PLANT FLOWERS FOR BEES
A recent survey of American beekeepers showed that nearly one third of managed honey bee colonies in the United States were lost last winter. This loss marks a 42 percent increase from the previous winter according to the study, which was conducted by The Bee Informed Partnership in collaboration with the Apiary Inspectors of America and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).The USDA says much of our food supply depends on bee pollination. To help the bee population thrive, people should avoid using pesticides whenever possible, and plant more pollinator-friendly plants like citrus and flowers.
PUMPING SYSTEM FOR DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN
The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix says watering its plants will be easier, healthier for the plants, and less costly thanks to a loan from the Arizona Community Foundation’s Community Impact Loan Fund. With the loan, the garden will construct a pumping system that will draw nutrient-rich water from the SRP canal to irrigate, rather than the tap water it currently uses. 602.682.2023 azfoundation.org
GREEN FOOD DRIVE
St. Mary’s Food Bank is asking eco-conscious organizations to help with a summer food drive being held June 17 through June 28. The food bank reports that the need for food increases during the summer months, as one in five Arizonans is forced to choose between buying food and paying increasing utility bills. Awards will be given for the most meals per capita and the most meals overall. One pound of food equals one meal and $1 equals seven meals. Winners will be showcased on social media with a logo and photo of the business, and highlighted in the newsletter. 602.343.3173 firstfoodbank.org
FELLOWSHIP SQUARE INSTALLs SOLAR SYSTEM
Phoenix-based Easy Energy reported in March that it completed installation of 600 solar thermal collectors at Fellowship Square, an independent and assisted living facility in Tucson, making it the largest customer site for solar water heating for the company. 602.302.7640 easyenergyweb.com
COFFEE GROUNDS FOR GROUNDS
Arizona State University students and grounds services employees Vicente Solis and Rigoberto Polanco collect more than 500 pounds of used coffee grounds every week, and use them as a natural fertilizer and soil amendment around campus for their “Grounds for Grounds” program. They explain that coffee grounds are a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer which can bring down the pH levels of the soil and improve the availability of nutrients for plant life. Used at high enough quantities, grounds improve soil structure over time and attract earthworms, which improve the soil even more. Facilities Management Grounds Services has won an ASU President’s Award for Innovation for the program.
asunews.asu.edu
PRACTICE GREENHEAlTH PARTNER RECOGNITION AWARD
Donna Dalsing, an O.R. nurse at Abrazo Health’s Phoenix Baptist Hospital, founded the hospital’s green team, and has won the 2013 Practice Greenhealth Partner Recognition Award. Dalsing used the sturdy blue wrap material that was contributing to the surgical waste at the hospital to make a shoulder bag to hand out at the Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure. Dalsing has since partnered with the City of Phoenix to create more bags for future events. Dalsing also has worked with the hospital’s food services department to switch to eco-friendly reusable cups in the cafeteria, proposed an online local farmer’s market for employees, implemented recycling efforts throughout the hospital in each department, and is eager to work toward becoming a mercury-free workplace. Her most recent project involved converting an old smoking area into a tranquil garden. practicegreenhealth.org
WIND FARM FINANCED
Cape Wind, the company behind the nation’s first offshore wind farm, reports that it has secured funding to begin building 130 wind turbines in Nantucket Sound off Cape Cod, Mass., which, the company says, will generate enough electricity to power 100,000 to 200,000 homes depending on the season. 508.237.6312 capewind.org
