Sweetwater, Navajo Nation- Me and my shadow, traveling this big country of ours. Always with me and always reminding me of who I am. :)
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Peabody Coal, Black Mesa, AZ. open pit mining that sends coal via slury line (contaiminating the fresh water) to Las Vegas and southern CA coal power plants. The Navajo Nation gets 37 cents/ton, a revenue of $60 M /year. But the private corporations are gaining $4-5 /ton of coal. A strange predicament. Also this mine will be shut down in a year or so since the power plant it feeds is not meeting sulfur emission levels. 700 + jobs will be lost to the Navajo people, already with roughy 40% unemployment rate. How to use the resources available, while maintaining land integrity, and economic development?
Monday, August 15, 2005
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Friday, August 12, 2005
Navajo Nation.
I'm working as an assistant for the study abroad program that I participated in two years ago. THey are now starting on the Navajo Nation under the wing of Moroni, a friend from that trip we took together. So the first 4 days we have been getting aquainted and doing logistical things, and now we're heading towards Sweetwater, Navajo Nation. I'm putting my 15 passenger van and group food shopping skills to work, and also helping to provide some insight into the program and what's to come for these students.
I'm working as an assistant for the study abroad program that I participated in two years ago. THey are now starting on the Navajo Nation under the wing of Moroni, a friend from that trip we took together. So the first 4 days we have been getting aquainted and doing logistical things, and now we're heading towards Sweetwater, Navajo Nation. I'm putting my 15 passenger van and group food shopping skills to work, and also helping to provide some insight into the program and what's to come for these students.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
August 7-
ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE, Snowmass, CO www.rmi.org
An interesting foundation that is working to inform the private sector and thus create change that is market driven. The have a nearly energy neutral building, 40 some odd employees, and lots of opportunities to get involved. Through integrated design solutions based on the idea of Natural Capitalism (see the RMI webpage for links to this) they embody many of the diverse areas that impact businesses, and find ways to make them more successful. It's the multi-dimensional approach that I've been searching for and it seems to be working!
The three areas of focus are Energy and Resources Services (ERS), Green Development Services (GDS), and Integrated Design Practice (IDP).
It was exciting to see such a diverse range of projects all being successful from a rural backdrop, although the Aspen valley is developing rapidly, not as rapidly as Eagle County. According to one, Aspen is trying to become the largest ecotourist spot. It will be interesting to follow those developments. Everywhere is still short of sustainaibility, or even enhancing the area in which they live and work, but I have yet to doubt the possibility of it. It just takes dedicated individuals who can live for today, while looking towards the future.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE, Snowmass, CO www.rmi.org
An interesting foundation that is working to inform the private sector and thus create change that is market driven. The have a nearly energy neutral building, 40 some odd employees, and lots of opportunities to get involved. Through integrated design solutions based on the idea of Natural Capitalism (see the RMI webpage for links to this) they embody many of the diverse areas that impact businesses, and find ways to make them more successful. It's the multi-dimensional approach that I've been searching for and it seems to be working!
The three areas of focus are Energy and Resources Services (ERS), Green Development Services (GDS), and Integrated Design Practice (IDP).
It was exciting to see such a diverse range of projects all being successful from a rural backdrop, although the Aspen valley is developing rapidly, not as rapidly as Eagle County. According to one, Aspen is trying to become the largest ecotourist spot. It will be interesting to follow those developments. Everywhere is still short of sustainaibility, or even enhancing the area in which they live and work, but I have yet to doubt the possibility of it. It just takes dedicated individuals who can live for today, while looking towards the future.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Rocky Mountain Institute- Snowmass, CO Visitor Center/office. Looking into the greenhouse area where the grey water is cleansed and banana trees grow. There is a bit of a bug problem at times and their newest strategy is to house a hedgehog inside. No joke. He eats the bugs and lives happily inside.
August 6- National Renewable Energy Lab, Golden, CO. A Residential and Commercial Building Expo. Lots of great speakers and exhibits. A tour of the Solar research lab, and lots of information about "green" building in the front range. We weren't allowed to take pictures in the lab area, so this is the visitor center, but has a passive solar design and some solar panel demonstrations around back.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Takoma Village Cohousing. An intentional community in Washington DC, with small units, shared common space, and geothermal heating/cooling! www.takomavillage.org
Solar Fest, mom and sara in the foreground, dar williams playing on the "barn stage". Tinmouth, VT www.solarfest.org
Monday, August 01, 2005
July 31st-Minneapolis, MN Visited Grandma and Grandpa Ranz, a wonderful visit full of a ride in my car, fresh fruit, and talks about their animal neighbors.
July 30th- Libertyville Nature Preserve with Steph from IHP! A beautiful area with a lake, bike paths, woods, and open fields. Many people out enjoying the wildlife with family and friends. Who ever said the midwest wasn't beautiful!? I do feel a little lost without my mountain protection that I"ve grown up with, also the vast area that suburbia has occupied is slightly overwhelming, everyone is slaves of their cars, to break free you drive to the bike path or nature preserve. It's wonderful to have that escape.
Buckhorn State Park in Wisconsin. A beautiful swath of land on Crystal Lake, I biked around, saw deer, wild turkeys, and ate corn on the cob with a bright pink sunset in the background.
July 29th--12 hour drive from Washington DC to Chicago-
Stopped at the half way point in Oberlin, OH.
OBERLIN Environmental Studies Building. Designed by Williams McDonough. PV panels on the roof, Living machine waste water treatment, natural lighting, and wonderful apples from the trees outside. No one around, so I just poked my head in every door and took some pictures. There was lots of information available to the visitor which made the educational aspect of the building really come to light, but that sort of information could also be interesting within an office building, a department store. . .etc.
July 27- CENTER FOR THE NEW AMERICAN DREAM- Takoma, MD, www.newdream.org
-An organization that is working to create a better quality of life through educational programs, literature, and ways of reaching people through aspects of their lives that they're unsatisfied with. For example the "junk junkmail" campaign isn't the most effective way of curbing waste, but by coupling it with an annoyance that most peole would gladly stop they reach a sector of society that is all for creating change in their lives. The goal is to create a better life, not merely sustain at some level! An interesting idea that I believe is true because of our technological advances and human ingenuity we will continue to create and expand. This organization is living what they preach, but remodeling with "environmental products" like low VOC paints etc. It's a great organization that is working hard and pretty successfully at the advocacy angle to these problems, but I think I need to do something beyond researching and computer based spreading of knowledge, even though they only work 32 hours a week in order to maintain a balanced life!
GreenHOME-a new organization that is now focusing on training building professionals to accomplish green affordable development, and therefore if all is successful will be able to dissolve after accomplishing its goal. They are working to change the work force in order to create more "green" buildings. By working in partnerships they do not overpower the local community based organizations they work with, and make sure to listen to what is needed.
individual buildings-------------------------------------Smart Growth ideas
But inbetween there are the "space between the buidings" including infrastructure, where there needs to be more organizations and people working towards the larger picture. The problem with planners is that it's incrediblly hard to implement all of their good ideas because of road blocks along the way. By bridging the gap between these ideas and those who get the ideas put into reality it seems there can be some strong connections! I'm very excited to explore these concepts further and to find architecture/planning firms that are working on this middle ground.
US GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL National Chapter-schmooze fest. A wonderful night at 1425 K st. where Casey Trees and Nature Works have installed a living roof as a showcase for what can be done throughout the city. Met and talked with many professionals working in the DC area, including two who work for USGBC and said that where ever I end up I should look up the local chapter and network from there. One thing seems true. . .wherever I end up there will be lots happening on the development of Green ideas into the various segments of society.
July 26- Helicon Works www.heliconworks.com An architect who tries to embody holistic and social aspects into the construction of residential homes by working closely with the client and creating strong connections.
"It's great to be a part of the groundswell of people that are doing great things" A well grounded and seemingly satisfied architect, affecting people from the ground level.
-Visited the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, headquarters on 16th and H st. www.aia.org
A very professional looking place, lots of meetings, business suits, and old men. :) There was a beautiful exhibit of Heather Allen's quilts that are of architectural forms like stairs and hallways. The bookstore was interesting and had a number of "green architecture" books. The worst part about the building was upon approaching I felt as if the 98 degrees Washington DC pavement was air conditioned! The reason was that the front glass doorways had inch gaps between each door and where the door and concrete building met!!! I nearly started to cry. THey couldn't splurge for cocking or weather strips because it would loose the sculptural and artistic quality of the building! There is lots to be done in that organization to incorporate the green ideals, which can be a frustrating place to belong to, or it could be very empowering. It would feel like fighting the forces, but maybe there would be headway.
July 30th- Libertyville Nature Preserve with Steph from IHP! A beautiful area with a lake, bike paths, woods, and open fields. Many people out enjoying the wildlife with family and friends. Who ever said the midwest wasn't beautiful!? I do feel a little lost without my mountain protection that I"ve grown up with, also the vast area that suburbia has occupied is slightly overwhelming, everyone is slaves of their cars, to break free you drive to the bike path or nature preserve. It's wonderful to have that escape.
Buckhorn State Park in Wisconsin. A beautiful swath of land on Crystal Lake, I biked around, saw deer, wild turkeys, and ate corn on the cob with a bright pink sunset in the background.
July 29th--12 hour drive from Washington DC to Chicago-
Stopped at the half way point in Oberlin, OH.
OBERLIN Environmental Studies Building. Designed by Williams McDonough. PV panels on the roof, Living machine waste water treatment, natural lighting, and wonderful apples from the trees outside. No one around, so I just poked my head in every door and took some pictures. There was lots of information available to the visitor which made the educational aspect of the building really come to light, but that sort of information could also be interesting within an office building, a department store. . .etc.
July 27- CENTER FOR THE NEW AMERICAN DREAM- Takoma, MD, www.newdream.org
-An organization that is working to create a better quality of life through educational programs, literature, and ways of reaching people through aspects of their lives that they're unsatisfied with. For example the "junk junkmail" campaign isn't the most effective way of curbing waste, but by coupling it with an annoyance that most peole would gladly stop they reach a sector of society that is all for creating change in their lives. The goal is to create a better life, not merely sustain at some level! An interesting idea that I believe is true because of our technological advances and human ingenuity we will continue to create and expand. This organization is living what they preach, but remodeling with "environmental products" like low VOC paints etc. It's a great organization that is working hard and pretty successfully at the advocacy angle to these problems, but I think I need to do something beyond researching and computer based spreading of knowledge, even though they only work 32 hours a week in order to maintain a balanced life!
GreenHOME-a new organization that is now focusing on training building professionals to accomplish green affordable development, and therefore if all is successful will be able to dissolve after accomplishing its goal. They are working to change the work force in order to create more "green" buildings. By working in partnerships they do not overpower the local community based organizations they work with, and make sure to listen to what is needed.
individual buildings-------------------------------------Smart Growth ideas
But inbetween there are the "space between the buidings" including infrastructure, where there needs to be more organizations and people working towards the larger picture. The problem with planners is that it's incrediblly hard to implement all of their good ideas because of road blocks along the way. By bridging the gap between these ideas and those who get the ideas put into reality it seems there can be some strong connections! I'm very excited to explore these concepts further and to find architecture/planning firms that are working on this middle ground.
US GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL National Chapter-schmooze fest. A wonderful night at 1425 K st. where Casey Trees and Nature Works have installed a living roof as a showcase for what can be done throughout the city. Met and talked with many professionals working in the DC area, including two who work for USGBC and said that where ever I end up I should look up the local chapter and network from there. One thing seems true. . .wherever I end up there will be lots happening on the development of Green ideas into the various segments of society.
July 26- Helicon Works www.heliconworks.com An architect who tries to embody holistic and social aspects into the construction of residential homes by working closely with the client and creating strong connections.
"It's great to be a part of the groundswell of people that are doing great things" A well grounded and seemingly satisfied architect, affecting people from the ground level.
-Visited the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, headquarters on 16th and H st. www.aia.org
A very professional looking place, lots of meetings, business suits, and old men. :) There was a beautiful exhibit of Heather Allen's quilts that are of architectural forms like stairs and hallways. The bookstore was interesting and had a number of "green architecture" books. The worst part about the building was upon approaching I felt as if the 98 degrees Washington DC pavement was air conditioned! The reason was that the front glass doorways had inch gaps between each door and where the door and concrete building met!!! I nearly started to cry. THey couldn't splurge for cocking or weather strips because it would loose the sculptural and artistic quality of the building! There is lots to be done in that organization to incorporate the green ideals, which can be a frustrating place to belong to, or it could be very empowering. It would feel like fighting the forces, but maybe there would be headway.
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