Golden LEAF Foundation Local Food Inititative Grants

Deadline is Nov. 2nd!

As part of its mission of promoting economic development in rural, tobacco dependent, and economically distressed areas of North Carolina, the Golden LEAF Foundation has funded projects designed to help farmers access new and expanding markets, including the market for local foods.

Recently, public interest in local foods has grown, creating new economic opportunities for North Carolina farmers and businesses. In response, the Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors has developed a strategic initiative to expand local food opportunities for North Carolina farmers and businesses.

More details and application available on the Golden LEAF Web site.

Guide Offers Smart Growth Help for Coastal and Waterfront Planners & Developers

'NOAA, along with the Environmental Protection Agency, the International City/County Management Association and Rhode Island Sea Grant, has released a guide to bring smart growth to coastal and waterfront communities.

“Smart Growth for Coastal and Waterfront Communities” offers communities 10 coastal and waterfront-specific guidelines to help them balance development with the environment and the economy while maintaining the quality of life that makes these communities attractive.'

More information is at the Consortium for Ocean Leadership Web site.

Carolina Thread Trail

From the Charlotte Observer:

Thread Trail markers to go up in some communities

Visited a greenway lately? Without knowing it, you might have been jogging, walking or sitting on a park bench along the Carolina Thread Trail. It's planned as a 15-county Carolinas network of paths linking cities, towns and attractions spread over 7,300 square miles. Completed segments so far are local greenways and trails, with markers bearing their individual names. Article continues here...

Learn more on the Carolina Thread Trail Web site.

Agriburbia comes to North Carolina

This from Morgan Josey Glover's greenNotes in the Greensboro News and Record:

'Forward-thinking (or is it backward-thinking?) residential developers, builders and architects see the writing on the wall for traditional, mid-20th century-style suburban subdivisions and they are coming up with some innovative alternatives.

One such alternative is "Agriburbia," a trademarked term for development-supported agriculture that started in Colorado and now includes a project in Granite Quarry in Rowan County, about an hour south of Greensboro.' Article continues here...

Photo from mindgutter

N.C. Passes 5,000 Mark for Certified Wildlife Habitats

'One of the state's oldest conservation organizations, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, has announced that North Carolina has now certified more than 5,000 Certified Wildlife Habitats.
Only eight other states have met such a distinction. NCWF and the National Wildlife Federation jointly provide certification procedures for private and public landowners interested in managing their properties to provide wildlife habitat. Read the article in the Salisbury Post.

"Passing the 5,000-mark is a tremendous accomplishment and testament to the wildlife and habitat efforts of NCWF's chapters, volunteers and staff," said Tim Gestwicki, executive director of the organization.'

Urban Parks: Good for the City and the Environment

Dr. Dr. Bill Chameides, Dean of Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment, discusses the value of urban parks and greenspaces in this brief video.

Dr. Chameides has more videos and related content on his blog, the Green Grok.

Rep. Etheridge Praises "Green" Education

Congressman Bob Etheridge recently visited Central Carolina Community College and praised their various sustainbility programs, which include building and agriculture.


"This is really exciting," [Etheridge] said. "That's what the community college system is about, not only telling, but showing; not only showing, but doing."Etheridge, who is a part-time tobacco farmer in Harnett County, said the "campus is absolutely on the forefront of green education, helping to train the next generation of leaders ready to take their place in a green economy. They'll be the ones to move us to sustainable growth."






Complete article from the Durham Herald-Sun.

Near is the New Far: Green Flight, Slow Travel and Nearby Nature

Really insightful piece by Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder. In this Psychology Today Blog, Louv argues that our changing economy, increasing scarcity of oil and concerns over climate change could bring nature back to our cities, and that it could be a good thing--psychologically, socially and economically.

You Don't See This Often...Bypass Designated as 'Scenic Byway.'

The U.S. 70 Clayton Bypass has been designated as a Scenic Byway. DOT notes that the way the road was constructed, which follows natural topography, had a lot to do the getting the designation. This project, which was actually completed ahead of scedule, included several environmental conservation efforts, including a wildlife underpass, hazardous spill basins and various innovative erosion control devices. More information on the Scenic Byway program.

NC Fit Community Grants to Be Released

The Fit Community initiative is about to lauch a fifth cycle of grant funding and designation applications, to be released on or around Monday, September 21st, 2009.

Fit Community is a designation and grants initiative that recognizes and rewards North Carolina communities for excellent and innovative strategies to increase physical activity and healthy eating, especially through supportive policies and community design. Any North Carolina municipality or county is eligible to apply for a designation. Those who apply for designations may also apply for grant funding, though there is a separate review process for both awards (i.e., receipt of one award is not tied to receipt of the other). Lead agencies may include local governments or non-profit organizations. The Fit Community website contains additional information about the initiative, as well as frequently asked questions, http://www.fitcommunitync.org/.

Outer Banks Plastic Bag Ban Takes Effect

The new plastic shopping bag ban that covers Dare, Currituck and Hyde counties took effect on September 1, 2009. Details on how the ban works are in this story from the Virginia Pilot.

A July 5th story in the Daily Advance (Elizabeth City) reported that Walmart was OK with the ban, and that a Walmart executive welcomed it as a part of the company's green initiatives.

photo by cucchiaio