Calendar of Events | Green Drinks
Community Education Project Update (January 2010)
Activities began in fall 2009 with the establishment of a committee that is presently comprised of a dozen volunteers led by Dr. Carlos Boueres. A list of members is available upon request (email to cboueres@msn.com). A grant application was submitted in November 2009 and funding in the amount of $10,000 was received from the Harris & Frances Block Foundation for activities in 2010. This grant will be used to support four activities: a) co-sponsor the Leon County Sustainability Summit scheduled for May 6-8, 2010; b) begin a pilot project named "Locaversity" to involve education at the grass-roots level of residents in a chosen neighborhood; c) research for ST projects involving advocacy; and d) collaboration with local higher-education institutions in developing educational programs. The present meeting schedule of the education committee is noon to 1:00 pm every second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Please contact Dr. Boueres if you are interested in the committee actions and how to join. At present new members are not being added, but a list of interested individuals is being maintained.
StarMetro introduces Solar Trash Compactors
Congratulations go to StarMetro for installing five solar-powered trash compactors at StarStops in Tallahassee. The new BigBelly compacting trash receptacles use 100 percent solar power and hold five times the volume of a traditional trashcan. Visit the StarMetro website for more info.
October 7, Rainbow Rehab Green House Grand Opening - Rainbow Rehab, Sustainable Tallahassee, the US Green Building Council, and FSU College of Communication and Information have joined together with volunteers from across the community, including those from FAMU, FSU, TCC, local high schools and middle schools to renovate a southside property into a home that is affordable, energy efficient and environmentally sensitive. It all started over a year ago when Buddy Holshouer, Rainbow Rehab President, and Mark Worley, Board Member of both Rainbow Rehab and Sustainable Tallahassee were discussing their next project. They asked each other if the project might both promote Rainbow Rehab's primary mission of serving people with lower incomes by making it possible for them to own properly renovated homes while also considering the renovation's current and future impact on the environment and community
To that end, a joint committee was formed between Sustainable Tallahassee and Rainbow Rehab to consider the options. This group, headed by Rachelle McClure, Sustainable Tallahassee board member and FSU Facilties Designer, took on the task of advising the building experts at Rainbow Rehab. Additionally, keeping with one of Sustainable Tallahassee's core missions of educating the community on sustainability, Rachell enlisted the assistance of Jeanette Castillo, Assistant Professor of Digital Media at FSU's College of Communication and Information, to film a documentary of the project.
In order to green the home, the team members followed the strict guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reductions, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.(1)
"By using the LEED rating system, we were able to build a home that is healthier, more comfortable, durable and energy efficient," Ms. McClure said. According to Mr. Holshouser, "There definitely was a learning curve, but a lot of it was just making sure we did the right things. It cost a little more up front, but in the end, we were still able to rehabilitate a great house for a great price. I'm sure this will make a wonderful home for a family and that it will be more affordable for them over the life of the home. It's bound to cost less to maintain than the homes of the same era which are not rehabilitated to the LEED standard."
Steven Service, a local Green Rater and Sustainable Tallahassee Board Member, was very excited abou the efficiencies achieved on the project. "This 73 year old home has received an Energy Star Rating. It will use 35% less energy and generate two tons less carbon than a new home of the same size built to the current code in Florida," he said.
Sustainable Tallahassee Founding President, Kristin Dozier, was greatly excited about building an affordable house that will cost less to the owners and to the environment, but she was even more excited about the collaboration on the project and the training tools it developed. "This project is a tremendous success story for our community. It is a clear example that all facets of our community can come together and build a better tomorrow. On this project, you've got a team that includes individuals from local government, non-profits, businesses, K-12 and higher education. I know the community is going to be excited by this home and by the documentary which demonstrates that sustainability is not just the right thing to do for our children, but that it is the right thing for our community and our pocketbooks as well."
(1) From Intro - What LEED is, USBGC website - http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1988
July 16, Tallahassee - Do you have ideas to make Tallahassee a more exciting and fulfilling place to live? If you do, the Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI) wants you!
KCCI is currently seeking volunteers to help strengthen Tallahassee’s economy. Thirty new “community catalysts” will be selected to work together with local leaders and advocates to develop projects aimed at diversifying Tallahassee’s economy beyond government and education. Members of the first Knight Creative Class were responsible for producing the Tallahassee Film Festival, the environmental group Sustainable Tallahassee and the Get Gaines Going Initiative to turn the street into an arts and entertainment district.
KCCI is looking for people with all kinds of expertise, experience and connections. If you are a creative individual who wants to make a difference and has a passion for making Tallahassee a more viable community, you are encouraged to apply.
Applications will be accepted beginning July 15th through 5 p.m. Aug. 14th. To apply to become a community catalyst, please visit www.Tallahassee.com/kcci.
For more information, visit http://kccitallahasse.wordpress.com or contact Laurie Hartsfield, KCCI Executive Director, at (850) 201-6442.