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The Water Issue: A Glass Half Full
Governor Jerry Brown commemorated May as Save Our Water Month in California; yet, climate change is quickly forcing us to realize that water conservation is the new norm. Leading local experts share their ideas with us on ways to meet our challenges with enthusiasm and ingenuity.
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Venture Greenhouse 2.0: Growing Great Ideas - Just Add Water!
Venture Greenhouse 2.0 in Marin invites entrepreneurs from the Greater Bay Area to turn their vision into a profitable reality. Sign up for its new business accelerator program on or before June 20. Only 10 entrepreneurs will be accepted in this first cohort.
Entrepreneurs and startups interested in participating as clients are encouraged to attend a free information session on June 11 at the Renaissance Center, 1115 3rd St., San Rafael, from 6:00-7:30pm. To register for the free information session, apply to the program, or learn more, please click here.
Venture Greenhouse 2.0 recently expanded its business acceleration program to include innovative business models in a vareity of market segments, such as clean technology, energy, software, medical, consumer products, transportation and internet. Impact and sustainable strategies will continue to be a strong component of the program.
Entrepreneurs will receive an intensive 12-month curriculum, expert mentors, access to angel and VC funding sources, discounted professional services, MBA intern teams and executive coaching. The cost is $250 per month per company (one founder) plus a 1% equity stake.
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Californians Don't Waste Hits the Radio Excerpts from CA.GOV, May 6, 2014.
Save our Water launched a statewide radio campaign to bring awareness to, and educate, Californians on how to save water every day. The radio campaign builds on an extensive statewide outdooor billboard program unveiled by Save Our Water. The campaign also includes digital radio spots on Pandora and iHeartRadio to further spread the message of water conservation by urging listeners to participate in the 'Californians Don't Waste' Challenge. The Challenege aims to tap into Californians' can-do spirit and creativity by encouraging the public to join in and share their methods of conserving water. Californians can share their tips, videos and pictures on Save Our Water's Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #SaveOurWater. Save Our Water will select videos and photos to share as part of its public awareness program.
The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.
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 | | Smart Receivables
Looking for a green payment solution?
Check out Smart Receivables!
Some benefits of accepting electronic payments through Smart Receivables:- Your company will get paid faster, cheaper and safer than ever before
- You will reduce labor, postage, and fuel usage
- Businesses that provide payment options to their customers are paid in excess of 20% more than businesses that only accept check or cash options.
- Smart Receivables works with businesses and organizations of all sizes
Click here to learn more about Smart Receivables today! |
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Blue is the New Green
By Dan Carney, Marin Municipal Water District Water Conservation Manager
Businesses in Marin spend over $7 million each year to purchase water, and, on average, 15-30% goes to waste because of unseen leaks and overwatered landscapes. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to recapture this lost revenue and add it to your bottom line. Click here to learn what your business can do to save money and water.
When you invest a small amount of time and money in water conservation today, you will add to your bottom-line and help conserve Marin's precious water resources for the future. Visit MMWD and give us a call today!
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Managing Your Curb Appeal with Less Water
by Steven Swain, Environmental Horticulture Advisor to Marin and Sonoma Counties
Water has been a perennial issue in California, and nowhere more so than Marin County. Calendar year 2013 had the lowest level of rainfall ever recorded in California. April rains brought some respite, but we are still in danger. As of May 12, our local reservoir storage (Alpine, Bon Tempe, Kent, Lagunitas, Nicasio, Phoenix and Soulajule) is 8% below average capacity. If you have landscaping, here are a few things a business can do to save water, and (over time) money as well:
- Check your irrigation system - Irrigation systems require periodic maintenance. Components clog, break, dislodge, or become knocked out of alignment. Valves leak. Correcting a few problems can go a long way to a better looking landscape and a lower water bill. Place emitters under mulch near the drip-line of woody plants, not at their bases.
- Mulch - Covering bare soil with mulch -- whether it's leaf litter, wood chips, or compost -- can have huge benefits in terms of reduced water losses. Over time, mulch can help with soil drainage, fertility, and weed control. Mulching is one of the most cost-effective things you can do to help your garden.
- Eliminate weeds - Weeds compete with your garden plants for water -- sometimes quite successfully.
- Hydrozone - Grouping plants with similar water needs is "hydrozoning." A drought-tolerant garden can have some water loving plants, but they should not be on the same irrigation valve as dry-summer plants.
- Watch your plants - Wilted, sunburned patches on leaf edges, curled or yellowed leaves are all signs of water stress.
- Triage - If the drought worsens and you have to prioritize, consider saving trees or other large, woody landscape plants. A lawn is relatively simple and inexpensive to replace while a 40-foot tree is not. To keep trees alive, wet the soil to a depth of about 10"-12" at least once a month. This method will not support a lawn, but it will allow most tree species to survive. High water users, like willows, may need to be watered twice per month or more, depending on the soil.
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| Recycling Conserves Water!
Did you know that recycling saves water? Marin Sanitary Service has created this handy infographic to help you learn the effect recycling has on our water supply.
Please click the image to the left to view the infographic full-size.
Sponsor an issue of GreenUp!
You can reach more than 1,300 Chamber members and influential local business people - for as low as $95 per ad. We have a limited number of sponsorship slots, so get in touch with the GreenUp! editor now to reserve your space in the August issue. |
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Learn About the Green Committee
Monthly meetings - Join us in the Chamber conference room, second Wednesdays, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Contact Committee Chair Chris Yalonis with questions.
Committee's purpose - Providing useful news and tips on green business practices, promoting the Chamber's green businesses.
Learn more on the Chamber site.
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Attend a Green Event
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9-week "Spring of Sustainability" Online Action Program
45+ innovators, visionaries, green pioneers and change agents - representing some of the world's largest and most effective sustainability organizations - offer skills training, inspiration and powerful solutions for our global sustainability issues.
Continues through 6/27
Renaissance Marin Small Business Program at Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
Program Orientation Dates and Food Business Incubator Orientation 1115 Third Street, San Rafael
Environmental Forum of Marin - Master Class
The Master Class is an ideal course for individuals seeking to deepen their knowledge of environmental issues and those looking to enhance professional credentials regarding sustainability. Master Class is a comprehensive multi-week series of classes and field trips focused on the natural world, human impact on the environment, advocacy training, and completion of a stewardship project. The next Master Class begins August 2014.
Marin School of Environmental Leadership Joint Fundraiser with Tibetan Monks of the Gaden Shartse Dokhang Khangtsen Monastery
Performance includes a discussion of Peace and the Environment from a Buddhist perspective, as well as a concert of Tibetan Buddhist chanting!
Fri., 5/30, 7:30 p.m. Lucas Valley Community Center, 1201 Idylberry Road, San Rafael Cost: Donation at the door - $40 minimum suggested. Find details and RSVPMarin Home & Garden Expo, Hosted by Marin Builders AssociationLooking for inspiration, tips or ideas for your next DIY home project? Looking to hire a contractor? The Marin Home & Garden Expo gives you the chance to compare prices, shake hands and meet the contractors before you hire them. Saturday, May 31: 10am-7pm Sunday, June 1: 10am-6pm Marin Fairgrounds and Exhibit Hall Free Admission |
Marin Green Drinks at Lotus Cuisine of India Restaurant
Free Business Water Use Survey
Shasta Phillips, MMWD
Tues., 6/10, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Ecology for Designers (and everyone else)
Dave Deppen, Green Architect + Jennifer Berry, Ecologist and Landscape Designer
Tues., 7/8, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Energy Efficiency for Business
Meaghan Doran, MCE Energy Efficiency Program Specialist
Tues., 8/12, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
SMART Train
Matt Stevens
Tues., 9/9, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Lotus Cuisine of India
704 4th Street, San Rafael
No charge to attend
Go Green with the Graywater Program
Marin County Environmental Health Services is sponsoring a series of free educational workshops as part of its Go Green With Graywater Program. Primarily focused on irrigation systems for homeowners, the June workshop will address residential re-use, and the September workshop will address residential and commercial re-use. Sat., 6/28, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Tamalpais Valley Community Center 203 Marin Avenue, Mill Valley Sat., 9/13, 9:30am -12pm Marin Humane Society 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd, Novato Workshops are free and open to all. Learn more about Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) through the
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