Michelle's Earth Foundation Newsletter
Spring 2013
MEF Logo 742
Michelle's Earth Foundation,  P.O. Box 5140 Preston King Station, Arlington, Virginia 22205
michellesearth.blogspot.com    info@michellesearth.org
Donations are possible on Paypal or by mail.
Dear Friend of MEF,

As the soil warms and our thoughts turn to spring gardening, let's be mindful of the benefit of growing our own vegetables and fruit. What better way to sustain ourselves and the earth! While planning such gardens, let us also remember the needs of others less fortunate and plant some rows for the local food banks as well.

Brussels sprouts on the stalk
This is also a good time of year to frequent local farmers' markets. Many markets are now staying open all year and are showcasing hardy greens like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage and Swiss chard. Apples and pears abound, as well as winter squash, turnips and sweet potatoes. With spring's nearing arrival one is always excited at the first glimpse of asparagus and sugar snap peas. Lettuce also grows well in spring's coolness.

So as the seasons are transitioning, let us think carefully about our food choices.
Heather Spence will be the featured speaker at the National Academy of Sciences DASER series March 21st at 6pm. Keck Center room 100, 500 5th St., NW, DC. Reception to follow.
Joan Horwit raising awareness for a Reevesland Learning Center learnatorium for young people. The Reeves farmhouse and property adjoin Bluemont park. A raised vegetable bed has already been created to supply fresh food to Ashlawn elementary students who use the garden as a learning center. Arlington County is seeking ideas from those who would like to use the house and property.



Michelle's Scholarship Fund at UVM
by Stephanie Kaza, Director of the Environmental Studies Program
Stephanie Kaza

We are very pleased to announce the first recipients of the Michelle Garden-Quinn Memorial  Scholarship for Environmental Study at the University of Vermont.  The goal of the scholarship fund is to recognize and assist students in the pursuit of academic and practical work in environmental studies and action.  The values and ideals of the scholarship are meant to reflect Michelle's commitment and dedication to the environment.  In considering applicants for the scholarship, the UVM Environmental Program considered academic achievement, financial need, and interests that aligned with Michelle's.  This year's first recipients are Whitney O'Brien and Alma Rosa Mercedes Wold Arteaga.  

Whitney O'Brien is a senior in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources with strong interest in policy, particularly in marine conservation and environmental security.  She has earned a 3.80 GPA and has been on the dean's list several semesters.  Whitney served as a Teaching Assistant for ENVS 002, International Environmental Studies, and as a senator in the UVM Student Government Association.  Following a study abroad semester in Spain, Whitney traveled last summer to the Balkans with a UVM course on international peace parks. Her senior thesis looks at the potential for environmental protection through peace park designation in Costa Rica.  Whitney takes a global view of environmental concerns and is known for her positive belief in the human capacity to address difficult issues.

Alma Arteaga is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, with a double major in Economics and a minor in Chinese.  She likewise, has a focus in environmental policy, both domestic and international.  With her 3.96 GPA, Alma has also been on the dean's list and received an award for outstanding achievement at UVM.  She spent the summer of 2008 working for the Obama for America campaign and then served as an intern for the Vermont Democratic Party.  Alma is one of two undergraduate representatives on the UVM Board of Trustees' Socially Responsible Investment Work Group and, last summer, was one of eight members of an advisory panel to Vermont governor Peter Shumlin on partnerships between University of Vermont and the state of Vermont.  She has traveled to Costa Rica to teach English and hopes to take her environmental knowledge to China after graduation this May.

Both students share a common interest with Michelle in Spanish speaking countries and global environmental issues.  Both are passionate about their studies and committed to a hopeful future.  Congratulations, Whitney and Alma -- may this scholarship in Michelle's memory serve your good work for the world.
Doug's Roses, UVM Green




A Native Plant Garden at Prince William Forest Park
to be dedicated to Michelle
by Paul Petersen

 
Paul Petersen
During the summer of 2006, Michelle was an SCA intern at Prince William Forest Park, a 15,000 acre National Park in Northern Virginia.  Michelle worked closely with park Resource Management staff to remove exotic plant species, assess stream water quality, and inventory and monitor vital signs related to health of the park ecosystem.  Shortly after Michelle's departure the park began the process of developing a Climate Friendly Park Action Plan, a strategic plan to 'lead by example' and cut the park's green house gas emissions by 20% by the end of 2016.  The plan outlines many simple strategies that the public can adopt in their own plan to lower GHGs.  Included in the plan is a native plant garden complete with rain barrels and a vegetative screen; a garden with the type of creativity we believe Michelle would appreciate.  Rain barrels recycle rain water from down-spouts, and are effective at reducing run-off and erosion and saving the user money on using treated water.  Vegetative screens are an attractive and creative way to use plants and trees to protect and shade a building exterior from the sun during the warm summer months, thereby reducing the rate of solar heat absorption into the buildings and reducing the amount of energy required to cool the building's interior. 

proposed native plant demonstration garden site

In 2012 the park partnered with the Girl Scouts of America to complete the project.  A young Girl Scout seeking her 'Gold Award' took responsibility for landscaping the garden site, installing the rain barrels, and working with local nurseries to find suitable native plants for the garden.  The park staff will take the lead in installing the vegetative screen.  As of February of 2013 the landscaping is complete and the rain barrels have been installed, and the project is scheduled for completion by the beginning of June.  Upon completion the park will dedicate the garden in Michelle's name.

For more information on the park's Climate Friendly Park Action Plan, please see the following link:  http://www.nps.gov/prwi/parkmgmt/upload/PRWI_CFP_ActionPlan_Final.pdf.

 


Julia and Hannah beside Michelle's spruce, UVM Green

New Food Hub

Congratulations to Vermont's Intervale which has successfully raised over $400,000 to rebuild the final barn on their property. This barn will become the new home of the Intervale Food Hub, which will help bring more delicious food from the co-operative farms there to Vermonter's plates. We all remember how Michelle loved and believed in the Intervale.

 

Did You Know?

Question 1: 75% of readily measured carbon emissions in New York City come from ________?

Question 2: What large brick-and-mortar retail businesses have installed the most solar panels on their roofs? 

 

Find the answers on michellesearth.org!  

Teacher Training Center
Jim Egenrieder

Jim Egenrieder is building teacher training programs in Hampshire County, West Virginia, and is now working on a new building he designed to support those efforts, including a robotics shop, aerial videography and underwater videography (drones) shop, welding shop, meeting spaces, and also housing for multiple interns. With a focus on the watershed of the South Branch of the Potomac River, the projects are largely based on agricultural and environmental engineering, and science education and research.
Training Center

So far the South Branch Science Consortium has received two small grants: one for experimenting with new technologies for reforestation; and a second for a school/community tree planting project for a local Title I elementary school. The next planned event is a canoe-based river cleanup at the Indian Rock Fisherman's Access near Green Spring, WV. Learn more at hampshireoutdoors.blogspot.com.
Marty's African-style Vegan Stew

Ingredients:
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ - 2 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into ½" cubes (see Note 1 below)
  • hot chili pepper to taste (Note 2)
  • about ½ tsp. each ground cumin, cinnamon and coriander
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 lb. (about 1 quart) peeled, seeded, chopped red tomatoes (fresh, frozen or canned)
  • 1 ½ c. cooked black or other beans (optional; Note 3)
  • about ½ c. peanut butter
Directions:
In a large saucepan or kettle, sauté onion and ginger in peanut (or other vegetable) oil over medium heat until the onions soften - about 4-5 min. Add squash, garlic, chili pepper, spices, salt and pepper, and continue to sauté, stirring frequently, until the squash begins to soften - about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and beans and continue cooking until the squash is done. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter.

Serve over rice (or for an African flavor, cooked millet). Garnish with fresh cilantro and/or roasted nuts. Serves at least 4.

Notes:
Note 1: Any orange winter squash will do, or use sweet potatoes instead. You should have at least 6-8 cups of cubed vegetable to balance the other ingredients.
Note 2: I prefer to use about ½-1 tsp of finely chopped habanero, but any fresh hot pepper (such as jalapeño or serrano) will work. Habaneros are EXTREMELY hot (use caution while handling), but they have a clean citrus-y flavor, unlike other common chili peppers.
Note 3: I add the beans partly to extend the dish and partly to provide, along with the rice or other grain, a full complement of amino acids.


 

 
Hannah, Julia and Kate take an October hike in the Green Mountains to remember Michelle

When Julia and Hannah, Michelle's friends at UVT, were searching for her after she went missing during the first week of Oct. 2006, they came across a single Monarch butterfly in an open field. They later came to feel that this butterfly embodied Michelle's loving spirit flying freely about in the wild grasses. So it was indeed a special, or should we say magical, moment, when another Monarch butterfly visited them while they were hiking to remember Michelle on Mt. Abe in the Green Mountains this October. It is pictured below.