Maybe it’s something in the water, or the upholstery of our Subaru Outbacks that makes Central Oregonians so environmentally conscious, a fact that’s readily apparent in our recycling rates (almost 45 percent of our waste is now repurposed) and our embrace of solar power. (We’re home to half a dozen installers and recently added two of the biggest solar systems in state at Bend Broadband’s data center and Facebook’s new server farm in Prineville.) Whatever the reason, sustainability isn’t just a way of life in Bend -- it’s an industry that includes everything from small windpower producers like Redmond’s Abney Electrix to a people-powered cycle pub in Bend. This year’s Green Issue is a snapshot of how Central Oregon is putting itself on the forefront of the sustainability movement both individually and collectively. While there are dozens of interesting examples of how entrepreneurs, public agencies and private citizens are blazing a green trail, we’ve narrowed our focus to seven projects that show how Central Oregonians are putting their values into practice; examples range from a multimillion dollar community forest project to a natural soap making business. Read it, share it and then recycle it. (EF)
Did you know that if you complete 45 round-trip commutes to work by walking, bicycling, or utilizing a car/vanpool, bus, pogo stick, mule, etc., you are eligible for sweet prizes, like free beer, via the Commute Options’ rewards program? Yeah.
All you have to do is fill out an online form that automatically notifies Commute Options when you’ve completed 45 alternative transportation commutes—commutes that don’t involve solo drives.
Snowberry
The snowberry’s pink flowers give way to round white fruit in the fall that become a draw for birds—good news for the ornothologically inclined! This relatively hardy bush grows four to six feet in diameter and can withstand the high desert’s wide temperature fluctuations with modest watering needs.
Bitterbrush
The iconic high desert plant is familiar to anyone who has hiked or biked a trail around Bend. Incredibly drought and temperature tolerant, the semi-evergreen produces pale yellow flowers and red berries.Install a Smart Irrigation timer: The latest irrigation technology allows you to program your system to target specific plants and soil types, making it less likely that you’ll over water. Some timers can sense moisture levels and precipitation, i.e. no more watering in the rain.
Kill Your Lawn: O.K. put down the blowtorch. We don’t mean it literally. But many homes around Central Oregon have an over abundance of turf. Consider scaling back on the bluegrass, expanding natural areas with rock and native plants. Remember, the desert look is right at home in the desert.I have a confession to make, I’m not composting—at least not in the way that I know that I’m supposed to. I’m mulching my grass and all, but my orange peels and coffee grounds are still going down the drain or into the garbage.
It’s not that I’m not aware of the benefits of composting, or that it’s too much work. Like most people, I’m just too lazy and cheap to make the initial investment of time and money.
Don’t get me wrong, I actually care about the waste I’m putting into the landfill—an issue that was hammered home during a recent visit to said landfill for a story about a new methane gas conversion project.
