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VOLUME II, Issue 21
http://www.GreenForNewEngland.org

November 7, 2001
    1 – No Time to Waste
    2 – Don't Trash It - List It
    3 – Problem for the Ages
    4 – From the Field
    5 – Nourish Your Ansel Adams

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1 - No Time to Waste
As winter slowly creeps into New England, all but the hardiest of gardeners have put away their trowels and seeds until next spring. Why not make use of the downtime to figure out exactly what went wrong with your garden this past summer. The New England Wild Flower Society can assist you in your search for answers. Throughout the winter, NEWFS has numerous courses and workshops geared toward making you more knowledgeable in all facets of plant life. "Soil Management for Healthy Plants" on Saturday, November 17 from 10:00 AM - noon will explain the basics of soil management for residential properties. For those that have a difficult time trying to figure out how much is too much to cut off, there is "Pruning Fundamentals" on Saturday, November 10. And do not forget "Shrubs in Winter" on Wednesday, December 5, where you will learn the best practices for protecting your hard work during the rough New England season. For information on these and other offerings of NEWFS, call 508-877-7630 or visit www.newfs.org.

2 - Don't Trash It - List It
Do you subscribe to the theory that one man's trash is another man's treasure? If so, then the Massachusetts Materials Exchange is for you! The Materials Exchange, a program of the Center for Ecological Technology, helps businesses save on disposal and purchasing costs and reduce waste through its new, interactive web resource: www.MaterialsExchange.org. Businesses disposing of reusable materials and by-products are able to connect with businesses and non-profits that can use them. The website allows visitors to find information about currently available or wanted used, surplus, or byproduct materials, and post new listings. For more information, contact Jim Desmond at (413) 586-7350 or info@MaterialsExchange.org.

3 - Problem for the Ages
We have all experienced the single greatest frustration of technology: as soon as we buy something, it becomes outdated in a very short matter of time. A huge number of these items - televisions, stereo equipment, cell phones - wear out or become obsolete each year. Considering that many of these items contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, have you ever wondered what happens to all those electronics when they end up in the garbage? Computer monitors and televisions contain significant amounts of lead. Mercury is often found in components like switches and relays that exist in many household appliances. The safe disposal of these products is a challenge for every community. If your town does not currently have special recycling of these items, the Northeast Resource Recovery Association can help. They can work with you and your neighboring communities to collect old computers and electronics and find a cost-effective recycler to haul them away. For more information, contact NRRA at 603-798-5777 or visit www.recyclewithus.org

4 - From the Field
How do Green Mountain state residents view Vermont's state farmland conservation program? A new publication from the American Farmland Trust and the Vermont Land Trust called "From the Field: What Farmers Have to Say About Vermont's Farmland Conservation Program" reveals a great deal. Since 1987 the program has conserved 260 farms and 83,000 acres of farmland and has spent more on farmland protection—nearly $42 million overall—than any other state in the nation. The study confirmed that the program has helped infuse Vermont's agricultural communities with a renewed sense of optimism about the future of farming in Vermont. It also determined that most farmers are participating because they want to conserve their land, and that the program is making it easier for farmers to stay in business. To obtain a copy of the report, contact the American Farmland Trust at 800-431-1499 (www.farmland.org) or Vermont Land Trust at 802-223-5234 (www.vlt.org).

5- Nourish your Ansel Adams
Are you wandering through nature waiting to be discovered or to discover your own Georgia O’Keefe? If so, head to Connecticut. The Connecticut Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has come up with yet another reason to get outside with camera in hand. They are currently accepting submissions for their "Connecticut's Last Great Places" Photo Contest. Pictures must be taken on properties protected by The Nature Conservancy located in Connecticut. With four different categories in which you can submit photos, Forests/Landscapes, Waterscapes (marshes, bogs, etc.), Flowers/Plants, and Birds/Wildlife/Insects, there is no shortage of appropriate subjects for your pictures. For an entry form or more information on TNC preserves in Connecticut, visit www.nature.org.

A Great Opportunity
Do you know someone that might be interested in an internship with a dynamic nonprofit organization? Earth Share of New England is currently looking for interns for the remainder of the year as well as the spring semester. For information about what we have to offer, visit the "Getting Involved" section of our website at www.GreenForNewEngland.org or e-mail us at info@GreenForNewEngland.org.

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