Greening the Arts at Wolf Trap

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Guest post by Alison Drucker

The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts has a unique opportunity to be a leader in environmental education. In addition to operating some of the D.C. area’s premier performance venues, it’s also a national park.

They’ve risen to the challenge with an ambitious Go Green program, which in its first two years has resulted in a 23 percent reduction in energy use, a 20 percent lower carbon footprint, and a 50 percent decrease in landfill waste.

To get there, the Foundation’s actions have ranged from the traditional (energy-efficient lighting and heating/cooling) to the creative (a carpool incentive program, growing fresh herbs for its catering business, and composting). LEED certification is in process for one of their facilities.

In addition to improving its own operations, Wolf Trap leverages its venues to inspire audiences to do their part with new sustainability-themed performances, including The Sun Road (a dance reflection on melting glaciers in Glacier National Park). The “Start Early for the Earth” program gets kids in on the action, too, with The Junkyard Pirates – a puppet show about recycling that has been presented to more than 7,000 children, parents, and teachers.

All these efforts recently earned the Foundation the 2010 Sustainability Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers’ National Capitol Section, along with three consecutive outstanding EPA ratings for effective recycling. And given their place at the unique crossroads of the arts and the national park system, they’ve also been recognized by the National Park Service’s Climate Friendly Parks Program.

Along with the likes of Willie Nelson, Guster, and the Roots, the Wolf Trap Foundation is a founding member of the Green Music Group – becoming part of a broader group of high-profile performing arts entities committed to environmental leadership.

Stylish and Eco-Friendly Reusable Lunch Bags

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Guest blog post by Heidi Strom Moon

Given the number of plastic sandwich bags discarded every year (20 million), parents who pack lunches for their kids can easily go a little greener by replacing those baggies with reusable lunch bags. With an ever-growing number of options, however, the harder part is choosing which reusable bags to buy.

Now, there’s a locally based option called LunchSkins that was created by three DC-area moms. Made from imported food-safe pastry-bag fabric, which makes them moisture-proof and durable, LunchSkins come in three sizes: snack, sandwich, and sub.

Even better news for brown (or should we say “green”) baggers? A portion of LunchSkin sales are donated to local environmental organizations including the C&O Canal Trust and Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

I recently gave the snack and sandwich bags a test run during a week of my kindergartner’s lunches, using them to pack everything from dry foods (cookies and pretzels) to gooey (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches).

They are easy to clean–either by turning inside out and rinsing, or putting through a dishwasher cycle. LunchSkins kept the foods contained, just like a plastic baggie, and my 6-year-old found them easy to open and close, even with their heavy-duty Velcro closures.

LunchSkins aren’t made for truly wet foods, however, so for anything juicy I’ll stick to our bento boxes. I also plan to get the third size bag, the “sub,” for those days when we pack bigger or taller items.

And unlike some other reusable lunch bags, LunchSkins’ fabric patterns aren’t strictly for kids. Although the sandwich bags come in fun prints like fruit and animals, they’re also available in more stylish abstract swirls. The snack and sub sizes come in decidedly non-juvenile graphic dots and stripes. (Look for other patterns, including florals, to be available soon.)

So I’ll add a couple of bags for myself, too. They’ll add flair and eco-friendliness to my lunch–and this summer’s beach and picnic trips, too.

Earth Week Events Recap

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Last week was a whirlwind of wonderful events that brought together people of all backgrounds and interests, united by a common cause: Do right by planet Earth. Here’s looking back at the week that was:

Image courtesy of 8 Boxwood Lane Pictures

Eco-Chic: Night of Stars and Rising Stars

Held at the Corcoran and co-hosted by the Corcoran and the Fashion Group of Washington, DC, the event celebrated eco-chic design, beauty, fashion, art, and architecture with live models, delicious food, and an awards ceremony emceed by Wendy Rieger. Hometown eco-preneurs Kimberly Wilson of TranquiliT and Debra Claire of Perfect Organics took home “rising star” awards.

WeatherizeDC Earth Day Fundraiser

On Thursday, WeatherizeDC held a fundraiser on the deck at Local 16. More than 200 people turned out for the event, which raised $7,000 and is enough to weatherize three homes in low-income local neighborhoods.

Material World: Green is the New Black

On Saturday at the Corcoran, a panel of leading designers from the worlds of fashion and interiors shared their personal experiences, exploring the green movement’s influence on their work. The panel was moderated by Rachel Cothran of Project Beltway.

Image courtesy of Twilight Earth

The Climate Rally
Thousands descended on the National Mall for the Climate Rally on Sunday, which included performances by the Roots and Sting, as well as appearances by James Cameron Reverend Jesse Jackson, Trudie Styler, Margaret Atwood, and many more. One of my green pals, Adam Shake of Twilight Earth captured some great video footage.

A Green Map of DC from the DDOE

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

To commemorate Earth Day 2010, Mayor Fenty and the District Department of the Environment have released the Green DC Map.

The map highlights DC’s environmental resources, such as green buildings, community gardens, farmers markets, bike share locations, scenic walks, river restoration projects, and boat launch sites.

The Green DC Map is available in two versions, a print map and an interactive online map.  The print version is available by request from DDOE and highlights high profile locations that are easy to visit.  It also features information about Anacostia restoration initiatives, the Green DC Agenda and the District’s Climate Action Initiative.

The online version of the Green DC Map includes many more sites than the print version and provides more detailed information about each location.  Online map users can customize the types of green venues and projects they would like to view and can create their own trails and tours by selecting specific locations.

Relax and Give Back for Earth Day

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Feeling stressed out about how to celebrate Earth Day? Nusta Spa has a relaxing solution. Between April 18-24, the country’s first LEED certified spa will donate 10% of all proceeds from spa services and retail sales to Rainforest Alliance, an international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of tropical forests throughout the world.

Founder Elizabeth Snowdon opened the spa in May, 2004 after a trip to the Inca city of Machu Picchu. It was in Peru where she found the inspiration to build a luxury “natural” day spa that would honor the principles of environmental responsibility while still catering to Washington’s downtown clientele.

“I was always under the impression that ‘going green’ meant sacrificing the luxuries that we expect at day spas, but after learning more about sustainable building practices, I realized that I could create a warm, healthy environment that still felt luxurious,” says Snowdon.

With the help of a DC architect and sustainable building experts, Snowdon realized her vision with an eco-spa that incorporates virtually all environmentally-friendly materials, including Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood flooring, Energy Star appliances, LED efficient lightening, and more. Nusta even carries its own organic skincare line that is free of allergens and unnatural chemicals.