On Saturday, April 5 JC Raulston Arboretum is holding its annual Arborfest—a day of education and entertainment at the gardens. Activities include four keynotes speakers, tours in the gardens, informational booths, a master gardener plant clinic, youth activities, and plant and craft sales by local nurseries. This year, in response to the water shortages, the event is focusing on water management and conservation and sustainable design. It looks like it may rain on saturday, and if it does it will be the perfect way to highlight the lunchtime rain barrel demonstration. More info…
Environment News in Raleigh
Environment
JC Raulston Arboretum Arborfest Saturday
Environment
Disposals Get Dumped, Try Composting Instead
On Monday the Raleigh city council put an abrupt end to commercial and residential disposals. Because of the amount of sewage overflows and maintenance required to clean grease from sewage lines the council has mandated that no new food disposals can be installed. Existing disposals can still be used but they cannot be replaced or fixed if they break down.
So what can the disposal-impaired do with those potato shavings and egg shells? Instead of throwing out food scraps like common trash, why not put them to use? Composting is an easy way to turn your cooking remains into a nutrient-rich soil additive for your garden, flower bed, or potted houseplants.
Environment
A Little Rain Goes a Long Way- Half the Lake Deficit Recovered
The City of Raleigh released a detailed update about our water shortage today. The recent rains rapidly recovered a third of the lakes capacity or 5 billion gallons and extended our usable water another 135 days.
Development Environment
Striving for Sustainability: The Green Square Complex
Is Raleigh going green? Faced with drought and booming growth, is the city finally looking at both our present and future situation to develop sustainable solutions? Evidence suggests that the motivation to cultivate environmental responsibility is indeed present, though not quite prevalent, in downtown Raleigh. Now a new project downtown is poised to further demonstrate Raleigh’s commitment to sustainable design.
Environment
Fred Fletcher Park Water Garden Approved
Fred Fletcher Park’s Water Garden was approved early last week to begin construction and is expected to be finished by the end of June. The Water Garden is a Storm Water Management Division project that is designed to achieve several environmental and aesthetic goals by managing runoff in an attractive way.