What Is Sustainable Norcross?

Do you recycle, compost, xeriscape, use rain barrels? Would you like to learn how? Are you interested in organic and locally grown produce but cannot find it? Do you admire the fabulous tree canopy in Norcross? Ever wondered how to certify your yard as a Wildlife Habitat? Are you concerned about the quantity and quality of our water? Is it better to use paper or plastic bags at the grocery? What natural products are safe but effective? Ever considered sustainable alternatives for flooring, clothing and other products? Where can you discard old electronics?



Well, let’s learn together.



Starting a new organization can be a daunting task. Then an online training manual advised:



"Don’t wait - Get started without funding, expertise, or fear of adverse consequences.



Seek useful resources - Information on the web, in literature, in the community, in person, from experts.



Seek ways to scale up - Transform successful solutions into a movement of local significance.



Have fun projects – enjoy doing. Your efforts can result in important benefits, and you can have a good time while you’re at it!"



And that is exactly what a group of like minded citizens did. The organizational meeting was held June 1, 2008 and we've been busy ever since.



Learn more about us here on our blog or contact us now.

Monday, September 14, 2009

A Barrel of …


Raindrops. Just like pennies make dollars, raindrops make gallons – gallons of precious, life giving water. Free from Mother Nature. If only I could collect the raindrops and save them until I need them.

Raindrops that fall on my house produce 600 gallons of water for every 1,000 square feet of roof during a 1 inch rain. While I may not be able to harvest it all, I surely would like to capture enough to water my container plants, window boxes and shrubs. I could really put those raindrops to good use, save on my water bill, maybe get a credit on my storm water utility fee and protect the environment while I’m at it. Well that’s worth looking in to.

And thus began a quest to find affordable, practical rain barrels for my personal home use. What I found is an idea worth sharing. In fact we will be doing just that with a class at 9:30 AM Saturday September 19. We will show you how to make your very own rain barrel and by so doing will help to achieve several of the goals of Sustainable Norcross: Water Conservation, Education and Volunteerism.

If you miss this class or you are not a Do-It-Yourself kind of person, no worries. Put your name on the list here to be notified of the next class. Or order your completed rain barrel here. You can pick up your rain barrel(s) at the Sustainable Norcross tent at The Whistle Stop Farmers Market any Tuesday through October from 4 – 8 PM. Purchase several for yourself. (I have four linked together off one down spout.) And it is not too early to be thinking about gift ideas.

It is taking a village to make this possible. Well, a small army anyway. Thanks to each and every one of you for being our partner:

The Coca-Cola Company Live Positively Community Water Partnership
Bonny Putney, The Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (UCR)
Kevin Smith, Keep Forsyth County Beautiful
Karen Alexander, Raindrops Rain Barrels
Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center
Barbara and Jim Renz
Ernie Jones
City of Norcross
Lowe’s

Sign up now for Sustainable Norcross Rain Barrel ClassSaturday

September 19
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Lawrenceville St at Mitchell Rd beside the Fire Truck Museum

Cost $50 per barrel – Assemble your own from materials provided

OR

Order a completed rain barrel ready to install - $60 each

Join us for a barrel of fun and take home a barrel for your rain drops.
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