Sustainable Raleigh News: Volume 4, Issue 1

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CITY OF RALEIGH OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY

Economic Strength...Environmental Stewardship...Social Equity.

Tap into Creativity for Trashion Show & Stormwater PSA Contest

Know a person, group, organization or business who thinks green? Nominate them for a 2016 City of Raleigh Environmental Award by February 12.

New for the 2016 celebration is a Trashion Design Competition. Individuals ages 14 and older can win $500 by repurposing materials destined for the landfill into a fashion statement.
High school students can compete for cash prizes via a video PSA on stormwater conservation issues.
Urban agriculture implementation grants subsidize local food efforts.
Environmental Awards are presented in eight categories, including youth and regional efforts.

Comment on BikeRaleigh Plan

The BikeRaleigh Plan Update to the existing bike plan, adopted in 2009, incorporates lessons learned — in Raleigh and nationally — in the last five years. The plan lays out a strategy for the next five to 10 years to improve the health, safety and transportation options for Raleighites.

Now that the draft is finished the project team needs to make sure it hits the right targets. Does the plan include the right types of bike infrastructure? Identify the correct mix of priority projects? Establish the right long-term vision to meet Raleigh’s needs?

The last day the team can accept comments is January 31.

Sustainable Home Raleigh

Did you feel an arctic breeze INSIDE your house during the recent winter storm? There are some quick and inexpensive ways to stop cold air in its tracks, including foam insulators that fit behind outlets and switches.

Learn about these and other tips and tricks during Sustainable Home Raleigh, a 1-hour presentation on weatherization, energy efficiency, green cleaning, water conservation, recycling and landscaping. Contact the Office of Sustainability to schedule this free educational program, including a takeaway bag of “tools” worth $70, for groups of 20 or more.

UDO Guides Development Process

Director of City Planning Ken Bowers’ recent DSInsider blog post is a helpful guide to citizen participation in the development process: “Public participation has been shifted to where it can have the greatest and most lasting impact—the legislative arena, where the zoning map is amended and the code standards enacted. The UDO is a living document, and is frequently amended as new issues arise. City staff works with the public, the Planning Commission, and City Council to craft code standards that will lead to quality development in Raleigh. All interested citizens should get involved in this process through participation in their Citizen Advisory Council, at public meetings, and through contact with their City Council representatives and Planning Commissioners.”

WELCOME...

to the City of Raleigh Office of Sustainability bimonthly newsletter. We hope you enjoy our news, click the links to learn more, and forward it to others who may be interested. To receive future issues, sign up for Sustainable Raleigh through MyRaleigh Subscriptions.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Solar Tree Sprouts at NC State

Each class of NC State Park Scholars chooses a legacy gift to leave the university; when members of the Class of 2015 began brainstorming gift ideas, the solar tree was among several sustainability-related ideas that emerged. Designed and fabricated by SpotLight Solar and installed by Yes Solar, both based in Cary, the “solar tree” is near the James B. Hunt Jr. Library on Centennial Campus.

With a 1,500-watt solar array atop a recycled steel base, it has outlets to power laptops, phones and other devices. Designed to withstand 140 mph winds, the solar tree is the first of three planned for this area of campus and is expected to connect to a smart grid currently in development.

Dig In to Healthy Food

Dig in to community, healthy food and learning at Advocates for Health in Action's 7th Annual Dig In! It's all about starting and maintaining community, school and child care gardens and weaving urban ag into the community, with workshops, networking roundtables, composting (with worms or not) mini-course and hands-on educational booths.

SUSTAINABILITY FACT

A properly installed, correctly used wood-burning appliance should be smoke-free. If you see or smell smoke that means you may have a problem. Never burn household garbage, colored paper or ink, or any type of plastic, foam, or other artificial materials. Burning these can release harmful chemicals. Practice these guidelines to Burn Wise. (Source: EPA)