Chico, Sustainable

Back in November I wrote that a person who normally averages 24 miles per gallon could potentially improve that to 27 mpg by lowering one's speed 5 mph on the highway and by accelerating gradually from stops, This increase in fuel efficiency would be worth about $5.00 over 300 miles of driving.

For SUV drivers, an increase from 18 mpg to 21 mpg would result in more than $8.00 saved over 300 miles.

That was at $3.40/gallon. Now that gas is just reaching $4.00/gallon, I just wanted to update you.

At $4.00/gallon, an improvement in fuel efficiency from 24 mpg to 27 mpg is now worth $5.60 for every 300 miles of driving.

An improvement from 18 mpg to 21 mpg is now worth $9.60.

Slow down on the highway. Mellow on the acceleration. Burn less fuel. Save some money.

Posted by jmiller at 08:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I got up close and personal with my sprinklers the other day, but it was worth it. Call me Captain Obvious, but I found out that with a screwdriver, my hands, ten minutes of time and lack over concern about getting wet, I can both control the rotation of each sprinkler head (how far it rotates to the right and left) as well as spray of the water (a continuum from “fan” to “jet”).

Adjusting the two screws on each sprinkler head is all it takes. Though you do need to do it while it is on, which will require a willingness to get a little wet.

This, combined with the half-hour I spent last year learning how to properly program the sprinkler timer, allows me full control of the time, duration, and coverage of my sprinklers.

And by watering properly, I can water less, as now my sprinklers no longer water my driveway, the sidewalk, or the exterior walls of the house.

I think I might just keep a screwdriver in my backpack, just in case I see someone who hasn’t figured it out yet.

I’ll give them an adjustment. Well, their sprinklers, at least.

Posted by jmiller at 07:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Please join me for a four-week Sustainability Class starting May 14, it will be held on consecutive Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. - 8: 30 p.m. The class will cover "ideas, tips, discussions and hands-on activities in support of the quest to live a healthy and meaningful life in Chico, while ensuring that future generations will be able to do the same."

I am also leading a backpacking trip this summer. That's my buddy Dan pictured at one of my favorite secret locations in the Sierras. I have some similar spots scoped out for this trip, which will take placed August 7-11 (Thursday-Monday):

"Escape the valley heat for backpacking the way it was meant to be: lots of lakes, few people, mountain wildflowers and Sierra stars. This trip is perfect for beginners! In addition to gaining an overview of basic backpacking skills, we will prepare gourmet meals, swim and fish in mountain lakes and learn the natural history of Tahoe National Forest. Food and group camping gear will be provided."

During this trip I be modeling how backpackers, too, can reduce their impact as they enjoy the backcountry. But never fear, we will be bringing toilet paper.

Both classes are being offered through the Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD).

Posted by jmiller at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The other day I caught a few minutes of an NPR interview with Michael Pollan, who was promoting his new book, In Defense of Food, An Eater's Manifesto. One thing discussed was where one actually finds food, as opposed to processed soy or corn-derived "food products." Farmers markets were mentioned, as were the periphery of supermarkets--Fresh meat and produce are almost always located on the store's perimeter, while nearly everything in the middle aisles is canned, boxed, or packaged in some way: 'Not' Food. (just because something is FDA approved for human consumption doesn't mean you should eat it).

I drove a short three miles out to Pyramid Farms a few days ago to pick up some roles of t-tape that was being donated to G.R.U.B. While I was there owner Matthew Martin was kind enough to give me a tour to show me the true source of my some of my favorite foods.

I am a regular purchaser of Pyramid Farms beets and carrots in the winter and eggplants and sweet peppers in the summer.

To be frank, the first thing that I noticed was the weeds. Lots of weeds--Grass, bindweed, wild radish. As this is an organic farm, these are tolerated, and when necessary kept at bay by tilling, cardboard, and mowing. Also there was the smell of growing things everywhere--No chemicals, just plants and pollen and soil. Finally, there was the notable lack of massive farm machinery--I didn't see any John Deere combines with air-conditioned cabs hovering 15 feet off the ground, nothing with wheels bigger than my car. Sure, there was some farm-related equipment, but even so, I could tell this was very much a hands-on endeavor.

Nothing highlighted this more than the two greenhouses, packed with trays of individually potted tomato, eggplant, basil, and pepper starts. The tomatoes were due to be set in the ground later in the week.

Sadly, I wasn't able to divulge from Matthew the secret of his super-sweet carrots.

Posted by jmiller at 08:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My mailbox is like a vast, empty void.
My mailbox is like a hot-air balloon hanger with no balloon.
My mailbox is like the belly of a starving whale.
My mailbox is like in the inside of a kid-free Ford Excursion.
My mailbox is like the Great Hall at Hogwarts when the students are on vacation.

My mailbox is mostly empty,
free of the Shopper News mailer;
free of the Mailbox Merchants mailer;
and free of the Market Value Place mailer.

I called them all, sometimes more than once, and asked to be removed from the mailing lists.

And I was.

My mailbox is mostly empty, and I like the open spaces.

Posted by jmiller at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Will Allen, author of The War on Bugs, will be at Lyon Books at 7PM on Wednesday, April 16th.

"In The War on Bugs, Allen documents how chemical weapons manufacturers, among others, convinced farmers to spray their toxic wastes on our soil, devastating our land and our health. You won't believe what they didn't teach you in school. The produce aisle will never look the same to you again." –John Passacantando, Executive Director, Greenpeace USA

Allen will give a presentation and sign books, which will be followed by a forum with the newly formed public advocacy group Safety Without Added Toxins (SWAT), who will share about local pesticide issues and ways we can make our community a safer and healthier place.

This event is sponsored by Pesticide Watch Education Fund (http://www.pesticidewatch.org), an organization dedicated to fighting dangerous pesticide use in California communities.

To learn more about Will Allen and The War on Bugs, check out the Chelsea Green Publishing website: http://www.chelseagreen.com/2007/items/waronbugs

To learn more about SWAT and local pesticide issues, send an email to SWAT@pesticidewatch.org.

Posted by jmiller at 09:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I included the following letter with my taxes:

Dear United States Government,

Here are my taxes. Please use these funds wisely to support hands-on education, sustainable agriculture, local food systems, and the protection of our natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations. Please do not use these funds for anything having to do with war.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Miller

Posted by jmiller at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

A few folks have been asking me about the Gardener's Swap Meets--Yes, they will be happening this summer, I am in the process of working out the details. Look for them to start sometime in June. Unless folks are ready to start now--Anyone want some oregano? Chard?

For those that have seeds or plant starts that that want to trade, come by the Chico Grange Hall Open House this Sunday, April 13 from 2:00 - 7:30 p.m. Live music, potluck dinner at 5 p.m.

I'll be bringing lemon balm and feverfew.

Don't you be dissin' my feverfew.

Posted by jmiller at 08:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I must extend my public apologies to Gaia Creations Ecological Landscaping, which I originally neglected to recognize as an integral resource for my front lawn elimination project, which I described in my posts of April 3 and 4 ("How to Kill Your Front Lawn," "Lawn Gone").

One of the things that I try to do in posting sustainability tips and eco-home projects is demonstrate and promote the "do it yourself" aspect to sustainability. All too often sustainability is seen as something that requires a budget beyond the scope of many individuals. For my wife and me, sustainability is a priority in our lives, and thus we have allotted funds toward such efforts. However, I recognize that not everyone has this ability, and it is for this reason that I did not originally disclose that I contracted with Gaia Creations to complete this project; I wanted to communicate that people could turn their lawn into a more sustainable landscape using a minimal amount of funds. Not sharing the whole truth was an error in judgment on my part.

While I could have "killed my front lawn" on my own, I would not have been able to do so with the same care, dedication, and competency had I not contracted with Brian and Stephanie Ladwig-Cooper of Gaia Creations. Brian provided labor, expertise, and materials as a part of his service, and much of the information that was included in these posts comes from his experience. As such, the reason we chose to contract with Gaia Creations in the first place is because of their dedication to organic horticulture and sustainable landscape methods.

I meant no ill-will towards the efforts of Gaia Creations, and I should have recognized them when I originally wrote these posts. Both posts have since been changed to accurately reflect Gaia Creations' contributions. I deeply regret this error, and again extend my apologies.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Miller

Posted by jmiller at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It is always sobering for me to gaze on the California state flag and its depiction of the grizzly bear, which has not been seen in the wild in our state since 1924.

A flag can be a symbol of many things.

For the most part, I am very pleased with Chico's royal blue Earth Flags which have been put up along our town's main thoroughfares for the second spring in a row. For me they symbolize a commitment to sustainability, and a reminder that we are all citizens on the same small planet.

But even while I admire the blue flags against the backdrop of green canopy above the Esplanade, every once in a while I cannot help to I think back to the Grizz. Are the Earth Flags a symbol of hope and unity for an enlightened future, or, like the Bear Flag, do they depict an image that may cease to exist sooner than we hope?

For an answer, check this blog in 50 years.

Posted by jmiller at 06:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The next couple of weeks are getting pretty busy, and the calendar is far from empty. Here are some notable dates and events that you might have missed:

TELL OUR CIVIC LEADERS THAT ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY ARE IMPORTANT
Tuesday, April 8. Chico General Plan Key Issues Workshop: Environment and Sustainability, California Park Pavilion, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Let your voice be heard--This is not the time to be silent.

PLANT A SCHOOL GARDEN
Saturday, April 12. Volunteers are needed for vegetable garden work at Parkview Elementary! People should bring gloves, shovels, and rakes. 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., E. 8th St. Respond to this post if interested.

SUPPORT OUT LOCAL FARM COMMUNITY--CHICO GRANGE OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, April 13. Drop by the Chico Grange Hall on Old Nord Ave. to learn more about how Grange activities promote local agriculture, environmental stewardship, and a vibrant community. Seed and plant exchange. 2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., potluck at 5 p.m.

PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE--JOIN THE G.R.U.B. CSA
Wednesday, April 16. If you want to receive a weekly food box of fresh produce this summer, this is your chance (My winter box has been delicious!). Informational meeting about the G.R.U.B. CSA, which grows ALL of their produce within three miles of City Hall, and deliveries are made by bicycle. Chico Peace and Justice Center, 6:30 p.m.

THANKLESS JOB FILE
Rumor has it that Chico Natural Foods is looking for dedicated, local food savvy individuals to serve on the board. Inquire with CNF staff.

Posted by jmiller at 05:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I must extend my public apologies to Gaia Creations Ecological Landscaping, who I originally neglected to recognize as an integral resource for this project. One of the things that I try to do in posting sustainability tips and eco-home projects is demonstrate and promote the "do it yourself" aspect to sustainability. All too often sustainability is seen as something that requires a budget beyond the scope of many individuals. For my wife and me, sustainability is a priority in our lives, and thus we have allotted funds toward such efforts. However, I recognize that not everyone has this ability, and it is for this reason that I did not originally disclose that I contracted with Gaia Creations to complete this project; I wanted to communicate that people could turn their lawn into a more sustainable landscape using a minimal amount of funds. Not sharing the whole truth was an error in judgment on my part.

Jeremy Miller

How to Kill Your Front Lawn

1. Get a hold of a lot of large, empty, used boxes, preferably brown (minimal ink/dyes). Plastic tape is okay, though not ideal. I found the best locations for finding boxes en masse were in the "Cardboard Only" dumpsters behind the RiteAid's.

2. If your lawn borders a driveway or sidewalk, uproot the edges of your lawn, about 6-12" in from the concrete. Either flip the sod over and leave it in place or toss it into the center of the lawn.

3. Mark the location of your sprinklers with flags or stakes. Someday you might want to know where they are.

4. Rip each box to get a single sheet of cardboard. Lay the boxes down on the lawn, overlapping about 6 inches. Be thorough and complete--do not leave any gaps. This is best done on a calm day, as wind makes this difficult.

5. Soak down the cardboard with a hose.

6. Determine the square footage of your lawn.

7. Add a layer of weed-free compost. Weeds, living parts of weeds, or weed seeds are not good, so our compost was purchased from Sutherland Landscaping. You will need about 6 yards of material for every 1000 square feet of lawn, which will give you a layer about 2" thick.

8. If you are doing this between November and February, you can choose, at this point, to sprinkle in native grass and wildflower seeds.

9. Cover the compost with a layer of wood chips. This will protect the compost from the wind and keep everything looking neat. You will need about 4.5 yards for every 1000 square feet, which will give you a layer about 1.5 inches deep. Wood chips can be purchased, or you can flag down a tree-trimmer truck trailing a wood chipper and ask them to dump the load on your driveway. Often they will do it for free. (I've done this before, though you may want to ask what they chipped. Avoid oleander and eucalyptus).

10. Water down the entire area thoroughly.

Give it a year, and your water-sucking lawn will die and decompose beneath the cardboard, becoming usable nutrients for new plants in a few years. The cardboard will likewise decompose in 2-5 years.

We were able to toss in a few wildflower seeds when we did the project, but otherwise we will not be adding much more until the winter when we can take advantage of the winter rains. When we put in larger plants and shrubs, we will clear away some of the chips and cut a small hole through cardboard for the plant. We will replace the wood chips when we are done.

Any new plants will require a bit of watering in the first 1-2 years to get established (we will be using a drip system), but then you are home free if you have planted local native varieties (ceanothus, bunch grasses etc).

Full Disclosure: Figures reflect a 1700 square foot lawn--

-Labor and Technical Advice: As we are novices to landscaping, we contracted with Gaia Creations Ecological Landscaping to provide labor, materials, technical expertise and wisdom. We used Gaia Creations because of their dedication to organic horticulture and sustainable landscape methods.
-Weed-free compost: 10 yards, $471 (with 10% contractor discount)
-Shredded cedar bark: 7.5 yards, $218 (with 10% contractor discount; could have been free if I had tracked down a truck full of wood chips)
-Boxes: Free
-Time: About two days for two people
-Savings and piece of mind from not needing to ever again mow, fertilize, water or edge a lawn: Priceless

Posted by jmiller at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have definite opinions about green grassy lawns. They are pleasant to walk on, great for picnicking, superior for sports, and pretty darn boring to look at.

If your lawn is solely for gazing purposes, here are some thoughts:

-They require more watering than any landscaping feature save a pond.
-They require year-round maintenance (mowing and edging), as often as once a week in the summer months. And if you skip a week or two it becomes very obvious.
-Many varieties of grass require regular doses of fertilizer in order to maintain their health.

For these reasons and a few others, my wife and I have bid farewell to the front lawn. A couple weeks ago the grass was covered with a layer of cardboard followed by a layer of compost and topped with wood chips. This coming winter we will be contracting to install drought-tolerant trees and shrubs, native bunch grasses, and perennial and annual California wildflowers. Once it gets established (1-2 years), it will require only occasional summer watering, and none in the winter. The maintenance requirements will change: Rather than spending 20-30 minutes a week mowing between May and September, we plan on spending an afternoon trimming, pruning, etc. 4-5 days a year. Best of all, I can look forward to butterflies, native bees, hummingbirds, the sweet smell of spring blossoms, and a rainbow of colors appearing throughout the seasons.

We plan on keeping the lawn in the backyard (where we picnic, play, and walk barefoot). Here is what we do to conserve water when caring for the grass:
--The sprinklers are timed to water in the morning, just before sunrise. This ensures the maximum amount of water will fall on the grass, rather than evaporate in the sun. Night or evening watering is not recommended, as it can encourage mold and fungus.
--The sprinklers are turned off during rainier weeks and during the winter months.
--Sprinklers are maintained such that they water the lawn, rather than the concrete patio or the fence.
--The existing backyard grass will eventually be replaced with a more drought-tolerant, native blend of grasses that will require even less water.

Thank you to Gaia Creations Ecological Landscaping for providing much of the information that is included in this post.

Next post: How I Killed My Lawn

Posted by jmiller at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The Chico Green High School task force is looking for interested community members who would like to be involved in the development of a new charter high school, scheduled to open Fall, 2010. Existing committees include Curriculum, Finance/Legal, Community Outreach, and Site.

For more information check out the Green High School website, or drop by the meeting tonight, April 3 at 6:00 at Grilla Bites on Cohasset.

From the website:

"We recognize that the high school experience contributes not only to academic preparation but to a student’s developing sense of self. As our young people move through adolescence to adulthood, they bring a capacity for abstract thought and conceptual judgment . We intend to address this developmental phase through a curriculum that integrates practical, artistic, and intellectual elements.

Beyond rigor to mastery
For us, academic rigor is essential—but it is just the beginning. We believe that high school students are ready to be intellectually challenged and to achieve mastery of complex and abstract concepts. Our goal is to set the bar high, with graduation minimums that exceed University of California A-G requirements.

Imagination through the arts
Encouraging the imagination through arts education is key to increasing creative problem solving and flexible thinking. Our students will engage in a wide range of arts activities that are closely integrated with their academic studies.

Commitment to environmental and social responsibility
As they approach adulthood, young people’s enhanced intellectual understanding of the natural and social worlds around them allows for the development of their ethical judgment. Our curriculum is structured to help students build a sense of competence, responsibility, and purpose; to foster an understanding of ethical principles; and to widen their sense of respect for the environment and the communities to which they belong."

By providing rigorous academics infused with the arts and environmental and social engagement, our students will find their own paths to become intelligent, creative, and responsible individuals.

Posted by jmiller at 08:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)