Upcoming events
Every 3 weeks between June 17 and August 19 - Free music in Patterson Park (Tuesday 6:30 pm-8:30 pm, Sunday 6:30 pm-8:30 pm) For more information 410-276-3676 - http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/220514/
Sun, June 29 1-5 Annual Statewide Simple Picnic -Simplicity Matters Earth Institute & Baltimore Green Forum Patapsco Valley State Park -Glen Arney Section Pavillion#66 info: http://www.simplicity-matters.org:80/picnic.htm
OTHER BUSINESSES, GOVT DEPARTMENTS, AND ORGANIZATIONS' WEBSITES TO CHECK FOR EVENTS:
Baltimore's Department of Recreation and Parks' calendar at: http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/recnparks/special_events.htm
http://greenerbaltimore.blogspot.com/
Parks & People's Events Calendar at: http://www.parksandpeople.org/events.html
Simplicity Matters Earth Institute's monthly calendar: http://www.simplicity-matters.org/announcements/2008_01.pdf
Bluehouse (Fells Point speciality store selling eco-friendly furniture and products), including evironmental events, can be found at:http://bluehouselife.com/calendar.php
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1.
Introduction to Green Home Renovations | June 28, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Basis for the Program and Workshop
In the Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington DC regional market it is estimated that there is a $37.5 billion dollar industry for upgrading homes that are energy inefficient and have poor indoor air quality. Nationally, it is estimated that 110 million dwellings and over 9 million commercial buildings are in need of upgrading to a higher “Greener” standard.
Understanding the science of buildings and the effects of changing the various components of the building during a renovation project is critical to the success of each remodeling project. Adding a “green” component requires an integrated “holistic” approach so that the modifications do not adversely affect the building or the building occupants.
This workshop establishes a basic understanding of conducting green home renovations through instructions of the basics and through a workshop using case studies in a design charrette design format to understand real life approaches to develop real life solutions.
The Program
The workshop will start with a discussion of Green Renovation Principles including:
Green Renovation Principles
1. Orientation Analysis
2. Connection to Site
3. Structural Analysis
4. Heat and Cooling Analysis
5. Renewable Resources
6. Selection of Materials
These principles will then be incorporated into selected case studies of real life projects selected for discussion. The attendants of the workshop will be spilt into groups, one for each case study. The principles will be discussed again with the context of each case study. Each group will develop concepts for the green renovation of each project and discuss them with all participants.
Participants will take home a basic understanding of how to approach and execute a green renovation of different types of projects from simple interior modifications to more elaborate structural modifications.
Topics Covered
• What are the differences between Green vs. conventional renovations?
• What is Integrated Design?
• How can I use Integrated Design in my renovation?
• How do I approach doing a green renovation?
• How will an energy audit improve my design?
• How do I incorporate passive solar?
• What kind of materials should I use?
• What are some of the challenges in green renovations?
Date: Saturday, October 20, 2007
(Please register by 9/30/07*).
Time:
8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Tour of a green building (Enviro-Center®) & Check-in
9:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Intro to Green Renovation Principles
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Intro to Case Studies
12:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Team Review of Case Studies
3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Discussion of each Case Study
greenbuildinginstitute.org
2.
Introduction to Passive Solar Design | June 28, 2007 at 2:30 pm
What is passive solar design?
Passive solar design is a building method that takes advantage of the sun’s energy for heating, cooling, and illuminating spaces. It requires only minimal, if any, maintenance, is very aesthetically pleasing and lowers energy costs.
(Please note – this class does not address active solar systems – solar electric (photovoltaics) or hot water (solar thermal) systems.
What topics will be covered in the class?
Determining an appropriate site location based on climate/environmental factors
Choosing house orientation
Determining window placement and style
Methods of insulating the home to naturally regulate heat/cooling
Making use of overhangs and shade
Taking advantage of natural heating using sun’s rays
How to optimally use thermal mass
Placing rooms within the house to optimize use of outdoor passive solar elements
Smartly landscaping the grounds around the house for further temperature regulation
High efficiency back-up heating systems
Benefits of Passive Solar Design:
Healthier indoor air quality
Lower energy bills and increased freedom from utilities
Low maintenance and reduced operating costs and repairs
Higher house resale value
Sunny interiors and open floor plans
Who should attend?
Architects & designers
Potential homebuyers
Contractors
Builders
Landscape architects
HVAC specialists
Real estate agents
Students
General Interest
Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Time:
6:45 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Check-In
7:00 p.m.– 9:00 p.m. Introduction to Passive Solar Design
greenbuildinginstitute.org
3.
Go Green, Save Green | June 28, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Learn:
Steps to reduce energy costs
Conservation methods
How to use natural resources on your site
Ways to improve indoor air quality
How to take action in your own homes and lives
About community resources and contacts
How to decrease the environmental burden on the local environment
Date: Saturday, December 1, 2007
(Please register by 11/15/07*).
info@greenbuildinginstitute.org
greenbuildinginstitute.org
Time:
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Check-in
8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Tour of a green building (The Enviro-Center)
9:30 – Noon. Go Green, Save Green
4.
John Mello | July 18, 2007 at 11:44 am
I want to notify you about the Green Advantage ® residential green building workshop and certification, sponsored by Civic Works .
This is an opportunity to acquire a nationally recognized green building credential.
The workshop will take place Thursday, August 2 from 8am to 5pm (continental breakfast and lunch provided), at The Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center . The Green Advantage ® Certification exam will be held one week later, on Friday August 10 from 8am to 12pm. The Exam may also be scheduled for Friday 8/3 at a local community college.
I look forward to your participation in this exciting workshop, presented by renowned author and green building expert, David Johnston .
Register now!
Go to for more information or to download a registration flyer.
10% discount to firms, companies, organizations, families, or tribes that enroll five or more participants at once.
5.
Hannah Wood | July 31, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Earth Home
Building Self-Sufficient Homes
What is Earth Home?
A fully integrated self sufficient building system that uses local materials to meet all the needs of the occupants for comfort, water,
sanitary waste, electricity, hot water and cooking, without the need for central power, water or sewer.
What are the components of an Earth Home?
What topics will be covered in the program?
Compressed Earth Brick Construction
Rain Water System
Composting Toilet
Grey Water System
Solar Water Heater
Solar Electricity
Solar Oven
Environmental Responsive Building Design
Who should attend?
Architects
Builders
Engineers
General Interest
Homeowners
Non-Profit representatives
Benefits of Earth Home:
Built with local materials
Affordable
Non Toxic and healthy
Zero Energy
Zero Water
Zero waste
6.
alterego | August 15, 2007 at 10:55 am
Greenfestival DC – October 6th and 7th. Visit http://www.greenfestivals.org/ for more information.
7.
pavel | September 10, 2007 at 2:59 pm
The alternative to BGE is WGES where you can enroll in the address above for your gas and electricity services, which will still get billed via your BGE bill but at least the money does not go the BGE.
Love
Pavel
8.
The Current (Solid) State of LED Lighting | September 19, 2007 at 11:06 am
This class will discuss current LED technologies (the good, the bad, and the expensive) and applications for residential and commercial uses.
What is LED lighting?
Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a semiconductor device which converts electricity into light.
What will I learn?
What is the potential impact of implementing LED lighting solutions.for residential and commercial applications?
What are the advantages/disadvantages of LED lighting?
Which LED solutions are “not ready for prime time”?
Where can I introduce cost effective LED lighting solutions?
How does LED lighting integrate into a solar photovoltaic system?
Can I get a federal tax credit for updating to energy efficient lighting?
How about other emerging technologies – Cold cathode compact fluorescent, ceramic metal halide, etc?
9.
Home Performance in Maryland | September 19, 2007 at 11:07 am
See what we discovered performing 150 TerraLogos Home Energy Inspections©
What are the most common, easily fixed home energy leaks?
How does improving energy efficiency also improve comfort and health?
What home energy investments yield the biggest return?
What should I know about energy improvements when renovating my home?
Considering windows, HVAC or solar installations? Learn how to maximize these investments.
See the Blower Door and the Infrared Camera in action – tools we use to diagnose home performance.
Date: Thursday, November 15, 2007
6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Check-In
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Home Performance in Maryland
Location:
33rd Street across from the former Memorial Stadium site
Johns Hopkins Eastern building (the former Eastern High School)
3rd floor ETC Conference Room
1101 East 33rd Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
10.
Indoor Air Quality | October 29, 2007 at 4:14 pm
About what topics will I learn?
Items that affect your indoor air quality (ex: furnishings, finishes, cleaners, air fresheners, cabinets, human activity, and others)
The benefits of selecting Eco-friendly interior finishes and paints
Impacts of building systems, equipment, and the entire building package on indoor air quality
Who should attend?
Homeowners
Contractors
General Interest
Non-Profit Professionals
Why should I take this class?
Here are just some of the many benefits of learning and incorporating green products & techniques:
Healthier indoor air quality and safety for you and your children
Reduced exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), exempted VOCs, and other neurological and pulmonary toxins (see below)
Clear conscience of using socially and environmentally responsible products
Learn about alternatives in decorating your home.
Let your home work more as a system, synchronizing the benefits of indoor air quality, health, energy savings, and sustainability
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.
All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored. Examples include:
Paints and lacquers
Varnishes
Paint strippers
Cleaning & disinfecting supplies
Cosmetics
Fuels
Pesticides
Floors, carpets, cabinets, paneling, and other building materials and furnishings
Office equipment such as copiers and printers
Correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.
11.
Stacy | February 11, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Maryland Outdoor Club
Come meet the members of the MOC at one or many of our monthly social hours. Everyone is welcome to attend (members and non-members, 18 and over) and there is no need to RSVP. Just show up!
The social hours are very casual and we encourage you to come alone or bring a pal with you. We will make sure that you are introduced to other members, just look for one of our “Social Greeters” wearing a nametag. Also note that you can arrive at any time and stay as long as you’d like
https://mdoutdoorclub.org/events/socialhour.asp
12.
Mark | February 29, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Soulful Sundown: The Art of the Earth
Sunday April 20, 2008 @ 6pm
Unitarian Universalsits of Fallston
1127 Old Fallston Rd
Fallston, MD 21047
(410) 877-3773
a meditaitonal service using hte arts to express our respect and concers about the earth. A good way to get inspired for earth day. http://www.myspace.com/uufallsonconcerts
13.
Katie | March 27, 2008 at 10:01 am
Join the Maryland Science Center for our 2008 Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 19. We’ll have activities for everyone, plus a “marketplace” of local vendors and groups sharing their eco-friendly products, services, and projects. 12-4pm, all activities included with museum admission.
If you represent a group that would like to be part of the marketplace, please contact Katie at kstofer@mdsci.org
14.
Leslye Wilson | March 27, 2008 at 10:28 am
The Year-Round Vegetable Garden – An Organic Approach for Maryland
A Two Day Workshop being held on
Saturday, April 19th & Sunday April 20th, 2008
Time: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Class location: The Enviro Center
7761 Waterloo Road, Jessup MD 20794
This is a two-day workshop designed to provide a framework for creating the successful design and implementation of a productive organic vegetable garden in Central and Southern Maryland.
What topics will be covered?
The philosophy and principles of the organic approach to gardening, soils, composting, planning, planting, maintaining, garden pests, gardening by season, use and care of tools.
For more information, visit: http://www.greenbuildinginstitute.org/pages/courses/OrganicGardening.html
15.
Baltimore Free Store | April 2, 2008 at 12:26 am
Baltimore Free Store upcoming Free Markets:
April 12, 2008 – Collington Square (12p-3p)
April 26, 2008 – EcoFestival (12p-5p)
May 10, 2008 – Green Fair (time TBD)
“Take what you want, give what you can.”
16.
Patrick McMahon | May 22, 2008 at 8:25 am
Baltimore Sustainability Master Plan Kickoff
Tuesday, May 27th, 2008
Starting 6:30 p.m.
417 E. Fayette St., 8th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
Baltimore City has formed a new Commission on Sustainability that will be working over the next six months to develop a Sustainability Master Plan for Baltimore City. The kickoff for public involvement in the Sustainability Master Plan is a public meeting on Tuesday, May 27th, 6:30 p.m. at 417 E. Fayette St., 8th Floor (photo ID is required to enter the building). At the meeting attendees will find out about the new Commission and be encouraged to get involved with the Working Groups that will focus on the following six topics:
• Air & Energy
• Water
• Waste
• Green Infrastructure
• Built Environment
• Transportation
The Sustainability Master Plan is a great opportunity to help shape City policy on a wide variety of issues to make our city more environmentally friendly and a better place to live.
http://www.baltimorecity.gov/government/planning/downloads/0508/051508%20KickOffSustainability2.pdf
17.
Leslye Wilson | June 13, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Introduction to Geothermal Energy Systems
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Geothermal heating has been used for centuries to heat buildings by using sources of hot water and steam that lie underground. A renewable energy source, geothermal heating systems are increasingly a choice for both homes and businesses that are concerned about the environmental impact of traditional energy sources, as well as rising energy costs. This class provides a basic overview of geothermal energy systems.
18.
Leslye Wilson | June 13, 2008 at 1:52 pm
EcoTourism – Trends, Tours & Tips for the Discerning Traveler & Tour Operator
Wednesday September 10th, 2008
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
In this workshop, we’ll define ecotourism and discuss the benefits and challenges experienced by tourist destinations, local communities and travelers. We’ll look at some of the current trends in ecotourism, and help you identify tours and destinations that are truly sustainable. You’ll see pictures of and learn about community-based and indigenous lodges, and private ecotourism enterprises in Latin America, South Africa, the Caribbean, Nepal and the South Pacific. And, we’ll discuss ways to travel more lightly and respectfully closer to home.
19.
Michelle LeDonne | July 1, 2008 at 2:24 pm
National Healthy Homes Festival
September 12-14, 2008
10:00am to 6:00pm
Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, Maryland
The National Healthy Homes Festival will bring together local and state community partners, health, housing, and environmental organizations, local universities, lead and asthma prevention programs, federal state, and city agencies, and the citizens of Maryland in an effort to encourage people to take action in their own homes and rental properties in order to prevent harmful diseases and illness caused by toxins such as lead, mold, and other home based environmental hazards.
For more information visit http://www.leadsafe.org
If you are interested in volunteering, please download the volunteer application from our website and return to Michelle LeDonne (mledonne@leadsafe.org) by July 15, 2008.
We look forward to seeing you at this exciting, interactive, and educational event!
20.
Green Building Institute | August 19, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Go Green, Save Green
At the Herring Run Watershed Center
3545 Belair Road
Baltimore, MD 21213
October 18th and November 15th 2009.
Thanks to a grant from BGE and the Roswell Foundation, the Green Building Institute is holding two free classes for income qualified Baltimore City Residents.*
Bring a working incandescent bulb to the class and receive a free compact fluorescent bulb in return.
About the program
· Are utilities taking a growing bite out of your budget?
· Are you concerned about the environment and global warming?
· Have indoor air quality and toxic household chemicals become part of your safety and health concerns?
· Do you want to reduce your energy use?
*TO QUALIFY you must be a Baltimore City resident with annual income of less than $35,000 (individuals) or $60,000 (families). Registration is required, and space is limited so send in your application now. Download the application form here:
Please note we are not accepting applications via the internet – only by MAIL to the following address:
The Green Building Institute
Attn: Go Green class
7761 Waterloo Road
Jessup MD 20794
We are requiring a deposit of $10 for each person registering. Checks should be made out to the Green Building Institute. YOUR CHECK WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU ON THE DAY OF THE CLASS WHEN YOU CHECK IN.
Applications submitted without the check will be returned to the applicant.
21.
Diana Cohen | October 7, 2008 at 10:15 am
please add me to your email list
Diana Cohen
dcohen@baltimorecountymd.gov
22.
Green Building Institute | December 10, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Introduction to Geothermal Energy Systems
Geothermal heating has been used for centuries to heat buildings by using sources of hot water and steam that lie underground. A renewable energy source, geothermal heating systems are increasingly a choice for both homes and businesses that are concerned about the environmental impact of traditional energy sources, as well as rising energy costs. This class provides a basic overview of geothermal energy systems and will include a brief discussion of financing options for residential homes.
23.
The National Aquarium | April 3, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Celebrate Earth Day at the National Aquarium
Enjoy, Respect and Protect
Saturday, April 18, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Earth Day is April 22. Join the Aquarium in a party for Our Ocean Planet, honoring the new dolphin show and celebrating Earth’s watery world. Explore what you can do to enjoy, protect and respect our blue planet- starting with your own backyard. Special activities for children from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. FREE! with Aquarium admission.
24.
tyncItept | May 20, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Interesting info. Hope to definitely come back soon=)
25.
Ann Ford | July 2, 2009 at 1:31 am
Could you sort the comments by date, latest first? That would be very helpful.
26.
Jennifer Bloomer | September 10, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Join the National Aquarium, Baltimore when prices take a dive Fridays after Five! Beginning September 11, all basic Aquarium admission tickets are $8.00 for entry at 5 p.m. or later on Fridays.
For more information: aqua.org
27.
Jen Bloomer | November 5, 2009 at 4:10 pm
POLAR EXPRESS 4-D EXPERIENCE AT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM
Winter is quickly approaching and so is the return of the holiday classic, The Polar Express, to the National Aquarium! Visitors are invited to embark on a cold winter’s journey that’s sure to warm your heart, and make you believe. The Polar Express™ 4-D Experience transforms the holiday movie into a 20-minute, action-packed experience that will keep young viewers on their edge of their seats through special effects that are exclusive to the 4-D theater experience! Check it out November 14th to January 3rd. Multiple showings daily, visit Aqua.org for details.