National Center For Appropriate Technology Latest News

Eight new Energy Corps members came to Butte for pre-service orientation and tra...

http://www.facebook.com/ — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 3:56:48 -0600

Eight new Energy Corps members came to Butte for pre-service orientation and training. Welcome to these new service members!Orientation in [...]

Summertime... And the Gardening is Easy

http://www.montanafoodcorps.org/ — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 1:17:00 -0600

Natasha Hegmann is a service member in Ennis. This Monday snuck up on me like quicksand: a slow and unexpected sink. I rolled out of bed with no particular urgency -- no early morning class to prepare for, no school bells ringing, not even one frantic email from a teacher. A glance at my Google Calendar failed to produce the usual rainbow-colored anxiety headache. By noon I had pulled off a leisurely pumpkin planting with a group of preschool students, but then became mired in emails and long-procrastinated projects in the afternoon. Service Site Supervisor, Janet Dochnahl, assists campers with an industrial salad spinner!Adjusting to life without the dependable structure of school and classrooms has been a steep learning curve since school let out at the end of May. There is still plenty to do, the difference is in my approach. Working with kids outside of the school year is a whole [...]

Wisconsin State-Inspected Meat Now Allowed to Be Shipped Across State Lines

https://attra.ncat.org/calendar/br_news.php — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:25:45 -0600

Qualifying meat processors are now allowed to ship across state lines under a new agreement between the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture's Division of Food Safety and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program gives Wisconsin's Division of Food [...]

Growing Leaders

http://farmtocafeteria.ncat.org — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 2:16:36 -0600

Farm to Cafeteria Network is home to the Growing Leaders youth leadership program that connects and empowers Montana's young people interested in sustainable food and agriculture. The youth leadership program works to strengthen young people’s capacity to educate and organize their peers about healthy eating, healthy living, and vibrant community systems. Learn more about past activities here. As part of the Growing Leaders program, Farm to Cafeteria Network is hosting our first annual Youth Summit in Missoula, Montana this September 13-14. Teenagers as well as adults working with youth are invited to participate in the event. Students brainstorming and playing a game at April’s Youth Leadership Retreat At the Youth Summit, participants will: • Eat delicious, local food! • Participate in tours of local gardens, kitchens, and youth-led farms • Learn about youth-led food initiatives in other states [...]

Energy Savings Project Underway in Helena

http://www.montanagreenpower.com/blog/blog1.php — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 8:34:00 -0600

Ameresco, Inc., a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, has begun work on an Energy Savings Performance Contract with Lewis and Clark County. Ameresco will install over $1.6 million of energy-efficiency improvements at 28 County-owned buildings. The improvements are expected to save the County an estimated $77,000 annually while also addressing critical infrastructure needs. The project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2013. Read the full press release at www.ameresco.com/press/ameresco-expands-regional-footprint-energy-efficiency-project-montana#sthash.oQKQNBa5.dpufOriginal post blogged on [...]

The Shell Eco Marathon in Houston

http://www.energycorps.org/blog — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 4:10:13 -0600

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Climate Change Adaptation for State and Local Governments ? Webcasts Now Available

http://www.smartgrowth.org/engine/index.php/resources/ — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 3:31:00 -0600

The US Environmental Protection Agency hosts a webcast series to assist local governments as they explore new clean energy initiatives and other ways to increase resilience in their communities in the face of climate change. These webcasts highlight [...]

The Devil is in the Design Details: Strategies to Enhance Transit Experience

Fri, 17 May 2013 7:05:50 -0600

By Raksha Vasudevan, Associate, Sustainability Programs, National League of Cities I live in a region that is nationally known for its traffic congestion. In virtually every poll, newspaper article, or blog on the topic (google "DC region traffic congestion" for proof), the DC metro area is up in the ranks. Somewhat under the radar are the initiatives taking place throughout the region to provide viable alternatives to residents who are desperately trying to avoid driving (and road rage). Of course, Capital Bikeshare has quite a reputation these days; it's been so popular that a network that was once only in Washington DC quickly expanded to Arlington and soon will be finding its way to Montgomery County. However, less known is that since the region's Transportation Planning Board adopted a regional complete streets policy, a number of local jurisdictions and transportation agencies have adopted and started implementing their own versions of [...]