GREENWorks
Ideas for a Cleaner Environment
A publication of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Concord, NH (603) 271-3710

July 2010

Keeping Cool

Summer has arrived, meaning swimming, boating, barbeques, sunshine and summer heat. The summer weather can also bring increased energy use for keeping cool. No one wants their energy bills to rise with the temperature, and finding ways to stay cool without cranking up the air conditioner saves money – and is better for the environment.

As we become more conscious of human impact on the planet, we continue to discover new ways to reduce, recycle and reuse. Yet we avoid thinking and planning for environmentally responsible disposition of our bodies. Our culture combines our fear of death with our belief that how much we spend signifies how much we love, resulting in expensive funeral decisions often made under duress.

New Hampshire Citizens To Participate in Largest Gathering Against Offshore Drilling in History

Citizens Join Hands at Prescott Park in Portsmouth

WHAT: Local "Hands Across the Sand" gathering in solidarity with over 400 events around the country to raise awareness about the dangers of offshore drilling and call on leaders to end our oil dependence and move America into a clean energy future.
SIGN UP HERE:
http://handsacrossthesand.org/organize.php?state=New%20Hampshire

WHO: People from all over New Hampshire and Maine

WHEN: Saturday, June 26 at 9:30 AM

Join us for dinner with one of the North Country's favorite sons, second generation journalist John Harrigan. Mr. Harrigan will regale us with "rambling remarks from above the notches."

A well known writer, raconteur and passionate lover of New Hampshire's wild places, Harrigan promises to cover a wide range of subjects "from geology to Indians to accents to strange takes from the world of woods and water---cougars, wolves, caribou, you name it."

On Saturday, June 19 the NH Coastal Protection Partnership (NH Coast) will be hosting its annual benefit party. Join us for a fun filled evening of music, dancing drinks, and awesome raffle prizes - including a free rain barrel!

Event: NH Coast's Summer Solstice Benefit Party

When: Saturday, June 19 at 8 PM

Where: Portsmouth Kayak Adventures, located at 185 Wentworth Rd. in Portsmouth.

Suggested donation of $10 will be collected at the door. Tickets can be purchased in advance of the event by visiting: www.nhcoast.org

If you need to know something about energy-efficient lighting and the thought of logging on to a search engine and trolling through copious amounts of websites and articles elicits an involuntary groan, the UNH Cooperative Extension may have what you're looking for - and Energy Answers hotline, 877-398-4769. The hotline expands the capacity of the program's toll-free Info Line in Manchester by staffing the existing lines with volunteers trained to answer energy-related questions or refer callers to experts and other outside resources who can.

Portsmouth, NH – The NH Coastal Protection Partnership (NH Coast) will be raffling off a 55 gallon rain barrel at the 3rd Annual Portsmouth Sustainability Fair on Saturday, May 8. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $1 at our table on the day of the event or in advance online at www.nhcoast.org. The fair is being held at the Portsmouth Middle School - 155 Parrot Ave in Portsmouth, NH - from 10 AM to 3 PM.

Sign up to hike the Hill pedestrian bridge site in Hill, NH.
SATURDAY May 8th
Starts at 9:30AM
Ends around 2:30
We'll hike in the Franklin Falls Flood Control Area, along the old roads and through open fields, past what was once Hill Village to the site of a proposed pedestrian bridge over the Pemigewasset.
We'll talk about some of the plans for connecting trails as well, including one on the old Franklin & Bristol RR right of way. On the way we'll pass lovely Needleshop Brook and Profile Falls. Total distance 4-5 miles, mostly level Car-spot.
Easy/Moderate.

Rain gardens are an environmentally beneficial means of improving water quality and decrease storm water runoff; they are also a beautiful addition to any landscape.
A rain garden is a planted depression that allows rain runoff and storm water from roofs, paved walkways and compacted lawn areas to soak into the ground instead of flowing into storm drains and surface waters. Storm water causes erosion, water pollution, flooding and diminishes groundwater quality. Rain gardens can cut down on the amount of pollution reaching creeks and streams by up to 30%.

Portsmouth, NH – The New Hampshire Coastal Protection Partnership will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day by hosting an eco-friendly workshop highlighting steps that local residents can take to reduce nitrogen pollution in the Great Bay Estuary right in their own backyard. Participants will get basic tips on how to install a rain garden at home. They will also learn how to make eco-friendly decisions about lawn fertilization.

This year in celebration of Earth Day, New Hampshire Sierra Club will show a documentary on the controversial mountaintop removal coal mining, its links to global warming, and even how New Hampshire is involved. The movie, Coal Country, will be shown on the New England College campus in Henniker in the CEI building, Room 201. After the showing of the movie we will end with a discussion with local representative from New Hampshire Sierra Club. This is free and open to the public.

WHO: New Hampshire Sierra Club

WHAT: Showing and discussion of Coal Country the movie

Join Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation at their annual Earth Day cleanups in Portsmouth and Rye:

Saturday, April 17
Earth Day Cleanup at Peirce Island in Portsmouth
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Kid-friendly cleanup with free refreshments, on-site touch tank and exhibitors from local organizations and businesses! Sponsors: Flatbread Company, Starbucks Coffee, 1 World Trading Co.

Sunday, April 18
Earth Day Cleanup at Rye Harbor State Park
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Cleanup around Rye Harbor State Park and Foss Beach. Free refreshments. All ages welcome! Sponsor: The Oaks Golf Links