greenerMIAMI

Pardon Our Dust...

We'll be undergoing some changes over the next week or so. Please pardon our dust. Thanks for your patience...it will be worth it!

Keep Our Beaches Clean Poster Contest

The City of Miami Beach, in partnership with Surfrider Foundation, ECOMB, A Better Miami Beach and GreenRoks is sponsoring a poster contest in an effort to educate residents and visitors about the harmful effects of litter on our beaches. 

The objective of this campaign is to encourage beach goers to keep the beaches clean by disposing their trash properly. 

The poster may demonstrate the hazards beach litter poses to our residents and visitors, marine environment, economy or other aspects of our community. It may also focus on the benefits of keeping our beaches and ocean clean. 

Volunteer judges from participating organizations will recommend one or more winners to the City. 

The selections will be based on the most creative artwork focusing on the objective of the contest. Posters submitted must be original images in the form of graphics, text or photography (no stock photos), and may include captions, slogans or brief narratives. 

Selected Designs could be used in conjunction with an upcoming public education campaign displayed throughout many areas of Miami Beach. 

For samples of the City's other related cleanliness materials produced for this campaign, please email nrodriguez@miamibeachfl.gov.

See image for details. All entries are due by 5pm on Friday, May 29, 2009 via email to keepitclean@miamibeachfl.gov. Call Enid Rodriguez at 305.673.7106 for more info or mailing address.

MiaGreen Expo Discounted Registration

MiaGreen Expo & Conference - The Gateway to Greener Americas is happening at the Miami Beach Convention Center on June 11 & 12, 2009 (Thursday/Friday). This expo is targeted at businesses and the business side of going green. Early registration ends this Friday, May 15...which means the discounted prices are ending, too. 

See the program and the pricing details. 

Must See Everglades Documentary

Ready for a blast from the past? Thirteen.org has a video up called Will the Gator Glades Survive? It is described as: "A visit to the Florida Everglades reveals how that famed wildlife region is now threatened with destruction because of man’s tampering with the natural water system."

Interesting enough. But if you haven't clicked the link yet, you'll now find out why it's so interesting. It was originally broadcast in 1970 as part of a series Our Vanishing Wilderness thought to be the first televised series on the environment, being shot in 1969 and aired the next year. 

The series was co-written by John Hamlet, a well known naturist from Weeki Wachee, who was of course married to a mermaid. 

So old and still so relevant. Check it out: Will the Gator Glades Survive?

Use Less and Get a Free T-Shirt

Use Less. It's a big campaign from Miami Dade County right now. You've probably seen the billboards. And now they've gone social media crazy, too. 

The focus is water conservation, and the County has compiled all of the water resources you need into one simple site. It covers anything from basic water conservation to rain barrels and Florida friendly landscaping. 

So how do you get this free t-shirt that we mentioned? Follow the instructions on the site and share/participate on Facebook, Google Groups or Yahoo Groups, and you get the shirt! I'm happy to see the County getting involved with social media...though they forgot Twitter!

They want us to list 5 reasons to Use Less: 4 that are "useless" and one good reason to "use less". Here are ours:

1. Useless: Trying to convince the cashier at Gap that I really don't need a bag.
2. Useless: Almost anything from SkyMall.
3. Useless: A nightlight in Norway in July.
4. Useless: Windshield ice scrapers in Miami.
5. Reason to Use Less: Afraid to see this come true... "Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink." 

Check it out: WeUseLess

Sunday, May 3, Vegetarian Pot Luck

Cook up a veggie dish and bring it to share at the Wallflower Gallery's Progressive Vegetarian Potluck Social on Sunday, May 3, 2009, starting at 4pm. The event will have an eco-focus. Flash of the Wallflower Gallery tells me, "It is a casual gathering that is designed to bring people from different organizations together. Individuals are encouraged to network and get to know each other in a more laid back manner. We will open the stage for short presentations so other people know what other people are doing. We are also going to have table space for information. Organizations are welcome to have sign up lists, but it is not a workshop - we are aiming for friendly and social."

The Wallflower Gallery is located at 10 N.E. 3rd Street Downtown Miami 305-579-0069

Communities in Schools Green Gala: May 9

I was recently contacted by Communities in Schools of Miami - a non-profit organization that focuses on reducing dropouts by offering tutoring, mentoring, counseling, and leadership opportunities to at-risk students. It seems like a fantastic organization that is doing important work. I often don't hear about organizations focusing on areas outside of the environment. 

Communities in Schools of Miami is holding their annual fundraising gala next week, Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the Intercontinental Hotel...and it's got a green theme. 

The IC Hotel holds a two palm rating under Florida's Green Lodging program. The evening will be hosted by Special Investigations Reporter, Jeff Burnside, also the environmental reporter for NBC 6's "Going Green". A ticket for $100 gets you gourmet dining from local and organic farms, eco-friendly performances accompanied by live drums and exotic instruments from around the world, and silent auction with creative eco-friendly items. 

So if you feel like joining in the party, checking out the yummy food and cool performance, all while helping out a fantastic organization that needs the money in this crumbling economy, please RSVP: For questions, table purchases or to RSVP by phone please call 305.252.5444.

Social Media & Miami Goin' Green

If you are a social media guru, (you Twitter-er, YouTube-r, Flickr-r, or blogg-er!), we hope that you'll be covering Miami Goin' Green this Saturday! Here is some information you should know, and don't miss our Twitter Contest!

Tags: miagg, miamigoingreen
Flickr: Join our Miami Goin' Green group
Twitter: #miagg, follow @miamigreen

TWITTER CONTEST
We will give away 2 "Green Team" T-Shirts an hour to people who are tweeting live from the event. Follow us on Twitter...we'll announce how to claim your prize soon.

Anything else that we are missing and should set up before the event takes place? Comment below!

The 3R's at Miami Goin' Green

Happy Earth Day! We hear it all of the time, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. (Listen to this while reading.) It's in a specific order for a reason. First, you don't use stuff. Then, if you do use stuff, use it as many times as you can. Finally, if you have stuff that you can't reuse, recycle it so that the material can be used again. The greenest thing you can do is reduce!

So how can Miami Goin' Green (April 25, 2009 @ Bayfront Park) help with the 3R's? Please note that everything is FREE. Here it goes:

REDUCE

Clear2Go Water Bottle with Filter - Bring in 6 disposable water bottles to recycle and get a free reusable bottle. It gives a whole new meaning to BYOB (bottle!).

REUSE

Fashion Forward (a clothing swap) presented by Goodwill - bring a bag of gently used clothes and walk away with clothes that are new to you!

Green Gift Wrapping Demos - Swing by the Eclectica booth for a demonstration of how to use items around your house to wrap gifts!

RECYCLE

All American Secure Shredding - bring your documents to be shredded and recycled.

eWaste Recycling - bring your old cell phones, computers, and other electronic waste for recycling.

Green Team - watch out for our Green Team around the festival! They'll help you sort your trash into compostable, recyclable, and actual garbage. This will lessen the impact of the festival, as well!

Please note that there will be a drop-off area on the edge of the park by the Intercontinental so that you can drop off your items and then go park your car. Of course, you guys are all arriving on bikes (free valet!) and the MetroMover, right?

You can also learn about the 3R's at our Eco Stage. Check out the schedule. 

Click below to see a full list of vendors. See you Saturday!

Eco Stage Schedule - Miami Goin' Green April 25, 2009

Besides all of the green vendor booths, live music, and hands-on activities, we've got a great schedule for the Eco Stage (that I arranged myself) for Miami Goin' Green Earthday Event! You could seriously stay from 10 am - 7 pm and not get bored!

Eco Stage Schedule - Miami Goin' Green

Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Bayfront Park

10:15 am Green Yoga for Kids by Green Monkey

Kids 18 and under can come on a journey that will enhance their love for nature, conservation, unity with earth along with quotes that highlight the importance for care of the environment. (Recommended: Bring a towel or mat) 

11:00 am Relaxation Yoga by Zen Village (This will take place in the Yoga area by the fountain.)

This soft and fluid yoga is a combination of Taoist and Buddhist traditions that use relaxing movements to heal and release tension, stagnant energy and stress in the body and mind. 

11:00 am Local Food, Good For You, Good For the Planet by Natural Zest Health Counseling

Local foods are fresher, tastier and support the local economy while decreasing the carbon impact; learn how and why! 

11:20 am Home Sprouts: How to Grow Delicious, Healthy Food at Home by Natural Zest Health Counseling

Learn how to grow sprouts at home, to always have nutrient dense, super healthy snacks available. 

11:40 am Giving Products their Next Life by NextLife

Plastic's next life: Closing the recycling loop with new recycled products 

12:00 pm Clean Green For Your Health by eoilco laboratories

Go green when you clean with salt, baking soda, vinegar, d-Limonene, & essential oils 

12:30 pm The 3 R’s of Green Living: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle by Green Monkey

It IS easy to be green! We'll discuss how we can all reduce, reuse and recycle common everyday items. Families Welcome. 

1:00 pm Earthman Concert by The Earthman Project

Lanny Smith's "Earthman" concert celebrates the gift of life our planet gives us, helps us understand that we are facing major challenges, and finally, inspires us with the knowledge that each of us has the power to make a difference. 

1:45 pm Green Parenting 101: Mama, What's it Mean to Be Green? by BirthGirlz.com

The basics of being green and how green living translates to life with kids. 

2:10 pm Grow it Yourself by Edible Gardening

Vegetable gardening in South Florida - the cheap and easy way! 

2:30 pm Ekotik Eco-Friendly Fashion Show by ekotik

Introducing Ekotik's signature collection of green fashion for women and kids consisting of European inspired designs made of most exquisite Peruvian eco-cotton, with embellishments and embroideries all handmade. Together with this chic yet affordable collection fashion models will also showcase accessories and jewelry all made of natural, organic and recycled materials.

3:00 pm Bike Miami Days by City of Miami

Miami’s biggest Free Street Party – Bike Miami Days – welcomes everyone to car-free streets in Coconut Grove on Sunday, April 26 (9:00am-2:00pm) 

3:10 pm Simple Steps to Save You Green by NextLife

Making Your Home or Business More Efficient 

3:30 pm Water Conservation by Water Wise Guys

How to save water in your home 

4:00 pm Vermicomposting: Worms! by Fertile Earth Foundation

The art of getting worms to transform your garbage into soil. Learn how to make your own bin!

4:20 pm Non-Profit Open Mic by Various

We'll give environmentally focused non-profits 5 minutes to discuss their cause. 

5:00 pm Open Drum Circle by MiamiDrums.com

Everybody is invited, bring your instrument and join in or just hang out on the grass and chill to the beat. 

5:45 pm PrayerDanse by PrayerDanse.com

Music is our Path...We Pray with our Feet & Meditate in Movement...Dansing is our Religion ~ it is our Spiritual Practice ~ Come PrayerDanse with Us

Earth Day Madness - Clear Your Schedules!

It's April. Earth Month. Funny that Earth Hour in March is followed by an entire month of so much green activity that makes "one hour" seem silly. We're trying to compile a complete list, so this post may be updated as we get more info.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Baynanza Clean-up, 25+ locations in Miami Dade

9 am - 12 noon

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Earthfest, Crandon Park

10 am - sundown

FREE, $5 Parking

Turn Your Trash into Art, Green Monkey
12 noon - 2 pm
$10 minimum donation. RSVP required

Swing into Target and get a free reusable bag with any purchase.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Aveda Walk for Water, Miami Beach City Hall
8:30am
Contact your Aveda salon for more info.

Guinness World Record Attempt, Longest Clean Vehicle Parade

5 pm - 8 pm

Bicentennial Park to City Hall in Coconut Grove

Green Carpet Earth Day, Green Art Center (Miami)

8 pm - 1 am

$50 min. donation. RSVP encouraged.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Arbor Day Celebration & Tree Planting, Little Haiti

7:30 am - 11 am

Email amontalvo@miamigov.com for more info

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Miami Goin' Green, Bayfront Park

(optional) RSVP on Facebook

10 am - 7 pm

FREE

Fun in the Sun Youth Fest, Virginia Key Beach Park

12 noon - 8 pm

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Bike Miami Days Explores Coconut Grove

(optional) RSVP on Facebook

9 am - 2 pm

FREE

Calling All Talents!

As you may know, I'm part of the staff for Miami Goin' Green, a very cool Earth Day event on April 25, 2009 in Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. Exciting details to come soon. Meanwhile...

We're currently finalizing our workshops/seminars and other details for the event. This is an open call: If you have a green-themed talk or workshop (we're really looking for hands-on stuff) that you would be interested in giving during the event, please contact us. 

It could be how to green your baby or how to make your own household cleaners using vinegar and baking soda. 

Also, if you have any eco-themed yoga, dance, exercise expertise and would like to conduct a class during the event, do tell! 

Comment below or call the event hotline at 305.461.2700.

Green Urban Living Center Classes

Did you know that there is a Green Urban Living Center in MDC North Campus? A place to learn all of the eco-knowledge that you can imagine? 

We're a little late getting this posting up, but there are still lots of classes that you can register for: 

Gardening: 

Intro to Horticulture (5/16/09), Native Landscaping (06/06/09), Pruning & Propagation (06/13/09), Container Gardening (2/29/09; 5/30/09), Organic Composting (02/28/09; 4/19/09; 05/09/09), Pruning & Propagation (6/13/09), South Florida's Top 40 (6/20/09), 

Children's classes:

Urban Wildlife – Birds in the Hood (4/19/09, 6/27/09), Bugs & Butterflies (3/22/09; 04/18/09; 05/30/09), Oceanography Program (03/07-04/04) Kids Garden Club (05/12/09-06/02/09)

Please support programs like this - we want them to exist, so we need to attend! Let us know if you've been to any classes at the Green Urban Living Center yet!

Imagine Miami Changemaker Summit - April 4, Register Now!

 

This coming Saturday, April 4, 2009, I'll be taking part in the Imagine Miami 

Imagine Miami Changemaker Summit - Presented by the Human Services Coalition. 

The focus of this event will be Economic Prosperity, Healthy Communities, and Environmental Sustainability...all extremely relevant today. 

Details are below. Register now and the fee is just $45. It'll be $60 at the door. See you there! 

  

Saturday, April 04, 2009 8:30 am - 5:30 pm (Eastern Time) 

Miami-Dade College

Wolfson Campus (Rm. 3210) 

NE 4th St. between Biscayne Blvd. & NE 2 Ave. 

Bldg. 3, 2nd Fl (Chapman Conference Center) Map

Miami Goes Dark for Earth Hour - 15+ Local Events

Miami's gone cuckoo for Earth Hour - Yippee! If you're not familiar, Earth Hour is 1 hour a year that we are asked to turn our lights off. It is organized by the World Wildlife Fund. It all goes down on Saturday, March 28 from 8:30-9:30pm. 

World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions. 

This is a big year for Earth Hour across the globe. The Las Vegas Strip, Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge, Sears Tower, Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera house, and more will be going black for one hour, local time. 

Miami is participating in a big way, as well - and I'm so glad to report it! Iconic downtown buildings such as Bank of America and the American Airlines arena are shutting off their lights (see the full list, it's long!) 

Even better, there are many events happening all week long to celebrate Earth Hour, raise awareness, and pass on the green message! See them below or online at Earth Hour Miami. 

So tell us, are you flicking the switch on March 28, 2009 at 8:30pm?

Follow the link to see the events in text format.