SB_Banner
In This Issue
Events
Action News
Volunteers
Sustainable Living Tips
SB Board News

Sustainable Bainbridge in partnership with Sound Food brings you the Sound Food Ferry Farm Stand starting June 25th! Stay tuned for more information.

Sustainable Bainbridge in partnership with the BI Land Trust and Trust for Working Landscapes are building relationship the fun way... a summer picinic! Please join us for this first ever event.
For more information see our Events page.

SB
Recommends


Have you ever tried to imagine the sheer scale of American consumerism and waste? Chris Jordan, a local artist creates art to help us visual the volume. Check it out and see if you aren't inspired to think more about everything you buy: Running the Numbers.

Sales of vegetable seeds, tomato transplants and fruit trees are soaring as enterprising planters grow their own food. W. Atlee Burpee & Co., the nation's largest seed company, has sold twice as many seeds this year as it did last year, with half the increase from new customers, the company's president, George Ball, estimates. Full Story.



Regional Actions

The U.S. Senate is set to vote on the Climate Security Act in early June. This bill - a step in the right direction - still falls well short of what scientists tell us is necessary to reverse global warming. Climate Solutions is providing an easy way to ask our Senators to strengthen the Climate Security Act. Link here.
































































































Greetings!

June is a busy month for growing sustainable practices! From planning your first Winter garden to celebrating the Summer Solstice with new and old friends, we hope you'll take advantage of all the ways you can expand sustainable actions at both the individual and community level. 
Upcoming Events 
 
Sustainable First Mondays!
A full evening of information and conversation!
June 2, 7:00-9:00pm, The Commons, Bjune Drive
Sponsored by Sustainable Bainbridge

Planting a Winter Garden: Plant this July and harvest fresh vegetables winter through next spring!  Whether you want to plant your back or front yard, or a small "victory garden" a winter garden can provide delicious, nutritious food and fun - and the price is right!  Whether you're a newbie or an expert, we'll share ways of putting VERY local food on our tables year-round. This mini-workshop will be informative and interactive. Presenter: Chuck Estin, Bainbridge permaculturist and Sustainable Bainbridge Board Member.
 
Citizen's Climate Lobby: Learn how we can act to influence our political leaders to pass critical legislative bills to lessen global warming. Presented by Marshall Saunders.
 
Global Source Education: A brief presentation on two exciting sustainability-focused retreats, The Sustainable Schools Project and Food and Farming, Culture & Education.

For more Info: [email protected]

Waterfront Park Improvements
Tuesday, June 3, 6:30pm, COBI Council Chambers
 
Join City staff for an Open House on proposed shoreline restoration and trail improvements at Waterfront Park.  These improvements will implement   a project funded through the state Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) for a restoration and recreation project in Eagle Harbor Waterfront Park. This project will meet the community's multiple objectives of water-oriented recreation, environmental stewardship and creation of community spaces 

Info:  Kelly Dickson, 780-3725 or [email protected]

Home Energy Solutions: An Evening with Kathleen O'Brien and Alistair Jackson
June 5, 7-9pm, Islandwood
Sponsored by Sustainable Bainbridge

Did you feel the pinch of higher heating bills this past winter?  Are you interested in reducing your carbon footprint? Concerned about quality of life for future generations?  Then join us for a great evening and learn how you can reduce your home's energy consumption and save money with some simple and affordable solutions. No charge.

Make Compost at Home
Saturday, June 14, 10am-12pm, Bainbridge Public Library

Learn the basics of backyard composting. It's fun and rewarding! Participants are eligible to win a free Cascadia Composter. Taught by Bobbie Morgan, Natural Landscapes Project. Supported by funds from Washington State Department of Ecology. Free of charge. 
To register, call 842-5955


Bainbridge Permaculture Guild Monthly Meeting: Bee-keeping
Wednesday, June 18th 7:00pm, 9432 Holly Farm Gardens

Sharing of experiences in beekeeping - a discussion of how to get started keeping your own bees. RSVP to [email protected]


Summer Solstice Picnic
Saturday, June 21, 1:00pm (Rain or Shine)
The Johnson Farm, Fletcher Bay Road
 
Please join us for our first ever Solstice Picnic, for members of Sustainable Bainbridge, the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, and the Trust for Working Landscapes and their families. Come celebrate the longest day of the year with old and new friends who share your commitment to beautiful Bainbridge Island.
 
Bring your favorite dish to share, and your own plates, cups and utensils.  Beverages will be provided.  Consider using some of Bainbridge Island's bountiful local food in your dish to share! 

Questions, please call 842-5537

Permaculture Workshop: Mushroom Culture in the Home Garden
Sunday, June 22,  1:00 - 4:00, 9432 Holly Farm Lane

Learn a variety of mushroom cultivation techniques - chips, log plug inoculations, etc. $25 suggested donation. RSVP to [email protected]


Backyard Habitat Fun Fair
Sunday, June 29 - 12-4pm, IslandWood on Blakely Avenue

All are welcome to attend the Backyard Habitat Family Fair at IslandWood, Sunday, June 29 from noon-4 pm. This free event is family-friendly. Come see a demonstration bee hive, hear a presentation by the Bat Man, build a bird nest box, visit Sammy Snag, write wildlife poetry, plant a sunflower seed to take home, enjoy story hour, do origami and crafts. Snacks provided. Learn how you can make your own backyard a certified wildlife habitat. It's fun and rewarding!  No registration is required. See you at the fair!


For More Events off Bainbridge see our Events page!

Sustainable Bainbridge Action News

Community Asset-Mapping
On June 19th at 10am, Bainbridge Graduate Institute students will present their year long project to the Board of Sustainable Bainbridge. We are excited to see what the students have designed to help our community source and share the amazing work being done on the island on behalf of sustainability. If you are interested in attending, we could open the meeting to a few extra folks. Call Neva at 842-9582.

Sustainable First Monday May Report
At the May Sustainable First Monday's event we showed the inspiring film, The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil.  When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba's oil imports were cut by more than half - and food by 80 percent. This film told of how the Cuban people survived and then thrived during this difficult time by developing local, urban, organic gardens.   We then had a lively discussion about ways we could help Bainbridge prepare for peak oil. You can read recorded notes from the past three SFM on our the SB website.

Sound Food
Check out the Sound Food Local Farms Map, your one-stop resource for knowing where to get the freshest locally grown food on Bainbridge Island and Puget Sound area and stay tuned for the  upcoming Sound Food Ferry Farm Stand starting June 25th.

Volunteer Opportunities
 
Sustainable Bainbridge Communications Outreach Volunteer

Have a knack for public relations? Sustainable Bainbridge is looking for someone who can work about 8 hours per month helping us get the word out about all of the exciting things happening with the organization.

Contact:
[email protected]

Sustainable Living Tips

Sustainable House Cleaning! (Full Article from Grist)

When choosing eco-friendly cleaning products be aware of greenwashing. The word "natural" is undefined and unregulated by the government. Because no standards exist, claims such as "nontoxic," "eco-safe," and "environmentally friendly" are also meaningless, according to Consumers Reports' Eco-labels website.

David Steinman, coauthor of The Safe Shopper's Bible, advises looking at labels for specific, eco-friendly ingredients that also perform effectively. These include grain alcohol instead of toxic butyl cellosolve as a solvent; coconut or other plant oils rather than petroleum in detergents; and plant-oil disinfectants such as eucalyptus, rosemary, or sage, rather than triclosan.

You can also mix your own cleaners, as does Annie Berthold-Bond, green living editor at Care2.com and author of Clean and Green and Better Basics for the Home. According to Berthold-Bond, a few safe, simple ingredients such as plain soap, water, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), vinegar, washing soda (sodium carbonate), lemon juice, and borax can satisfy most household cleaning needs -- and save you money at the same time.