In this issue: Educator Stories, Rain Barrel Round Up, Tuesday Yoga at BGGS, and More Rain Barrel Workshop Dates Announced!
July 2016

In this issue:
  • What an Impact! At Lucky's Impact Day, held on July 13th, 10% of proceeds benefited Bluegrass Greensource. Learn more from our Development Director Chris about our awesome day at Lucky's!
     
  • Everyday Environmentalists: Spring Rain Barrel Workshop attendees share photos and stories about how their new rain barrels help make their homes more sustainable. 
     
  • Rain Barrel Workshops: Did you miss out? More Kentucky American Water Rain Barrel Workshops are scheduled for August & September!
     
  • YOGA at BGGS: August 2nd - September 13th,  join us for a new, free Tuesday Yoga Series with Instructor Kenya Stump at our offices! 
Our Summer Stories: 
Ashley Bryant Cheney,
Environmental Educator
Blending Environmental Education and 
ESL at Lansdowne Elementary
By: Ashley Bryant Cheney,  Environmental Educator

At Bluegrass Greensource, we love summer. It's a time to take part in educational activities outside of the walls of the classroom, to recharge, and reflect about the next year's cycle of education programs. I've spent part of mine at Lansdowne Elementary School, helping, perhaps surprisingly, students with their ESL (English as a Second Language) Summer Camp.

Click for here for more about Ashley's work with ESL students.

Danny Woolums,
Environmental Educator

Getting Outside with PokémonGo
By: Danny Woolums,  Environmental Educator

For many young adults like myself, PokémonGo has been the realization of a dream we've had since we were children. 

Beyond the nostalgia that the app brings me, as an environmental educator, I am interested in how this game invites individuals of all ages to get outside and engage with their local environment in the quest to catch them all. 

Click for here for Danny's take on PokemonGo!

Chris Porter,
Development Director
One Day and a BIG Impact, Thanks to Lucky's Market Lexington
By: Chris Porter, Development Director

On Wednesday, July 13th, Bluegrass Greensource was the nonprofit benefiting from Lucky's Impact Day, a community program pioneered by one of the Lexington's great new retailers, Lucky's Market.

Thanks to everyone who came out to support Bluegrass Greensource on Impact Day, discuss their ideas for becoming more sustainable, pick up a t-shirt bag, or just to say hello! The day was a huge success and a reminder about how fortunate we are to live in and serve Central Kentucky. 
Click for here for the full recap of our awesome day at Lucky's!

Rain Barrel Round Up: Photos & More From Spring Workshops


This spring and summer, Bluegrass Greensource presented rain barrel workshops for homeowners in Clark, Bourbon, Harrison, Fayette, and Woodford counties.

Sponsored by Kentucky American Water, Bluegrass Greensource taught participants about water conservation, the purpose of rain barrels, and how to make a rain barrel. Afterwards, each participant assembled their own rain barrel to take home for only $10! 


We asked workshop participants to show us what their barrels looked like once they got them home, how they were working, and to share a bit about how rain barrels have made their homes a bit more sustainable. Thanks to all who submitted their stories!


Photo submitted by Candy Simms
Candy Simms,
Woodford County Rain Barrel Workshop

"I made this rain barrel at Woodford County Extension Office in June. It and the original one I made a couple years ago in Scott County are  used for my 6 raised bed gardens and the hanging baskets on my front porch.

I now rarely use city water for the gardens - cutting water costs significantly. My artist granddaughter has been commissioned to paint both rain barrels later this summer.




Photo submitted by Candy Simms

This two year old rain barrel waters most of the gardens on the "small roof" section of my back yard. It takes at least 1/2" of rain to fill it. The new rain barrel requires on 1/4" rain to be filled to overflowing.  I recently moved both rain barrels higher - makes watering much easier!"

-Candy Simms

Thanks, Candy!


Photo submitted by Tom Lowe
Tom Lowe,
Fayette County Rain Barrel Workshop

" I enjoyed the workshop because I think it addresses several issues at once: water conservation, care for one's environment/property, garden planning and gardening, life planning, and making something with one's own two hands.
 
I think I would like to attend again so I can daisy-chain two barrels together as I can tell you with this drought the water has gone quickly.
 
I also found I was a ble to easily cut an 8 inch section out of the downspout, connect a plastic accordian spout to the barrel, and then when the barrel was full, disconnect the accordian spout and bend it over to reconnect the two sections of the old downspout with a smaller, plastic accordian sleeve without any hassle. I have already reconnected the barrel and I am patiently waiting for rain."     -Tom Lowe

Thanks, Tom!

Photo submitted by Shelley Hopps
Shelley Hopps,
Scott County Rain Barrel Workshop

"We attended one of the Rain Barrel Workshops last fall. The rain barrel made my life so much easier. We do not have a water faucet on the back of our house yet I have a lot of potted plants on the back deck and patios. I was having to make numerous trips around the house to fill my buckets.  The rain barrel has drastically cut down on the amount of time it takes me to water.

Also for years we have had a problem with water standing between our home and our neighbor's home. The downspout at the back of our home empties onto the driveway and patio. The water then drains into a 'valley' that has been created by years of runoff. We immediately noticed an improvement in the amount of standing water in the 'valley' when we added the rain barrel. We then decided to divert the overflow down the driveway using a hose which helped even more.


We decided last year that we wanted to make another rain barrel as soon as the workshops opened up again. This spring we attended your workshop in Georgetown and made two more barrels. We added one of the new barrels to the side of the house that already had one barrel and added a gutter diverter so that we can always be filling a barrel and using the other one. By adding this second rain barrel we have completely eliminated the standing water on that side of the house - even with all of the rain that we have had.

Thank you so much for this opportunity to make something that not only has environmental benefits but also has helped us personally with problems around the house!-Shelley Hopps
 
Thanks for coming, Shelley! 

Feeling Inspired?
Sign Up for a Kentucky American Water Rain Barrel Workshop:


Scott County  
Saturday,  August 20th 
10:00 am 
 
Owen County  
Saturday,  September 17th
10:30 am & 12:00 pm
 
Bourbon County  
Saturday,  September 24th  
9:00 am & 10:30 am
The cost for a workshop is  $10 per barrel , and registration is required due to limited availability.  For further information, contact Michelle Patterson at 859-266-1572  or email  michelle@bggreensource.org.


WaterFest is just a week away! 

Join the great team at Kentucky American Water at their Richmond Road location on Tuesday, August 2nd between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. for exhibits, demonstrations, and refreshments!

Treatment plant tours are also available for guests 9 years old and older. If planning to take a tour, be sure to wear closed-toe shoes. See you then!

 
August 2nd through September 13th, join us Tuesdays at our office on National Avenue from 5:30 - 6:30 pm for community yoga!

This free class is appropriate for all levels. Class size is limited to 15, so pre-registration is requested.  A $5 donation is welcome from participants to support Bluegrass Greensource.  Click here to register!

The series will be led by Kenya Stump, Bluegrass Greensource Board Member and yoga teacher-in-training with the Lexington Healing Arts Academy. Kenya's yoga style is a breath inspired practice that focuses on safety and alignment, linking breath with movement to create space and strength in the body.

Participants should bring a mat, a yoga towel or large beach towel, and a yoga strap (a belt or tie are good substitutes).

Check out our   Events Calendar   to learn more about upcoming green events in your community! Click   here  to submit your organization's green event.
Thank you for signing up to receive our  newsletter!  If you have any questions or comments about this issue, please feel free to


Sincerely,
Amy Sohner
Executive Director
Bluegrass Greensource
 

  
Bluegrass Greensource | info@bgGreensource.org | www.bggreensource.org

835 National Avenue |  Lexington, KY 40502

859-266-1572
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