of broccoli in this household. While I'm not a huge broccoli fan, I have to say that ours is far superior to the stuff I've had in your run of the mill veggie tray.

I can't claim to have grow these lilies from bulbs - I bought a mature plant because our flower bed looked sad - but my calla lilies and Renior lilies are growing. I think 2 of my package of California poppy seeds is germinating as well - apparently they have a low germination rate. Sadly, my lovely lavender plant is looking very sad right now. We suspect it may have a parasite - the joys of garden center plant purchases.

But the real news: we have an abundance of zucchini. I gave the first to my dad and stepmom when they visited earlier in the week. Fiance-with-the-mostest is proudly showcasing the second ~~club-like weapon~~ zucchini from our garden. Many more are on the way, in both green and yellow varieties. We're a little fearful of the sheer volume of zucchini we may be consuming. When I was little, my parents used to tease me about my picky eating and consumption of approximately 3 kinds of food (waffles, grilled cheese sandwiches, and the breading off of McDonald's Happy Meal chicken nuggets) and say that I was "going to turn into" my food of choice. I hope life as a zucchini will treat me well.

David the Gnome is also impressed with our harvest. Beyond an amusing photo-op, we plan to create plenty of zucchini stir frys and pastas, zucchini bread (we'll be taking some to Sustainable Kirkland on Thursday), and zucchini cupcake. Yes, that's right: ZUCCHINI CUPCAKES. I am totally excited about this. Here's a recipe involving peanut butter frosting - how could that not be good?

Did I mention that I plan to force zucchini on everyone I know? Those who invite us over, be warned. And my co-workers, well I just don't see how they can escape. Mwa-ha-ha.

Back from kayaking

2009-07-02T13:55:00.000-07:00

It was amazing! We saw so many orcas, and at close range. I have strained my wrist and can't type very well, but it was worth it.

So, for now, enjoy some photo highlights:

And believe me, my co-paddlers got better orca pics! More to come...

Setting off for the Grand Kayak Adventure!

2009-06-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that we leave in less than 3 hours to drive up to Anacortes and begin the Grand Kayak Adventure!

Hopefully it will look like this:

Photo by Roger Lynn, Flickr

This is my first big, multi-day athletic undertaking since Climate Ride. I'm a little nervous, but I'm also excited to be going with 6 wonderful friends. It's funny, though. I went into Climate Ride knowing not a soul, but I came out feeling so close to several of the young women. Two of them I spent the entire 320 miles with! Kayaking will be a little different - I've been to the San Juans many times, we have a guide, and I'll be with people I've known for years. It should be interesting to compare the experiences! And, in addition to looking for whales and trying to identify marine invertebrates on the beach (ahh, the joys of my former Beach Naturalist training), I'm REALLY looking forward to some quality time with the girls (3 of my co-kayakers).

As I've mentioned before (here, here, and here) sometimes I find it really challenging to have enough time for all the things that matter in life. And while I think there is a lot of value to simple living, I'm passionate about a lot of things! So, it's wonderful to take the time to get away with the people you care about.

I'll be back on Monday night, so expect some awesome pics on Tuesday and Wednesday!

Apply for a free home environmental performance assessment

2009-06-19T11:51:00.001-07:00

If you live in the City of Seattle, recruit your neighbors and apply for free home environmental performance assessments this summer. All Seattle homeowners are eligible, and participants will be selected based on the number of applicants from a particular block. With all the grants and rebates out there right now, you could have home retrofits completed for a very low cost.

Learn more about the Green Blocks Program, and apply to be part of the pilot project.

Writing

2009-06-18T12:58:00.000-07:00

This post is scary for me.

I like to write. Sometimes I think I'm pretty good at it, other times I'm less confident. Either way, writing is something that matters to me. When I was in about the 6th grade, I remember spending a day of my summer vacation writing an essay about saving the rainforest. I kid you not. My senior year in high school I had a fantastic English teacher who really gave me confidence in my writing - he helped me to find my voice. Since then I've written in many styles, and I even have a few published pieces.

But what I really wanted to share with you today, is that I sometimes write poetry. It comes in spurts. I'll be inspired, and write 3 or 4 decent poems. Then nothing for 6 months. I love to do it, but I'm far less confident about my work. For some time now I've stored my poetry on a blog at http://jackiemichelle.blogspot.com/. I'm now open for comments.

What does this have to do with sustainability? I think it's part of sustainable living - figuring out what matters to you; what makes you, YOU. Simplicity guides tell us to identify key priorities in life, and to limit those priorities. You can't pull yourself in too many directions and feel satisfied with your life. Sometimes I find this difficult, since there are so many things that I love to do. Writing sometimes gets pushed to the side.

So, here's my challenge and my question to you:
How do we find balance, while enjoying the many passions that make us unique?

Kale chip recipe

2009-06-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought, "What am I going to do with all this kale?" Well I have. First when it came in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box, later when hearing about recipes from a friend, and lately as I've grown my own. In fact, we harvested our first pieces of kale, and I still wasn't sure what we were going to do with it!

I'm not much of a cook...like really at all. So, I needed a recipe that was EASY. So, I got on Google and typed in, "Simple kale recipe." I found various version of kale chips. And they were marketed as a hit with kids! Sounded like a winner.

We tried them, and they are AWESOME. They don't look like much, but the taste more than makes up for it. I swear, these are like a healthy alternative to french fries!

Want to make your own? Here's how:

Needed:
Cookie sheet
Parchment paper (optional)
Brush (optional)
A few leaves of kale
Olive oil
Salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Clean and dry your kale (I like to use a salad spinner).

Tear your kale into bite sized pieces. Remove the stem. It works really well to put a piece of parchment paper on the cookie sheet. Place your kale on the covered cookie sheet.

Drizzle with olive oil. I prefer to brush on the oil for a thin coating across the full piece.

Sprinkle with salt. Sea salt is a delicious option. You can experiment with flavors, like added garlic (our fave).

Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove when the edges are browned, but not burnt.

Serve and enjoy!

Wedding inspiration board

2009-06-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

Remember my post about green wedding basics? Well, we're making some progress in planning, and trying to keep "green" in mind.

Here's my inspiration board for the wedding design:

(Click on the image to see a larger version of the inspiration board).

Here are some highlights on what you're seeing, and how we're integrating "green" principles:

We've chosen a farm venue for the wedding, so we have a great excuse to keep things "eclectic-chic," the term I've come up with describe the style I like. It also means that we can get our flowers from a field right across the street - we just tell the growers what colors we like. Doesn't get much more local than that!
The farm has rental items available on site, so we don't have to truck in tables, chairs, tents, etc. They even have some great decoration items, including blue mason jars. Rather than driving around to buy all that I would need, I can use jars that will be used for many weddings.
We're leaning towards corsage and bout alternatives - saving on the number of live flowers we will use. These will double as keepsakes from the wedding for some of our special guests.
I'm hoping that my friend over at The Radical Cupcake will make my wedding cake. This means we can use local, organic, and allergy-friendly ingredients. Our families are on the look out for perfect pieces of wood for the cake stand, and I can't wait to order bird toppers from Etsy.
We found an adorable and FREE template for save the dates. We're planning to send them electronically, to save on paper.
We love the idea of repurposing vintage items like bird cages, flower stands, wood for signs, and chalkboards.
I've asked my friend from Ace Quilting if she will make our ring pillow.
I hope to utilize some very crafty bridesmaids and my "wedding design consultant" (two of them are The Ravenna Girls) to help create a number of crafty pieces.

So, what do you think? Do you like the themes and atmosphere? Other ideas?

Garden update: serious growth, first harvest

2009-06-08T12:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to Sustainable Jackie!

Last week went well. We had 600 students, teachers, and parents at the park for World Environment Day on Friday. The mayor made an appearance, as did a giant earth ball, and a host of costumed characters (2 salmon, an octopus, the mud monster, a huge polar bear, and a raccoon). Saturday was Celebrating Wildflowers. The weather wasn't as warm as the previous week, but attendees learned a lot from our community partners. DIY shrinky dinks using recycled #6 plastic was a HUGE hit. To make your own, see instructions here.

Life is back to a more normal speed now that I'm through those events. Well, if working full-time, volunteering, blogging, gardening, planning a wedding, training for the Danskin, planning for grad school, and trying to have a life qualify as "normal."

Let's focus in on the garden. Things are going really well! I took some photos last week to show off our progress:

This is our lettuce bed. There are actually 4 plantings in view, with the oldest plants at the top of the photo and youngest at the bottom. At the top, you see kale on the left and butter lettuce on the right. There were some salad greens in the center, but it was cold when they were planted and they bolted (developed a flower, resulting in a bitter taste). We had to pull those out. You can't see it, but the newest planting was some replacement seeds in that area. They are already sprouting and looking great! Towards the center you will notice that the plants are in a different order, with salad greens on the left, butter lettuce in the center, and kale to the right. Nope, I didn't do that on purpose. I apparently planted the first seeds in a different order than I intended! Oh well.

We've started harvesting kale and butter lettuce, and they are DELICIOUS! I've never grown anything to eat before, but it really does make everything taste better. Dave and I like to eat a stilton-like salad of greens, dried cranberries, blue cheese, and walnuts with a balsamic dressing. That has worked extremely well with the butter lettuce - in fact, I think I'll be having some for lunch in a few. You might be thinking, "Kale?" It's kind of a scary vegetable if you aren't experienced with it. Stay tuned...fiance-with-the-mostest and I have come up with something we LOVE.

The best part? We can harvest a few leaves, as we want them, and return for more. We should have lettuce for most of the summer, and will plant more in the late summer (as temperatures cool), so a fall harvest.

Holy potato! No, this bed isn't infested - our potatoes are just INSANE. As potatoes grow, you mound soil on top of them. This creates more space for potatoes to grow. Believe it or not, I mounded 6 bags of topsoil onto these...I just can't mound any more! We should have a great crop. To the left, we have onions and garlic. We'll wait for the leaves to die back, and then harvest.

We have more potatoes and onions at our second plot (going there today - stay tuned). If all goes according to plan, we should be stocked up on potatoes and onions for the winter.

To the right of this photo you can see the corner of our broccoli, cauliflower, leek, and chive bed. They are coming along, but there isn't much to see just yet. Again, we'll have more broccoli from our other plot. Any takers?

The main portion of the picture shows a bed with zucchini, cucumber, more leeks, basil, and tomatoes. We actually grew our tomatoes (cherry and heirloom) from seed. That's not very common in Seattle, and I'm not entirely sure I would do it again. After giving these little guys a ton of TLC, it was really hard to transplant them out. We thought we would lose them in late April, but they've held on and now they are growing and happy. Hopefully they will catch up!

The zucchini on the other hand...they are growing like mad! We got them as starts from future-mother-in-law, and now they are starting to flower!

The basil has been interesting. They were pretty sad looking in the cold weather we had for a while, but seem to be happy now. A couple started to flower, but with basil you just pinch out any flowers to maintain the sweet flavor and encourage leafy growth.

Here's a general shot of the garden. We're so proud of these garden boxes. We completely replaced what was there. Fiance-with-the-mostest and future-father-in-law really stepped up in assembling these. We've been receiving a lot of compliments from our neighbors.

You can also see in this photo an area where I need to do some work - the peas and beans. On the day of this photo I put in the poles and string you can see, but those are just a temporary fix (sort of fix...). We really need to get some metal hoops to contain the plants and encourage them to grow up. With any luck, we'll get some sugar snap peas, snow peas, and bush beans from this bed! Some of the more recently planted seeds are starting to germinate, too.

At the very front of the plot we have a bed for flowers. Currently it looks very sad, with just the lonely lavender hown above (that I purchased after trying several times to grow lavender from seed and giving up). It is starting to flower - exciting!

We also have calla lily and Renior lily bulbs in this bed. I've been worried about them, but now it looks like the calla lilly is starting to push through. I also noticed a slight rise in the soil which makes we thinking the Renoir lily will break the surface soon.

I'm less hopefully for the poppies I planted on the front side of the bed. I haven't seen anything yet.
In front of that bed, we have two small containers with strawberry (shown here) and sweet peas. Our strawberries have tons of the flowers and are starting to produce berries! The big one you see here is really picking up color now.

We are really finding gardening rewarding. It definitely takes a lot of time and committment (I can't just go away and not water the plants?!?), but we are learning so much and enjoying the sun, smells, and tasty rewards.

Ravenna Girls Giveaway

2009-06-08T12:27:00.000-07:00

Remember my blog about The Ravenna Girls? Well, now's your chance to win one of their beautiful yarn wreaths! The A-Priori Mommy (a blog written by another lovely friend, and the owner of Ace Quilting), is hosting a wreath giveaway. Be sure to visit HERE by June 21 and enter to win!

Long time no blog

2009-06-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

This week has been CRAZY! There have been good things (highlight: we picked a wedding venue) and not so good things, with more events to come later this week. Friday is World Environment Day, and we will have about 600 people (mostly school kids) at the Olympic Sculpture Park. Saturday I am organizing Celebrating Wildflowers (see my blog about the event) - join us if you can!

I'll resume blogging next week. Until then, enjoy some beautiful pictures of native plants at the park taken by fiance-with-the mostest*:

*All photos taken by dpwilson

Red flowering currant

Meadows and PACCAR Pavilion

California poppy

Lupine

Work it out!

2009-05-28T14:39:00.000-07:00

Staying in shape is definitely important to me, and I find that it really supports my sustainability goals. Working out makes me feel healthier, more relaxed, and motivated to accomplish the many demands of a typical day. I also find chances to overlap simple workouts with sustainable behaviors, like walking to the bus or to meetings.

But, it's easy to get in a rut. Especially as stress skyrockets, or the weather is poor. In the last couple of years I have really benefited from challenges that I can work towards. For 2008, it was Climate Ride. I knew I could ride 50 miles in a day, but I had never come anywhere close to 300 miles in less than a week. I had to do a ton of training, including commute rides to adjust to road conditions, long weekend rides (meaning fiance-with-the-mostest had a big commitment, too), back-to-back rides, and some official rides/races to practice in crowded situations.

This year I have two exciting athletic events: 1) a 4 day kayaking trip with friends and 2) the Danskin triathlon. The kayaking trip is a guided trip, so we need to be in decent shape, have some endurance, and be willing to work hard. I really like multi-day events because they are both intellectually and physically challenging, but also all the more rewarding. Plus, we'll hopefully see some whales and other marine life! The Danksin is a sprint distance triathlon, which means we will do a 1/2 mile swim in Lake Washington, 12 mile bike ride, and 5k (3.1 mile) run. Several girls I know are training. It's great to have a support system!

My other consideration this year is "bridal boot camp." Fiance-with-the-mostest and I want to be looking our best come our wedding in summer 2010. So, while we have over a year, we want to think about things we can do together to get exercise. We especially enjoy biking, walking/hiking, and yoga.

I've added a lot of things to my calendar, including garden reminders and exercise plans. Swimming is by far the scariest part of a triathlon for me, so I have lots of times set for lap swimming, and for an open water swim practice. I also have running/walking and plenty of bike rides. I think we'll basically do yoga when the weather isn't nice or we just don't feel like running. It's a great habit to get into for the cold and wet months.

Will keep you updated on how it all goes!

Etsy and the Ravenna Girls

2009-05-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

Today I am wearing a fabulous new headband created by my friend (and bridesmaid). It looks a lot like this. So, it seems the perfect time to blog about two of the craftiest people I know, and the wonders of Etsy.

The Ravenna Girls describe themselves as, "...two budding architects, design nerds, and vintage junkies from Seattle..." I swear, these two have the greatest eye for style and can make just about anything! I like to support local artists, especially when they are two of my best friends, so I regularly buy gifts for family from their shops on Etsy. One focuses on handmade goods, many incorporating upcycled materials. Their second shop features their amazing vintage finds - they really did make things better back then, eh?

Some of my favorite gifts I've ever received are available for sale through their shops. Here are a few highlights (all are available now through their shops):

Vintage picture frame turned into a jewelry hanger

Vintage picnic basket

Felt coasters that look like a tree stump

Silk flower wreath

The best part? These two recently started a blog. Combining great style, incredible craftiness, architecture training, and caring personalities, these two are so fun to read about.

I also wanted to mention a couple of other special people you can find on Etsy. Another good friend of mine runs the shop Ace Quilting. She makes adorable sachets (I gave them out as Mother's Day presents), eye pillows, and more. I think I've ocnvinced her to sew my ring pillow. I'm very excited! In addition to the shop, she is the author of The A-Priori Mommy, a great blog about her life and experiences with her first child.

I happen to be related to the owner of the shop Ms. Bijoux Beads, also available through this website. I can credit my great collection of bead earrings to this shop! This will also be the source for my wedding earrings and accessories.

And, generally, I think Etsy is great. I love that they create a place for non-crafty people (like myself) to find crafty people (like the people mentioned above). Long live the handmade movement!

Weekend in Brinnon

2009-05-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

Hello Blogosphere!

My Memorial Day Weekend was spent in Brinnon, WA visiting my parents (dad and stepmom) at their cabin on the Hood Canal. Fiance-with-the-mostest left on Friday morning for his brother's graduation from Hamilton College in New York. Congrats to the grad!

I arrived in Brinnon late on Friday night. After work, I had to pack and water all of our little plant-alopes (yes, my nickname is Jackalope and I have zero qualms about converting any noun to "lope"). They got a long drink, which I hoped would be sufficient until my return today. I was on the road by 8:30pm, and fortunately I made it by 11pm - good time for driving around through Olympia. The Hood Canal bridge is closed, which makes the Olympia route the most efficient. You'd think there would be a better route to a destination only 26 miles away as the crow flies!

On Saturday morning we walked down to the state park. We had time for a short walk/hike before the belt sander races at Brinnon Days. That sounded too good to pass up!

What, you might ask, and belt sander races? Well, here's a picture of a sample souped-up belt sander:

And how do you race a belt sander? Why I'm so glad you asked!

After the excitement of the races, we decided a relaxing kayak in the canal was warranted. The tandem kayak needed to be transported from the cabin to the water, so we strapped it to the roof of the car and drove down to the marina. My dad and I paddled the mile back to the beach below the cabin, and Cathy came out with her kayak.

We continued down to the state park, this time via water. There are tons of seals along the shore, and they seems to enjoy spying on kayakers. I hope I'll have experiences like that when my friends and I go on a kayaking expedition in the San Juans in late June!

That evening, we packed our dinner (pizza and salad) and went for a hike up Mt. Jupiter to a viewpoint. It was a little steeper and longer than I thought, but once I had my dinner I was happier about it. You can see all the way to Seattle and Bellevue from up there!

This photo of our shadows from the top is one of my favorites...

As is this one of the light at sunset...

Sunday we did a longer hike up a road that has been washed out in several places, and is now a great trail for hikers and mountain bikers. There were cool wood bridges, and waterfalls large and small. It was a 8 mile hike roundtrip, but not a lot of elevation gain. It was definitely a good work out, but a lot of fun.

Now don't think I'm all about my food all the time. I'm really not, I swear. But I have thyroid issues and tend to get low blood sugar, so sustenance after a lot of exertion definitely improves my outlook. I also just thought that our lunch spot on this rock with a huge waterfall to the right was amazing. And how cute is the picture of my parents?

My Sustainable Seattle Masthead Gallery pick for the week was actually a photo I took of my dad's hiking poles on this rock.

This morning I drove back. Again, it only took about 2.5 hours - very good time. I had to get here by 2pm so that I could volunteer at the 7 Hills of Kirkland bike race. Sustainable Kirkland partnered with the organizers (actually, the organizers are members...), so a few of us took shifts staffing the compost station. I have to say, compost monitors make a huge difference in contamination of the bins. I've felt like people just need the time to familiarize themselves with composting, like they did with recycling, but I think that there are just too many things to remember. Most people are so well intended, but with continually changing rules, it's difficult to do it right.

A short time ago I returned from watering at both our gardens. Everything is coming up, including weeds, so we have to find time to tackle those. I also added 3 more bags of topsoil to our potato mound- they are growing like crazy! Later this week I need to plant more lettuces and beans. Gardening is so exciting!

Now I await the triumphant return of fiance-with-the-mostest, who arrives late tonight. I suppose I should entertain myself by cleaning the condo?

Finally, I wish you all a Happy Memorial Day. It's exciting when people come together to think about the lessons we've learned as a country, the people who have given so much for us all, and the value of patriotism as a means of community engagement. There are so many things sustainable about stopping to remember...

Here's to the guerilla gardener!

2009-05-20T16:35:00.001-07:00

Remember that Columbia commercial about guerilla gardeners?

Check out this press release below. Way to go, Seattle. In a world of ugly planting strips, we say, "No more!"

For Immediate Release:
May 11, 2009
Contact: Alex Fryer, (206) 684-8358 or (206) 941-5931 (cell), alex.fryer@seattle.gov

Mayor Nickels Announces New Rules for Gardening in Planting Strips
New procedures to encourage more gardening citywide

SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels today announced improvements to make gardening in planting strips easier for Seattles residents. The new planting strip policy, issued by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), eliminates any permit requirements for gardens and ends fees previously required for hardscape improvements, such as planter boxes or pavers.

This change makes it easier to plant flowers and vegetables in the strip between the sidewalk and the street. For many gardeners, thats prime space, said Nickels. Its one of the things that makes Seattle special, and, with planting season upon us, its time to get those green thumbs going.

Under the new rules announced today, residents no longer need to obtain a $225 permit for hardscape improvements, such as raised gardens or stepping stones. Instead, they can obtain a free online permit for these improvements and to plant a tree at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/stuse_permits_online.htm

SDOT has updated its Web site with information explaining the rules: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/stuse_docs.htm

To ensure public safety and protect city infrastructure, they also provide guidelines for making planting strip improvements.

Get the Nickels Newsletter and the mayors inside view on transportation, public safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities. Sign up at mayor.seattle.gov

Minh Chau Le
Department of Neighborhoods
P-Patch Program
(206) 233-7112

Volunteer with Sustainable Kirkland and get a free pass to Kirkland Uncorked!

2009-05-20T12:34:00.001-07:00

Calling all volunteers!

Sustainable Kirkland, the community group I talked about in this blog and this blog, is partnering with the organizers of Kirkland Uncorked to help "green" this year's festival, July 17-19 on the downtown Kirkland waterfront (Marina Park).

Remember those awesome volunteers at Seattle Green Festival who sorted your compost, recycling, and trash before you could even ~~prove that you knew how to recycle~~ determine which bin was which? Well, Sustainable Kirkland will play a similar role, educating visitors about recycling and minimizing the volume of non-reusable (landfill bound) waste produced by the festival.

We need you! Sustainable Kirkland needs help covering all the shifts of the festival, July 17 - 19. The best part of volunteering? You get a free pass to Kirkland Uncorked! The festival features art, wine, food, and jazz music - what more could you want for a good time on the shore of Lake Washington?

To sign up, e-mail info@sustainablekirkland.org.

A busy weekend: Bike to Work Day, grad school, wedding dresses, venues

2009-05-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

I'm exhausted. Dave and I couldn't sleep last night because we were both stressed about venues. What a silly thing to stress about! Worst case scenario, we don't get our first choice. Sure, that's not fun, but we're not getting married for over a year! We'll find something, and ultimately it's about us getting married.

Beyond last night, it's been a busy last few days! Friday was Bike to Work Day, organized by Cascade Bicycle Club. We hosted a station on the waterfront at the Olympic Sculpture Park, and had about 700 riders pass by. The weather wasn't quite as fantastic as last year, but it wasn't raining. I was thrilled to learn that I helped inspire 3 people to ride: my fiance, my co-worker Paul, and a partner at Seattle Parks. Yay! Unfortunately I wasn't busy and tired because I got to do lots of riding, but because I arrived at the park at 5am. That's what happens when Bike to Work Day starts at 6am.

On Friday afternoon I had my first meeting with my grad school advisor. I'm so excited to start classes, and was pleased to learn that with just 6 credits a quarter I'll be on schedule to graduate in 2 years. That will make working and going to school much easier.

After my trip to the UW, I headed to Bellevue for my first wedding dress appointment. I didn't find any winners, but it was good to get through the first appointment.

On Saturday Dave and I helped with a garage sale station for Sustainable Kirkland. We had 2 stalls at the "Junk in Your Trunk" event at Juanita Park (I know, silly name). We raised a lot of money for the group, so it was a huge success. I'm going to be helping with the group's blog, and next Monday will volunteer for a shift at the 7 Hills of Kirkland bike race.

Saturday afternoon I met my mom, Dave's mom, and Dana (my MOH) to look at dresses at Blue Sky Bridal. I loved this shop - all the dresses are sold on consignment, which means they are used dresses that individuals are selling. Pre-owned dresses are so practical financially and in terms of sustainability. I found 8 dresses to try on, and one I really loved. I want to look some more, but that one was a great option!

Then on Sunday we visited Dragonfly Retreat, a potential venue in Bothell. We really liked it - the site is more rustic than Tibbetts Creek Manor, the other site we've seen so far. Dave and I want to see a few more options before we make a decision, so I think we will visit/consider Fall City Farms, Cedar River Education Center, and Sandstrom Farm. If those don't work, we might consider the Golden Gardens Bathhouse. This is way out there, but I did send for some info from Sol Duc Hot Springs.

I am totally jealous of my friend's venue for her July wedding: Treehouse Point. This place looks gorgeous!

Anyways, I complete stressed myself out last night. Not good, and not sustainable. I barely slept, so I feel crummy today. Hopefully some rest will help, and we will work on taking things one step at a time. I'm looking forward to games with friends tonight. Sometimes it's all about the simple things!

And tonight: Sustainable Kirkland

2009-05-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

The fiance (Dave) and I are proud to be members of Sustainable Kirkland, our local community group interested in the environment. Tonight we are hosting the monthly group meeting at our condo.

Sustainable Kirkland is part of the parent organization SCALLOPS (Sustainable Communities All Over Puget Sound). These groups just keep popping up, and there is amazing energy for community organizing (gObama!). Dave and I decided last summer/fall to join the groups in our respective neighborhoods (at that point I lived in Ravenna). Sustainable Kirkland was just getting started at that time, and we attended what I believe was the second official meeting. It's nice to get in on the groud floor!

Our group meets on the second Thursday of each month. Currently we meet at a member's home, and we eat a potluck dinner (tonight Dave and I are offering vegan chili - yum). We talk about our interests in sustainability, our ideas for the local area, and ways to engage (and change) the Kirkland community. So far the group has built a website, created business cards and t-shirts, organized a speaker event on green home remodeling, and identified other events for the future (greening Kirkland Uncorked, Seven Hills of Kirkland).

My personal goals in the group are: 1) provide educational and fellowship opportunities to Kirkland residents interested in the environment and 2) create a public demonstration garden in the Kirkland area. At our last meeting I brought up the idea of a sustainability tour of Kirkland. We brianstormed and thought of biking between sites, seeing green homes and businesses, and going out for a drink and discussion after - who wouldn't want to do that? As to the garden, I think we can partner with the city and build off the P-Patch program in place (since Dave and I are a part of it).

As a side note related to gardening, I'm thinking of volunteering at 21 Acres. Don't tell my fiance. He'll say I don't have time. That's ~~totally accurate and a reasonable point~~ silly!

Anyways, we're looking forward to having the group over tonight. It's always a good time, and a nice way to get to know like-minded folks in our part of town.

350 artists

2009-05-13T13:21:00.001-07:00

Adding to the list of things I think are great...check out 350.org and in particular their section on artists.

Finding connection between art and environment is a key part of my job. Typically when I see environmental groups try to involve art in their programs, it takes the form of an art contest. These contests tend to be vaguely worded calls to "demonstrate what the environment/Puget Sound/trees/climate/fill-in-the-blank mean to you." For that reason, I'm always impressed with groups who go beyond.

There are a number of local Seattle artists who explore environmental issues and recycled materials in their work; Buster Simpson, Susan Robb, SuttonBeresCuller, and Mandy Greer are just a few who I happen to be familiar with. I like to think of the arts broadly, and feel inspired by the work of groups like Sustainable Style Foundation, Urban Wilderness Project, and FareStart. I also know a couple of super-crafty, LEED-certified architects...more on them later...

I am involved in the early planning stages for the Imagine Tomorrow competition, a program of Sustainable Seattle. This summer I will also serve as a judge for aLIVe: a Low Impact Vehicle exhibit. Both of these programs will challenge artists and designers to think differently about our cityscapes and the changes needed to build a more sustainable future.

So, calling all designers! I know you are out there. Take up the challenge, I ~~implore~~ invite you!

Climate Ride

2009-05-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

My family and friends are already familiar with my experience biking from New York City to Washington, D.C. last September as part of the first annual Climate Ride. For those who are new, I invite you to view my Climate Ride blog. I am not ~~one of those crazy people who rides 200 miles every week in all weather conditions~~ a "gearhead," so this ride was something I trained for. I am still so proud of myself for doing it - fundraising, training, traveling, and riding - all on my own. It is an experience I will never forget.

Climate Ride is recruiting new riders for 2009, and I would encourage anyone who cares about environmental issues to consider joining. The ride is all about coming together with others who care about climate change to build synergy, spread the word, and show commitment for powerful climate change legislation.

Along the way I met amazing people. Two girls I rode with the entire 320 miles! We came to depend on each other as hills loomed ahead, the miles dragged on, we lost feeling in our limbs. For the three of us, the ride was truly pushing our physical limits. Finishing (without the dreaded sag wagon) was a huge personal victory, as well as statement about our commitment to the climate. I can pretty much guarantee that more than half of my waking hours are devoted to thinking about how to make a greener choice, and to find a group of people that inspire me to keep at that work is invaluable.

Concerned about fundraising? If you work for a nonprofit or have something to contribute to the program, consider applying for a fellowship. Going the fundraising route? Keep in mind that Clean Air-Cool Planet and Focus the Nation are truly worthwhile beneficiaries. I am particularly impressed with this portion of CA-CP's mission: "We partner with companies, campuses, communities and science centers to help reduce their carbon emissions." The closest model we have in the Seattle area is the mayor's Seattle Climate Partnership and Seattle Climate Action Now program. Seattle Art Museum has taken the lead in the world of green museums, but SAM and our peer organizations would greatly benefit from the work of a group like CA-CP.

What's life without a challenge? I know that having an event in mind helps me to reach my personal fitness goals. Add in a love for the environment, and every turn of the pedals has new meaning.

Here are a few photo highlights of my experience:

From Climate Ride 2008

Mark your calendar: Celebrating Wildflowers on June 6 at the Olympic Sculpture Park

2009-05-08T14:22:00.000-07:00

Celebrating Wildflowers

Saturday, June 6

Noon – 4 p.m.

Olympic Sculpture Park, PACCAR Pavilion

SAM teams up with Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation to celebrate native plants and the role that they play in nature and in our lives. Create green art using recycled materials, and explore games and displays from SAM partners. Discover the world of mosses, flowers, pollinators, natural dyes and more!

Performances and Tours

1:00 p.m. – Urban Wilderness Project's Griot Youth Troupe

Tales from the Urban Wilderness. Stories that connect us to the world within us and around us. A youth performance suitable for all ages. Approximately 30 minutes. Performance will be held in the Alvord Art Lab inside the PACCAR Pavilion.

1:30 and 3:00 p.m. – Guided Native Plant Tours

Explore the native plants of the Olympic Sculpture Park with experts from Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation. Tours leave from the Trust for Public Land Terrace (north end of the PACCAR Pavilion).

Activity Stations – Open All Day, Located in and around the PACCAR Pavilion

Activities by Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

Pollinator Game

Put on some wings, fly around, and help the flowers get pollinated! Designed for ages 3 – 5.

Painting with Plants

Create your own work of art by painting with a variety of plants. Designed for ages 4 and up.

Moss Madness

Get up close to a wide variety of native mosses. Designed for ages 6 and up.

Mystery Flower

Can you name the mystery plant as you explore plants with your hands, not your eyes? Designed for ages 7 and up.

Microscopy!

Discover the secrets of plants with a surprising look through microscopes. Designed for ages 7 and up.

Plant Pressing

Pick up this activity to take home or start your project at the park. Designed for ages 7 and up.

Rare Care

Learn about Washington’s rare native plants and receive a Celebrating Wildflowers temporary tattoo!

Community Crocheting with Artist Mandy Greer- Mater Matrix Mother and Medium

Join artist Mandy Greer, and with your fellow Seattleites, crochet, knot and twist recycled fabrics into a 200-foot long fiber river.

Creation Station: Shrinky Plants – Seattle Art Museum

Use recycled materials to create a do-it-yourself shrinky dink based on the native plants of the Olympic Sculpture Park. Then wear your charm to show your appreciation for plants and our environment!

Gardening with Native Plants – Washington Native Plant Society

Learn how to bring our regional natives into your yard, creating habitat for wildlife and saving water. Make your garden carefree with the right plant in the right place.

Invasive Plants in the Pacific Northwest – King County Noxious Weed Board

Take the Native vs. Noxious Quiz to test your knowledge about which plants are native and which are invasive species. You might be surprised - you can't always judge a plant by its colorful flowers.

People, Plants and Pollination – University of Washington Botanic Gardens Education

Discover the amazing life cycle of plants by examining flowers and seeds with magnifiers, be a bee and pollinate flowers, and find out how native plants can be used for survival!

Sustainable Foods – TASTE Café

Examine TASTE Cafés compostable packaging program and learn more about TASTE’s commitment to sustainability featuring local, fresh, organic foods.

Where Do Plants Live? – Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

Explore four ECOSYSTEMS of Washington. Examine museum specimens of plants – and animals, too! – that live in those ecosystems. For older visitors, try out an incredible Web resource on plants: the UW Herbarium Image Collection.

Traditional Uses of Native Plants – Skokomish Tribe

Expand your knowledge of native plants as you learn about traditional gathering techniques and the many medicinal and culinary uses of Western Washington plant species.

Carpooling and alternative transportation encouraged! Event will be held indoors in the event of inclement weather.

For more information visit seattleartmuseum.org

The joys of the pea patch

2009-05-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

My fiance and I are learning to garden. When I say this, I mean it in the most basic sense. We don't have a clue what we are doing.

Alright, perhaps that is a little bit of an exaggeration. I know that I like plants. I've taken many Biology classes, and I can explain to you in detail the process of photosynthesis, so I can tell you roughly what a plant needs from it's surroundings. As an environmental educator, I also have a basic knowledge of native plants. Now I can't fairly speak to Dave's level of comfort, but I can tell you that he was fascinated by a lesson from Seattle Tilth regarding how nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium help plant growth. He is also far superior when it comes to watering (while I exist in a permanent state of dehydration).

I've been contemplating the pea patch idea for a while, and decided to ask Dave to garden with me this winter. So, we got on the waiting list for the Marymoor and Kirkland programs. We were offered a plot at Marymoor, which was great, since most Seattle waiting lists take years. Then we visited the plot...it was more overgrown than I would have expected. I wish we had taken photos - there were old corn stalks, weeds, and piles of compost covering the entire 10'x40' space. Oh, how ~~stupid~~ naive we were!

We have since learned that the entire Marymoor Community Garden suffers from an infestation of comfrey. While the Wikipedia article may make it appear harmless, make sure you note the comments on eradication. Dave refers to the weed as "Devil's root." And with good reason! The roots of comfrey can be 2" in diameter, go 8' deep, and snap off with the slightest tug. What's worse, the plants can regrow from a 1" hunk left in the ground. And our plot hasn't been gardened in a couple of years. Hello infestation.

To make matters more complicated, after accepting the Marymoor plot, Dave and I were offered a space at a Kirkland pea patch, which is much closer to home. The garden is adorable, and our plot was nearly weed free when we went to visit. It took me all of 10 minutes to weed the whole thing. This has not helped with motiviation at Marymoor. But, we had already put in a couple of days' work at Marymoor, so we decided to keep both.

This past Sunday Dave and I (finally) finished weeding out all the comfrey (for the second time), formed mounds, and planted. While it's been a huge challenge (read: pain in the neck), it was incredibly gratifying to see a space that formerly looked like an abandoned lot converted to a tended garden. Cross your fingers the comfrey doesn't give us too much more trouble...

Now our Kirkland plot has been a joy. Dave and his dad built new raised beds, we added compost and turned the soil, and we have planted all the beds. Our lettuces, broccoli, cauliflowers, leeks, chives, onions, potatoes, and beans seem to be thriving. The only sore spot has been the warm weather plants - our cucumber, zucchini, and basil has not been very happy. A few days ago we started covering the plants with plastic containers at night to try insulate from the cold. It looks pretty funny having a garden bed with salad containers, half a milk jug, and green plastic cups! Just wait 'til we add the pinwheels to our Marymoor plot!

Our tomato and pumpkin starts are still living at home with mom and dad (yes, we refer to the plants as "the kids"). Soon we hope to send them off to the pea patch. Thank goodness I just bought some plants for container on the balcony, to help me fight empty nest sadness!

I feel like we've already learned a lot from the gardens. I wonder how I'll feel about eating these little plants I've cared for?

Sustainable Seattle's Leadership Lab

2009-05-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday night I attended Sustainable Seattle's first Leadership Lab. The session was the first in a series of three. I met a number of interesting people from diverse backgrounds - many of the attendees also participate in their neighborhood sustainability group (part of SCALLOPS). Antioch University students took on teaching/leading of the labs as a project.

During introductions we were asked to share something interesting or strange that happened to us in the last week (I think I won). Forgive the shameless mention of my engagement in this entry...

For our first activity we were asked to list three qualities of a leader in the sustainability realm - noting that leadership qualities in this sector might vary from general leadership. I chose 1) leading by example, 2) re-envisioning, and 3) community-building. Then we were asked to work in a group, share our choices and try to clump those that are similar. The three people sitting next to me all wrote "leading by example," too. Clearly practicing what you preach is important! There were also a number of qualities clumped around community involvement, and individual health. Finally, we saw the need to think outside the box to solve the problem we face today. After comparing with the other group, I would add passion to the list of essential components. You need something to keep you going and help overcome burnout. My group also saw the need for flexibility and identification of small steps to success.

They second activity involved dividing into pairs and asking questions about leadership experiences, road blocks, and what you needed to overcome those barriers. For me, we decided that I am organized, comfortable taking the lead, and good at coordinating. I need help when it comes to over-committing and keeping balance.

I'm really looking forward to the next session at the end of May!

Distracted, but excited

2009-05-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

I guess it's official when you announce something to the blogosphere - I'm engaged! That means I'm asking for forgiveness with regards to my inconsistent blogging this past week.

This does mean that I will do some writing about green wedding research, but I also don't intend to let that topic take over ~~my life~~ the blog (really, I promise).

But, because it has been less than a week since "the question," I think I'm still allowed to be more girly than normal. Here's an update on my green wedding considerations thus far (in no particular order):

1) Keep the numbers limited. More people equals more travel, stuff, costs...

2) Pick a venue that I feel good about supporting, i.e. a park. Ideally it should be close for most guests to travel to.

3) Encourage guests to purchase carbon offsets for their travel.

4) Use a caterer who sources locally, has organic options, and is veggie-friendly (a must for the vegetarian bride and groom!).

5) Find a natural materials, second-hand wedding dress. Donate or sell after the big day.

6) Minimize waste and materials - i.e. paper for invitations, favors, etc.

7) Keep gifts under control. That doesn't necessarily mean don't register, but only ask for things we can really use to get started. Try an alternative registery to include second hand and handmade items. Include donations and carbon credits as registry "asks."

8) Green the honeymoon. I know we will want to travel, so we will plan to purchase offsets. Look into ecotourism options that support local communities and preservation of biodiversity.

9) Pick reusable items whenever possible. This includes rewearable bridesmaids' dresses, rentals for the guys, centerpieces, etc.

10) Try to grow our own flowers.

11) Minimize electrical use - perhaps a green DJ?

12) Maintain a balanced life and don't let the wedding take over!

I'm sure I will figure out many more things along the way. Wish me luck!

Poisoned Waters

2009-04-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

Several coworkers and family members have told me about "Poisoned Waters," which showed on KCTS on Tuesday. Unfortunately I missed the show, but here is an article discussing the special.

I'm glad to hear that viewers were so moved by the message - that Puget Sound, like Chesapeake Bay, is highly polluted. Locally the effects are seen in our Orca whale population. I've heard stories of dead Orcas that qualify as hazardous waste, as they have built up incredible levels of PCBs in their bodies. Sadly, this isn't a story of one particularly sensitive species. Orcas are top predators, and their contamination indicates that PCBs are both biomagnifying in the food chain and bioaccumulating in individual Orcas over their lives. Biomagnification occurs as higher trophic level animals accumulate the toxins of their prey species (i.e. an Orca eating salmon, which eats...). Each salmon has it's own load of toxins accumulated during it's life, and an Orca eats many salmon, thus building up a relatively larger load of toxins. The toxins continue to build as the whale ages, becoming more and more concentrated (bioaccumulation).

The good news is that the message is spreading. People for Puget Sound are strong advocates for our waters. The governor has shown her support for restoration efforts through the Puget Sound Initiative and Puget Sound Partnership. Citizens are beginning to see beyond the beautiful landscapes, and recognize that pollution isn't always easy to see.

As an aside, I was amused by the last portion of the P-I article, which references "Mr. Floatie." Got to love educational mascots! Especially a giant turd. See People Opposed to Outfall Pollution (POOP) to learn more.

A CSA drop site at Olympic Sculpture Park!

2009-04-23T11:37:00.001-07:00

I'm so thrilled that announce that we will now host a Community Support Agriculture (CSA) drop site at the Olympic Sculpture Park! CSAs offer an amazing opportunity to support local farmers, and purchase delicious, organic produce. Local sourcing has become a big component of sustainability efforts, and my feeling is that it makes sense for cultural and economic reasons, in additional to environmental benefits. I also love that the program will offer local produce in an urban community, where opportunities for gardening are limited by condos and long waiting lists at pea patches.

Here are the details on the program:

Pick up your organic produce at the Olympic Sculpture Park!

Seattle Art Museum and TASTE are pleased to sponsor a drop site for Boistfort Valley Farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program at the Olympic Sculpture Park.

At all three locations (the Seattle Art Museum Downtown, the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Olympic Sculpture Park)—SAM and TASTE are committed to taking action to protect our environment and to finding creative ways to reduce our ecological footprint. Visit the Seattle Art Museum website to learn more about SAM’s environmental restoration goals, SAM Goes Green campaign, and art and environment programs. TASTE Restaurant, Cafes & Events supports these efforts by creating simple, upscale foods featuring fresh and seasonal ingredients. 89% of TASTE’s products are sourced from local farmers and artisans, such as Boistfort Valley Farm, in support of sustainable practices.

Boistfort Valley Farm’s CSA program offers:

A selection of organic produce including fruit, herbs, and fresh flowers
Recipe and serving suggestions free with your share
About 20 weekly deliveries from mid-June through October (weather dependant)
Both large and small shares available for purchase, with a discount for early payment:
Family share: $600/season or $575 if paid by May 1
Small share (feeds 2): $480/season or $460 if paid by May 1
Program is administered by Boistfort Valley Farms. All proceeds go directly to the farm.

To learn more about the Boistfort Valley Farm CSA program and to sign up for your share, visit boistfortvalleyfarm.com. Be sure to select the Olympic Sculpture Park drop site.

Earth Day and simple living

2009-04-22T21:04:00.001-07:00

Today is Earth Day(or E Day, according to Danielle). It's always fun to celebrate Earth Day, though in reality I typically celebrate Earth Week and Earth Month. Back in college, I organized University of Washington's Earth Week activities, including a festival, movies, tours, and networking events. I've been thrilled to learn that since my time at the UW several green student organizations have formed an alliance and are working together to plan the events.

More recently, I've organized activities for SAM. As my previous post describes, Climate Day for Kids is our big Earth Day event. For the last two years we have also hosted a work party from Arogy University. This year TASTE Restaurant offered a special Earth Day dinner featuring their local, organic culinary creations. I'm excited to see how things will continue to grow!

All these activities mean that April is always the start of my busy season. Earth Day flows right into Bike to Work Month, and the warm weather of the summer means more visitors, events, and work parties.

Admittedly, I was very stressed last week. But on Sunday and Monday I took the chance to relax and recover from the previous couple of weeks. On Sunday Dave and I did some serious gardening. I was tired from moving tables on Saturday, but it felt good to get outside and work. I ended up covered in dirt, but I was pretty happy about it. I thought that I would sleep in on Monday, but I woke up with the sun at 6:30am, and felt good! My back wasn't bothering me and I took pride in a productive day, organizing the office (the space that still needs the most work after my move) and donating and selling a number of items. It was gratifying to get rid of the clutter, find new homes for usable materials, and enjoy added free space!

I hadn't realized how much the stress was affecting my health. By Monday night I knew that I felt better - my back didn't hurt, I had energy, and I had a general sense of calm. After a day of time for myself, I was ready to round out the weekend with quality time with friends.

There is still a long way to go in my "busy season," but I continue to strive for balance and quality experiences. I'm finding joy in the little things - gardening, cooking, organizing, and spending time with Dave, friends, and family. I'm learning to set limits, and while I'm no expert yet, I think I'm making progress.

Climate Day for Kids

2009-04-21T13:01:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I organized a big Earth Day event at the Olympic Sculpture Park, called Climate Day for Kids. It was a great event, with more than 400 visitors. Thanks to everyone who came!

Seattle Art Museum partners with community organizations, and we were happy to host a number of wonderful groups on Saturday. At SAM's station families were invited to assess their carbon footprint using an online tool courtesy of Seattle Climate Action Now. Then participants used recycled materials to create a carbon footprint sculpture. Extending into the amphitheater, artist Mandy Greer taught visitors to crochet pieces for a 200 foot long river installation she is creating for display this summer in Seattle parks. Indoors, parents from CoolMom.org organized a fantastic recycled materials project to create cars and buses out of food cartons (so cute). They also organized two of the four performances in the Art Lab, a puppet show and storytelling. Worms and dirt stole the show at Sustainable Belltown's worm bin station. Pacific Science Center brought out their Van de Graaff generator and other electricity visuals, and closed out the event with a great demonstration. Seattle Climate Action Now offered giveaways, and presented the Shrinking Bigfoot assembly in partnership with Seattle City Light. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency offered a great display with tons of giveaways, TASTE showcased their sustainable food options, and Xeko invited visitors to try out their endangered species trading card game. Out front, University of Washington's Botanic Gardens introduced families to the importance of trees for the climate, and Feet First offered a scavenger hunt and visits from the Feet First Chicken!

Wow! This was the second time I have organized this event, and I have to say that it really lived up to my hopes. The art activities engaged families in making a committment to reduce their impact, while demonstrating green art making and offering suggestions on sustainable lifestyle strategies. I was thrilled to have performances and demonstrations to add to the festival-like stations, and it is always amazing to see the Pavilion activated and full on visitors. It really embodies the free, open to the public design of the park.

Happy Earth Month to all!

Storming the Sound

2009-04-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

Another flashback to last week...

First I should mention Salmon-Safe. I am proud to say that we recently earned Salmon-Safe certification at the Olympic Sculpture Park. In fact, we are the only site where the certification team saw adult salmon during an inspection. I was asked to join a panel for Seattle University's Working Cooperatively for Sustainability Conference, focusing on Salmon-Safe certification in the Seattle area. The sustainability managers for both PCC and REI joined me on the panel, along with Dan Kent of Salmon-Safe and Mary Rose of the Network for Business Innovation and Sustainability (NBIS). Unfortunately our panel had a low attendance (end of the day, things running long), but we still enjoyed a lively discussion about the merits of cerification for businesses - including green marketing, PR, expert advice, and partnerships.

Now on to my main topic: Storming the Sound. Rounding out a busy week full of speakers and meetings, I attended this conference at Chief Sealth High School in West Seattle. The focus was education about the Puget Sound ecosystem. First I attended a session about the new environmental and sustainability standards being produced by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). I was pleased to learn that they are moving along with these standards, and writing suggested integrations with the Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) to assist teachers. An environmental and sustainability overview course has also been approved for Occupational Education credit. If only that had counted when I was a student! I convinced my counselor that acting as a Peer Tutor to the AP Chemistry class WAS occupationally relevant for me (I still maintain that it was the best option).

Professor Julia Parrish spoke before lunch. I have the pleasure of knowing Julia through my work as an alumni with Program on the Environment. Julia also runs the COASST program, which has recently gained recognition as a model in the field of citizen science. While I am very familiar with Julia's work, I always appreciate discussion of citizen science. I think it is a fantastic way to increase public interest in environmental issues and build an informed citizen base.

After lunch I attended a session by People for Puget Sound discussing toxins. As an Environmental Studies student, I became accustomed to hearing frightening facts about pollution and environmental degredation. Still, it's always affecting (particularly when focused on health!). I was interested to learn that thyroid disease can have environmental causes, as I have taken daily medication for hypothyroidism since the age of 18. Most people are now familiar with the dangers of BPA, but I continue to be frustrated that no one has come up with a good option for recycling old Nalgene bottles and other BPA-ridden products. Is the landfill really our only option?

I always love the chance to reconnect with partners and colleagues, learn new things, and take a step back to remember why we do what we do!

Sandra Steingraber speaks at UW

2009-04-08T13:10:00.000-07:00

Life has been a bit crazy lately, so I'm catching up on the development of this blog. In the near future I hope to post almost every day. But, for now, I return to a great event from last Tuesday...

I was thrilled to learn that author Sandra Steingraber was visiting the University of Washington, and presenting a public lecture. Steingraber can be considered "the new Rachel Carson." She is a cancer survivor, and traced her cancer to pollution in the book Living Downstream. I am more familiar with Having Faith: An Ecologist's Journey to Motherhood, which I read when my research professor was pregnant back in 2005. I read the book out of curiosity and the desire to read something by Steingraber. While I wouldn't suggest reading it while actually pregnant, it was an eloquent story intertwining personal experience with evolutionary biology, chemistry, and environmental toxicology. As an environmental educator, I view my job as taking complexing concepts (like global climate change) and explaining them in ways people of all ages can understand. That is exactly the kind of work Steingraber creates.

Steingraber spoke openly of her experience with cancer. She told us that she in a waiting period, unsure whether or not her cancer has returned. Diagnosed with bladder cancer at just 20 years old, her story reminded me of an aquaintance. My friend recently shared with me that her brother's girlfriend (also 20 years old) has been diagnosed with cancer. The story of Steingraber's experience gave me hope for this wonderful young woman, who may inspire someone else one day.

As an Environmental Studies student, one often becomes overwhelmed with doom and gloom statistics about what is happening in nature. Steingraber spent some time on these facts, referencing her feelings regarding a woman's right to reproductive health unimpeded by toxins. She also touched on the REACH program of the E.U., which requires that products be proven safe for use. The program changes the burden of proof from the government to business, unlike the U.S. version which assumes safety until proven otherwise.

So, if I already know so many of the facts, why do I continue to attend events? Isn't it preaching to the choir? My answer: I go in search of inspiration and new ideas. Steingraber certainly met this need. She really came to life during the Q&A session, and seemed to let her thoughts flow honestly and openly. I admire that kind of eloquence. Likewise, she wasn't afraid to push limits - both in policy/advocacy, and in her personal life. How could you not admire a woman who can stand tall while facing cancer, present her own breast milk in a talk for the United Nations, and give her full attention to educating a small group of people in a lecture hall at the University of Washington?

Thank you, Sandra Steingraber!

Seattle Green Festival

2009-03-29T16:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I attended the Seattle Green Festival at the Convention Center. I was joined by Brianne and Danielle, two LEED-certified architect friends, and Dave (my significant other). Danielle and I attended the event last year, and had a great time visiting the exhibitor booths, trying out food and product samples.

This year I decided to attend some of the sessions held in break-out rooms throughout the day. My first pickwas "What Does Green Art Look Like?" I work as the Environmental Steward for the Seattle Art Museum, and have the opportunity to organize both family-oriented art and environment programs, and a series of panel discussions on art and the environment. I was excited to hear from Sarah van Schagen of Grist (the moderator), who has covered my panels in the past (here and here). We also heard from Grace Stahre of the Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Network, John Ullman with Folklike Festival, and Kuros Zahendi, a visual artist who creates sculpture using landfill-bound trash. Stahre addressed the need to balance topic and film quality in producing successful environmental documentaries. She also questioned what makes an entertaining, appealing environmental film, noting that some of the most successful (Sicko and WALL-E) focus on engagement. Ullman called for the preservation of cultural diversity, and emphasized the importance of art as a participatory process, which he believes to be more meaningful than simply experiencing art. Oh the other hand, Zahendi's work brought to mind the value of art in creating access to topics the public typically does not see. His work, for instance, symbolizing the action of cleaning up the messes - both literal and figurative - created by modern society.

In contrast to the big picture ideas of the arts panel, my second pick of "Environmental Education: Are Our Kids Getting What They Need?" offered some specific insights into the evolving structure for environmental education in Washington. Marcia Rutan spoke to the Washington Green Schools program, a self-reporting certification program for sustainability in schools. WGS encourages student-led actions (in coordination with teachers and staff, i.e. facilities personnel), focused on energy, waste, toxics, transportation, and water. My guess is that the pilot schools wil acheive highest success when engaging the entire school community, as suggested, including parents and families. Accompanying Marcia, Jourdan Keith represented the Urban Wilderness Project. UWP offers work projects that focus on wilderness exposure(including urban nature), diversity (interpreted diversly), and storytelling. The "Are You an Endangered Species?" project was particularly striking.

The discussion brought to mind the disconnect between informal and formal education efforts. Recently I attended the Art Goes to School program at the Seattle Art Museum (see description for the next program in the series). Hollis Headrick explained his vision for successful collaborations between cultural organizations, schools, and funders. He argued that what our kids need are long-term collabrations (not one-offs) that engage experts from cultural organizations in helping teachers to meet learning standards. In order to form these partnerships, secure funding is needed for schools to purchase services from the cultural organizations. As a museum employee and a soon-to-be graduate student in Education, I was pleased to hear this idea clearly summarized, and to learn that Hollis is working on a program in New York. In my eyes, Washington would be best off enlisting the many experienced informal environmental educators in integrating environmental standards with the curriculum. Likewise, I believe we should learn from the work of Washington State LASER and other inquiry-based science systems.

But I digress...
Outside of the sessions, many exhibitors offered impressive displays. I was pleased to learn that one of my favorites from last year - Happy Green Bee - returned again this year. Even more exciting, a learned that one of my peers from the Program on the Environment at the University of Washington is connected to the company (it was started by her mother-in-law). Happy Green Bee has a wonderful (and adorable) selection of organic cotton baby clothes at very reasonable prices - perfect for that time in your life when your friends start having babies! I was also pleased to see a good showing from SCALLOPS, CoolMom.org, and of course event sponsor City of Seattle Climate Action Now.

It seems this year's event will be another hit. It's fabulous to see Seattle embrace this event as a kick-off to Earth Month!

What is sustainability?

2009-03-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

According to Wiktionary...

sustainability (uncountable)

the ability to sustain something
(ecology) a means of configuring civilization and human activity so that society, its members and its economies are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential in the present, while preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, planning and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals in the very long term

My goal is to pursue both aspects of sustainability. Definition 2 is the sense in which we usually think of sustainability today - building a society that preserves the environment for future generations. This version of sustainability is the main focus of my work and what brought me into the environmental community. More recently, though, I've begun seeking sustainability more broadly in my life - the kind of sustainability that includes simplicity, peace, health, experiential living, and quality time.

I think most people would agree that we, as a global community, need both. Relatively recently ecological sustainability reached a tipping point, greatly expanding "green" options to consumers, and media attention to environmental issues. This boom has also resulted in greenwashing and consumer confusion, but one thing is clear: green is here to stay. There are also positive signs in the area of lifestyle sustainability, including the return of the "victory garden" to both the White House and communities around the country.

So how do I fit in? I can hardly claim to be an expert, at anything, but I find myself connected to a number of inspirational leaders in the environmental community, particularly in Seattle, but also nationally. In my heart I am an educator, and while advocacy isn't right for me, I believe in helping people to make informed choices about their communities. Further, I recognize that I am continually learning and growing, and the written word helps me to clarify my thoughts and feelings.

Perhaps others can help me on my journey, or I can help them on theirs.