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Live Green in Plano plans lots of big projects in 2011 and we'll need your help! While the 2011 calendar for the Environmental Education Center building is filling in, plans are developing for landscape to demonstrate water conserving plants and gardening methods including composting techniques. The installationi of a Nature Explorer Classroom (certified through the Arbor Foundation and Keep America Beautiful) will engage children visitors. Mary Zantow and Lura Barnes are designing and with supervise the transformation of the rain cistern at the street into a colorful, eye-catching mosaic. We'll need your help in completing each of these projects.
You'll find opportunities to learn through the next Live Green in Plano Volunteer Training program on Monday evenings on Jan. 24 through Feb. 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. and through the Master Composter Seminar Jan. 13-15. The links on the sidebar provide details. You'll also find flyers below for two programs: organic gardening and water conservation for faith based green teams.
It's not too early to mark your 2011 calendar for the Live Green Expo on April 16. You will have first choice at the volunteer positions the first two weeks of January before they are opened to the public. We expect our fifth Live Green Expo to be the best one yet.
Plan to join us in our annual volunteer celebration and recognition on Wednesday, Jan. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Environmental Education Center, 4116 W. Plano Parkway.
Make your 2011 resolution to get out, have fun and get involved in volunteering! I look forward to working with each of you this year.
For questions or comments, you may send me an email by clicking on my name below.
Deb Bliss
Sustainability Volunteer Coordinator |
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Green Gifting by Justine Shelley 
With the holiday season just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about what to buy for your loved ones. This year rather than opting for the last-minute panic purchase of traditional goods, I'm going to try to plan ahead and give gifts that are environmentally-conscious. This year I'm going to make my gifts green, and I don't mean I'm going to give people cabbages.
Green gifting lowers the impact on the environment in a number of ways by:
· using fewer or no resources;
· using sustainable (renewable) materials;
· using materials that don't pollute the environment (are biodegradable and don't give off emissions); and/or
· using the item over and over again. The bonus is that green gifting usually has a lower impact on your pocket too! Read more
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Learn to Garden, Make Friends, Give Back 
Turning over a new leaf in the new year? How about turning them over in the Plano Community Garden? Although we're delighted that many of our fabulous volunteer gardeners will be returning, we still have a few of the 50 raised beds up for adoption.
Join this service-oriented project and learn the satisfaction of growing organic produce; the rewards of sharing a portion with those in need; and the fun of making new gardening friends.
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Think Globally, Eat Locally 
Eleven-year-old Birk Baehr set the stage with his five minute summary of the world food crisis (YouTube). Fifty local folks gathered at Haggard Library for the main act: to learn how to get involved with the local food scene. Todd Moore of Lucky Layla Farms, Matt Hamilton of Genesis Beef, Amanda Van Hoozier of City of Coppell Community Gardens and Farmer's Market and Michele Cary-Dave, locavore activist made the case for eating locally. Benefits include less use of fossil fuels and environmental impact to transport the products, fresher products, knowing the food producer and growing practices, and feeding the local economy. Read more |
Solar - A renewable energy system in a Plano home. by Vrushali Gaud 
At first glance, Paul Gandy's house looks like all others in a typical residential neighborhood in Plano. However, a small sign on the front yard makes you wonder otherwise.
When Plano resident Paul Gandy heard the infomercial on solar panels for home, he knew this was a no brainer. Already a consumer of green energy, Paul jumped on the opportunity to create his own renewable energy source by signing up for the lease option. Today he leases a system comprised of 50 rooftop panels mounted on the South and West sides of the roof with two inverters housed in the garage. D.C power from the solar panels is converted into A.C power using the inverters and is then fed into the electric panel. Solar energy produced can be continuously monitored online to ensure the system is working properly. Read more
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Environmental Education Intern: A Day in the Life
by Autumn Dillon  Working as an intern with Plano's Environmental Education and Community Outreach Division has given me more opportunities than I expected! When I came on board this September, they had just finished the construction of the Environmental Education Center and had five education coordinators, each with a different environmental focus. Having several team members makes this the best internship for someone like me who is interested in all aspects of the environment, because I get to assist with all kinds of projects. Whether I am helping teach 7th-graders about the wonders of worm composting, processing water and energy rebates; visiting a school's eco club; or working at the reuse center, I am always learning about new issues. Read more
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A Day in the Life of a Live Green in Plano Volunteer
10:00 a.m. My friend calls, she mentions painting her house. She mentions a taupe color. I recall the Plano Reuse Center has a shade similar to the one she mentions. "Free paint!" She has never heard of this place. I offer to accompany her there. We'll carpool from my house in an hour.
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