Green Living Workshop update week 3 2009

Sustainable Works Green Living Workshops

There are 3 workshops currently running.
Scroll down to find your current Workshop topic or review previous topics

Mondays 7-8:30pm
The Green Life

Tuesday 6-7:30pm
Heal the Bay

Wednesday 7-8:30pm
Santa Monica Public Library

Week 1 WATER 1/12,1/13 & 1/14
Week 2 ENERGY 1/19, 1/20 & 1/21


Homework:
read ENERGY
3 WATER Solutions

Introduction
Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan
Santa Monica Ecological Footprint description
Santa Monica Ecological Footprint graphic

Footprint Quizzes
Ecofoot.org
Myfootprint.org

Green Community Groups
Sustainable Business Council
Net Impact Los Angeles
Green Business Networking
LA Green Drinks
Eco Tuesdays

Sources of Environmental News
Grist.org
Green Inc. New York Times Blog

WATER

In the News
Heal the Bay Study Reveals State Water Board Inaction Allows Toxic Wastewater to Foul L.A. Since 2000 (PDF) The State Water Resources Control Board has allowed dischargers to spew millions of gallons of toxin-laden effluents into Southland water bodies with virtual impunity over the past eight years, according to a detailed study released today by Heal the Bay. (from Heal the Bay)

Where Does Our Water Come From?
Where does Southern California’s water come from? - Detailed discussion of water sources and water projects.

Urban Runoff
SMURRF - Santa Monica Urban Runoff Recycling Facility

Los Angeles Urban Runoff - Runoff, which can occur in both wet and dry weather, usually receives no treatment before discharge.

Ocean Pollution
Algalita Marine Research Foundation

Water Efficiency & Rebates
Santa Monica Water Efficiency Programs & Rebates - Water conservation rebates for Santa Monica water customers. Rebates available for high efficiency clothes washers and toilets. Also includes information on receiving a free home water assessment, the Sustainable Landscape Grant Program, and the Rain Harvesting Program.

LADWP WaterSmart Rebate Program - Water conservation rebates for LADWP residential customers. Rebates available for high efficiency clothes washers, toilets, and weather-based irrigation controllers.

An Illustrated Guide to a Water-wise Home - photos and information on a water-wise demonstration home at Treepeople Center for Community Forestry in Los Angeles. Via Low Impact Living.

LADWP Non-Residential Programs - Water conservation rebates for LADWP businesses & multi-family customers. Rebates available for high efficiency clothes washers, toilets, urinals, sprinklers, and weather-based irrigation controllers.


Tankless Water Heaters
Takagi USA - top-of-the-line tankless water heater company that has models that can heat up to 5 gal per Tankless Water Heaters minute.

GreenHomeGuide - great rundown of what to look for when buying a tankless water heater.

Gardening
Garden Garden - Santa Monica's Environmental Programs Division demonstration garden comparison

Theodore Payne Foundation - promotes the understanding and preservation of California native
flora.

Plant Right a voluntary, proactive program for the horticultural community to prevent invasive plant introductions through horticulture. PlantRight was designed by the steering committee of California Horticultural Invasives Prevention (Cal-HIP) partnership to communicate the need to transition away from invasive plants in the gardening and landscaping trade.

Weed Watch
Los Angeles Regional Invasive Ornamental Plant Guide - This Guide is produced and distributed by the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council for the primary purpose of educating landscape professionals and the general-public regarding the cultivation, selection, use and management of invasive plants in our local landscape.

California Invasive Plant Council - Across California, invasive plants damage wildlands. Invasive plants displace native plants and wildlife, increase wildfire and flood danger, consume valuable water, degrade recreational opportunities, and destroy productive range and timber lands. Cal-IPC works with land managers, researchers, concerned citizens, and policy makers to protect the state from invasive plants.

Waterless Car Wash Products
EcoTouch
Freedom
Lucky Earth
NoWET


Documentary on WATER
FLOW - Interviews with scientists and activists intelligently reveal the rapidly building crisis, at both the global and human scale, and the film introduces many of the governmental and corporate culprits behind the water grab, while begging the question "CAN ANYONE REALLY OWN WATER?" (flowthemovie.com)

Books about WATER issues
Food Not Lawns - combines practical wisdom on ecological design and community-building with a fresh, green perspective on an age-old subject. Activist and urban gardener Heather Flores shares her nine-step permaculture design to help farmsteaders and city dwellers alike build fertile soil, promote biodiversity, and increase natural habitat in their own "paradise gardens." (chelseagreen.com)

Food Revolution - John Robbins exposes the dangers behind many of today's foods and reveals the extraordinary benefits of healthy alternatives. The Food Revolution will show you how to extend your life, increase your vibrancy and vitality, and take a stand for a more compassionate and sustainable world. (foodrevolution.org)

Cadillac Desert - The definitive history of water resources in the American West, and a very illuminating lesson in the political economy of limited resources anywhere. (amazon.com)