Energy Efficiency Comes in All Shapes and Sizes!
It's summertime. It might just be a good idea to sit down when you open or view your next utility bill. Unfortunately, many of our homes have hefty energy requirements due to deficiencies in design, construction, and poorly installed insulation. Add our love of electronic gadgets and we’re ‘plugged in’ more than ever. Take control over your monthly electric bill and help reduce pollution while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle with these no-cost or low-cost tips… you’ll save money, too! June Sustainability Savings Tip.
These upcoming programs can help you save energy:
|
SRP Shade Tree Workshops
June 29, July 22, & August 26: SRP Offers Free Shade Trees. Three new online Shade Tree Planting workshops have just opened up. Attend any of these dates and you will receive two trees at SRP’s shade tree pickup events in Fall 2023. Why? To help reduce your cooling costs, improve air quality, and cool our communities!
Free Workshop at Red Mountain Library
August 5, 10 a.m. to Noon: Bright Ideas to Save Energy and Money at Home. SRP and City of Mesa team up to speak about saving energy and money for a better Arizona. The first 25 SRP customers that arrive and sign up will qualify to receive a smart thermostat and LED bulbs shipped directly to your home. Attending customers will also receive a unique code for the ‘Summer of Savings’ giveaway, along with other surprises! Free, Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road.
|
Summer Reading Program
June 1 - August 1: Events? Secret Codes? Prizes? Register for the Summer Reading Program to get started on your reading adventure. Reading for 20 minutes a day helps build a strong lifelong reading habit.
Look for our Water – Use It Wisely challenge to add to the fun with Wayne Drop. Complete three tasks and earn 30 points and a badge while you learn about easy ways to save water.
|
Fun Gardening & Nature Classes
June 22: The ABCs of Monsoon Gardening in Central Arizona. From UofA Cooperative Extension online DIG program (Desert Institute of Gardening). Master Gardener, Melissa Kruse-Peeples, will define the AZ monsoon season, what to expect and do in the garden, what to plant in a monsoon garden, and how to start the transition to your fall garden.
June 22: Introduction to Drip Tape. This free webinar offered by Urban Farm U talks about how to use Drip Tape, an easy-to-set-up alternative to standard drip irrigation, bubblers, flood irrigation, or hand watering.
June 24, 10-11:30 a.m.: Birds of Phoenix & Maricopa County. Join Maricopa Audubon Society as we explore the numerous species of birds that inhabit Phoenix and Maricopa County. Learn how to identify bird species by appearance and song. Free. Red Mountain Library.
Field Trip Idea. Have you been to Arizona Worm Farm? Open Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to Noon. This 10-acre urban farm is on a mission to turn 'garbage' into food using red wiggler worms and black soldier flies. Location: 8430 S. 19th Avenue, Phoenix.
|
Learn About the City's Storm Water Management Plan
June 27, 5-6 p.m. Join us for a live virtual presentation to learn about our Stormwater Management Plan and why it's important to keep pollutants that get caught up in the stormwater from reaching our lakes and rivers (surface waters). To register for the live, virtual Microsoft Teams presentation, send your contact information to environ.info@mesaaz.gov. Only rain in the storm drain!
|
SRP Water Conservation Expo – Virtual Summer Edition
July 18, 20, & 22: If you missed the in-person SRP Water Conservation Expo this past March, you're in luck! It's back!
The SRP Water Expo brings together SRP experts and other water professionals virtually to help you explore ways to save water.
You'll also have the opportunity to save hundreds on a smart irrigation controller (Rachio or Hunter) to take your money savings to the next level. Register.
|
Great Programs from Local First Arizona
June 24-July 4: Indie Week. Independents Week encourages Arizonans to “go local” by supporting as many locally owned businesses as possible. Submit a call-to-action card to win great prizes.
July 13-August 17: Restaurant Boot Camp Program. Food entrepreneurs interested in starting or growing a food-based business are invited to join Local First Arizona’s six-week Restaurant Startup Boot Camp to help jump-start their careers and scale up their business.
Mesa is an All-America City Mesa wins the All-America City Award for youth programs that encourage engagement, education attainment and service in their communities. The prestigious award by the National Civic League is bestowed every year to ten municipalities or counties that are directly impacting the lives of their residents.
|
Plant of the Month - Vitex or Chaste Tree This small tree provides spring and summer color, and is great for pollinators! The most common flower color is purple, but pink and white cultivars are available... (note: you can get one of these trees if you attend the SRP tree event mentioned above.)
|
June Landscape Watering Guidelines & Tips Learn about how much and how often to water, June citrus drop, landscape watering in the real world, and more.
Five Reasons Why We Are Not Separate From Nature and Why It Matters If you think you are not part of the natural world, allow me to try to convince you that this is not the case. What we believe about our place in nature largely determines how we perceive, value, shape and interact...
Do you Know Your H2O? Mesa’s new water quality report highlights quality, reliability, value, and service. For over 100 years, the City of Mesa has been committed to providing its customers with water that meets more than 100 state and federal drinking water standards. The new report reflects testing...
Can it be RECYCLED?
How about paper retail store bags? While clean brown paper grocery bags can be recycled in the blue barrel, retail store bags are not allowed because they typically have non-recyclable items such as plastic or rope handles. Ask the Recycle Right Wizard.
|
Mesa's Climate Action Plan calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and establishing strategies to increase sustainability in our community. Six focus areas include Energy, Heat Mitigation, Air Quality, Water Stewardship, Materials Management, and Food Systems. This month, we'll talk about energy.
What produces CO2 & other greenhouse gases?
- Coal, oil, and gas used to generate electricity for homes & businesses.
- Cars and other machinery that consume gasoline.
How can you help?
- Turn things off (computer, TV, lights, fan) when not in use.
- Walk and ride your bike, or combine errands when driving.
- Buy LED light bulbs & ENERGY STAR efficient appliances.
- Reduce your carbon footprint by saving energy. SRP Energy Rebates/Discounts
Visit our Climate Action Plan page to learn more.
|
July 11 - August 10: Smartscape – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3 to 6 p.m. is designed for professionals in the landscape industry. Topics from local green industry experts include design, pruning, water management, plant selection and more. Attendees can earn continuing education units for the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), or the Arizona chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects certification. Register.
|
August 18: SHADE (Southwest Horticulture Annual Day of Education) is a conference for landscape and nursery professionals. Topics include design, trees & plants, water management, and pest management. There will be a marketplace featuring 50 vendors where you can see the best new products and plants for the Southwest. CEU's available.
|
-LG-
|
