It’s time for the 2nd Miami Changemaker Conference on July 18, 2009. This conference is the 2nd in a 3-year series - each one with its own focus. In July, participants and speakers will focus on “Placemaking”: How Local Residents Can Create Better Parks, Beaches, Blocks, and other Public Spaces.

Advance registration is $25, with a special $5 registration for parents/caretakers of children 17 and under (requires filling out an application before July 8, space is limited). I moderated a panel at the first conference and found it to be a fantastic setting for inspiring ideas - with a diverse range of people participating. In fact, I wished I could stay longer, but had to get back to my son.

But they’ve thought of the childcare issue this time. The Changemaker Conference is offering free eco-activities all day for kids 5-17 (agenda), and FREE childcare for the littler ones. Awesome.

Read more details & Register now!

See the entire press release below.

Continue Reading

It’s “green week” in Miami and these are the events left this week!

Check presentation to Dream in Green at City of Miami Commission Meeting
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Through the Gateway to Green event, the city’s first green building conference that took place in April 2009, the City collected proceeds over $5,000. Mayor Manny Diaz will join the City Commission to present a check for these funds to Dream in Green to go towards a joint collaboration between the City of Miami, Dream in Green and Home Depot, called the Home Energy Saver Challenge. Through this program, 50 Homes in the City of Miami will partake in a 6 month program that will monitor the energy use of each home and provide homeowners with training to teach them about low cost methods to reduce energy.

Location:
City of Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive
9:00 a.m.

Launch of the Park Rangers Program
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Mayor Manny Diaz will join City Commissioners to officially launch the Park Rangers program. For the first time in the City’s history, the City of Miami has rangers dedicated to ensuring the safety of residents, cracking down on vandalism, and enforcing rules at parks throughout the City. This program is a continuation of the City’s efforts to invest in our parks and provide neighborhoods with a quality park system. Joining officials for the launch will be the 24 Park Rangers who have been dedicated to this effort.

Location:
Virrick Park, 3255 Plaza St., Coconut Grove
1:00 p.m.

Green Commission Meeting
Friday, June 26, 2009
Miami’s Green Commission will meet to discuss recent environmental initiatives’ accomplishments such as Gateway to Green, tree plantings, and Bike Miami Days. In addition, commission members will go over possible grant opportunities and policies related to LEED standards.

Location:
City of Mami City Hall Chambers, 2500 Pan American Drive
8:00 a.m.

District 5 Teen Green Clean Summer Youth Employment 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Orientation will take place for the participants of the District 5 Summer Youth “Teen Green Clean” Employment Pilot. The program will provide 100 youth ages 14-24 an opportunity to receive Environment Training on how to keep their community clean and recognize visual pollution. The youth will take part in environmental educational courses that focus on sustainable living, environmental protection and public communication. They will also work on neighborhood beautification projects around the district. This program will take place over the course of 8 weeks.
For more information contact Sonia Succar: ssuccar@miamigov.com

Fruit & Vegetable Community Garden Planting on the Miami River
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez, Miami River Commission, Babson College Alumni, Hands on Miami volunteers, Miami-Dade County & City of Miami will partner to create a fruit and vegetable community garden and beautify the Miami River. Over 50 Babson College alumni and Hands on Miami volunteers will join the Miami River Commission to create the first-ever riverfront vegetable garden on the historic Miami River, plant a variety of fruit trees, construct two raised planter beds, a rain barrel and a composter and help remove litter and debris along the shoreline of the Miami-Dade County Public Housing Agency’s elderly housing development Robert King High Towers. For more information contact Ashley Chase: miamiriver@bellsouth.net

Location:
Robert King High Towers
1407 NW 7 St
9:00 a.m.

We’re sad to see them go: Green Dwellers, an eco-boutique in Plantation, is closing their doors. You have just a few more days to buy up their inventory at cost. Here is the message from the store’s owner:

Dear Friends,

Though business has been good despite our economic times, I have decided to close my brick and mortar store in order to spend more time with my family, but will continue to offer some of the same great green products online via GreenDwellers.com Owning the first green boutique in South Florida has been a very exciting venture and I got to meet all of you but also a very demanding task for a mom. This lifestyle change will allow me to work at home and continue to educate and speak about the importance of going green and making healthier choices for your home.

I will continue to sell my organic mattresses & pillows and some baby products through sharing of space with the new tenant. In the meatime, I must liquidate the physical inventory as well as the IKEA furniture used for display to make room for the new tenant so I urge you to come take advantage of this one-time, limited time, in-store only opportunity! Spread the word and bring a friend!

Thanks for your business and support!

Mylene D’Arelli

Be sure to call ahead to make sure their doors are still open! I don’t expect they will be open past June 14, 2009. We wish them the best of luck in the future. Thanks for getting the green ball rolling in brick & mortar in South Florida, Mylene!

View Larger Map
5215 W. Broward Blvd.
Plantation, FL
954-533-2295

Don’t forget to swing by MiaGreen (I’m not saying it’s free…prices start at $25) Thursday and Friday, June 11 & 12, 2009. This is a green event targeted at professionals and businesses - something different than your typical eco festival. In addition to having an exhibition hall, there will be educational seminars and more. Check it out and let us know what you think. We’ll follow-up with some post-event coverage soon.

When: June 11 & 12, 2009, Thursday & Friday, Conference: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Exhibit Hall: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Where: Miami Beach Convention Center (Hall C), 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

View Larger Map

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. 

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. 

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. 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. 

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