 



 

 



The Tolman Guide to Green Living in Portland

Simple, Sustainable, and Affordable Practices



Do-It-Yourself Projects to Enhance the Sustainability of

Your Home



Deborah Tolman, Ph.D.  Michelle Lasley  Joe Parker

Cover: Illustration by Dianne Tolman, a small-business owner of Big Pine Native Plants.

© 2008 Deborah Tolman, Ph.D., Michelle Lasley, and Joe Parker

Photographs by D. Tolman and M. Lasley except where otherwise noted.
 Table of Contents
Thanks•vi Energy•27
Introduction•vii Energy Conservation •27
Format, Organization, and Citations•viii Solar Power•31
Water•1 Wind Energy •33
Water Conservation•1 Fuel Tips for Home and Road •33
Gardens•2 Green Energy Practices•35
Car Wash•4 Food Gardening•39
Concrete•4 Growing Your Own•39
Water Preservation•4 Responsible Eating•40
Green Roofs/Ecoroofs •6 Growing Mushrooms •41
Rain Barrels •7 Just Plain Gardening•42
Water Preservation Products•10 Biodiversity•43
Water Conservation Products •10 Biodiversity in General•43
Air •11 Conserving Biodiversity•44
Indoor Air Quality and House Plants •11 Biodiversity Quality•44
Urban Sprawl •12 Backyard Biodiversity•45
Automobiles •12 Biodiversity for the Philosophical•47
Other Engines in the Air •13 Sustainable Landscaping•48
Alternative Fuels •14 Processes•49
Air and Global Climate Change •14 Composting•49
Indoor Air •15 Keeping It Organic•53
Air Quality Products•16 Social Processes•54
Wood Burning•16 Mimicking Nature•56
Outdoor Air Preservation (Carbon Sequestering)•17 Buying to Preserve Natural Processes•58
Soil•19 Appendix I•60
Mulch•19 Garden Planting Table•60
Soil Health•19 Appendix II•63
Soil Fertility•22 When are locally grown products available?•63
Contaminated Soil•22 Appendix III•65
Soil Erosion•23 Seafood Watch Pocket Guide 2007•65
Soil Biodiversity •24 Additional References•67
Organic Landscape Maintenance •24 Glossary•69
Earthen Floors •25 Index•72

v
 Thanks
Special thanks go to all those who helped create and edit this project: Deborah Tolman’s Natural Resource Topics
class in the Department of Geography at Portland State University (PSU) that included Jason Buxrude, Marius
Dogar, Bob Kucera, Michelle Lasley, Sally Maier, Patty Mayer, Joe Parker, Linda Parrish, Rich Prentice, Katherine
Schmitt, Simon Skiles, Aleisha Smith, and Melisa Teuscher, and to Karin Waller and Martha Works for facilitating
this project. Thank you also goes to the editors: Teresa Bulman, Beth Chappell, Shannon Hubler, Janet Jackson,
Peter Lasley, Dan Parker, Elizabeth Rose Parker, Lisa Rein, Craig S. Revels, and Steve Shervais who gave their time
by making valuable comments. And finally, we’d like to thank Dianne Tolman for her contribution to the cover illus-
tration. PSU’s Department of Geography, the PSU Faculty Association, and New Horizons Career Center provided us
with the space, the funds, and the printer, for which we are truly grateful. Thanks to all of you.

vi
 Introduction
The Tolman Guide was compiled for the purpose of making accessible new information that would help us move
away from practices that are harmful to people and the environment and towards those that accommodate natural cy-
cles and systems; appropriately called sustainable living. Organized and annotated practices within this booklet are
more than 230 descriptions of practices found in current books, peer-reviewed journals, technical documents, popular
journals, magazines, newspapers, technical manuals, brochures, and websites. They are distilled into a format that
is easily accessible and understandable, helping any Portlander who wants to shift from traditional home, garden and
landscaping practices to more sustainable living.
It is our belief that the environmental problems (including issues of human health, environmental hazards, global
warming, population growth, and decline in biodiversity) have to do with the way we connect to nature. It is, in oth-
er words, all too often about the way we depend on finite resources in ways that cannot be sustained by the environ-
ment. We believe that if we look at environmental problems with a systems-wide, holistic, approach, we will better
understand the challenges of creating a sustainable future, and develop workable solutions. Taking a pro-active sus-
tainable living approach, the Tolman Guide is for anyone who wants practical knowledge on how to live with a more
gentle impact on Earth.

vii
 Format, Organization, and Citations
The Tolman Guide is organized in sections water, air, soil, energy, food gardening, biodiversity, and a section
called processes. In this section we have included mulching, composting, recycling, and saying no to chemicals as
these foster or promote necessary natural processes. These are human resources that should be included in the larger
ecosystem.
Each entry contains a citation to enable the reader to access the entire document. References are everything from
websites and brochures, to groups of newsletters put out by the USDA, or a university extension office. With this in
mind, we have provided you with the most current of sources, and all of the information that was available to us at the
time of publication (in the case of websites, the latest update). With regard to the internet sources, online linkages do
break down; people change providers, search engines vary in their connective linkages, and universities and agencies
restructure their websites from time to time. In all cases, the full URL or web address is included.
In a guide of this sort, overlap is inevitable. For example, compost could have been placed in the soil section but
we felt it was directly related to a process; hence it resides in the processes section. Hopefully, you will find the time
to look through this entire guide and locate all that you need, but since we understand that that may be an impossible
feat for folks with busy lives, we include a comprehensive index to help you locate what you need.

viii
 Water
Water nourishes, cleanses, and satisfies thirst. Without water, we would perish. It is a
precious resource that we often take for granted. Our own Portland Water Bureau boasts
the delivery of the best drinking water in the world and they may be correct. The Bull Run
Watershed, which provides most of Portland’s water, is the most protected in the country
and, as such, does not have to be filtered. That said, Federal Regulations do require chlo-
ramination, ammonia, and sodium hydroxide (Portland Water Bureau 2007).

Water Conservation the family water audit to measure how your family cur-
rently uses water and then use the site to make sustain-
Water Use It Wisely Homepage. 2008. able water choices for your particular lifestyle. Maybe
www.wateruseitwisely.com/index.shtml next time we’ll pass the exam.
For a start, we took the family-water audit test of-
fered here, to see how good we were at saving water. We Toilet Papers: Recycling Waste and Conserving
flunked. If you’re like us, you may want to see what this Water. Van der Ryn, S. 1995. Ecological Design
site offers: over 100 tips on how to save water in and Press. Sausalito, California. (Book)
around the home. Examples of water saving tips include Alternative home waste disposal methods, such as
running a bath and plugging the tub before turning water composting toilets and the use of greywater in and around
on, then adjusting the temperature as the tub fills up; us- the home are important sustainable solutions. Toilet
ing food coloring to test for leaks in the toilet tank; bath- Papers outlines a number of viable options for compost-
ing children together; and using a commercial carwash ing toilets, complete with illustrations and detailed dia-
that recycles water, like Eco Car Wash in this section un- grams. Like a primer to grey water systems, the book de-
der “Car Wash.” There is a lengthy list of water saving scribes how plumbing can be modified to direct grey wa-
plants for our area as well as links to other websites for ter for use as irrigation or toilet water. Lavatory history
water saving technologies such as waterless urinals, in- and a human anatomy lesson make the rest of the book
stant hot water heaters, and leak detection equipment. an interesting resource and it serves as a how-to manual
The site also offers educational tools and games that are for those folks with either some building and plumbing
fun for both children and adults. You can participate in expertise, or just simple determination.

The Bull Run Watershed. Photo provided by Teresa Bulman.

1
Water

Water Saver Home. H2ouse.com Water. 2008. Rocky Mountain Institute

Homepage. 2006. Homepage.
www.h2ouse.org/tour/garage.cfm www.rmi.org/sitepages/pid123.php
This site is a great hands-on tool for ho- The Rocky Mountain Institute’s website
meowners navigating through a model home offers advice and information on the following
and wondering how to save money on their water topics:
water bill. Go to the website, click on “typ- Water-efficient fixtures & appliances
ical household objects”, and learn about wa- Landscaping and irrigation
ter conservation and the applicable technol- Greywater systems, compost toilets, and rain
ogy. Suggestions range from on-demand hot collection
water system to greywater systems, rainwa-
Wastewater treatment systems
ter harvesting, and to low, water-use gardens.
Drinking water quality
Look here for advice and statistics on incen-
tives plus rebates, benefits and costs, where to purchase Civil action: promoting healthy rivers
equipment, maintenance, and handy installation tips. This site is comprehensive and useful. Regarding
composting toilets, there is a warning to homeowners that
Water Smarts. Ogorzalek, T. 2003. Journal of many local jurisdictions are unfamiliar with the technol-
Housing and Community Development. 60(4):24- ogy, and therefore do not have codes enacted — mak-
29. (Journal article) ing it difficult to pass inspections. The Rocky Mountain
Water Smarts provides some shocking statis- Institute provides numerous links for further in-
tics of water use in the United States. For Gail formation on all of these important topics.
example, 24% of residential water is Toien, of Sherwood,
used for toilet flushing and 4.8 bil- Gardens
lion gallons a day are flushed. This disciplines her landscape
is a huge water use but there are plants by watering them on the 4- Shade and Color with Water-
some helpful alternatives to the 3-3-2-2-2-3-3-4 schedule. Four weeks Conserving Plants. Walters,
standard toilets installed in most after the last rain in the Spring she gives J. and B. Backhaus. 1992.
residences, which suggests that Timber Press. Portland,
direct water by drip irrigation to ev- Oregon. pp. 240. (Book)
we do not have to waste so much
water. If you own an older home, ery plant, then again at 3 weeks, If you don’t want to go the grey-
consider the merits of upgrading to and in another 3 weeks, water route, just use water-conserv-
a more efficient system. A new kind etc. ing plants. What could be more rele-
of low-volume toilet was introduced in the vant in this time of earth-warming events
1980s that led to legislation requiring newer toilets than a book with information regarding drought
to use only 1.6 gallons of water per flush. The US EPA tolerant plants that require little to no water? Targeted
estimates that a three-person household can save $60 and mainly at those folks living in the southwestern United
54,000 gallons of water annually when low-flow toilets, States, this book provides landscape solutions geared to-
showerheads, and faucet aerators are utilized. ward the rainfall of Oregon’s eastern, more arid areas.
Many of the plant choices described in the book will also
A list of behavior modifications is included, which al-
do well for our area.
lows readers to easily identify areas for improvement:
Only run the dishwasher when full. The book recommends landscaping that does not in-
If hand washing (dishes and clothes), fill a tub and volve grass, proclaiming that garden plants, shrubs, and
turn off the water. trees will use less water and become more attractive nat-
If you have to wash urally and over time for dri-
your car, turn off the er climates. This is accom-
hose between rinses. plished by providing varied
Cover an outdoor pool layers in the canopy and
when not in use. varied layers in the root
Sweep sidewalks rath- zone where added depth
er than hose them and dimension in the land-
down. scape facilitate weed resis-
tance, minimal evaporation
Water the lawn at cool
and maintenance, reduced
times of day (at night or
runoff, and visual dimen-
very early in the morn-
sion… all components of a
ing) to lessen evapora-
healthy landscape capable
tion.
of surviving adverse weath-
er events. The book is a
A bioswale on Sandy Blvd. handy resource. With 86

2
 Water

Kourik then tackles proper maintenance of the sys-

tem and offers formulas and charts to determine opti-
mal watering levels. As you can imagine, artificial irriga-
tion systems do not ‘grow’ with the landscape and there-
fore proper maintenance, formulas, and charts for opti-
mal water levels and types of plants, must be maintained.
Various appendices provide quick references helpful for
irrigation:
Appendix #1: Maximum length of tubing
Appendix #2: Drip irrigation flow rates
Appendix #3: Spot spitter flow rates
Appendix #4: Soil percolation rates
Lucky Lab Brewery in Multnomah Village uses permeable pavers.
Appendix #5: Soil penetration rates
Appendix #6: Transpiration water requirements of
pages of alphabetized plants, many of which are accom- annual crops
panied by photographs, it is useful and entertaining. Appendix #7: Annual transpiration requirements of
various perennial crops
How to Install a Rain Garden. August 2002. South
Irrigation Controllers: Timers for the
River Federation and the Center for Watershed
Homeowner. July 2003. Environmental
Protection. Annapolis, Maryland. (Newsletter)
Protection Agency.
Here’s an alternative to collecting rainwater in rain www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency/irrigation_booklet.pdf
barrels: plant a moisture-absorbing garden! Rain gar-
Now that you are going to try to drip irrigate, how will
dens soak up rainwater from the downspout with the
you regulate the water in your new system? Where
help of native plants. A rain garden allows 30%
I n can we learn about irrigation controllers and how
more water to soak into the ground than a con-
Barbara to select the right one? At this EPA site learn
ventional lawn, which restores the groundwa-
Jennings‛ land- about the proper use to assure maximum wa-
ter supply, reduces pollution through plants’
scape, every plant ter efficiency (growth with less water). The
natural filtration, provides habitat, and saves
and urn is on a drip benefits of efficient watering are clearly out-
the money and energy required to maintain a
tubing system, where lined on this website, but those particular-
lawn. This is a passive system for saving en-
she controls exact- ly beneficial to biodiversity preservation in-
ergy that is compounded by eliminating the
ly how much water clude reduced runoff of storm and irrigation
need to water, mow, or otherwise maintain a
each plant re- water that carry topsoil, fertilizers, and pesti-
conventional grass lawn. This article provides
cieves. cides into our waterways, conservation of nat-
a short, three-step how-to process for install-
ural resources, and preservation of habitat for
ing a rain garden. Native plants for the state of
plants and wildlife such as fish and waterfowl.
Maryland are suggested in this article but you can find
plants native to the Pacific Northwest at your local gar-
den store.

Drip Irrigation for Every Landscape and

All Climates. Kourik, R. 1992. Independent
Publisher’s Group, Inc. Chicago, Illinois. pp. 128.
(Book)
Then there is the option of just keeping all those wa-
ter-thirsty plantings and using drip irrigation. Kourik’s
book is fun and easy to read with bits of humor to amuse
us along the way. He describes the benefits of a drip ir-
rigation system from the reduction in water use to an in-
crease in crop yield and thoroughly covers the parts and
equipment needed for a drip irrigation system, including
step-by-step instructions for assembly.
The book covers all concepts necessary for success
with drip irrigation including guidelines on high temper-
ature-related hose shrinkage, appropriate distances be-
tween plants and emitters, and watering duration and
frequency according to plant and soil type. It also cov-
ers drip irrigation for large trees or shrubs and container
Barbara Jennings’ yard where every plant gets a drip line (NE
plants, and optimal soil moisture levels. Portland).

3
Water

Water Conservation: Save Water with Efficient

Systems and Healthy Plants. April 1998. United
States Department of Agriculture National
Resources Conservation Service. (Newsletter)
We like this for its practical advice on saving water.
The focus of the article is backyard watering and it sug-
gests using xeriphytic species (plants that like that dry
space) for landscaping, mulching, adding water-retaining,
organic material to the soil, and installing windbreaks
and fences. Other suggestions include watering in early
mornings, and collecting rain from downspouts for use in
the garden. The article gives examples of plants that are
hardy in low water conditions and outlines efficient wa-
tering methods and irrigation systems. Drought tolerant plants at Fremont Place.

How Dry It Is. Swartz, J. February 2006. Concrete

Woodpecker Landscape Design Co.
www.woodpeckerlandscapedesign.com/newsletter.html Concrete Thinker Website. 2008.
www.ConcreteThinker.com
So, not having enough water in the soil during those
summer months, is the problem? For those particularly As you drive your nicely cleaned auto up the drive-
dry times that our region may expect to see more of in the way, think about that hard surface and how it aggravates
future, How Dry It Is discusses sustainable landscaping runoff problems. Or, think about how water cannot per-
for arid climates, and assists in getting our landscapes colate naturally into the ground and eventually replenish
through those particularly dry times. It specifically fo- our soil and groundwater reservoirs. ConcreteThinker.
cuses on water conservation and what to expect from (and com is a LEED-certified company that introduces hom-
require of) a landscape designer when designing for a sus- eowners to pervious concrete pavers and something we,
tainable, arid landscape. the editors, like to think about as ‘daylighting the soil’.
The pavers are ideal for:
Car Wash Residential roads, alleys, driveways
Sidewalks and pathways
Eco Car Wash Homepage.
Patios
www.ecocarwash.com
Tennis courts
Eco Car Wash in Portland offers an eco-friendly al- Swimming pool decks
ternative to washing a vehicle at home in the driveway
where it can spill over or burden the capacity of our sewer Typical flow rate for these pavers is 3-8 gallons per
system. The owners say they use recycled water and bio- square foot. The company boasts that “pervious concrete
degradable soap products. They indicate that while they can be instrumental in recharging groundwater and re-
care strongly about environmental stewardship, they also ducing storm water runoff.” While you’re thinking about
provide top quality service. The website lists five area lo- these pavers, Google “pavers” and look at the images –
cations and discount coupons. there are some pretty cool options.

Permeable Surfaces and Filter Drains. 2006.

Construction Industry Research and Information
Association (CIRIA).
www.ciria.org/suds/permeable_surfaces_and_filter_drains.htm
This quick read offers a how-to guide in creating per-
meable surfaces. Systematic instructions in an easy-to-
grasp format make this a valuable resource.

Water Preservation
Some Really Expensive Toilets are Terrible.
Intini, J. 2006. Maclean’s. 119(10):84.
(Magazine article)
If you’re thinking about greywater for the toilet ... not all
low-flow toilets are created equally efficient, and price is not
always indicative of a toilet’s efficiency. This and other points
are made by Bill Gualey, an engineer who tests the perfor-
mance of low-flow toilets. Obviously invested in the subject,
Two ecoroofs at People’s Food Co-op on SE 21st Ave. Gualey has engineered a ranking method for how well low-

4
 Water
flow toilets perform, and he is currently work- If you of information and literature) for 18 years.
ing on a newer ranking system similar to MUST water your Their logo claims a complete market-
the energy star rating for appliances place of products that are comfort-
that will identify the best-performing
garden, always water the able to babies, convenient to par-
toilets for shoppers. roots, not the leaves or branches, ents, and gentle to the earth.
and water early in the morning or late That just about says it all except
Flushable Diapers from at night, but always check first by stick- that their return policy is key:
gDiapers. 2007. gDiapers
Homepage. ing your finger into the soil next to the Try products and send them back
if you aren’t satisfied!
www.gdiapers.com roots (a wilted plant first thing in
the morning is another way Other notes on baby works:
Here you go Mom and Dad! The
The staff is friendly; they will listen
official website for gDiapers includes a to check).
and help you find what works, they have
wide range of information about flushable
used the products they sell. BabyWorks em-
diapers. Topics include history, environmental im-
phasizes bulk in cleaning products so they sell 5-gallon
pact, labor and manufacturing details, customer testimo-
sizes for many of their products.
nials, and a listing of local stores that carry the product.
Flushable diapers go right into the toilet, are chlorine- Your Drinking Water and Pesticide Use. Abraham,
free, contain no perfumes or smell, and do not create gar- H., (ed.). February 2000. Northwest Coalition for
bage: the flushables with urine can be completely com- Alternatives to Pesticides. (Brochure)
posted in 50 to 150 days. Watch the video on the website www.pesticide.org/OF3.pdf
showing their biodegradable qualities.
The Oregon Pesticide Education Network (OPEN) is
Two reasons to choose flushable diapers are to avoid an advocacy group formed by the Northwest Coalition for
sending poop from disposable diapers to the landfill where Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP), Oregon Environmental
the potential health risk and ground water contamination Council (OEC), and Oregon State Public Interest Research
from viruses and bacteria in feces are real threats, and Group (OSPIRG). All agencies are well-regarded non-
to flush the flushable to the wastewater treatment facil- governmental organizations. This particular brochure
ity where it can be treated safely with the rest of our hu- published by the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to
man wastes. At the wastewater treatment facility valu- Pesticides discusses threats that pesticides pose to drink-
able nutrients can be recovered and utilized as biosolids. ing water in Oregon, the weakness of protection pro-
It is not recommended to flush gDiapers into a septic sys- grams, and how the new pesticide tracking law can help
tem and some reports claim that gDiapers may clog older address these problems. The Coalition also claims that
toilet systems. less than half of Oregon’s public water systems are re-
quired to test for chemical contaminants, and even then
Flushable diapers are competitively priced with dispos-
only every three years, and for only 29 of the 300 pesticide
able diapers, enabling a family to make the switch. This is
ingredients. Their bottom line is that monitoring is not
a great option if yours is a family with a new baby, although
doing a very good job: lab tests have confirmed that even
you do need to get used to the idea of flushing diapers!
banned pesticides are present in local waterways (Oregon
Additionally, we’ve had friends tell us they had great Department of Environmental Quality 1998).
success with buying cloth diapers on eBay or using the
Research has shown that in communities with con-
cloth diapers with Nikky covers (check out the lo-
taminated drinking water, birth defects such as
cal store, Baby Works, they always have With heart disease, urinary and genital defects,
Nikky in stock http://www.babyworks. a table of contents and limb defects increase significantly.
com/catalog/Default.asp). While the that reads paper use, ev- They also claim that while EPA has
Nikky is easy to use, they seem ex- ery drop counts, managing carbon, set standards for acceptable levels
pensive. A diaper cover costs $20 powered by biodiesel, solar cost sav- on 3 of 13 pesticides detected in
for one size, and you’ll be do- ings, and wind power, there is no doubt that a USGS study of the Willamette
ing laundry more often. gDia- the Portland Water Bureau is doing their part Valley, the standards may have
pers are not hard to find; they for sustainability. In fact, the website is a lit-
been based more on econom-
can be found at New Seasons, tle daunting considering the activities they sup-
ics rather than health factors.
Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Fred port. Not only do they encourage employees to bike
Furthermore, they claim that
Meyer, and others. to work, but the Bureau has bikes for employees private, domestic drinking wa-
to check out so they can commute to downtown ter wells in Oregon are not sub-
BabyWorks. 2002. and nearby projects. The Water Bureau‛s diesel ject to the same standards, im-
www.babyworks.com fleet is the largest in the nation; they boast an plying they could be more pol-
BabyWorks is a Portland- in-town fleet that runs on 99.9% biodiesel. luted than public systems. This
based, family-owned and -op- Portland Water Bureau, Sustainability article will give you reason to be
erated business that has special- and Conservation, (www.portland- concerned about state-level drink-
ized in natural baby care products online.com/water/index. ing water regulations and an aware-
and cloth diapering (along with lots cfm?c=43032). ness of the shortcomings regarding pub-

5
Water
lic safety. After reading this article, we should waterways by not using products containing
all be moved to stop using pesticides and Portland’s these compounds.
possibly contact state legislators urging B u r e a u o f
them to act more aggressively on this Environmental Services Green Roofs/Ecoroofs
important topic.
generated the “Downspout Evaluating Green Roof Energy
Protecting Our Water from Disconnection” program as a Performance. Sonne, J. 2006.
Pesticides. Hassanein, N., (ed.). more natural way of manag- The American Society of
February 2000. Northwest ing roof water runoff because Heating, Refrigerating, and
Coalition for Alternatives to Air-Conditioning Engineers
Pesticides.
it allows water to soak into (ASHRAE) Journal. 48(2):59-61.
www.pesticide.org/OF4.pdf the ground as plants and (Journal article)
We hear a lot about the harm to fish soils filter pollutants. We know that green roofs contribute
and other aquatic organisms from pesti- much less to overflow storm water drain-
cide use and we know that pesticides often age than do conventional roofs, but what about
move away from the area of application into streams temperature? Sonne’s study, comparing green roofs
and ultimately throughout watersheds. According to to conventional roofs, indicates that the temperature dif-
the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, ferential could be large. The average maximum green
a USGS report from the mid-90s revealed that 50 out of roof temperature in the study proved to be 39°F cooler
80 pesticides tested were present in Oregon’s Willamette than the conventional roof. The green roof reduced heat
River. In the Hood River Valley, the insecticide azinphos- flow through the roof by 70-90%, which in turn reduces
methyl was detected at 90 times the amount allowed by cooling costs.
the State of Oregon. This website underscores the need
Some figures and tables you might be interested in
to test more of our rivers and to test more often while si-
checking out:
multaneously eliminating the use of pesticides. The non-
governmental organization mentions two common house- Fig. 1: Roof diagram with sensor locations
hold pesticides, atrazine (a common weed killer) and di- Fig. 2: Building section diagram
azinon (an insecticide) — indicating that homeowners can Fig. 3: Comparison of average roof surface temperatures
beneficially impact the water quality in local streams and Fig. 4: Comparison of average roof heat fluxes
Ecoroof. 2006. Portland Online.
www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=34663
This publication is specific to building codes in
Portland, Oregon, but can be useful to anyone living in
our region. Information ranges from the benefits of eco-
roofs to installation of the ecoroof. Benefits include re-
ducing runoff, lowering temperature of runoff (which may
lead to cooler stream temperatures), increasing vegeta-
tion and wildlife habitat (due to cooler temperatures), and
creating a market for recycled materials such as mulch
and compost. Using simple language and descriptive dia-
grams, the text outlines where ecoroofs can be used, what
they cost, and how they look. Although the immediate
cost is more expensive than a conventional roof, it is im-
portant to remember that ecoroofs last about four times
as long. The article explains important ecoroof criteria,
plants to use, and other details such as access and leak-
age. It also provides a list of contacts with experience in
the design and construction of ecoroofs.

Green Roofs from Green Roof Blocks. Green Roof

Blocks Homepage.
www.greenroofblocks.com
Ever think that retrofitting your home with a green
roof would be daunting or completely out of the ques-
tion? The Green Roof Blocks website introduces visi-
tors to the concept of pre-fabricated green-roof materi-
als, something that can make the job less overwhelm-
ing. Green Roof Blocks offers the following features:
South-facing ecoroof at People’s Co-op (SE 21st Ave.). 2 x 2 ft blocks that easily rest on a rooftop

6
 Water

Includes live plants and growth media

Simply set them in place and your green roof is com-
plete
Ready for shipping anywhere in the U.S. or Canada
Priced from $15/sq. ft.
Apparently, most roofs require no additional sup-
port to accommodate Green Roof Blocks. Obviously, a
qualified contractor is the one to advise you on your
particular roof. The business claims to reduce storm
water runoff, improve air quality, and ease the urban
heat island effect. Valuable to know!
An example of backyard rain barrels. A hose is connected to the bot-
Green Roofs, Extending Our Environment tom (not shown) and water is distributed to different parts of the yard
(N Villard Ave.).
and Our Industry. Barrett, T. February
2006. The Michigan Landscape. 49(2):23-27. cooling expenses.
(Magazine article)
Components of a green roof are illustrat-
With over two million square feet of green ed in a diagram with easy to read explana-
roofs, Chicago is recognized as providing Science is at the
tions. This article also explains operat-
stiff competition with Portland for being heart of most debates in
ing steps, maintenance, and a plan for
one of the greenest cities in the coun- policy. Wondering where your
replacement of a green roof with lots
try and behind these two cities is presidential candidate stands on
of great graphics. Visit this site for
the state of Michigan with its green sustainable water issues? You can get
a few Portland examples of green
roofs. This is a great little article involved with a grass roots organization, roofs that you can see up close and
that defines green roofs, has some www.sciencedebate2008.com, backed by personal. Resources are provided
photos including a doghouse with a AAAS and NAS (both science acad- for local assistance with your eco-
green roof, and it includes a source mies) and congressional leaders, that
roof project, as well as a list of ven-
page for materials and research. is petitioning voters to submit
dors and manufacturers of ecoroof
science questions for a pub-
Ecoroof: Questions and Answers. products. Use this informative site as
lic debate.
September 2005. Environmental the first step in growing your own green
Services. Portland, Oregon. roof!
http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=153098
Rain Barrels
Published by the City of Portland, this brochure ex-
plains that an ecoroof, or green roof, is a lightweight, low Start Harvesting Rain Water Today! Borba, D.
maintenance vegetative roof that is used in place of a con- 2006. Natural Rain Water.
ventional roof. Green roofs are passive measures of en- www.naturalrainwater.com
ergy conservation because they provide, among other en- A compelling quote in this write-up urges homeowners
vironmental benefits, insulation and lower cooling and to consider rain barrels for their homes. “Anyone with a roof
heating costs for a home or other buildings. The cost of on planet Earth can harvest rainwater” from Mexico City
an ecoroof can be 2-3 times more than a conventional roof. to Calcutta or Los Angeles to Beijing. One inch of rainfall
However, green roofs save money in the long run by last- on a 1,000-foot surface will yield approximately 500 gallons
ing longer and reducing the rapidly rising heating and of soft, untreated rainwater. It’s a huge source of water,
and is as close as your nearby downspout. As Borba says,
“Liberate your downspout today and harvest the rain!” At
least you’ll be recycling this resource, even if its only use is
replenishing the ground during winter rains.
Links on this website include:
Making a rainwater toilet
Harvest rain
Compost
How to make a rain barrel
Checking rain facts
Showing the rain barrel gallery
Products
Let’s talk about rain
Check your local rain stats
Disconnected downspout and sign to educate the public. Start composting today

7
Water
Collecting and pending on the sophistication level of the system desired
Storing Rainwater. by the homeowner, rainwater collection systems can be
February 1998. simple or complex. Ultraviolet sterilization and aeration
Sunset. 52-54. systems require a good deal of energy to operate, perhaps
(Magazine article) offsetting the benefits of the system by increasing energy
Sunset magazine ar- consumption.
ticles age, but they don’t
How to Build and Install a Rain Barrel. Healthy
wear out. Here’s one
Landscapes Website.
from a few years back
www.uri.edu/ce/healthylandscapes/howtorainb.html
that is really good at de-
scribing to the ‘carpen- We prefer step-by-step instructions to theoretical dis-
try-challenged’, how to cussions and this resource tells us how to build and how
build a rainwater collec- to install rain barrels at home. A detailed list of supplies
tion system. It’s as if the and tools is provided, along with estimates, for the cost of
newer articles are trying new and used rain barrels.
to get so fancy that they Links from this page direct homeowners to other sites
have forgotten that a lot and discussions on operation and maintenance of rain
If you can’t use permeable pavers, of us don’t have the me-
barrels, as well as other eco-friendly water practices such
consider daylighting the concrete chanical wherewithal to
and turning your driveway into a as rain gardens and healthy lawn care. This is a great
garden. put these things togeth- resource for homeowners interested in down-home, local
er. Color photos in this management of water resources.
two pager are detailed
and we found that using this article with the website A How to Build and Install a Rain Barrel. August
Spouse’s Guide to Building a Perfect Water Barrel System, 2002. South River Federation and the Center for
with a little alteration to it (next page), was just the tick-Watershed Protection. Annapolis, Maryland.
et. www.cwp.org/Community_Watersheds/brochure.pdf
Rain barrels collect rainwater from the roof
Harvest the Rain. 2003. Mother Earth Think about and store it for later use in practical applica-
News. 199:42-49. (Magazine article) buying plastic, tions such as watering the lawn or the gar-
A rainwater collection system for think about using PVC, den. Water that would otherwise flow into
the home might seem redundant in the and read as much cur- the storm drain is recycled or reused. If
Pacific Northwest’s humid winter cli- rent information as you you’ve never noticed how hard it is to re-
mate. Actually, because excess runoff can about the two subjects. plenish your lawn with water, dig down
from rainfall often pushes the city’s sew- For thought: certain plas- into the soil with a shovel during the month
er capacity past its limits, the USEPA tics and PVC cannot be of November (after we’ve had some rain) –
has the city on its high priority watch list. recycled by the City you’ll be surprised to see how dry it is and
Harvesting of rainfall has an important of Portland. particularly in compacted soil such as your
role in reducing runoff, and installing a sys- lawn. Collecting rainwater for later use lowers
tem can be, according to this article, “as simple some water costs, recharges groundwater naturally,
as directing gutters to a lidded garbage can or as complex and reduces water pollution collected from storm water
as a concrete cistern, roof washer, and filtration system”. runoff. Rain barrels are inexpensive and easy to build.
All aspects of rainwater harvesting are included, as well There are more elaborate rain barrel systems but this
as suggestions for how homeowners can make decisions one is a good, simple project that can be accomplished in
based on their personal needs and budget. three steps with easy to obtain supplies. In
Potable water collectors must con- our opinion, supplemental information
sider safe roofing material (e.g., isn’t necessary.
lead-free, treated wood shingles),
A Spouse’s Guide to
particles released from wood-
Building a Perfect Water
stoves, and animal droppings
Barrel System. Hillman,
among other factors. Also in-
M. The Master Gardeners.
cluded are rainwater collec-
www.emmitsburg.net/
tion calculations based on an-
gardens/articles/adams/
nual rainfall and roof surface
audrey/water_barrel.htm
area.
With a few minor altera-
Materials for building and as- tions, this website in conjunction
sembling a system are listed such as with the Sunset magazine article, is
cisterns, gutters, downspouts, good for putting together a
pumps, pressure tanks, and Rainwater temporarily trapped by leaves, silt, and ocassional couple of rain barrels for roof
filtration devices. Again, de- objects.

8
 Water
Jar” to hold 800 gallons of rainwater. His garden art is lo-
cated on 7200 N.E. 11th Ave. and Woodlawn Park.

Water Storage for Off-Grid Living. Abercrombie,

P. and A. Ludwig. 2006. BackHome Magazine.
82(3):40-43. (Magazine article)
Why store water at home? Abercrombie and Ludwig
suggest several reasons to store collected rainwater at
home, including:
Creates a reserve for taking care of your needs dur-
ing peak demand
Smoothes out variation in supply (for intervals be-
tween rainfalls)
Provides water security during supply interruption
or disaster
Improves water quality in our local waterways
Enables a smaller pipe to serve for a distant source
The article covers choosing various storage methods
and the costs associated with them. It also details stabil-
ity of soil and slope, aesthetics, security and buried stor-
age, size and structural integrity of water tanks, and tank
materials. Two informative figures included in the ar-
ticle are Common Tank Features and a Cost Per Gallon
graph. For more information, you are directed to www.
waterstorage.ws.

How Green Grows My Roof. Gragg, R. March 18,

A good use of moss and curves to slow water movement (NE 26th Ave.).
2007. The Sunday Oregonian. Portland, Oregon.
(Newspaper article)
water collection. Here are the minor alterations: ignore This guide would be incomplete without a mention
the 3” PVC parts section. For the “overflow”, we used a of green roof specialist Tom Liptan of The Bureau of
brass hose connector at the top of one barrel that allows Environmental Services. This Oregonian article features
for a garden hose hook up. For “inflow”, if you are using both Tom and Sean Hogan, well-known author and owner
barrels with unscrewable 4” caps on the top, just cap one of Cistus Nursery, who have experimented with ecoroofs,
with a downspout conversion from the gutter (round at and are more accomplished at adapting the German mod-
bottom and square at top) for filling up (you might need to els of ecoroofs to Portland, Oregon with its four months of
check for some leaks but a little gutter drought. The highlights are 1) always
glue goes a long way). Finally, for bar- hire an engineer to inspect the struc-
rel to barrel connections, use 1” PVC, tural load of a roof, 2) use a water proof
2- 90° elbows, a brass spigot, and final- membrane and maybe a root proof one,
ly join together with PVC cement. We 3) use a soil mix that blends lightweight
had to buy a 3/4” pipe tap to make the attributes and non-polluting minerals
threads in the barrels but only because with stability, and 4) always use plants
the contractor who lives next door that withstand the winter soaks and
couldn’t find his. the summer droughts in shallow, un-
shaded soil. A great cross-cut diagram
Jumbo Jar Ready for Rain. of an ecoroof is featured at the bottom
Redden, J. August 28, 2007. The of the page.
Portland Tribune. Portland,
Oregon. (Newspaper article) From Europe, a No-Chlorine
Ever wonder how you could collect Backyard Pool. Kurutz, S. April 5,
more of Portland’s rainfall through the 2007. The New York Times: House
winter without constructing 50 bright and Home. New York, New York.
blue barrels? Consider an above-ground (Newspaper article)
cistern that has a two-fold purpose: Total Habitat builds swimming pools
rainwater collection and garden art. that are far from the white or blue-tiled
Brad Crowley, with the help of a grant rectangular swimming arrangements we
from Aveeno Active Naturals, made his Brad Crowley works on an 800-gal-
currently call pools. The Total Habitat
lon Thai Jar rainwater collector at the
roughly 7-foot cement and plaster ‘Thai Woodlawn Community Garden. pools (called natural pools) are usually

9
Water
bordered with wood, planted with lush vegetation, ly products (to avoid contributing to groundwa-
free of chemicals like chlorine, and rely on regen- L o c a l l y ter contamination). In addition, there are
eration zones to act as cleansers, just like na- owned and op- many links to related sites. The distinc-
ture. Unlike artificial ponds which tend to be erated, New Seasons tion between this site and Ecover is that
murky due to runoff and sediment from soil Natural Choices is derived from organic
erosion, the natural pools are clear to the bot-
offers a great line of resources.
tom. Natural pools often mimic the local en- chlorine-free, non-
vironment and integrate local climate, result- phosphate eco- Water Conservation Products
ing in models that include jungle lagoons with products.
thatch-roofed palapas and regeneration zones filled Products for Water Conservation.
with tropical foliage like palm trees and canna lilies if Green Home Building Homepage.
you live in southern California or Juncus and rushes if you www.greenhomebuilding.com/Products/watercon-
live in Portland. There’s a good diagram that explains what servation.htm#composttoilet
is involved with the building of a natural swimming pool A good source page for information on water conserva-
along with several real examples. tion products, Green Home provides links to suppliers or
manufactures of:
Water Preservation Products Conservation kits
Clothes washers
Ecover Homepage. 2007.
www.ecover.com/us/en Composting toilets
Bathroom fixtures
Ecover manufactures biodegradable household clean-
Greywater supplies
ing products. The company’s mission statement is “to pro-
vide effective, sustainable solutions for the hygienic needs of Barrels & tanks
mankind.” They boast such achievements as optimal levels Check out this site to get ideas for your next home project.
of biodegradability and legislative requirements, minimal im-
pacts on aquatic life, and products that are suitable for sep- Water Savers. 1995. Consumer Reports. 60(2):118-
tic tanks. 124. (Magazine article)
Consumer Reports tested and rated 29 low-flow show-
Ecover’s virtually endless product line can be viewed at erheads and 32 low-flow toilets and compares them in this
the website, along with coupons, a list of suppliers, and extra report, by cost, brand, and performance. The article also re-
product information. This website is a simple way for us to ports on payback time for low-flow fixtures, which is 2 years,
learn about available biodegradable products and another or less for a showerhead, and 9 years for a low-flow toilet.
way to take charge of our impact on local rivers, streams, and
waterways. Check out BioKleen (http://biokleenhome.com), a Low-flow toilets with performance ratings in the very
local green product resource in addition to Ecover. good-to-better range cost from $200-$700. That may be a
hard sell for some budgets so Consumer Reports has add-
BioKleen. 2007. ed suggestions for retrofitting existing toilets to save wa-
www.biokleenhome.com ter, including tank water displacement and dual-flush le-
BioKleen, a Vancouver-based outfit, offers a range vers. While more cost effective in the short run, such
of products from soy blends and cleaners to kitchen options are not as effective at saving water in the
and laundry. Their cold-water formula, liquid long run.
laundry soap smells like citrus and requires Consumer Reports believes low-flow fix-
only a small capful for a large wash costing tures to be effective at saving water and
about $10 for 64 oz. costs and more efficient than the conven-
tional models. One caveat: if the fixtures
Natural Choices. 2007. Home Safe
don’t perform well, you might be taking
Products, LLC Homepage.
longer showers and making more flushes.
www.oxyboost.com/index.html
Natural Choices offers products for a
wide range of uses such as laundry, kitch-
en and bath, floor and furniture, general
cleaning, allergy, and septic/drain field.
Their products are “non-toxic upon decom-
position and based on naturally-derived raw
materials whenever possible.”
Pricing appears reasonable and a supplier for
Oregon is located in Rainer, Oregon. This
website is easily navigable and contains Considered either water conservers or
water preservers, pavers in this drive-
endless information about products and way (NE 41st Ave.) recycle rainwater
reasons to choose environmentally-friend- and allow it to filter into the ground.

10
 Air
According to Oregon’s DEQ (2007), the mobile source pollutants, including acetaldehyde,
formaldehyde, 1,3 butadiene, diesel particulate matter, benzene, and arsenic show high
concentrations along and adjacent to Portland’s major traffic corridors. Formaldehyde is
one of the top three sources of adverse health effects and cancer risk in the Portland area
and concentrations align with major highway corridors, which is consistent with on-road
engines being an important source of formaldehyde. The widespread nature of other impor-
tant sources of formaldehyde, construction equipment, diesel fuel combustion, railroads,
and airports, may result in a broader geographic extent. Wood burning also contributes to
formaldehyde emissions. While risk is significant across the entire city, higher concentra-
tions likely exist in the downtown area where there is a concentration of emissions from ve-
hicles, construction, marine and rail sources (Department of Environmental Quality, 2002.
www.deq.state.or.us/aq/toxics/docs/pataconclude.pdf).

Indoor Air Quality and House Plants effective at removing benzene.

NASA claimed that substances were removed from
Indoor Plants Improve Office Air. Stefens, M. 28
the air through plant leaves but that roots and soil bac-
Aug 2002. News in Science: Health & Medical.
teria were also effective purifiers. Air purifiers for home
www.abc.net.au/science/news/health/
use were developed utilizing activated carbon filters
HealthRepublish_660596.htm
and fans, much like an aquarium filtering sys-
Benzene and hexane are common indoor “1/2 of all tem. By forcing air through a container hold-
air pollutants emitted by carpet, paint, and dishwashing ing pothos or daisies and their roots, chemi-
furniture fabric and new or newly refur- cals in the vicinity could be absorbed and
detergents contain
bished buildings where the problem is
more serious. These toxins contribute chlorine which when degraded. According to this article, NASA
plans to send a filtering system of this
to sick building syndrome (SBS), where mixed with residual food- type into space to determine air quality
symptoms include dry eyes, dry nose, stuffs in the dishwasher, improvements onboard the spacecraft.
headache, or nausea. form chloroform and out-
Evidence presented in this online arti- gasses while the dish- Desktop Gardens Won’t Clear the
Air. Sleath, M. 13 January 2000.
cle shows that common indoor plants such washer is in use.” - News in Science: Health & Medical.
as the peace lily and the kentia palm can NPR 2007 www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/
improve indoor air quality due to their ability
s92768.htm
to reduce levels of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs). Researchers in this study found a 100% re- On the other hand, the Australia Broadcasting
duction of VOCs in an enclosed environment within a 24- Corporation disputes the belief that plants are a cure for
hour period. The metabolic activity of soil microorgan- sick building syndrome (SBS). Peter Dingle, an environ-
isms associated with roots was primarily responsible for mental scientist at Murdoch University, Perth, Western
taking up pollutants with an average reduction in VOCs Australia, claims it’s a myth to think that plants can re-
between 10% and 20%. The article details the experiment duce pollution. He bases his criticism on his research that
and results. documents the effect of plants on formaldehyde levels, a
toxin that causes irritation to
NASA Study Shows Common the eyes, skin and throat as well
Plants Help Reduce as lethargy and dizziness.
Indoor Air Pollution. 2002.
Dingle tested air quality
Tropical Plants Zone 10.
in 38 buildings that were con-
www.zone10.com/tech/NASA/
structed with formaldehyde-
Fyh.htm
laden chipboard walls. Average
NASA has also investigat- rates of formaldehyde were in
ed cleaning indoor polluted at- the range of 10 to 78 parts per
mosphere using popular house billion (ppb). The threshold at
plants. Common indoor plants which adverse affects can be felt
such as Spider plants and gold- in the human body is 50 ppb.
en pothos plants were the most Data falling outside the average
effective at removing formalde- pool were as high as 2,110 ppb
hyde and improving air qual- in some new buildings. Dingle
ity. Flowering plants such as found that five plants in a floor
the Gerbera daisy and the space of 8 square meters had no
Chrysanthemum were the most Indoor plant (pothos) for air quality. effect on air quality. With 20

11
Air
plants in the same floor space, form- these zones are meant to revitalize
aldehyde levels dropped only slight- depressed urban areas. However,
ly. Levels dropped from 856 ppb to they have been used largely to fuel
761 ppb in one case. outward expansion that robs tax-
payers of the social and environ-
Dingle concludes that improved
mental benefits intended by the
health effects from having potted
program.
plants around are actually psycho-
logical unless you choose to work in Subsidizing Sprawl explains
a jungle at the office. Read studies that sustainability begins at home
of both sides to make an informed but it does not stop at the edge of
decision. a homeowner’s property. We need
to be aware of systemic issues that
The Indoor Garden: Plants impact our environment, how we
that Clean the Air. Stewart, G. I-84 at 10 o’clock in the morning on a Tuesday! may be contributing to problems,
2004. and why we need to work on so-
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Indoor-Garden:- lutions. Both Multinational Monitor articles can be ac-
Plants-that-Clean-the-Air&id=47794 cessed online, go to www.multinationalmonitor.org and
Stewart presents twenty indoor house plants that search back issues.
are effective at removing common chemical vapors in the
house and states exactly what vapors the plants are re- Out of Bounds: The Sprawling Metropolis
sponsible for scrubbing. To name a few here, we’ll men- and Its Discontents. Plater-Zyberk, E.
tion Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), Azalea (Rhododendron 2003. Multinational Monitor. 24(10):20-23.
simsii), Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’), (Magazine article)
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonena modestum), Christmas Similar to the above article, Out of Bounds writes on
cactus (Schlumbergera ‘Bridgesii’), Cyclamen (Cyclamen social sustainability and we found this to be one of the
persica) and three cultivars of Draceana. She uses the best articles available on urban sprawl. The primary con-
same data as the NASA study. tributing factors to sprawl include abandonment of core
residential/retail zones by affluent families (also known
Urban Sprawl as “white flight”), city planning, and architectural de-
signs which favor large yards, government subsidies,
Subsidizing Sprawl: How Economic Development and road construction (federal highway funding). From
Programs Are Going Awry. LeRoy, G. a geographic perspective, Plater-Zyberk, a nationally rec-
2003. Multinational Monitor. 24(10):9-12. ognized expert on the subject, points out that 20th cen-
(Magazine article) tury sprawl differs from previous urban development by
Central to the problem of air pollution is urban sprawl, not being walkable (picture Portland, San Francisco, and
which greatly increases the duration and frequency of au- Vancouver B.C. as walkable cities).
tomobile trips, leading to increased carbon dioxide, a key
factor in global warming. Every day the U.S. loses 3,000 Sprawl is characterized here as having strictly seg-
acres of rural land to suburbs as a result of increasing regated components: housing, shopping centers, office
sprawl exacerbated by what the author labels as “per- parks, civic institutions and roadways. Countering con-
verse subsidies.” LeRoy critically examines this trend temporary sprawl is the “livable cities” movement, which
and converges on the roots of aims at producing densely in-
social sustainability. habited areas — the opposite of
a sprawling neighborhood.
An example of such sub-
sidies is Tax Increment Automobiles
Financing (TIF), which gives
developers large tax cuts in Carfree Cities. Crawford,
order to revitalize depressed J.H. 2000. International
economic areas. Tragically Books. Utrecht,
and too often, LeRoy claims, Netherlands. pp. 329.
TIFs are used to reduce build- (Book)
ing costs for big-box retailer- Why do we idolize automo-
type projects, for golf courses, biles? Just when we begin to
and otherwise encourage en- think that society’s infrastruc-
croachment on wild lands. ture could not possibly do with-
According to the author, out cars, Carfree Cities blends
enterprise zones are another both vision and practical life-
“perverse subsidy.” Like TIFs, Tree canopies are capable of cleaning the atmosphere style to convince you that a car-
(Alameda Ridge).
free world is extremely feasible

12
 Air
even if you don’t live in Portland, a city known converters, so they produce highly reactive or-
for its fondness of bikes and light rail. Both A conventional ganic compounds that contribute to ground lev-
straightforward thinking and candid writing gas-powered lawn el ozone. The author also found that older en-
style blend to make this book an enjoyable mower pollutes in one gines emit much greater levels of organic com-
and informative piece on transportation hour as much as driving pounds and carbon monoxide. Surprisingly,
systems and how they affect quality of life. your car for four hours nitrogen oxide emissions decreased in older
engines. This is important information for
Some of Crawford’s arguments against ( T e x a s C o m m i s s i o n
on Environmental folks who mow lawns with power machines.
cars are: travel time, land use, initial cost
of a car, maintenance, and insurance costs. Quality 2008). Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers. Hollis,
He folds in the need for vehicle space on S. 2005. Mother Earth News. 209:67-70.
roads, which is 20 times greater than that used (Magazine article)
by light rail, not including the space required for
This issue of Mother Earth News reports on home-
parking. Externalized costs, accidental death and injury,
owner-grade, electric mowers that have been field-tested.
harassment of children and bicyclists, road maintenance
The author extols the virtues of cordless electric mowers
costs by the public, air pollution, climate change, and the
which are quiet, exhaust-free, and do not require oil or
ever-important deterioration of human-scale public places
gasoline. For many of us the electric mower is the perfect
are additional factors that go unrecognized as elements
choice for someone not willing to use a push mower. Noise
that support cars as items of deterioration instead of
levels from gas mowers can be so high they violate OSHA
appreciation.
standards, and pose a danger to your hearing. According
If, at the end of this book, you are unconvinced that to one California report, mowers, particularly their por-
a carfree city can exist on a scale the size of say, Los table gas containers, account for 87 tons of smog-forming
Angeles, Crawford reminds us that Tokyo, with 27 mil- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) per day and contrib-
lion inhabitants, demonstrates a public transportation ute immensely to air and ozone pollution. Another report
plan that has worked well. Crawford finishes with a big cites an EPA statistic claiming a conventional lawn mow-
picture perspective, exemplifying cities that have a good er pollutes as much in an hour as 40 late model cars or as
public transit infrastructure and suggesting preliminary much air pollution as driving a car for 100 miles (People
plans for removing cars from them, e.g., Manhattan, New Powered Machines 2007).
York, Lyon, and Amsterdam. Get inspired.
The lawn mowers reviewed are the Brill Accumower
Cost-Effective Hybrids. Kerr, A. 2006. Home
Power. 113:66-71. (Magazine article)
Kerr shows us how to use the Excel software spread-
sheet function to make an informed decision about buy-
ing a hybrid car. Buying a car is usually not viewed as
an investment, because of its depreciation. But he argues
that the marginally greater cost of a hybrid is a little dif-
ferent due to reduced operating costs. Special tax breaks,
subsidies, expected number of miles per year, fuel cost,
fuel economy, and oil change savings go into his equation
to direct you to an informed investment answer. Kerr’s
analysis results in an out-of-pocket marginal expendi-
ture of $6,490 and 3.1 years to pay back the investment.
One caveat: he concludes his article with what he calls a
thought-provoking line: “the more you drive, the more you
save”. Hmmm, not sounding very sustainable.

Other Engines in the Air

Exhaust Emissions from Four-Stroke Lawn Mower
Engines. Gabele, P. 1997. Journal of the Air
and Waste Management Association. 47:945-952.
(Journal article)
Small engines are responsible for emitting 5% of total
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and carbon monox-
ide pollution. Standard four-stroke lawnmower engines
are especially big polluters. After testing emissions from
10 popular lawnmower engines, Gabele found that only
one met Phase 1 high-level federal emission standards.
Unlike car engines, lawnmowers do not have catalytic Casey Love uses a push lawnmower in his yard (NE 36th Ave.).

13
Air
ASM380, the Neutron Mower, and Black & Third World, - http://journeytoforever.org/sc.html
Decker’s CMM1000. Brill makes the cheapest M o s t Biodiesel and your vehicle: http://journeytofor-
and the lightest of the electric mowers at a s c e n t e d ever.org/biodiesel_vehicle.html
cost of $295. The Neutron is a middle of the products (perfumes,
road option for a price of $350. The Black colognes, incense, Veggie Power: Running the Farm
& Decker is the workhorse of the lot, cost- scented candles) are On Organic Oil. Gardner, L. 2003.
ing $420, while also matching the power of chemically reactive with BackHome Magazine. 64:31-31.
a gas mower. The article concludes with a ozone forming clouds (Magazine article)
list of websites where you can get more in- In a simple, one page pitch for the use
of by-products like
formation about electric mowers. The ar- of vegetable oil in vehicles, this article de-
ticle, however, does not mention checking formaldehyde around scribes the conversion necessary for using
Craigslist (www.craigslist.org) in Portland you or your head. Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) in your diesel
or visiting estate and yard sales for used lawn -NPR 2007. engine.
mowers or push mowers, the more sustainable
SVO engines need a warm up period, unlike
options.
gas-powered vehicles, using a modern electronic igni-
Alternative Fuels tion system. Waiting for the warm up period is an unat-
tractive feature for most folks. An option for simplifying
Biofuels. Addison, K. 2007. Journey to Forever. start-up of SVO-powered vehicles is to run off a tank with
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html standard diesel, and to have a second gas tank containing
This story begins with a 41-year-old Series Land biodiesel to switch over once the engine warms up. The
Rover and its apparent non-eco-friendly statement. While article also provides references to other authoritative ma-
Addison claims this isn’t a website or a newsletter but in- terial on organic oils, including the book From the Fryer
stead, an email discussion group, we found this website to to the Fuel Tank by Joshua Tickell.
be pretty interesting, informative, thorough, and basical- Grassroots Gas Goes Big League. 2004.
ly objective on the subject of biofuels. The information is Sustainable Industries Journal. 21:3.
up-to-date with a fairly bipartisan approach to educating (Journal article)
folks and filled with a ton of references. Even the ques-
tion and answer section was a good read. Additionally, In this article it’s not enough to be using biodiesel un-
just when we thought we weren’t going to find a link to less you get it local or the transportation costs outweigh
a do-it-yourself recipe for making a biofuel, we found the the sustainability. Good news, local sources exist for
following references to making your own biofuels. All those of us living in Portland. Currently, the oils that go
pages are lengthy and informative. Have a good read. into biodiesel come from the breadbasket region, east of
the Cascades, and many fuel companies in Portland sell
Biofuels: how to make your own clean-burning bio- biodiesel (one of our editors uses it to fire up an 80-year-
fuel, biodiesel from cooking oil, fuel alcohol, renewable old oil-burning boiler system). Every day, one Northwest
energy, glycerin, and soap making - http://journeyto- supplier, Seattle Biodiesel, processes 3,000 gallons of lo-
forever.org/biofuel.html cally made vegetable oil into biodiesel. If you are inter-
Composting: organic garden - how to turn wastes ested in supporting the local economy while simultane-
into clean, healthy food, making compost, compost bin, ously reducing air pollution emissions, Google “biodiesel
composting indoors, worms - http://journeytoforever. processors in Portland, Oregon.” Our search turned up 8
org/compost.html sources.
Make your own biodiesel page 1 and 2: http://journey-
toforever.org/biodiesel_make.html and http://journey- Air and Global Climate Change
toforever.org/biodiesel_make2.html
Environmental Health Implications of Global
Forced-air biofuel heater: http://journeytoforever.org/
Climate Change. Watson, R., Patz, J., Gubler,
biofuel_library/ethanol_motherearth/me9.html
D., Parson, E. and H. Vincent. 2005. Journal
Mother Earth Alcohol Fuel: Chapter 5 - Making of Environmental Monitoring. 7:834-843.
mash - http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/ (Journal article)
ethanol_motherearth/meCh5.html
If you are a big picture thinker, Watson’s article pro-
Schools participation: Hong Kong to Cape Town
vides a masterful summary of the connections of anthro-
Overland - join us on the Internet, online adventure,
pogenic activities to induced climate change, the likely
collaboration, school projects - http://journeytoforev-
health impacts of changing climates, the current state of
er.org/edu.html
political response, and the benefits of governmental poli-
Appropriate technology: technology that fits, small cies aimed at lowering emissions. These researchers also
is beautiful, blacksmiths, wood fires that fit, improved report on the direct health impacts of heat, rises in sea lev-
wood stoves, charcoal - http://journeytoforever.org/ el, and exacerbated air and water-borne harmful agents.
at.html They comment on such things as worsening effects of air
Solar box cookers: how free solar energy is saving pollutants and blood-sucking arthropods such as mosqui-
lives, saving trees, fighting poverty and hunger in the

14
 Air
toes that may be significantly impacted, redis- way distress, viruses, bacteria, mold, dander
tributing diseases to some areas previously Concentrations from pets, and smoking within buildings
unaffected. The article also summarizes of many cancer-caus- which still accounts for a majority of can-
economic projections based on failure to ing and toxic chemicals are cer cases. Volatile Organic Compounds
respond to climate change and this is higer in second-hand smoke than (VOCs), asbestos, and formaldehyde
contrasted to proactive changes. The in the smoke inhaled by smokers are also common causes of health prob-
information is an eyeful. AND breathing second-hand smoke lems. Kmucha’s article sheds light on
for even a short period of time our murky tech solutions and encour-
Indoor Air can cause adverse effects on the ages us to research solutions.
cardiovascular system (U.S.
Biological Pollutants in Your Home. Dept. of Health & Human Origin of Lead in the United
2006. Consumer Product Safety Services 2006). States Diet. Manton, C. and K.
Commission. Krongstrand. 2005. Environmental
www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/425.html Sciences and Technology. 39(22):8995-
A no-frills report on biological pollutants and the 9000. (Journal article)
problems they cause inside the home, this is a must-read. How do you know whether you have lead contamina-
Every home has its secret places where the remains of tiny tion in your house or have eaten lead at the dinner table?
organisms collect to become food for many forms of life, The Department of Geology at the University of Texas re-
including potentially unhealthy ports from such findings as 1,304
bacteria and mold. Modern and samples of house dust and hand
old building materials, air condi- wipes and 64 samples of aerosols,
tioners and humidifiers, are all all of which showed the presence of
implicated in this problem. Most lead contamination in households.
commonly associated health To name just a few origins, lead in
problems are allergies (including the diet comes from household dust,
asthma), infectious diseases, and One of many types of biodiesel bumper stickers por- tin coatings, and food supplements
toxic reactions. trayed in Portland.
including calcium dietary supple-
ments derived from dietary limestone. While the statis-
If you plan on remodeling a house, you will find easy-
tics in this article are dry for most folks, the findings are
to-follow steps to reduce exposure to the bugs, bacteria,
interesting, in particular the single finding of lead con-
and fungi in the corners of your old house. Suggestions
tamination in children’s dietary supplements.
for moisture control include ideas like using vapor bar-
riers underneath carpeting and simply fixing leaks and Figures include:
cleaning filters. Figure 1- Plots of lead in environmental samples
Figure 2- Plots for lead in childrens’ diets according
Indoor Air Pollution and Health. Kmucha, S. to children’s’ age
2000. American Academy of Otolaryngologist –
Figure 3- Plots of lead in mothers’ diet
Head and Neck Surgery. (Magazine article)
www.entnet.org/education/resources/airpollution.cfm
By national standards, we spend about 90% of our
time indoors. This fact suggests that while inside may-
be we should have our guard up. Indoor air quality has
worsened since the 1970s when increasing oil prices led to
energy-efficient, airtight homes and less dilution to pollu-
tion. Factors such as methods of home construction, air-
flow standards, fresh air intake, and acceptable levels of
indoor air pollutants are regulated differently by differ-
ent state and federal agencies.
Gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitric
oxide, and nitrogen dioxide are air pollution problems,
originating from gas range stoves, kerosene stoves, and
heaters. Kitchens with gas stoves may reach three times
the acceptable levels of NO and NO2 when the stove is in
use. Some of the effects associated with carbon monoxide
are fatigue and chest pain in people with heart disease.
Plan a survey of your home to address any problems like
the ones described in this scientific article.
Some of the leading health problems caused by indoor
air pollution and recycling of office building air are air-
A TriMet bus with one of its biodiesel bumper stickers.

15
Air
Stick With Safe Paint. Hurst-Wajszczuk, paint strippers are sources of methylene chlo-
J. Oct/Nov 2003. Mother Earth News. Scientific ride which are also absorbed through the skin.
200:84-87. (Magazine article) evidence sug- The article concludes by saying that not ma-
You probably don’t want to know what gests that there is jor industrial sources, but unregulated in-
dangerous chemicals reside in your house. no risk-free level of door sources are often the main causes of
A lengthy list of chemicals contained in environmental threats.
exposure to second-
the paint alone, includes ammonia, heavy
metals, silica, formaldehyde, mildew inhib- hand smoke (U.S. Air Quality Products
itors, and unfortunately much more. Many Dept. of Health &
Alternative Cleaners and Recipes.
kinds of house paint can cause acute prob- Human Services 2006. Ecocycle.
lems like dizziness and nausea along with 2006). www.ecocycle.org/hazwaste/recipes.cfm
chronic problems of the liver, respiratory, and
nervous system. This paper is a consumer-level Making your own non-toxic, alternative clean-
summary of the dangers of paint toxins, such as Volatile ers out of basic kitchen ingredients is discussed on this
Organic Compounds (VOCs) (that “new paint smell”) and website. A clean home is possible without facing the dan-
alternative coatings. gers of inhaling chemicals, or redistributing them in the
environment. Basic ingredients for organic cleansers are
There is nothing radical proposed by this article oth- borax and vinegar, and they can be combined with oth-
er than it gives a thorough explanation and source listing er ingredients to create cleaners for every surface in the
of recycled, reused, re-blended, reprocessed, and natural house. Cleanliness should not have to be dangerous.
paints. Hurst-Wajszczuk recommends making health-
conscious, consumer decisions by buying low to no-VOC Wood Burning
paints that dry faster and can even be made at home. All
the major paint companies offer no-to low-VOC paints, all Wood Burning Primer. 2007. HomeOwnerNet.
you have to do is choose the color. http://www.homeownernet.com/articles/woodburn.html
The burning of wood contributes to air pollution, in-
Human Exposure to Volatile Organic Pollutants: side our homes and out, and at best, the fireplace is one
Implications for Indoor Air Studies. Wallace, L. of the least efficient sources of heat. If you are heating
2001. Annual Review of Energy and the with wood during the winter, make your decision to do so
Environment. 26:269-301. (Journal article) a little more responsible by reading this quick and infor-
If you needed any more data to convince yourself of mative wood burning primer. There is information about
the harmful effects to humans from organic pollutants, retrofitting your existing fireplace or woodstove with a
this article examines ten years worth of data measuring catalytic converter or a convection tube, both of which can
human exposure to Volatile Organic increase the efficiency of your heat-
Compounds (VOCs) with newer ing by as much as 30%. We high-
studies employing new monitors ly recommend this quick and easy
and breath measurements which read.
have overturned some old and ac-
cepted ideas about the sources of Operating a Catalytic Wood-
VOCs. While benzene emissions Burning Appliance. 2000. Sud-
are highest near petroleum process- Chemie Protech Inc.
ing factories, surprisingly, human www.sud-chemie.com/
benzene levels have little to do with scmcms/web/content.
proximity to petroleum operations. jsp?nodeId=5710&lang=en
In fact, areas where humans resid- In easy-to-understand language,
ed close to these factories, smoking this website explains how a catalyt-
posed more of a significant threat to ic wood-burning appliance works.
health. In the process, such factors as to-
Wallace summarizes the basic tal energy used or burned, wood di-
findings of this study: cigarettes ameter (since smaller wood has in-
are the biggest source of benzene creased surface area and therefore
and styrene; chlorinated water is increased wood gas release, which
the biggest source of chloroform, can overwhelm catalytic convert-
which is either absorbed dermal- ers), oxygen quantity present, fuel
ly, consumed and/or inhaled; dry- oxygen mix, flow rate through the
cleaned clothes contain tetrachloro- converter, and temperature are dis-
ethylene which is absorbed through cussed. Temperature must reach a
the skin; mothballs and room air Staying out from underneath a smokey busstop certain threshold (1,200° to 1,600°
deodorizers contain P-DCB, which is a cheap way to breathe clean, fresh air (Powell F.), at which point the reaction be-
is inhaled; and solvent cleaners and Blvd.). comes self-sustaining.

16
 Air
$5 per tree). The value of a tree directly increased with
size. Larger trees have larger canopies with more leaves
and therefore transpire more water and sequester more
carbon. Other interesting findings were that monetary
benefits varied with the species; a larger tree having a
greater value. Silver maples and honey locusts had the
greatest per tree value of $210 and $105 respectively; and
they are fast-growing trees. We are not advocating plant-
ing silver maples. Instead, we feel it is worth mentioning
that while Modesto and Portland have very different cli-
mates, the cost-benefit ratio shows that any city can ben-
efit from a tree canopy.

Carbon Storage and Sequestration by Urban

Trees in the USA. Nowak, D. and D. Crane. March
2002. Environmental Pollution. 116(3):381-389.
(Journal article)
Would you like to figure out how many trees need to
be planted to offset your vehicle use? Go to http://www.re-
surgence.org/2005/howarth229.htm and use their carbon
calculator. This calculator, in combination with this jour-
nal article, can assist in figuring what one needs in terms
of urban tree cover. With a lot of assumptions pertinent
to Portland, we calculated roughly 4 trees per driving per-
son if each owns a car (considering size, age, and number
of trees). Large trees can store 1000 times more carbon
A tree-friendly street capable of sequestering carbon (NE 41st Ave.). than small trees (Nowak, 1994), although forest seques-
tration rates are not directly comparable to urban forests
A pitfall of retrofitted catalytic converters is that they
and stand structure is completely different.
can create variable stove temperatures. Rising and fall-
ing temperatures apparently short-circuit catalytic reac-
tions and allow soot to build up, potentially fouling the
system.
Parts of the article pertain more to the technical work-
ings of converters, and may not interest you. Regardless,
the section “ideal conditions for a catalytic combustor in a
wood-burning appliance” is excellent.

Outdoor Air Preservation (Carbon

Sequestering)
Benefit-Cost Analysis of Modesto’s Municipal
Urban Forest. McPherson, G., Simpson, R., Peper,
P. and Q. Xiao. 1999. Journal of Arboriculture.
25(5):235-248. (Journal article)
A cost analysis may sound boring, nevertheless this
one is worthy of your time. This paper presents a cost
valuation of one of North America’s foremost tree cities,
Modesto, California, and the equation used can be ap-
plied to even the smallest plot that might sustain a tree.
Modesto supports approximately 90,000 trees with an
annual planting/maintenance budget of $23,290 (1997-
1998). The question addressed was, “Are these trees
worth the cost?”
Here’s what was discovered: annual air pollution up-
take is 154 metric tons (valued at $16 per tree). Buildings
that were shaded and had cooler temperatures saved
110,133 MBTU (valued at $10 per tree) and 13,900 tons A varied canopy aboveground presumes a varied root structure be-
of carbon dioxide were sequestered by the trees (valued at lowground capable of storing carbon (Dolph Park).

17
Air
The Effects of Urban Trees on Air Quality.
Nowak, D. 1995. USDA Forest Service.
Syracuse, New York.
www.fs.fed.us/ne/syracuse/gif/trees.pdf
More and more trees are being planted in Portland
(thanks to Friends of Trees and others) where concrete
and asphalt tend to be the norm of most cities. David
Nowak, guru of urban forests, assesses their effects, and
writes of the valuable jobs that trees perform once they
are planted in a landscape within the city. This article
could be more appropriately titled, “Everything you ever
wanted to know about choosing the correct urban tree
to mitigate air pollution.” Beginning with the acronym
TREE, (Temperature reduction, Removal of air pollut-
ants, Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
and Energy effects on buildings) Nowak writes that, in
general, air temperature is reduced beneath trees, air
pollutants are removed, gases are absorbed and turned
to non-harmful chemicals, carbon is sequestered, ozone
is reduced, particulate matter is captured, sulfur is re-
duced, and so are nitrogen and nitrogen dioxide. This is a
short, readable USDA report, accessible online, that gives
specific tree names, as well as some tree offenders that
give off VOCs.

Check the Weather in Any Part of the Country. 2008.

Layers of tree canopies ensure good carbon sequestration (NE 30th Ave.).
www.wunderground.com
The Micrometeorology of the Urban Forest. Oke, If, like us, you are curious about the current weather
T. 1989. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal in any part of the country, this is a nifty website to visit.
Society of London, Series B, Biological Sciences. Type in any zip code and access the current weather and
324(1223):335-348. (Journal article) the forecast for the next five days. We mention it because
if you scroll down to the bottom of the page you can also-
If you are passionate about having good air quality,
find the current air quality and forecast for the Portland
this is the article to read. Observations of atmospher-
area. Click even further to learn more about air pollu-
ic conditions and processes in cities provide the corner-
tion in any area of the country. Very cool. One caveat;
stone for advances in understanding urban climates and
America’s 25 Most Ozone Polluted Cities and America’s
improving urban air quality policies. This article scientif-
Kid Friendly Cities don’t seem to jive statistically with
ically documents the impact of trees on air quality, such
each other. Plus, we wanted to know if the ranking in the
as lowering temperature and filtering pollution. In ad-
Number of Bad Air Days was over one year or over one
dition, Oke identifies typical air layers found within the
month. Still, it is interesting.
urban canopy, which consists of irregular canopy layers,
and an urban heat island effect that produces turbulent
air masses. These in turn affect the movement of air pol-
lutants. This is a fascinating read.
Important tables and figures:
Table 1: Scale and classification of an urban tree can-
opy. This is a look at the micrometeorological effects of
various natural and building structures in the city.
Figure 1: Scheme of the daytime energy exchanges
between an isolated tree and its street environment.
This is a useful illustration showing energy inputs and
outputs.
Figure 3: Distribution of near-surface air tempera-
ture in the vicinity of urban parks.

18
 Soil
A raindrop is like a miniature water bomb: it hits the ground at 20 miles per hour. When
raindrops hit bare soil, water can splash soil up to 6 feet away, carry particles away, and
drop sediment into drainageways. Wind also dislodges, moves, and transports soil parti-
cles. We need that topsoil; it nourishes our food and allows us to live, but it can take almost
1,000 years to be created (Oregon Association of Conservation Districts 2007). In Portland
specifically, compost for the soil can be made in a week (Plantea 1998).

Mulch Soil Health

To Revitalize a City, Try Spreading Some Mulch. A Book about Soils for the Home Gardener.
Schneider, K. May17, 2006. The New York Times. Ortloff, S. and H. Raymore. 1962. M. Barrows &
New York, New York. (Newspaper article) Company, Inc. New York, New York. (Book)
In many ways, Chicago’s current fortunes While 44 years old, this book’s friendly tone
in the green market are all about mulch. “It’s funny”, Gary and easy-to-understand text, aimed at the
Bark mulch is everywhere, in neat lit- homeowner, make it a great introduction
Battershell says, “we
tle circles around 30,000 newly planted for understanding soils from a technical
trees in Millennium Park, in planters rake our leaves to the street standpoint. The authors cover soil test-
all along the thoroughfares, and on 70 for the city to pick up, yet we ing, preparing, planting, watering, and
miles of medians that have been sown buy compost for our yard maintaining with long-term, healthy
with native wildflowers. Mulch is in every year. Seems like a soil in mind. There are clear examples
gardens and open spaces, now required of soil test results, as well as a discus-
contradiction.”
by the city to accompany new homes, stores sion of pH in layman terms. What kind of
and office buildings, and, above all, on energy- relevance does this have for the Portland ho-
saving ecoroofs of over 200 buildings. This article meowner? Correcting, problems in the landscape
is one of many in a special section of the New York Times should be preceded by soil tests to indicate what soil type
entitled, “The Business of Green.” It’s a fun and light and level of nutrients exist. Landscape practices and so-
read and the photos are great, so you might imagine how lutions for sandy soils are quite different than those for
Portland could look under a blanket of mulch. clay soils. We found this to be a handy book on basic sus-
tainable gardening practices and something that might
Mulching. April, 1998. USDA National Resources be nice to have around as a reference.
Conservation Service.
www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/pdf/Mulching.pdf Soil Composition. Moor, F. 1998.
Mulch, mulch, mulch! Mulch, whether it’s to keep down http://web.ukonline.co.uk/fred.moor/soil/formed/f0107.htm
the weeds that are flying in seasonally or to keep water in Now here’s getting to know your soil! Wondering if
the soil as long as possible. Mulching is the number one, your home sits on sand, silt, or clay? This short website
easiest and best sustainable practice for a yard or garden. describes an easy way for
The discussion on this web- determining your area’s
site gives options for mulch- soil type. A simple test re-
ing materials including bark, quires only that a small
wood, leaves, newspaper, sample of soil be placed in
cardboard, or any other mate- a jar and mixed with water.
rial that may be found in and After shaking and allow-
around the house. Another ing the mixture to settle,
section includes when to the soil will separate into
mulch and how much to ap- its different components by
ply. If you were ever doubtful weight; sand falls out first,
about changing your routine then silt, and lastly clay.
to include mulching, this ar- By applying the chart pro-
ticle does away with intimi- vided on this website, one
dation by simplifying the pro- can determine whether
cess. Good graphics are in- your soil is composed of a
cluded. If this article really larger percentage of sand,
inspires you, see Processes in silt, or clay. For example,
this guide, where you can find soil with a higher percent-
the full listing of the NRCS
A well-mulched yard (no grass) on Klickitat St. age of clay compacts more
Backyard Care articles.

19
Soil
easily and may need to be amended in order to ad- soil and keep it healthy over the long run. A
equately drain water. Soil composition analy- number of organic additives are described,
sis is a valuable tool for determining what including this one, for sandy soil; for every
native plants will grow in the soil, and 100 square feet of garden space use 20
what changes you might need to make cubic feet of organic compost, 2 lbs. bat
in order to alter your soil for specific or seabird guano, 2 lbs. rock phosphate,
plants, or because of specific water or 10 lbs. gypsum or lime, 2 pounds
nutrient requirements. sand, and 2 pounds kelp enzyme
(Kelzyme) or kelp meal. (A local source
This article brings soil knowledge for guano, and other mineral-rich
back into the home and provides us with amendments is Concentrates, Inc.,
a hands-on approach to the real nitty- 2613 SE 8th Ave., Portland, OR
gritty. 97202, 503-234-7502, www.
concentratesnw.com)
Building Good Soil is the
Foundation of a Healthy Garden. The Secret Life of Fungi. Pennisi,
Curly, J. Feb. 1999. Earth Times. E. June 11, 2004. Science.
http://www.avant-gardening.com/ogar- 304(5677):1620–1622. (Journal article)
dening.htm It turns out that there are fungi
How important is it that we prac- Aboveground canopies suggest varied root in that dirt and in those plants. Read
tice organic gardening? Soil damaged structures below the ground, necessary for about fungi such as mycorrhizae, a his-
healthy soil (NE 28th Ave).
by synthetic chemical compounds will tory of studies on them, and see pho-
result in an increase in stress for plants and eventually tographs showing the places where each species specifi-
disease and insect attacks in the long term. Failure to cally grows. They were once considered pathogens but
amend soil with organic nutrients is the single greatest now we know that they live in the soil and shape plant
connection to communities, aiding in efforts to restore the environ-
u n h e a l t h y ment. One rare flower, growing in an otherwise barren
plants and landscape, is totally dependent on a species of mycorrhi-
d i s e a s e . zal fungus. Their connection and integral relationship is
Looking for one that, unless you were aware of it, would never be re-
advice on the alized. Orchids are heavily reliant on nutrients supplied
subject, we to them by underground fungi.
found this
The main focus of this article is how fungi remove tox-
website to
ins from polluted soil. Unpolluted soil, with all its neces-
be plain-spo-
sary attributes, not only feeds plant life but also repairs
ken and very
plants which in turn feed fungi. After reading this arti-
helpful, es-
cle, we gained renewed respect for that non-charismatic,
pecially for
underground side of life and headed outside to imagine
do-it-yourself
A yard with varied levels of vegetation (off the network of various types of fungi in the backyard.
NE 50th Ave.). types.
Ecological Linkages between Aboveground
Organic gardening is defined here as growing without
and Belowground Biota. Wardle, D.,
chemical fertilizers and naturally building
Bardgett, R., Klironomos, J.,
the soil to support healthy plant life.
Setala, H., van der Putten, W.
Soil chemistry might be something
and D. Wall. June 11, 2004.
we don’t think about in Portland;
Science. 304(5677):1629-1633.
most of us live in developed areas
(Journal article)
with remarkably compacted
soil, and the temptation exists What actually goes on be-
to use chemical additives in tween organisms on the surface
order to assure a repeat of last and those belowground in your
year’s harvest or growth. If backyard? It turns out, accord-
you use chemical fertilizers, you ing to David Wardle, that it is a
potentially add harmful nitrates two-way street. Aboveground bi-
or salts to the soil, and can leave ota influences life below, and life
chemical residues in the food you belowground affects plant diversi-
grow. Whether you are working with ty and health. Climate change enters
healthy, depleted, or even near- into the interactions linking these
sterile conditions, Building Good The use of varied plantings (shrubs, trees, and perenni- two spheres, but much less is un-
Soil tells us how to beef up the als), rocks, and berms to maintain topsoil (NE 32nd Pl.). derstood about the effects of such

20
 Soil
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRSC) offers
guides to soil structures, soil components, soil properties,
and many more topics to enjoy reading and researching.
Ingham focuses on insects in order to convey ecosystem
connections that exist between healthy soil and insect di-
versity — the soil food web, that’s Ingham’s specialty.

Drought Resistant Soil. Sullivan, P. November 2002.

National Center for Appropriate Technology.
www.attra.ncat.org
Composition of the soil (the soil type) and how the
different components can be modified to actually create
drought resistant soil are covered in this interesting
website. Drought resistant soil refers to soil that is able
to store water below the surface for an extended period
of time. Water-holding capacity is affected by texture,
aggregation (porosity), organic matter, and groundcover
Two natives (Kinnickkinnick and native mosses) are indispensable for and these topics are covered by this article. To illustrate
healthy soil and food webs (off Knott St.). the importance of thoughtful soil management, or
change on belowground organisms. Interesting graphics recombination of the soil, the
are presented to portray linkages between aboveground author tells the story of three
and belowground processes and the climate. In this ar- successful farmers in
ticle, learn to foster these linkages both by selecting the Georgia, North Carolina,
right types of plants and gardening practices, which can and Pennsylvania.
encourage diversity of plants and insects, and, in turn, a With fresh
healthy, sustainable environment. water availability
becoming more of
The Food Web & Soil Health. Ingham, E. 2006. a concern globally
Natural Resource Conservation Service, Chapter and water quality
2. United States Department of Agriculture. a concern locally,
http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/ this article discusses
fw&soilhealth.htm simple, low-impact,
Everything one would want to research or review and sustainable steps
about soils and the environment is packaged in this to protect soil from the
USDA website. Ingham works in Corvallis and this chap- effects of drought.
ter of the report features scientific but not overly tech-
Soil compaction between the grass edge
nical narratives. Healthy soil effectively supports plant and the bottom of the wall leads to soil ero-
Sustainable Soil
growth, protects air and water quality, and ensures hu- sion and nonsustainable soil management Management.
man and animal health. The physical structure, chemi- (Thompson St.). Sullivan, P. May
cal make-up, and biological components of the soil com- 2004. National
bine to determine how well a soil performs its services. Center for Appropriate Technology.
As one of the foremost soil experts in this country, the http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/soilmgmt.html#part1
Visit this site to learn more about the elements and
processes that amend soil over time in order for it to be
sustainable. A little bit more detailed than its simple
three-word title suggests, you can obtain good informa-
tion on:
Increasing oxygen to the soil
Amending with organic matter
Reducing tillage
Promoting earthworms, fungi, and bacteria
Monitoring soil progress one step at a time (good ad-
vice for all sustainability projects)

Driving cars across the lawn compresses air spaces in the soil that
roots need for healthy growth (Halsey St.).

21
Soil
Soil in the Sustainable Organic Garden. 2005. your soil. Alpine pennycress (Thlaspi caerulescens) has
GardenSimply.com. been reported to accumulate excesses of zinc and cadmi-
www.gardensimply.com/articles/soil/s2.shtml um — as much as 10 times more than normal, and plants
As you learn about the intricacies that constitute in the Brassica family, like mustard and canola, thrive on
good healthy soil, you may begin to wonder how that selenium and boron-laden soils. The finish to the short
translates to caring for soil in a garden or landscape over article is a disclaimer that research in phytoremedia-
the course of a season or year. “Garden Simply” gives a tion is slow and complicated. Eight years later, the re-
month-by-month care plan for soil during any time of the search provides much more and we invite you to visit the
year. For example, April is the time for garden prepa- Missouri Botanical Garden website (http://www.mobot.
ration and adding nutrients with tasks such as low-till org/jwcross/phytoremediation/) for more current informa-
to no-till methods. A useful table is included to list tion on ferns accumulating arsenic and cottonwoods accu-
important nutrients and an explanation of why mulating mercury and more. You can also ac-
they are required. One of the best cess complete articles at this website.
ways to avoid soil Microbial Immobilization of
Soil Fertility
erosion is to slow water Cadmium Released From CdO in
Soil Fertility and Biodiversity down; use a winding path the Soil. Kurek, E. and J. Bollag.
in Organic Farming. Mäder, P., 2004. Biogeochemistry. 69(2):227-
instead of a straight and
Fliebach, A., Dubois, D., Gunst, L., 239. (Journal article)
narrow one.
Fried, P. and U. Niggli. May 2002. Cadmium is a heavy metal known to
Science. 31:1694-1695. (Journal article) have harmful effects on soil microorganisms.
If you REALLY want to know your soil, you’ll need The writers provide us with the basics on cadmium
to entertain some information on nutrient inputs and pH and its presence in the soil, and explain that synthetic
levels, and then to believe in the difference between crop fertilizers are the primary source to spreading this tox-
yields that are grown in poor soils versus those grown in in in the environment. Traditional solutions to resolving
soils with compost. It is a well known and substantiat- most forms of soil poisoning include costly soil replace-
ed fact that higher crop yields grown in a range of soils ments or chemical treatments, but detoxifying the soil is
are teeming with organisms and mycorrizal relationships possible only recently, as this article suggests, with vari-
(see Secret Life of Fungi). Earthworms and other organ- ous specialized microbes. We caution that this is a techni-
isms ensure fertility which in turn ensures that cal article but mention it because the toxicity and
diversity below the ground is maintained. the understanding of the fate of cadmium
While remedia- metal (or any other metal for that mat-
Worldwide Portal to Information on tion of contaminated ter) in the soil are important. The first
Soil Health. 2005. soil in rural Oregon is ac- step for us, as Portland homeowners,
http://mulch.mannlib.cornell.edu/ is to know what chemicals reside in
videos.html
complished by poplar plant- our soils. This may involve reflec-
Worldwide Portal promotes audio-
ings, homeowners can ac- tive thinking about our properties as
videos, slideshows, and PowerPoint pre- complish the same thing historic urban places that most like-
sentations on sustainable farming prac- with sunflowers. ly included multiple owners and chemi-
tices with a visual library that includes cov- cal usage at a time when application was
er cropping designs, to allow the ecosystem to more acceptable than it is today.
maintain a rich and diverse structure below and above
Evaluation of Extraction Procedures for Removing
the ground, basic soil quality information, wind erosion,
Lead from Contaminated Soil. Tawinteung, N.,
azotobacter (nitrogen fixing bacteria) information, ethno-
Parkpian, P., Delaune, R. and A. Jugsujinda. 2005.
botany, people and plants, and virtual tours on current
Journal of Environmental Science and Health.
nutrient management strategies which include dry and
40(2):385-407. (Journal article)
liquid manure uses. Check it out.
Lead is another metal known to be harmful to hu-
Contaminated Soil mans. The researchers of this article document the clean-
up of lead-contaminated soils that were collected from
Using Super Plants to Clean the Environment. sites located near an abandoned battery factory and a sec-
Radin, J. June 2000. Agricultural Research. ondary lead-smelting factory. Complicating their clean
48(6):2. (Journal article) up is the fact that lead is very difficult to remove once it
Certain plants can detoxify the soil. Plants described is present in the soil. Identification, sampling, transport,
in this article are virtual vacuums for cleaning up chem- and extraction methods, including soil washing and flush-
icals and harmful nutrients that pose health threats to ing are all documented as well as a good discussion of how
humans and the environment. The act of using nature to lead interacts with the soil, and where it might be found
detoxify, called phytoremediation, can be an effective way in our yards.
for the system to be rehabilitated. For the backyard gar- Graphs and tables show the soil washing process, dis-
dener, a number of plants have been suggested to purify

22
 Soil
tributions of lead in the soil at the study area, and soil destroys the existing ecosystem, and either opens soil to
flushing. The tables show certain soil types and phys- desiccation or compacts soil to create more runoff or soil/
ical characteristics of contaminated soil samples. topsoil erosion.
What are their conclusions? Soil farther from
Stabilization solutions involve:
a lead source is less contaminated, and soil
flushing and washing are both effective in
To k e e p b a r e Keeping native plants on the property
removal of lead from the soil. soil from becom- Landscaping in dry weather
ing compacted in a Routing downspouts to heavily vegetated
Improvement of Degraded Physical
short period of time, areas
Properties of a Saline-Sodic Soil
by Reclamation with Kallar Grass. avoid edgers, frequent Creating terraced slopes
wheeling, or con- Even if your house is not new construc-
Akhter, J., Murray, R., Mahmood, K.
tion, be on the lookout for soil erosion; it may
and K. Malik. 2004. Plant and Soil. stant foot traffic.
the solution to an unhealthy landscape.
258(1):207-216. (Journal article)
While soil with salt build up may not be a Cultivating Success with Trees and Shrubs.
problem in the Portland area, salt-tolerant plants can im- Phillips, L. 2000. American City & Country.
prove the physical characteristics of saline soil around pp. 62-71. (Magazine article)
your home. Just what saline soil is and why it is a grow- Preparing a landscape to manage erosion is a great
ing concern, is addressed in this journal article. Akhter preventative method for keeping soil intact. Site prepa-
et al. recommend kallar grass for better water-retention ration, as this article points, and location, are key to re-
capabilities in your soil. Where to plant the grass, how ducing the impacts of soil erosion. Included are maps of
much to plant, and in what soil types, are covered in this plant zones, tips on using trees and shrubs effectively in
issue of Plant and Soil. The conclusion is that, over time, a yard, and how-to instructions for controlling erosion.
with age and maturity, kallar grass improved soil’s abil- Good stuff.
ity to retain water along with soil porosity, which allows
salts to leach from the topsoil. Keeping Topsoil Down on the Farm.
Peterson, I. December 5, 1987. Science News.
Soil Erosion (Magazine article)
Sediment and Erosion Control for New Homeowners. Keeping Topsoil Down on the Farm is an older refer-
October 2004. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. ence but one that confirms sustainable soil management
www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/wq-strm2-07.pdf is more beneficial than artificial means. Two farms, side-
by-side, examine two different methods of erosion control
As serious a problem as saline soil, if not more seri- to determine if one method is better than another. One
ous, is soil erosion. And soil erosion after construction farm uses crop rotation and both living and dead crop res-
of a new home is a big concern. If soil erosion occurs on idues, while the other uses inorganic fertilizers and pesti-
your property you may be in violation of city contracting cides. Not surprisingly, the results show organic farming
codes. Builders, in most situations, are required to con- is much more effective at controlling soil erosion. Topsoil
struct temporary stabilization that includes short-term on the organic farm was 6 inches deeper than the arti-
vegetation, mulching, and silt fences. Construction often ficially maintained farm and held more moisture in the
soil.
Land/landscape owners can save money by recycling
yard debris and green waste instead of buying fertilizer,
pesticides, replacement topsoil, or mulch.

Plant Selection, Design Care, Keys to Gardening on

Slope. Wood, P. February 6, 2005. The Seattle Times.
http://www.seattletimes.com then search for “Plant
Selection, Design Care, Keys to Gardening on Slope”
Wood writes to a wide audience about plant selection
and placement within yards that have slope. Shade and
plant height are woven into the discussion of mitigating
erosion with roots and leaves and the strategy of perpen-
dicular planting. The direction of the slope, whether west
or south-facing, is also discussed for maximizing plant se-
lection such as herbs that enjoy heat from a direct south-
western exposure. Immediately following discussion of
slope, planting and maintenance comfort levels in the
landscape are addressed. This article is pitched to folks
A well-vegetated sideyard indicating a good use of plants on a slope
where physical properties of the soil are often degraded. who want to garden their slopes and emphasizes the need

23
Soil
for tips to making sure the topsoil stays on during our
winter rains.

Terracing. April 1998. USDA National Resources

Conservation Service.
www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/pdf/Terrace.pdf
As a sustainable practice, terracing land to prevent
soil erosion outweighs the conventional solution to con-
crete. In a region such as the Pacific Northwest where we
can receive a lot of water all at once, it is beneficial to dis-
perse water into the soil slowly rather than have it speed
across an impervious surface and carry soil. This website
shows you how to build terraces and includes:
Appropriate materials
Wall height requirements
Optimum locations
Excellent graphics
It is all about slowing the movement of water down
to a manageable pace. Unfortunately, the advent of con-
crete for terraces has often been a short-sighted solution
in the landscape with regard to water. While this article
is not particular about structural versus nonstructural
solutions to terracing, it’s a good how-to site. If this arti- A small-scale native scene - swordfern, deerfern at right of Western
cle peaks your interest, go to the Processes section where azalea, and downed branch with lichens (N Portland).
you can find the full listing of the NRCS Backyard Care escaping tutorial. Ten different pages entitled How to
articles, as this is the number one tip sheet in a series of Naturescape include designing a plan, preparing the site,
ten on backyard conservation. planting the plants (native or not), creating edges in the
landscape, designing for wildlife, and utilizing bioswales,
Soil Biodiversity with two good finished examples of conventional versus
natural landscape models and why the latter is more pro-
Plant Oregon Grow Native. Duralia, L. 2006.
ductive. This is a very useful resource.
Bosky Dell Natives.
www.boskydellnatives.com/frame_aboutus.htm Bulletin of the Native Plant Society of Oregon.
Bosky Dell Natives is a native plant nursery just out- Harvey, T. (ed.) 2006.
side of Portland, Oregon. Their webpage specializes in www.npsoregon.org/publica.htm
connecting people in the region with native plants, and Native Plant Society of Oregon works for plant and
they boast over 300 species of native plants. They take a habitat conservation. The organization plays a major role
systems approach to preventing ecological problems and in local efforts to protect and conserve threatened and en-
preserving nature. Their site offers links to plant lists dangered species by carrying out rare plant surveys and
and different types of gardens for all the backyard enthu- monitoring programs. They have developed guidelines
siasts and naturalists. Boskey Dell Natives is a great re- regarding native plant gardening, butterfly gardening, bi-
source for anyone interested in low-maintenance, disease- ological control of invasive plants, wetlands restoration,
resistant plants, and basic soil facts. plant ethics, forest management, plant salvage, and re-
introduction of natives. Visit their website to find sched-
Plant Native Homepage.
uled publications, work parties, and native plant rescues
www.plantnative.com/index.htm
in the Portland area.
If you like the idea of plants that are drought
tolerant, this website allows visitors to Organic Landscape
search for native plant information
Maintenance
by nursery, community service, or
professionals. Each category is Oganicare, Inc. Homepage. 2004.
organized by state and metro area, www.organicareinc.com
making it easy for homeowners to
Organicare specializes in the
find specific information about their
organic landscape maintenance in-
region. A listing of native trees and
dustry. The company offers organic
shrubs and their descriptions is also
fertilizers and organic insect and dis-
provided.
ease control products. In addition
What we liked best about this A healthy groundcover (Baccharis magellanica) you can find information on:
site was the step-by-step natur- makes this a well-vegetated slope (off NE 47th Ave.).

24
 Soil
with regard to reduction in heating costs and environ-
mental impacts (little to no processing) and to some folks,
an improvement in looks. They are great looking and the
photos show mosaic tiles embedded in the floors. And by
the way, Sukita Crimmel, the entrepreneur who started a
business creating these floors, is Portland-based.

Down and Dirty. Gelles, D. February 8, 2007.

The New York Times. New York, New York.
(Newspaper article)
Non-mortared rocks and native plants act as a terrace Kevin Rowell and his wife Marsha Farnsworth are
(NE Thompson St.). also into earthen floors, and built one of theirs, bucket by
bucket, in Oakland, California. Engaging in a new breed
Tree care services
of environmentally conscious homeowners who are will-
Lawn care services
ing to forego the traditional floorings such as hardwoods,
Plant health care carpeting, and concrete, Kevin and Marsha opt for the
Compost tea benefits of an earthen floor: reduced heating costs and im-
Based in the Northwest, Organicare services the proved looks with less environmental impact.
Portland and Vancouver Metro areas and can be reached
at (503) 287-2282 or (360) 694-5335. Earthcare: Landscape Maintenance Businesses
Increasingly Offer Alternatives to Synthetics.
Earthen Floors Pokorny, K. Thursday, September 14, 2006.
The Oregonian. Living Green. Portland, Oregon.
Getting Down and Dirty, Earthen Floors Organic landscape maintenance businesses are on
Reduce Heating, Environmental Impact. the rise just like organic food. The costs are typically 10-
Gelles, D. Sunday, March 04, 2007. New York 15% higher and that’s because the business is more labor
Times News Service. New York, New York. intensive, but the pay off in the long run is a landscape
(Newspaper article) capable of being more resilient to insects and pests. In
At around $5-$8 a square foot, 1/3 the cost of most this short article (2 pages) Pokorny lists tips to identify
hardwood floors, earthen floors are growing in demand. green landscape maintenance companies such as, land-
Made with lime, clay, sand, and of course dirt, they are scapes that use compost, organic fertilizer, less gas-pow-
sealed with layers of oil and beeswax for durability. Their ered tools, mulch to suppress weeds, and do not use syn-
‘ding-ability’ is comparable to fir floors, but they can be thetic “weed and feed.”
cleaned up with soap and water and then re-oiled for a
renewed shine. They are considered extremely beneficial

Cut-away on the bank of the Waverly Golf Course can lead to soil ero-
sion and fertilzer runoff (SE Portland).

25
 Energy
Nothing matches the American love affair with the automobile except perhaps the fuel
it takes to drive it. What alternatives does Portland have for driving? Metro’s Travel
Options program (2007) gives 8 options for traveling in the city: bicycling, carpooling
(CarpoolMatchNW), car sharing (Flexcar), public transit, resources for employers, trip
chaining, vanpooling, and walking (http://www.drivelesssavemore.com/travel/index.php
2006).

Energy Conservation O, Pioneers in Pasadena, One Family Unplugs

from Technology and Lives Off the Land.
Sun City: When 18 Teams of Students Built a Robinson, J. January 25, 2007. Special to the
Solar Neighborhood in the Nation’s Capital, They Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California.
Created a Showcase of the Best New Technology (Newspaper article)
for Conserving Energy and Harnessing the Driven by old-fashioned and non-electric ideals, Jules
Power of the Sun. Weeks, J. January Dervaes is a do-it-yourselfer determined to live off
2006. Popular Mechanics. 183(1):68-73. the grid in the middle of Pasadena. He and
(Magazine article) Matt Briggs, his family are totally committed to indepen-
Eighteen university and college teams a Lake Oswego dence, even to the point that they use a
around the country spent three years resident, models sus- hand cranked generator to power small
designing houses from scratch and tainable living; read electric appliances. With their back-to-
powered exclusively by solar energy to
compete in the Solar Decathlon sponsored
the Sustainable Life sec- basics backyard plot they grow enough
produce to feed themselves — and to
by the U.S. Department of Energy. They tion of the Beaverton Valley make biodiesel fuel for the truck that
met last year to set up their projects in Times (Seeing the World in they use to take surplus produce to
Washington, DC at the National Mall, Green. Newell, C. June 28, market, a farmer’s market on wheels.
and to show off to the public. Although 2007. Beaverton Valley At least we assume that’s what they do
most of us would not have the inclination with the 3 tons of vegetables they grow
nor the resources to build a home from
Times. Sustainable
in a “good year” on one tenth of an acre of
scratch, the competition brought together Living. Beaverton, residential land! What drives the Dervaes
people, resources, and creative ideas for Oregon.). family to do all this? Freedom. It’s some-
tightening up new and older homes. Roughly thing to read and think about.
120,000 people waited in line to tour the inside of
the teams’ 800 sq. ft. models that included triple-glazed Our Sustainable Acre in the City. Rios, M. Winter
windows, structural and insulated panels, and many other 2005. Communities. Number 129. pp.36-39.
energy-efficient features. The Virginia Tech team built a (Magazine article)
house that required no electric lights from sunrise to sunset Maitreya Ecovillage is a 16 year-old, sustainably ori-
because of translucent walls that transmitted daylight and ented cooperative that consists of five adjacent city lots, a
then could be tuned with motorized shades to control inside large organic garden, a small orchard, a cob guest cottage,
air temperature. Low-energy LEDs illuminated the house a strawbale community center, and 25 friends and neigh-
at night. The University of Colorado built their model with bors. The ecovillage is a 5-minute bicycle ride from the
all recyclable materials which included wastepaper and soy center of Eugene where cars are banished to the streets
and generated more and driveways are
energy than it could turned into food gar-
consume. The Popular dens. Their belief is
Mechanics article offers that urban commu-
a source page for similar nities are perfectly
materials that were positioned to be “life-
used on the models and boats” in a declining
if you are interested in petroleum-based so-
viewing the winnering ciety. This particu-
models, visit http://www. lar lifeboat fits all
popularmechanics.com/ their trash into one
science/earth/2170567. family-sized barrel
html for a look. Comfort each week.
and style don’t have to be
sacrificed in the pursuit
of alternative energy.
The Briggs’ Family house in Lake Oswego.

27
Energy
Rocky tion to LEED and sustainable design reveals, in under-
Mountain standable terms, the process of renovating a distinctive
Institute’s site. The book details the transformation of the Natural
Home Energy Capitol Center, its reuse of materials from the original
Briefs #1 warehouse, and its implementation of bioswales for catch-
Building ing runoff from the pervious parking lot. A good coffee ta-
Envelope. ble-publication, this small book is chocked full of sustain-
Archembault, able practice ideas for building or rebuilding green.
T., Yardi, R.
and K. Wang. Rocky Mountain Institute’s Home Energy Briefs
December 3, #2 Lighting. Goorsky, S. and A. Smith. December
2004. Rocky 3, 2004. Rocky Mountain Institute. (Newsletter)
Mountain The authors explain the need for efficient lighting in
Institute. the home and provide an analysis of cost plus efficiency
(Newsletter) of differ-
What is a ent types of
building enve- light bulbs
lope? The build- and fix-
ing envelope in- tures. A
cludes the walls, list of ad-
Placement of this ivy is key for reducing heat roof, windows, vantages
build-up inside the gallery that has a southern and foundation and disad-
exposure (Sidestreet Gallery). of your home. vantages of
Understanding lamp types
a building envelope, and improving on it, is actually key and retro-
to energy-efficient (i.e., sustainable) housing. This arti- fits is use-
cle uses simple language to explain how energy can be ful as well Note the shade of this Doug fir protects the con-
lost through poor insulation, air leakages, and windows, as strate- crete from heat build-up and reradiation all through
along with simple options for improving these features to gic lighting the day and night - an example of passive cooling
(SW Portland).
save on heating and cooling expenses. Also included are and effec-
easy-to-read charts comparing common insulation mate- tive use of light dimmers. Tips on sunroofs and reflectors
rials, window retrofits, and energy-efficient window fea- make this a comprehensive newsletter for practical infor-
tures that allow the consumer to compare and analyze at a mation on reducing electric bills, increasing usable nat-
glance. This Rocky Mountain Institute brief outlines costs ural light, and improving the comfort and safety of your
of improvements and potential savings. The guide is ex- home. This is a good choice for a newsletter.
tremely accessible to the average person and can help re-
duce energy consumption dramatically. Rocky Mountain Institute’s Home Energy Briefs
#3 Space Cooling. Yardi, R., Smith, A. and K.
Rebuilt Green: The Natural Wang. December 3, 2004.
Capitol Center and the Rocky Mountain Institute.
Transformative Power of (Newsletter)
Building. von Hagen, B., Ever wonder how you could
Kellogg, E. and E. Frerichs. make your air conditioner more ef-
2003. Ecotrust. Portland, ficient (more cooling with less or
Oregon. pp. 120. (Book) the same amount of money)? As
Whether looking to the Jean simple as it may sound, you may
Vollum Natural Capitol Center as not have thought about passive
a case study of national sustain- cooling measures such as optimiz-
able design or to your own home, ing ventilation, reducing indoor
sustainability works by preserving heat generation, placing windows
natural landscapes and by main- and shades, planting trees, and/or
taining natural processes in re- insulating. Active energy-efficient
lation to the building site. In do- methods of air conditioning such as
ing so, common resources are pre- increasing ventilation with low en-
served for the benefit of others. ergy fans, and more expensive sys-
Easy to read, the book breaks down tems such as evaporative coolers,
LEED (Leadership in Energy and heat pumps, or air conditioners are
Environmental Design) points by included. Easy to follow tips help
category with easy to follow dia- Water-on-Demand; an efficient, compact, hot water you choose the most energy effi-
grams and pictures. This introduc- heating system. cient system for your home and

28
 Energy

maintain its efficiency once installed.

Rocky Mountain Institute’s Home Energy Briefs,

#5 Water Heating. Smith, A., Goorsky, S. and K.
Wang. April 17, 2006. Rocky Mountain Institute.
(Newsletter)
Water heating is generally the second largest use of en-
ergy in a typical home, after space heating and cooling. In
this brief, we learn to save energy by changing our uses of
hot water. For example, lower the temperature on the hot
water tank, wash clothes in cold water, or insulate the hot
water heater and its pipes. Additionally, there are many
new technologies and energy-efficient devices that can be
installed to save energy, including efficient showerheads,
efficient water-heaters, heat pumps, solar water heaters,
and drain-water heat recovery systems. The newsletter Cobb structure in Sellwood, Sherritt Square.
helps determine which energy saving measures are right
Rocky Mountain Institute’s Home Energy Briefs
for a particular home and site.
#8 Kitchen Appliances. Smith, A., Goorsky, S.
Rocky Mountain Institute’s Home Energy Briefs and K. Wang. December 3, 2004. Rocky Mountain
#6 Cleaning Appliances. Smith, A., Goorsky, S. Institute. (Newsletter)
and K. Wang. December 3, 2004. Rocky Mountain Food choices and their energy impact are especially
Institute. (Newsletter) important sustainability topics. Consumers can purchase
This consumer’s guide focuses on energy used by dish- foods that have less energy requirements (less transporta-
washers, clothes washers, and dryers. These appliances tion) and less impact on the world by choosing local and in-
use significant amounts of hot water and energy. Energy season foods with little processing. But if you have to buy
can be conserved by just changing habits of use (using processed foods or foods that come from long distances, at
cooler water instead of hot, and running the dryer for a least choose to maintain, on a routine basis, the applianc-
shorter period of time), or by replacing appliances with en- es necessary for preserving them. Old appliances require
ergy-efficient ones. According to this brief, these applianc- maintenance. If you have gas hookup, look at gas cooking
es will give a potential savings of up to 50% energy used, appliances which are purportedly more efficient than their
without reducing their performance quality. Extras in- electric counterparts. Also, stovetops should receive rou-
clude tests that you can take to indicate whether you are tine maintenance to improve efficiency. Ovens are inher-
using more water by hand washing or by running the dish- ently inefficient because the space inside is so great and
washer. Each household is different so an attempt to tai- should be used only when necessary, or filled to maximum
lor your routine is a more responsible choice. capacity when in use.
A nifty chart outlines the energy used by cooking the
same meal with different tools—e.g., an oven, a frying pan,
or a toaster—so that you can compare different modes of
food preparation. This article contains a lot of common
sense advice.

A Demonstration of Energy-Efficient Lighting in

Residential New Construction. Banwell, P., Brons,
J., Freyssinier-Nova, J., Rizzo, P. and M. Figueiro.
June, 2004. Lighting Research & Technology.
36(2):147-164. (Journal article)
Some of us have a negative perception of energy-effi-
cient lighting especially when thinking about aesthetics.
With a field study approach, Banwell et al. present ener-
gy-efficient lighting on a newer model home using particu-
lar design principles that integrate architectural features
(high ceilings and cabinetry), color schemes, and lifestyle
to get maximum lighting with less money.
The system performance was rated by evaluating lu-
minance, energy, and operational costs. Total equip-
ment and operations (over the life) of the model house cost
Vertical gardens on the side of the building save energy costs if cooling $27,000, which they claim is less than half of a convention-
during the summer, an example of passive cooling (1110 SE Alder).
al design. This is a must read if you are redesigning your

29
Energy
home’s lighting system or building a new one. with energy efficient models and Stover says
The information is easy to understand and the neighbors may think your solar pan-
technical information is provided in the els or wind turbines are yard ornaments
appendices. While not everyone can – blocking their view. If you stay on
find it financially feasible to redesign the grid, 38 states currently pay to
their whole lighting infrastructure, buy your excess power. Going off
we could all benefit from replac- the grid definitely requires some re-
ing traditional incandescent light thinking. Take notice of these tips
bulbs with the non-mercury, ener- and you’ll be better prepared for
gy-efficient bulbs listed and rated your project.
in this article. Remember, there’s
not a lot of ‘light’ reading here; this Living Unplugged: One Family’s
is a journal article, but it’s incredibly Valiant Quest to Kick the Oil
informative and hopeful with sugges- Habit- and How You Can (Try To)
tions. Do It, Too. Hewitt, B. December
2005. Popular Mechanics.
Electricity Tips: Head Off The canopy of this south-facing shade tree cuts en- (12):72-75. (Magazine article)
Power Blackouts/Brownouts, ergy bills during the summer (NE Stanton St.). Driven by the desire to save
Cut Energy Bills. 2005. money and be more financially in-
Alliance to Save Energy. dependent, the Hewitt family em-
http://ase.org/content/article/detail/932 barks on a six-month quest for self–sufficient living. This
These tips deal mostly with summertime energy is- is the first article in a series that documents the family’s
sues. You will find advice about keeping your house cool exploration of wind power, solar cells, photovoltaic power
and conserving energy, plain and simple. Tips include grids, solar water heaters, and more. Popular Mechanics
maintenance to the air conditioner, using ENERGY STAR features their journey to live independent of the local pow-
certified appliances, turning off appliances and lights er company and a book is soon to follow. A how-to mod-
when not in use, planting shade trees, closing the blinds, el with details on breaking free of the utility company is
using efficient windows, and more. online at the family’s blog (www.popularmechanics.com).
Enjoy.
5 Things to Know before Going off the Grid.
Stover, D. May, 2004. Popular Science. 264(5):127. Save Your Energy. Max, S. January 2006. Money.
(Magazine article) 35(1): 102-105. (Magazine article)
Stover says it short and sweet: “Being green ain’t Just as the Hewitt’s are finding, saving energy means
cheap, know what nature can provide, the fridge is history, saving money. This article is a comprehensive how-to
your neighbors might bitch, and you can get paid to stay guide on conservation at home. Sarah Max looks closely
on the grid”. There are basic things to expect when pre- at home heating which, with rising gas and oil prices in
paring to live free of the power grid. You should know it winter, is often a substantial homeowner expense. She ex-
takes several years to recoup the capital investment from plains how to determine if heat is leaking from your home,
energy savings and it takes a certain type of energy sys- and various ways to mitigate such losses, including insu-
tem. Some household appliances will have to be replaced lation, windows, seals, small lifestyle changes, and bet-
ter technology. In addition, Max gives estimated costs for
all suggestions and pairs that information with estimat-
ed savings. Save Your Energy is an easy to follow, useful
guide.

Great Green Appliances. Pahl, G. 2004. Mother

Earth News. 201:44-51. (Magazine article)
Northwest residents have been installing low-flow
faucets and showerheads to conserve water and ener-
gy since the 1970s, but if you haven’t made this impor-
tant step, or just want to know more about them, here’s
a chance. Newer clothes’ washers use up to 50% less wa-
ter than washers manufactured in the eighties. Water-
efficient, high-speed, horizontal-axis washers are recom-
mended and can bring savings up to $100 per year in en-
ergy costs. Besides giving a good rationale for installing
low-flow faucets, there is a listing of related websites and
topics that lead to:
Water heaters
Solar panels on Halsey St. Refrigerators and freezers

30
 Energy
photo of Zenger’s house and panel setup.

Used and Imperfect Solar Panels and Cells

Retailers. 2007. EcoBusinessLinks Environmental
Directory.
http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/solar_panels_
cheap_used_surplus.htm
Cheap solar panels, solar cells, blemished solar panels,
solar energy investing, along with information on what to
look for when buying used solar products makes this web-
Ecomotion dealership on Sandy Blvd. New and pre-owned electric site well worth the look. The site also claims over 7,000
cars, trucks, scooters, and Seguays. environmental links.

Clothes washers Free Hot Water! Kalmer, D. January/February

Clothes dryers 2001. Countryside & Small Stock Journal.
Embodied energy www.countrysidemag.com/issues/1_2001.htm#water
Perhaps the most important idea conveyed in the ar- Two options for solar water heaters are passive sys-
ticle is the concept of embodied energy. Embodied energy tems (pumpless) and active systems (with pumps) and this
is the complete amount of energy necessary to produce a site discusses both. Helpful tips from this website enable
single item which includes the energy that was used in the you to determine the type, size, placement, and materials
mining, the transportation, and the manufacturing of the necessary for the system you choose. Solar water heat-
product. The article addresses the question, “How much ing systems are ideally placed in south-facing windows or
energy am I actually going to save in making this replace- greenhouses and use little or no extra energy than sun
ment?” It’s a great question to ponder when considering power to operate. These systems work best in locations
sustainable practices. This is an excellent resource. that receive significant direct sunlight. Because the ma-
terials are inexpensive and the devices relatively simple,
Radiant Barriers: Will They Save You Money? May this is something you might want to consider installing in
1990. Consumers’ Research Magazine. 73(5):18-21. your home.
(Magazine article)
My Solar-Electric House & Car. Jensen, M. 2006.
Radiant barriers for the attic are made of aluminum
Home Power. 113:16-20. (Magazine article)
foil and save energy by blocking outside heat from trans-
www.homepower.com
ferring through the ceiling. This passive method reduc-
es 95% of radiant heat from entering the existing insula- The author’s family, Portland residents, have installed
tion and keeps the home substantially cooler in the sum- a Photovoltaic (PV) system in their house and rigged it to
mer, saving you in cooling costs (fans or air conditioners). produce power not only for the house but also for the fam-
Consumers’ Research provides comprehensive and infor- ily car. The use of the PV system fit into energy budgeting
mative answers with regard to selecting this method of measures recommended by the state so it was connected to
saving energy for the home; the materials for which vary Portland General Electric’s (PGE) regional power grid. At
in price depending on the energy saved. Anyone interest- the end of the first year, PGE owed Jensen $88.00 and by
ed in keeping a cooler home in hot weather, while using the end of the sec-
less energy, can benefit from the information provided. ond year, the sum
was $200.00. Since
Solar Power PGE is under no ob-
ligation to actual-
Catch Some Rays: Even in the Soggy Willamette ly PAY this money,
Valley, Solar Power Generates Interest. Otto, B. they extended the
22 June 2006. The Oregonian. Home & Garden. benefits of their lo-
Portland, Oregon. (Newspaper article) cal power source to
Astoria, Oregon gets more sunshine than the sunniest their electric vehi-
part of Germany, the world leader in solar energy. Inland cle. The decision
from Astoria, the Willamette Valley receives as much so- proved to be a good
lar energy annually as the U.S. average, while the east- one. At the end of
ern and southern parts of Oregon receive as much, if not the first year they
more, than Florida. Arnold Zenger, a Portland resident, had driven 12,000
has been harvesting sun power for the last decade and this miles powered en-
short article shows off his solar electric photovoltaic pan- tirely on their elec-
els and two hot water solar panels along with solar fans. tricity, the average
Zenger, at the time of this printing, powered over a third price per mile was
of his home in electricity and generated more hot water $0.03 and they still Flexcar and designated parking spot on
than the household could consume. Look for this great had a zero bill with NE 33rd Ave.

31
Energy
the power company. Get A Jump On Summer With Solar
Pool Heating. Marken, C. June/
The article includes technical spec-
July 2006. Home Power. 113:30-
ifications and schematics for the PV
34. (Magazine article)
system and car hook up. Archived
issues of Home Power are available This article takes an in-depth
online for $5.00 while the whole look at a specific focus—heating
magazine is available online for a home swimming pool using so-
$5.95. lar power. Marken details differ-
ent types of solar pool-heating sys-
Portland Critical Mass. 2005. tems, pricings, efficiencies, installations,
http://rosecitycriticalmass.org/ Solar panels on the family garage (NE 40th Ave.).
and geographic practicalities. If
If you think you like biking see you have an outdoor heated pool or
if you can hang with these folks. Their bike rides are a just have a pool you want to heat without consuming more
chance to imagine the looks of a city with a car-free zone electricity, this is a very valuable article.
and a chance to ride unencumbered by cars in downtown
The Sun’s Within Reach. Van Fleet, T. September
Portland.
11, 2007. The Portland Tribune. Portland, Oregon.
Easier Solar Power. Livingston, D. and S. Hollis. (Newspaper article)
Summer 2006. Mother Earth News. 215:122-126. Andrew Koyaanisqatsi of Solar Energy Solutions has
(Magazine article) been installing solar solutions since 1987 in the Portland
Many individuals that use solar panels are still at- area. He finds the biggest challenge is getting the word
tached to the power company’s electrical grid. In scenari- out that it works and that the incentives are great; a solid
os discussed in this article, a homeowner generates power, investment that will continue to increase as energy prices
sends it to the utility’s system, and during off-peak load rise. We read that his company even sells a do-it-yourself
periods, draws it back for use. This article is an easy to package for a solar heating system including all the nec-
read guide to grid-tied solar systems whether upgrading essary parts. Seems he’s willing to tailor his services for
an existing system or purchasing a new solar electrical just about any solar need you may have. Andrew’s mis-
system outright. You will need to know if net metering sion is simply to move more folks into a sustainable fu-
exists in your area and if so, the power company can trade ture. Bravo!
electricity with you.
The Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook:
Options are explored for the types of solar panels to The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy
purchase along with other helpful tips on photovoltaic ori- Technologies and Sustainable Living. 1996.
entation, backup power, and eliminating the need for ex- Schaeffer, J. and Pratt, D. and Real Goods Staff
pensive batteries. Cost effective methods are suggested, (eds.). Chelsea Green Publishing Company. White
along with methods for calculating your system’s “pay- River Junction, Vermont. pp. 632. (Book)
back”. Updated almost yearly, this broad-based overview of
energy options ranges from solar, thermal, greywater, mi-
Northwest Solar Co-op Thrives. 2004. Sustainable
crohydro, landscape lights, to bird fountains and more and
Industries Journal. 21:3. (Magazine article)
can be a one-stop-shopping energy solution. There is a lot
Want to belong to a solar co-op? Homeowners can now of information out in their book and Real Goods does re-
join up with an Oregon and Washington based co-op that tail the information and the products they prescribe, mak-
pays individuals $200 a year ing them a good source for
to produce energy and pass lots of creative solutions.
it directly to the Bonneville One solution that we liked
Environment Foundation. in particular was the Harris
Together, members share Hydro Turbine, a small and
current and cutting edge simple hand-made gadget
information in an indus- that only requires one ripple
try that is rapidly growing. in a stream to power up a
As a group, the individual family’s need for electricity.
houses generate a surplus Simple and functional, the
of 1 megawatt of energy per turbine may not be geared
year, which founder Doug for a homestead-style scale
Boleyn envisions as encour- but the Real Goods folks
aging growth for the solar do a good job of explaining
industry. the context that surrounds
using this source of power.
Their catalogue also offers
Portland resident, Amy Zlot, rides 5 miles to and from work everyday. blended energy overviews if

32
 Energy
main force of the wind. The overall construction appears
rather simple, but part two of the series discusses an elec-
tric motor hook up to make this design even better.

Build Your Own Wind Turbine. 2006. The

Pembina Institute.
http://www.re-energy.ca/pdf/wind-turbine.pdf
If you are thinking about installing a wind turbine,
this article actually informs us on how to assemble and in-
stall one kind of turbine called the Savonius Wind Turbine.
Though it does not produce as much energy as the more
common Horizontal Axis Turbine, the Savonius Turbine
(ST) is simple to build using tools and parts commonly
While zoning in the city may keep you from having a windmill, you
found around the house or shop. Though the ST does not
can still choose renewable energy. Check out PGE’s Green Source or appear to be a permanent mechanism, and it produces
Pacific Power’s Blue Source energy options. minimal amounts of energy, if you are just beginning to
consider using wind as an alternative energy source this
you are interested. Check them out. article can help you put ideas in motion.
Wind Energy Fuel Tips for Home and Road
People Power. Smith, J. 1 June 2004. Ecologist Ethanol’s Wherewithal. Burnham, M. 2006.
Online. (Magazine article) Sustainable Industries Journal. 40:14-18.
www.theecologist.org, then search for “People Power.” (Journal article)
Unique in its approach this article focuses on a Our addiction to oil rises again as a hot topic when
community-led, grassroots effort that formed a limited prices increase and consumers look for alternatives to pay-
liability company to build their own energy-generating ing more at the pump. Surely, while the days of cheap
wind turbine. In understated language, the author oil are numbered, there are alternatives, and some of
describes how anyone who is motivated can initiate a them are considered in this interesting journal article.
grand scheme for effecting change on a scale much larger Switchgrass, a perennial grass, for example, is a candi-
than anticipated at the outset. date for producing biofuel, or ethanol, as an alternative
Build a Wind Turbine From Scratch (part 1). to fossil, or petroleum and coal-derived fuels. The article
Bartman, D. and D. Fink. 2005. BackHome quotes President Bush calling for switchgrass, wood chips
Magazine. 74:36-39. (Magazine article) and cornstalks (all important biofuel feed stocks) to dis-
place 75% of the nation’s oil imports from the Middle East
Fink and Bartman have years of practical experience by 2025. Big investors like Bill Gates are investing cur-
constructing electric, power-generating wind turbines so rently in biofuel markets and it is estimated that commer-
if there was another way to offset our dependence on fos- cialization of biofuel is less than 5 years away. This article
sil fuels, this could be it. This article details instructions, presents new technologies in fuel through the lens of mar-
step-by-step, for building a ket transformation in an in-
wind turbine from scratch formative way that will
for hundreds of dollars less leave the reader wondering,
than the cheapest commer- “Why haven’t we been doing
cial model which costs about this?”
$1,500.
The chief obstacle with Heat Your Home
wind turbines is the inter- With Biodiesel. Pahl,
mittent nature of the power G. Dec./Jan. 2003.
source (wind). A good wind Mother Earth News.
turbine needs to have the (Magazine article)
best low wind power gen- www.motherearthnews.
eration capacity possible com
while also being able to sur- Biofuels are a popular
vive high winds. The basic topic, usually in the context
design method of these dual of combustion engines. But,
purposes is a wind catch- what advantages do biofu-
ing “tail” system that rises els have to offer us? The
when wind speeds get too scoop on heating with bio-
high. As it rises, it is rigged fuel is that no new heat-
to twist the blades out of the Switchgrass is a perennial plant that resembles this grass (NE 34th Ave.). ing appliance or retrofit-

33
Energy
ting is needed and the alternative fuel (made PSU The Manual for the Home and Farm
from new and used vegetable oils or an- recycles house- Production of Alcohol Fuel.
imal fats) burns very cleanly, meaning hold batteries at the fol- Mathewson, S. 1980. Ten Speed
that it is less polluting to the atmo- Press. Berkeley, California. pp.
lowing locations: PSU Bookstore
sphere. Biodiesel also has the ad- 208. (Book)
2nd floor, Montgomery Residence
vantage of being biodegradable, non- The author begins by stress-
toxic, and renewable; while fossil fu- Life Desk, Self-Service Recycling ing that alcohol is an excellent al-
els take millions of years to produce, Rooms CH 480, NH 370, SB2 144, ternative to gasoline in motor vehi-
fuel stocks for biodiesel can be cre- and SMSU Market, and ASPSU cles, but not suitable for home heat-
ated in just a few months. According Office. Check out their web- ing or other gas engines. The pro-
to the debates, burning the fuel re- site for Recycling 101 and the duction of alcohol takes a lot of en-
quires that plants are grown, which bal- Recycling Schedule. ergy and therefore is not considered a
ances the carbon dioxide emissions creat- completely energy-efficient replacement to
ed when the fuel is combusted. The USDA gasoline, however the rising costs of gasoline,
research center in Beltsville, Maryland claims that along with the scarcity of crude oil makes this some-
if everyone in the Northeast used a commonly available thing worthy of considering or at least thinking through.
biodiesel blend, known as B5, in their home oil furnaces, In this vein, there is basic information for small-scale pro-
50 million gallons of regular fuel oil could be saved annu- duction of ethanol, including a good synopsis of fuel theory
ally. The research center has been successfully using a and everything you need to know about feedstocks, pro-
B20 blend to heat its buildings since 2000. This Mother
Earth News article is a quick and informative read.

The Potential of C4 Perennial Grasses for

Developing a Global BIOHEAT Industry. Samson,
R., Mani, S., Boddey, R., Sokhansanj, S., Quesada,
D., Urquiaga, S., Reis, V. and C. Ho Lem. 2005.
Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. 24(5/6):461-495.
(Journal article)
Switchgrass requires little water, does not have to be
replanted annually, and has a high ratio of energy out-
put when produced and burned for BIOHEAT in pellet
form (heating efficiently when burned in pellet stoves).
Switchgrass pellets represent renewable clean energy at
it finest. In this article, along with helpful information
on growing switchgrass as a feedstock, the authors pro-
vide detailed, step-by-step directions for densification of
switchgrass into pellet form. Analytical charts and illus-
trations are provided for the ambitious sustainable follow-
er. We considered this to be a good neighborhood project,
where the benefits could be shared with others in the com-
munity. The first step to heating this way is to know it’s
even possible! But, it goes without saying, be well read be-
fore pursuing such a project.

Biodiesel from Used Kitchen Grease or Waste

Vegetable Oil. Pelley, M. 2003. Journey to Forever.
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_mike.html
Biodiesel is another cleaner burning source of fuel
that can be used in place of fossil fuels. These step-by-step
instructions show you how to create biodiesel from used
cooking oil. All that is needed are common chemicals and
equipment that can be easily purchased or constructed.
Biodiesel is considered an efficient energy source because
the energy used to create the fuel is derived from recy-
cled products that would otherwise be discarded. The re-
sulting fuel can be used in diesel engines, including some
machinery. The instructions appear direct, easy-to-follow,
and are accompanied by illustrations to help with a suc-
cessful project.
Lawn chair as yard art stays out the landfill (NE Halsey St.).

34
 Energy
cessing, fermentation, yeast, use of ethanol, and Erik Green Energy Practices
distillation procedures. (We don’t remember Vidstrand,
any comments on the legal aspects of mak- How to Recycle Rechargeable
ing your own alcohol.) Mathewson empha-
who lives on 1/3 Batteries. September 1998. Journal
sizes the need to discontinue reliance on acre in Multnomah of Environmental Health. 61(2):31.
fossil fuels and advocates self-contained, Village, had PSU Capstone (Journal article)
automatic appliances that could turn all students design a way to Because rechargeable batteries do
sorts of waste material into useable fuel. help him meet his needs eventually die, and they are quite harm-
The author also encourages electric vehi-
cles, small, regional hydroelectric plants
for firewood for his out- ful to the earth, the Charge up to Recycle
Program! was created. National retail
and full utilization of solar, geothermal, door pits. See the stores participate, making it easier to re-
and other energy alternatives. PSU design be- cycle these toxic tools. Participating retail-
Also helpful to the reader are the simple low. ers include:
step-by-step instructions for modification of a car- ACE Hardware
buretor to accept alcohol as a fuel. The book is a good how- Ameritech
to manual for people who want to operate regular automo- Batteries Plus
biles without burning fossil fuels; however the approach BellSouth Cellular
may not be practical for an urban homeowner because it Black & Decker
is labor intensive. Also, the instructions appear basic and Car Phone Store
may work best as a starting point, or in conjunction with Circuit City
more specific, technical manuals. If
NHD Hardware
you have several acres of farmland to
Radio Shack
grow any of the recommended feed-
stocks, you could follow the step-by- Sears
step instructions in this book to pro- Target
ducing your own clean burning fuel, Wal-Mart
but on 5,000 sq. ft., probably not a To find out more about Charge
practical project. Up to Recycle Program! visit their
website at www.rbc.com.
Fuel from Sawdust. Brown,
M. June 19, 1983. Acres USA. Recycled Art. Jimenez, G. Artists
PSU students designed a small poplar forest of
(Magazine article)
mixed aged trees in the back corner of Erik’s Helping Children Foundation.
Cookbook instructions for mak- lot where trees could be harvested sustainably www.artistshelpingchildren.org/
ing ethanol from recycled sawdust (within 7 years) while still fixing nirogen for his articlescribbles4.html
are provided in this good but dated soil. Energy comes in many forms; it
article. Ethanol is a clean burning fuel that can be substi- takes energy to execute certain tasks or produce common
tuted for gasoline to run automobiles. The article begins objects. When we dispose of these objects, more energy
by cautioning readers to exercise safety and wear protec- is required to process them; fuel is expended to transport
tive gear when following this procedure as sulfuric acid is garbage and move bulldozers at the landfill. One way for
one of the key ingredients. The materials necessary for us all to leave a smaller ecological footprint is to use less
procuring ethanol are rela- material, thereby consum-
tively easy to acquire: two ing less, to reuse as much
discarded 55-gallon drums as possible, and finally to
and chemicals that can be recycle whenever possible,
ordered from any chemical hence the phrase, “reduce,
supply warehouse. The sup- reuse, recycle”. This article
ply list is mostly recycled describes fun projects for
materials. Supplemental the whole family and mak-
information would be help- ing art by using everyday
ful in this article as there is materials that would other-
probably more recent infor- wise be thrown away; this is
mation. Check for permit- the “reuse and recycle” part
ting in your area before be- of the mantra. Suggestions
ginning the process. here include: collages, pa-
per mache sculptures, sock
puppets, painted glass bot-
tle vases, bottle trees and/
or pathways, and many
Hot Lips Pizza car charges up overnight (Mt. Tabor).
more. This is a fun, practi-

35
Energy
cal idea for energy conservation that, with a little imagi- A stove’s thermal output is measured in BTUs, and
nation, could be applied to almost anything that would typically ranges between 18,000 and 80,000 BTUs. Though
otherwise be discarded. wood burning stoves have been in existence for years, im-
provements to the tune of 30-40% have only come recently.
Newswise. Jones, D. May 10, 2006. This article and the BackHome magazine, in general, de-
www.newswise.com/articles/view/506609 liver useful do-it-yourself information on sustainable and
In an article that has the potential to make us think self-reliant living.
outside the box, Newswise media envisions a fu-
ture in which electric car owners will sell Yes It Is Rocket Science: How to
power back to the electric grid. The fu- The Rebuilding Make Energy Efficient Wood
ture of automobiles appears to be tied Center is a great Burning Stoves. Roth, J. 2006.
to the electric drive train (at least par- place to look for old build- Permaculture: Solutions for
tially in the case of hybrids) and like ing materials for reuse. If you Sustainable Living. 47:39-42.
any stored commodity, the juice in our haven’t checked them out, (Magazine article)
cars could be offloaded during peak While this article relates more to
hours for a profit. According to this it’s worth a trip, 3625 N. the problem of wood fuel needs in im-
article, there is no technological barrier Mississippi Ave. poverished, resource-depleted commu-
to the transmission of energy from car to nities, it becomes relevant to us here in
grid. Portland with the widespread popularity of out-
door grilling. Clean burning “rocket stoves,” as they
If you’ve never heard of Newswise, visit their website
are called, generally are similar to wood burning stoves
and browse around. They offer a comprehensive, online
but burn significantly cleaner than other commonly used
communications and information management tool that
stoves. J. Roth provides us with step-by-step instructions
decreases potential stress of information overload by com-
on making a “rocket stove” with everyday materials. The
piling a database of knowledge-based scientific, medical,
basic concept and design center around mixing oxygen
liberal arts, and business research news.
more efficiently with burning wood. Not only does this re-
A Guide to Wood Heating: What to Look for duce smoke generated but it consumes 1/3 less wood for
when Warming with Wood. BackHome Magazine comparable heat gain. The Aprovecho Resource Center
Staff. 2002. BackHome Magazine. 61:28-31. in Cottage Grove, Oregon is primarily responsible for per-
(Magazine article) fecting the rocket stove.
Wood burning inside the urban boundary isn’t the Green Electricity... Are You Being Conned?
most sustainable option, but if you’re going to participate Jeremy, S. 1 June, 2005. Ecologist Online.
in burning wood why not do it a little more responsibly. (Magazine article)
BackHome Magazine discusses the merits of catalytic ver- www.theecologist.org/archive_detail.asp?content_id=428
sus “clean burn” stoves in addition to listing common wood
Though written with England in mind, most of the pop-
burning options. Since the 1980s EPA has mandated clean
ular, consumer-oriented green energy options described
burning technology in all new wood burning stoves and in
here apply equally to Portland. Characterizing the prac-
stoves equipped with this efficiency, where smoke is chan-
tice of naming “Green Electricity” as ineffective, the au-
neled through a ceramic honeycomb coated with a metal
thor explains how buying into green energy simply means
catalyst. At high temperatures, the catalyst removes ex-
that the local energy company agrees to produce a quanti-
haust gases before they pass out the flue.
fied amount of green energy, which then goes into the re-
gional electrical power grid. He argues that CO2 emissions
saved by green energy efforts is a niggling amount, and
points out that the percentage of green energy being used
nationally has not increased since the formation of green
companies in the early 90s. His emphasis then is on con-
servation, rather than the practice of buying green. With
emphasis on personal responsibility for conservation, this
is an important article to consider reading. Here’s where
knowing the difference between marketing green and buy-
ing green comes in handy.

An old tricycle, which would otherwise go to the dump and be treated

as waste, is reused as garden art (N 36th Ave.).

36
 Energy
Can Plant-Based Plastics Clean Up the An example of the kind of information
E-Waste Stream? Streeter, A. 2006. available at this site is “The Green Home
Sustainable Industries Journal 37:11- Don’t fret over Remodeling Guide,” which provides ways to
13. (Journal article) plastic or paper at implement sustainable practices when you
Plastics used to make our comput- the grocery counter, remodel your home. There are tips on:
ers, discs, monitors and other electronic use cloth and save on Saving energy and water
wastes constitute 5% of the waste stream. the manufacturing of Using renewable energy
New technology is now available to trans- Protecting rainwater and streams from pol-
both.
form these plastics we use and discard on a lution
daily basis into more environmentally-friend- Recycling and reusing construction materials
ly plant-based plastics. Many American compa- Selecting low-impact materials
nies are moving in this direction, led by Fujitsu, Sharp, Reducing indoor pollutants, including mold and toxic
and NEC. Because of legislation passed in Europe, as re- chemicals
cent as the summer of 2006, it may become difficult for
Durability and long life
US based companies that don’t switch over to sell prod-
Reducing maintenance
ucts overseas. This will force other American companies
to adjust to market demand. As informed consumers, the Visit this site for a rich trove of articles and ideas on
signal to purchase items that reflect our values is stronger not only sustainable practices geared toward Portland,
than ever. The shouts of sustainable decision-making do but for details on where to go for other sources of informa-
not go unheard. Transformed company protocols reflect tion or for the products touted on the website.
truer cost scenarios as the consumer’s value is anything
but business as usual. This article addresses our power How Green Are You? Davis, J. June, 2006.
as consumers to make sustainable decisions, and it shows Portland Monthly. pp. 65-70. (Magazine article)
the effectiveness of market transformation—good infor- Want to reduce CO2 emissions or 500 pounds of green-
mation to keep in mind if you want to empower the green house gases to be more precise? Try something as sim-
markets. This article addresses our power as consumers ple as switching out your old 100-watt incandescent bulb
to make sustainable decisions and become more effective with 32-watt compact fluorescent bulbs. Interested in re-
at “closing loops” or including human activities in natural ducing energy costs? Consider using solar hot water, or
cycles. It shows the effectiveness. schedule a home energy review with your local utility to
make alterations to your energy use. This article boasts
The City of Portland’sGreen Building Resource: 25 easy ways to reduce your footprint on the environment,
Promoting Green Building as the Standard of saving money and at the same time maintaining biodiver-
Development. 2008. sity. Also mentioned are tips valuable for the health ben-
www.portlandonline.com/osd/index.cfm?c=41481 efits to your family of avoiding herbicides, using low vola-
The City of Portland’s Green Building Program, which tile organic compound (VOC) paints, and choosing a green
can be reviewed online at this site, features user-friend- daycare center.
ly articles promoting practical green building options
and ideas — even the City of Portland’s Green Building America’s Energy Plan in Action: Bearing Witness.
Policy! Williams, T. February 21, 2002. Orion Online.
(Magazine article)
www.orionsociety.org/pages/oo/sidebars/front/index_TTW.html
This article attacks the other half of the energy is-
sue: where fossil fuels come from and the environmental
impact of extracting them. Williams writes passionate-
ly about witnessing the destruction of a pristine desert in
Utah through fossil fuel exploration and extraction. With
first hand experience, he casts a shadow on the popular
notion that natural gas is a clean fuel. It may burn clean
but the prospecting and extraction of the gas is destructive
to the environment and human health.

Wood is Good. Campbell, T. 2006. Eco-Structure

4:64-65. (Magazine article)
Responsible forestry begins in the backyard. Campbell
teaches us about certified wood products and certifiers
such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and their
contributions to the sustainable harvesting of wood. The
FSC stamp signifies that the lumber you purchase has
By keeping lateral branches on this tree Portland city pruners save been monitored and harvested to ensure that its produc-
neighborhood cooling costs and maintain the shade (NE 47th Ave.). tion, while serving as a vital resource, was managed to

37
Energy
prevent destroying the forest ecosystems and habitats
from where it was taken. The article also addresses the
difficulty of finding FSC certified wood and a referral sys-
tem to help builders. FSC labeled products can now be
found in many local hardware and do-it-yourself centers.
This article gives a good introduction to certified wood
products, and to sustainable harvesting practices. It also
provides sources for more information from creditable
sources, such as Forest Products Solutions, a Portland-
based promoter of sustainable wood harvesting. The arti-
cle will give you a nice outline of what to look for, and also
a good look at the issues surrounding certified wood.

G Rated: Orpinela Guest House. Portland Office of

Sustainable Development. May 10, 2006.
www.portlandonline.com, then search for Orpinela.
The Orpinela guest house, located in Portland, is one
example of many on this website that highlights the prac-
tical aspects of green building. The page is linked to oth-
ers that give a detailed description of all aspects of build-
ing, construction, and design.
Inspired by the owners’ desire to have ideal indoor air The recycling center at New Seasons on NE 33rd Ave. and
N Killingsworth St.
quality for their hyper-allergenic son, energy efficient fea-
tures, and to fit into the natural landscape, this is a sto- and adequate storage space for gear, suitcases, and pets.
ry of how to implement an eco-roof and meet the chemi- Currently they run wine tours, pub crawls, airport trips,
cal sensitivity needs of the occupant. The story is a good bachelor parties, and a luxury vanpool service for com-
read. muters however, they cater to any transportation re-
Other links at this site include the Douglas Meadows quest. They offer free Wi-Fi in the van, snacks for com-
housing project, which is a large three and four bedroom muters, and mixers for party-goers.
apartment complex, and the Rivas-Scott Home that fea- Pricing is $55-$65/hour for the entertainment shuttle
tures a solar water heater that supplies water and low but is subject to change depending on the nature of the
emission materials, and a photovoltaic system to reduce service. We asked if they’d be willing to cater to grocery
energy consumption. In addition, Safecoat and Aglia shopping trips for more than one neighbor and they were
brand paints were used indoor to reduce poor air qual- thrilled by the idea. The cost would depend on the dis-
ity inside the house. Many green references are listed on tance to the store, number of people, and where they were
their reference page. located but they were willing to work with us. The airport
shuttle is $35 for one person, $45 for two-five people and
Bright Greens, Straw Dogs, and The New
$65 for five-nine within Portland. Prices may increase for
Generation. Steffen, A. October 4, 2007, 5:45 pm.
people who live outside the metro area. Their shuttle is
WorldChanging: Change Your Thinking.
available 24/7; all they ask is that you book ahead. Call
www.worldchanging.com
503-548.4480.
In a great academic debate on rising energy use,
Steffen points out the dilemma of reducing energy use in PDX Pedicabs. 2007.
a country such as ours, when it is the primary cause of http://www.pdxpedicab.com/
global warming, but it is also a primary cause of rising PDX Pedicab operates the ultimate in eco-friend-
prosperity, longer life spans, better medical treatment, ly transportation; a rickshaw-like vehicle that can carry
and greater personal and political freedom. Guaranteed two or three passengers, propelled by pedal power. They
to make you think and to think outside the box. serve downtown Portland and the Pearl District, day and
night. Just give them a call. 503-Pedicab.
Eco-Shuttle.
www.ecoshuttle.net/
Eco-Shuttle, currently powered by 100% biodiesel
from recycled vegetable oil (readily available and non-
pollutable) is a limousine/passenger van/shuttle service
in Portland with an upgrading fleet that adapts to envi-
ronmental needs, i.e., diesel-electric hybrids, solar pan-
els, and eventually hydrogen fuel cells. Their fleet offers
roominess with bucket seats, comfort seats with head-
rests and adjustable cup holders for drinks and alcohol,

38
 Food Gardening
Today, most of us are consuming foods from so far away it takes more calories to transport the
food than the energy it actually supplies us. So the question then becomes, is it possible to grow
enough food year-round, organically, in the Portland area to feed ourselves fruits and vegeta-
bles? We think it is.

Growing Your Own ends with a question answer section, suggestions of tested
varieties, lists and diagrams of effective tools, instruc-
Crockett’s Victory Garden. Crockett, J.U.
tions on how to construct tools, soil preparation,
1977. Little, Brown & Company. Boston,
A U C L A / L S U and a glossary of definitions. Although not spe-
Massachusetts. pp. 326. (Book)
study on dietary cific to the Northwest, it is a great resource
Dated by its use of lots of pesticide and we highly recommend it. We have or-
drenches, herbicides, and synthetic data of more than
ganized Crockett’s suggestions to make
sprays, this how-to-garden book is easy 17,000 men and women them relevant to the climate of the Pacific
to follow for anyone willing to get their found consumption of raw Northwest, condensed them, and then
hands dirty and garden intensively vegetables and salads cor- added some of our own recommenda-
in the city. Consider it the basics of
relates with higher concentra- tions like growing fungi and more fruit.
gardening on a small urban plot doc- All of this is condensed in an easy-to-use
umented, directed, and carried out tions of folic acid, vitamins C table included at the end of this section.
by none other than Crockett himself, and E, lycopene and alpha As for the pesticides, herbicides, and syn-
the guru of gardening. Distinguished and beta carotene in the thetic materials, avoid them if you can.
by the number and diversity of vegeta- bloodstream (University
bles and plants that it covers, Crockett The Chicken Coops of Portland. July
of CA, LA 2006).
discusses gardening on a January-through- 30, 2006. Portland Ground.
December schedule for over a hundred fruits www.portlandground.com/archives/2006/07/
and vegetables, perennials, and herbs. Sprinkled chicken_coops_of_pdx_1_in_1.php
throughout the book are diagrams for building cold frames, The City Chicken.com website encourages folks liter-
hotbeds, and cloches. ally to “plunge into poultry” and features a list of current
Each chapter presents a checklist of monthly activi- articles from Sunset Magazine, The Seattle Times, and the
ties, an introduction to weather conditions and predictions, Oregonian on chicken stories. You can read testimonials
and notes on the general progress and expectations for the from urban chicken owners on what to expect when rais-
garden, the greenhouse, or the cold frame. In all chapters, ing chickens, other poultry pets, and how elaborate (or not)
there are separate listings, arranged alphabetically, for one needs to be in order to afford the little varmints. While
each crop or plant that needs attention, whether the job is the site isn’t exactly a “how-to” for raising poultry, from this
planting or propagating or controlling pests. Every chapter site you can access some great books (Barnyard in Your
Backyard) on products and information and visit some pho-
tos on chicken coops in and around the Portland area (even
one with an ecoroof). Next time you get a chance, consider
taking the Portland Tour de Coops in July for more hands-
on experience.

Growing: Heirloom Varieties for Popping and

Decorating. Ocone, L. June/July 2002. Garden
Design. (Magazine article)
Colorful corn, heirloom tomatoes, and antique squash-
es, terms given to those vegetables grown decades ago and
therefore less genetically hybridized through the years, all
appeal to the palette as well as the vision. If you’ve never
experienced growing the hundreds of varieties of popping
corn (Zea mays ‘Bear Paw’, ‘Lady Finger’, or ‘Tom Thumb’)
or the unlikely shapes, improbable colors, and rich flavors of
squash, or the dozens of brightly colored (from purple to gold
speckled to zebra-striped) and intense flavors of traditional
tomatoes, you are surely missing something, and Ocone’s ar-
ticle fills the gap.
The Bookmark Apartments’ rooftop garden (accessible by tenants) in
the Hollywood Neighborhood. Photo provided by Kyle Zeigler.

39
Food Gardening
Off to a Good Start. Rocchia, A. April gas and oil are conserved, along with water
7, 1989. The Oregonian. Portland, Mona Goode resources and production costs that are
Oregon. (Newspaper article) of Southwest Portland associated with industrial farms. Also
Rocchia handles early indoor gar- grows melons on her roof; the by composting you turn energy from
dens like a garden pro, explaining heat that builds up on the roof ac- your lawn materials and leftover or-
types of trays, heating systems, sow- ganic materials from your food back
tually extends the growing season into the fertilizer your plants need.
ing seeds, and the tricky task of trans-
planting (after sprouting). She even by another month on either side, Use this source along with the plant-
discusses the pros and cons of watering plus she shades her sunniest ing table we’ve provided in the back of
from the bottom versus the top. If you exposure with plants. this guide.
want to satisfy cravings for unusual greens
not found at the market early in the year, check Responsible Eating
this out.
West Coast Seafood Watch. 2006. Seafood Watch
Maximum Growth. Soler, I. June/July 2006. Garden Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Design. pp. 67-71. (Magazine article) www.mbayaq.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/content/media/
MBA_SeafoodWatch_WestCoastGuide.pdf
You can boast a large harvest on a small patch of land
by utilizing your garage rooftop and reusing the heat build- Access this handy guide for eating seafood throughout
up from that black rooftop to extend the growing season as the year in Oregon (in the Appendix). Drop-down menus
much as one month on either side. Jimmy Williams owns explain how seafood is harvested, farmed versus wild fish,
a small 1920s bungalow and the roof of his garage is home abundance of fish for the current month, nutritional as-
to literally thousands of organic-grown vegetable seedlings pects, and best-employed management practices. Fish ex-
and a four-year-old organic heirloom vegetable business, the isting in the healthiest habitats are not yet endangered:
Hayground Organic Gardening Catalog. For pictures of his Abalone (farmed), Catfish (US farmed), Clams, Mussels,
backyard and his setup that will give you some cool ideas, Oysters (farmed), Cod: Pacific (trap or hook & line-caught),
include this in your list of fun reads. Crab: Dungeness, Snow (Canada), Halibut: Pacific, Lobster-
Spiny (US), Pollock (wild-caught from AK), Sablefish/Black
Getting Started. McCommons, J. March/April 2000. Cod (AK, BC), Salmon (wild-caught from AK), Sardines,
Organic Gardening. 47(2):29-32. (Magazine article) Shrimp: Pink (OR), Spot Prawn (BC), Striped Bass (farmed),
Getting Started is a beginner’s guide to composting soil, Sturgeon, Caviar (farmed), Tilapia (farmed), Trout: Rainbow
planting organic vegetables, and reaping the benefits of a (farmed), Tuna: Albacore, Bigeye, Yellowfin (troll/pole-
good garden! Modest tools are required: a shovel, hoe, hand caught), and White Seabass. The guide also lists alterna-
trowel, steel-tined garden rake, and a spading fork. Advice tives when optimum choices are not available, as well as
includes tips on improving soil quality, weed and pest control, choices to avoid because of over fishing and other practic-
and types of plants to grow. Making a good home garden is es, including farming or the endangerment to other species.
easy but the advice here aims at helping you make the best A small printout is available as a pocket reference in the
garden possible. Growing your own vegetables saves ener- Appendix. Sustainable sushi anyone?
gy. You don’t have to drive anywhere to purchase your food
and the food doesn’t have to be shipped hundreds of miles to Eating Healthy and Organic on $7 a Day. Weiss, J.
the grocery store for your purchase. Hence, fossil fuels from 2007. MSN Health & Fitness.
http://health.msn.com/dietfitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-
documentid=100153740
We summed up this website as such: find a balance of
food groups, find a combination of foods to produce protein
(like beans and rice), lessen your intake of meat, and choose
non-packaged fruits and choose non-exotic fruits. There are
more tips worth reading, some of which include: dollar com-
parisons that make sense and quantities of food for $7 a day.
Check out their recipes on the 4th page.

Eat Wild. Jo Robinson. 2008.

www.eatwild.com
Jo Robinson, contributing author to Mother Earth
News and a New York Times best selling author, brings
us science-based health information on grass-fed cattle
and more at the click of a button. Her investigative pur-
suits provide us with locations of farms in our area that
have natural alternatives such as hormone and antibiot-
ic-free meats and grass-fed cows. Eat Wild has even more
See Appendix III for a Seafood Watch pocket guide.
information on grass-fed basics, dairy, seafood, and hon-
40
 Food Gardening
ey. Check out this handy website while preparing dinner predictable. The Urban Forager article features Stalking
tonight! Wild Gourmet Foods and a great photo of a wild salad
made from wild spinach, green amaranth, wild mustard,
Pet Food Labels. Mulder, S. 2006. Biophile sheep sorrel, chickweed, mustard flowers, and ox-eyed
Magazine #4. (Magazine article) daisy flowers takes center stage. Lots of good stuff.
It seems today that everyone is concerned about
where their food comes from, but what about Growing Mushrooms
Mushrooms
your pet’s food? The labels on packages and
have four times Shitake Growers Handbook: the Art
containers of pet food can be misleading. A
more antioxidants and Science of Mushroom Cultivation.
lot of companies conform to minimum la-
than chicken liver (www. Przybylowicz, P. and J. Donoghue.
beling requirements but detailed labeling,
news-medical.net 2005) 1990. Kendall/Hunt Publishing
on the other hand, usually means a bet-
and what better place to Company. Dubuque, Iowa. pp. 240.
ter product, because the transparency of
see them than sitting atop (Book)
product content language makes it hard to
our local, fresh-ingredi- Did you know that if you don’t have a
hide unappetizing, unhealthy ingredients.
ent pizza provider greenhouse for growing mushrooms in the
Statements such as “with chicken flavor,”
Hot Lips. Pacific Northwest that you can still grow them
usually mean only up to 4% chicken, while
“all chicken” might mean as little as 65% chick- in the Spring, Fall, and Winter? That’s when
en. The best thing to do is be aware of the ingredients rainfall and temperature conditions are optimal for
that are in the food you are buying. If reading the label cultivating fungi. After your mushrooms have, well,
is no help, then call the manufacturer and request the de- mushroomed, they can be harvested and then dried for
tails. Reputable companies will take the time to explain consumption throughout the year. In many Eastern cul-
in detail, or offer to send you written information, or di- tures, mushrooms are served as a separate food group be-
rect you to their website. If you get vague answers to cause of their unique health benefits.
your questions, it is probably wise to move on to another
brand. We found several good websites (with recipes) on Mushrooms. Beauséjour, T. 1999. Myko Web.
making your own pet food (www.ehow.com/how_12697_ www.mykoweb.com/articles/gardenmushrooms.html
make-homemade-dog.html). Beauséjour lists a variety of mushrooms, and their
cultivation, along with praise for their nutritional attri-
Choose to Infuse: Refreshing Summer Drinks. butes and aesthetic beauty. Details include descriptions
Adamshick, D. June-July 2006. Edible Portland. and pictures of their natural habitats, as well as their edi-
(Magazine article) bility. Consider the health benefits of mushrooms in your
There isn’t just one article that’s good in this bimonth- diet, and include them as part of your eating habits at a
ly publication, they’re all good. The subscription is sec- time when the garden is relatively slow.
tioned into departments: what’s in season, liquid assets,
roadside diaries, notable edibles, cooking fresh, edible Fungi Perfecti, LLC. 2006.
events and more. We www.fungi.com
particularly took note Did you know
of the Berry Frenzy that fungi recycle
article in the “What’s plants after they die
in Season” section and transform them
and the Choose to into some of the rich-
Infuse article in the est soils? If not for
Liquid Assets sec- mushrooms and oth-
tion. Both articles er fungi, the Earth
provide some great would be buried in
recipes for the sea- several feet of debris
sonal drinker while and life on the plan-
at the same time ed- et would soon disap-
ucating the reader pear! Some mush-
on how to infuse your rooms even produce
own alcohols. Greg compounds that al-
Hoitsma, bartender legedly fight can-
at the Peruvian-in- cer. Fungi Perfecti,
fluenced Andina res- a family-owned, en-
taurant, encourages vironmentally-friend-
self-infusion of your ly company packs its
own liquors claiming website with kits,
that they are cheap- pamphlets, books,
er, tastier, and more Bat house (SW Portland). gifts, and interesting

41
Food Gardening
mushroom facts for any interested member of the fam-
ily. We ordered one of these kits and have been pleased
with the Shitake mushrooms (now on their 3rd harvest)
and Fungi Perfecti’s customer service. One page of mush-
room recipes and a page designed for kids’ games occur on
the site. Did you know you could make beautiful colors by
boiling wild mushrooms and dipping cloth into the result-
Know the labels on your food.
ing broth? It is a good website for the whole family to in-
vestigate and learn of the superior benefits derived from like a recipe. A Quill and Trowel Award winner, Lasagna
the underrated mushroom. Gardening is a good investment for how-to tips on nontra-
ditional organic gardening with information on popular gar-
As an aside, if you have greater ambitions, their web- dening methods for building up soil fertility rather than de-
site includes directions to growing mushrooms outdoors, pleting it.
after they show you how to make your own bin.
On Dry Land: How to Plant a Drought-Resistant
Mushroom Growing Tips. Garden. Constance, C. July 27, 2007. Slate.
www.brmushrooms.com/mushroom%20growing%20tips.pdf www.slate.com/id/2171232
If you are truly serious about growing your own mush- This online magazine of news, politics, and culture com-
rooms check out this PDF file on growing mushrooms out- bines humor and insight with analyses of current events. In
doors. For that matter, check out as much information as the gardening section (All Things Green), Constance takes
you can get your hands on and learn to identify what you are the perspective of the soil and teaches us how to look at life
eating. This site provides tips on agar media, plates, spawn, through the eyes of a plant root thereby learning the value
spores, cultivation, and equipment as well as examples for of humus, that decaying stuff that sits on the top of the soil.
growing specific mushroom species. Constance asserts a lesson in root physiology and implies
that we can actually use plants and wilting (wilting point in
Just Plain Gardening the early a.m.) to gauge the next time of watering.
Home of Organic Gardening: Where Compost
How To Grow More Vegetables (and Fruits, Nuts,
Gardening Bears Fruit. 2004-2006. The Organic
Berries, Grains, and Other Crops) Than You Ever
Gardener. (Magazine article)
Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can
www.the-organic-gardener.com
Imagine. Jeavons, J. 2002. Ten Speed Press.
This information-intensive website outlines everything Berkeley, California. pp. 240. (Book)
needed to create, grow, and maintain an organic garden.
Using sustainable Grow Biointensive® mini-farming
The Organic Gardener describes tools, details weed clear-
techniques, Jeavons enlightens us with details for revital-
ing, and offers opinions on preferences for soil improve-
izing the soil while reaping the harvests of an amazing ar-
ments through composting. For the whole ‘shebang’ on
ray of vegetables and fruits, nuts, or berries. With deep
composting, The Organic Gardener walks you through not
soil preparation, the use of humus, close plant spacing, as
only kitchen composting but the entire household, suggest-
in nature, synergistic planting of crop combinations, car-
ing items for the compost such as vegetables, leftovers, egg-
bon-efficient crops, and calorie-efficient crops, an intensive
shells, newspapers, and cardboard. Food for the soil and
(Biointensive®) gardening book is born. Planning, digging,
food for sustainable thought ideas are definitely an integral
planting, and weeding are treated as art form by Jeavons as
part of their whole cycle.
he describes the proper form of the various methods and the
Natural Pesticides. 1999-2008. specific tools they require. We found the book used for $3.00
http://www.naturalpesticides.com/ plus shipping and handling for another $3.00 and concluded
it was a steal.
This website of websites contains information on nat-
ural insect sprays, natural pesticides, organic bug sprays Renewable Business Profile: Hot Lips Pizza.
(cinch, mealy, and spittle bugs), safe pesticides, mosquito Anonymous. Tuesday, August 8, 2006. Sustainable
barriers, ant pesticides, indoor sprays, and more. Prepare Life. (Magazine article)
for some reading.
This little blurb from the Sustainable Life section of The
Lasagna Gardening is the Way to Go. November Portland Tribune touts the belief in local food ingredients
2004. Countryside & Small Stock Journal. 88(6):72. by the Portland-based pizza company, Hot Lips Pizza. The
(Magazine article) small company supports renewable energy (buys 10 units
of wind power every month from PGE) and uses heat from
This cleverly titled article is actually a book review of
their pizza ovens to warm their water. You can learn more
Lasagna Gardening: A New Layering System for Bountiful
about Hot Lips Pizza’s business practices at hotlipspizza.
Gardens: No Digging, No Tilling, No Weeding, and No
com.
Kidding! by Patricia Lanza, who saves people time, mon-
ey, and backaches. The book simplifies constructing raised
beds by offering easy-to-follow schematics that can be used

42
 Biodiversity
Ever wonder what an urban landscape in Portland would look like if it were teeming with
biodiversity? It would have multiple layers of root systems below the ground and it would
have multiple canopy layers above the ground to foster weed resistance, minimal evapo-
ration, and maintenance. It would also contain raised soil levels and contours for added
depth, more edges, and dimension… all of which are necessary for landscape systems in
sync with nature.

Biodiversity in General tion. GCRIO acts as a clearinghouse for selected key

documents and articles or reports generated by the US
What is Biodiversity? 2005. Biodiversity Project. Government and as such, you will find many links that
www.biodiversityproject.org/biodiversity.htm are relevant to research on nature and implications
What is biodiversity and why is it impor- of environmental change.
tant? Are there threats to biodiversity? Watch thou-
What are those threats? Good questions sands of tiny Vaux Homegrown Biodiversity. Marinelli,
like these are found on this website, as J. April/May 2006. National
swifts any evening in Wildlife Federation. 44(3).
well as appropriate, concise answers. September return to their (Magazine article)
Workshop training materials and
booklets inform us of the benefits of
roosting spot down the chim- Learn at Homegrown Biodiversity
biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, ney of the Chapman School how your garden can look. Testimonies,
and teach us how to pitch these points (NW Portland). For more de- from skeptics, claim that beautiful gar-
to the community or the classroom. tails visit www.hollywood- dens can be achieved by simply incor-
Valuable links to other publications are porating natural trunks, limbs, or rocks
pet.com/swifts.htm, and into the landscape design. Suggestions
clearly marked, as are simple fact sheets
on biodiversity. Biodiversity Project’s site
make it a family focus on simulating niches and habitats to
is worth a brief visit, at minimum, if not lon- event! entice native critters in the vicinity. For ex-
ger. ample, shelter birds with brush and create spac-
es that are difficult for foreign, invasive species to get es-
Do We Still Need Nature? The Importance of tablished. Believers say you don’t have to sacrifice beauty
Biodiversity. Janetos, A. 1997. Consequences, to have a vital plant and wildlife community.
the Nature and Implications of Environmental
Change. U.S. Global Change Research Biodiversity Hotspots. 2006. Conservation
Information Office (GCRIO). 1(3). International.
www.gcrio.org/CONSEQUENCES/vol3no1/biodiversity.html www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots
Janetos points We like guide-
out that in the midst books, bird guides,
of a world of techno- travel guides, and
logical advances, we tree and flow-
need to remember er guides (and of
how much our mod- course sustainability
ern lives are depen- guides). Biodiversity
dent on nature. We Hotspots is a partic-
depend on managed ularly good guide-
agriculture and tim- book containing an
ber in order to ex- interactive endan-
tract maximum sus- gered species map.
tainable yields. We, Click on Biodiversity
also, depend on un- Hotspots to find
managed nature a glossary of key
where plants may words and a spe-
provide medicine to cies database, with
keep us comfortable global links to en-
or alive. His thesis dangered species
is that to protect our hotspots. You can
way of life we must search by species or
practice restraint in by hotspots, look-
resource consump- ing for instance at
A condo bird house off SE Division St. (inhabited).

43
Biodiversity
the West Coast habitats of various species, and then pin-
pointing locations or conditions where they are common
residents or where they are most endangered. This web-
site provides a broader range of biodiversity; it gives you
something for your aspirations.

Conserving Biodiversity
Conservation & Advocacy. Cruce, J. 2006.
Audubon Society of Portland.
www.audubonportland.org
While you are getting more familiar with the con-
cept of biodiversity, you might want to get involved with
Audubon to make a difference for local wildlife. The
Audubon Society of Portland offers classes for all ages,
lectures, book groups, campaigns, and advocacy group op-
portunities on what you can do as a participant to con-
serve wildlife biodiversity. No matter what your time-
frame or interest, you can find something to fit your
needs. The Audubon Society’s nature walks are sched-
uled on this site, as well as facts on living with and car-
ing for urban wildlife. If you care about conserving na-
tive wildlife and are looking for hands-on involvement,
the Audubon Society is a great place to start.

Urbanization, Biodiversity, and Conservation.

McKinney, M. October 2002. BioScience.
52(10):883-890. (Journal article)
McKinney submits that urbanization is an increasing
cause of biodiversity loss. To combat biodiversity loss in A daylighted driveway and natural wooden structures provide plenty
cities, the author recommends re-vegetation of urban ar- of habitat for the squirrel perched atop a branch (NE 44th Ave.).
eas, especially in newer developments where recent land
clearings attract invasive species. These invasive plants biodiversity. Questions range from what you recycle to
drive out species dependent on native vegetation. Most how you save energy. Include your consumption habits
visibly impacted are birds but development affects the and your interaction with wildlife to realize the magni-
entire food web. The article sanctions the fact that one tude of your impact on the local environment. One pre-
small plot of land in the urban or suburban setting can sumes that you are as green as your score.
make a difference in the social fabric as well as the con- In sum, this site teaches you about footprints on the
servation of native species in all ecosystems. environment and links you to more information such as
advocacy tips, conservation, community success stories,
How You Can Help: At Home, Out Shopping
and biodiversity.
and in the Garden. March 2006. World Wildlife
Foundation (WWF).
Biodiversity Quality
www.panda.org/how_you_can_help/at_home/index.cfm
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is renowned for its Effects of Household Dynamics on Resource
international efforts to save species from extinction. If Consumption and Biodiversity. Liu, J., Daily,
you are a fan of all critters and wildlife, devoted to sav- G., Ehrlich, P. and G. Luck. 2003. Nature.
ing biodiversity, you should visit this website. It’s a good 421(6922):530. (Journal article)
global organization. The authors shed light on the negative impacts of in-
creasing population and biodiversity; the impact of sheer
Saving Biodiversity: What you Can Do —
human numbers and households on decreasing biodiver-
Homeowners. 2006. Investigate Biodiversity,
sity. While human population growth is often evaluated
Conservation International.
in terms of biodiversity loss, greater numbers of house-
http://investigate.conservation.org/xp/IB/savingbio-
holds, resulting in more sprawl and higher resource con-
diversity/what_you_can_do/home_buyers.xml
sumption per capita is often an overlooked factor. The
We recognize that having a “dream” house and living article demonstrates how smaller and more numerous
in an environmentally-friendly place are not necessarily households contribute to increasing sprawl—encroaching
compatible. However, ways to go green are getting easier; on green space, a threat to biodiversity. Prospective and/
one just has to commit. On this website, there is a nice or relocating homeowners can be aware of their ecological
ecological test you can take to determine your impact on footprint and make more conscience housing choices by

44
 Biodiversity

moving into already-established areas; positive first steps importance of planning a landscape with regard to plant-
that pave the way for everyday sustainable choices at the ings that create forest canopies, belowground habitats,
household level. and ecological processes. Ideally, our yards are part of a
larger network of connected habitats (the ecosystem ap-
Preservation of Biodiversity — Efforts at proach) containing a myriad of plants and animals essen-
Household Level. Talwar, N. and J. Kishtwaria. tial for a healthy, resilient, and biodiverse environment.
2005. Journal of Human Ecology. 17(2):149-151.
(Journal article) Homegrown Biodiversity. Marinelli, J. April/May
The authors of this short journal article advocate rais- 2006. National Wildlife. 44(3). (Newsletter)
ing awareness at the household level, to change attitudes www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/printerFriendly.cfm?
toward biological preservation. As a result of research, issueID=104&articleID=1312
their study found that changed attitudes, especially in By cultivating gardens based on native plant commu-
young children, fostered better-informed individuals mak- nities, we as humans can help a surprisingly large num-
ing everyday decisions to protect species diversity. ber of species. This article urges folks to minimize lawn
size, use native plant vegetation, and take cues from ex-
Backyard Biodiversity isting natural local environments when managing yards
for biodiversity. Structuring an overstory and an under-
Ten Birds That Help Control Garden Pests. Boyle, story level of plants, allowing leaf litter to accumulate,
S. June/July 2002. National Wildlife. 40(4). and enabling natural cycles to persist are just a few of the
(Newsletter) ways in which biodiversity can be homegrown.
http://enature.com/articles/detail.asp?storyID=627
There are ten key avian bird predators, according to Bringing Conservation from the Countryside
Boyle, that eat typical garden pests thereby reducing or to Your Backyard. 2006. Natural Resource
eliminating the need for pesticides. These are the pre- Conservation Service.
ferred alternatives to pesticide use. Some of the key spe- www.nrcs.usda.gov/Feature/backyard/pdf/
cies mentioned are: purple martins, violet-green swal- BkYdWeb6.pdf
lows, red-eyed and warbling vireos, lark and chipping This federal government website offers numerous
sparrows, downy woodpeckers and flickers, three differ- links to other tip sheets that address landscaping and
ent species of warblers, bluebirds, the common night- gardening ideas for making yards more biodiverse at the
hawk, Say’s phoebes, Bullock’s orioles, and two species of same time attractive and appealing whether in the urban
wrens. By planting for fauna to attract these birds, you environment or on a typical suburban lot. The tip sheets
can reduce pests, promote biodiversity, and enjoy a little are “how-to” in nature with easy step-by-step instructions
bird watching right out your back door. A link after every detailing desired results in water conservation, pest man-
bird species provides the plant material and the habitat agement, terracing, backyard wetlands, and mulching.
necessary to attract the bird. This is a good resource.

Preserving Biodiversity: Species, Ecosystems, or Inviting Children into Nature. November/

Landscapes. Franklin, J. May 1993. Ecological December 1999. Audubon. (Magazine article)
Applications. 3(2):202-205. (Journal article) http://audubonmagazine.org/content/content9911.html
Efforts to preserve biological diversity are increasingly Leaf through this back issue of Audubon devoted to
focused at the spe- “Resolutions for a
cies level because New Millennium”
of the reduced and find many nov-
numbers of in- el and interesting
sects, animals, and sustainable practic-
plants. Franklin es to help you and
argues that an eco- your neighborhood
system approach — and the planet
is a better way to through children-
preserve biodiver- centered activities.
sity by conserv- Featured are ideas
ing habitats such on teaching chil-
as forest canopies dren the value of
and belowground resources and the
habitats, and con- value of habitats.
serving processes, If you cannot get to
such as water flow the library, many
within local water- of the best articles
sheds. This inevi- in this issue (and
tably implies the Encourage habitat for small critters in your yard, with hollow logs, rocks, brush, etc.
(SE 33rd Ave.).
many others, too)

45
Biodiversity
are available online at the web address listed makes this written piece different from the ones
above. Lure benefi- above), and they tangle with more debatable
cial insects and topics such as consumption. The last chap-
Low Maintenance Turf? Cook,
T. January 2005. Oregon
predators to your ter provides a list of strategies for sustain-
able living. It’s good food for thought on
State University Horticulture yard naturally; pro- our impacts to biodiversity and the impli-
Department. vide water and shelter cations of sustainable living. It’s not dif-
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/hort/ and grow a few plants ficult reading and we recommend it.
turf/Ecolawns2005revision.pdf with tiny flowers such as
Cook examines the upkeep and ben- Green Links and Urban Biodiversity:
Queen Anne’s Lace An Experiment in Connectivity.
efits of so-called eco-lawns — lawns that
are as turf-like as their traditional coun-
(www.lifeca/nl/96/ Shaefer, V. 2003. Proceedings of
terparts but require less maintenance. He insects.html). the 2003 Georgia Basin/Puget Sound
says these lawns are a good compromise for Research Conference.
those who want more sustainable yards but are www.psat.wa.gov/Publications/03_proceed-
not willing to sacrifice the “functionality of turf”. Eco- ings/PAPERS/ORAL/2c_schae.pdf
lawns mean far less mowing, no fertilizing or weeding, Ecosystems are fragmented by urban areas; most
and very little (if any) watering—leaving more time for folks would agree. However Schaefer revisits this topic
yard play. Visit this website to see if this is a good com- because fragmentation leads to isolation and habitat loss,
promise for you and your family. the greatest threats to biodiversity. Sustainable prin-
ciples call for recognizing fragments as lost connections
Natural Pest Control: Alternatives to Chemicals to larger plant and animal populations and larger and
for the Home and Garden. Lopez, A. 2004. more complex food webs. In maintaining or reestablish-
Invisible Gardener Publications. Malibu, ing ecosystem connections, we are encouraged to plant
California. pp. 154. (Brochure) native vegetation in our yards and maintain natural cy-
Lopez advocates choosing everyday cooking products cles while building corridors between habitats to protect
found in the grocery store to naturally combat pests in biodiversity. This article visualizes the larger context
the garden and around the house. His suggestions range while enabling humans to view themselves as part of that
from flour and biodegradable soaps to Tabasco sauce and larger system. Schaefer uses the Green Links Project in
herbs. More than just offering recipes and sustainable Vancouver, B.C. as a case study. It is an empowering sto-
tips, to his alternatives, he walks the reader through a ry that can move us to make a difference.
natural history guide to ants, snails, gophers, and roach-
es suggesting we should understand and observe more Engaging the Public on Biodiversity: A Road Map
about nature’s services. The paperback promotes itself for Education and Communication. Elder, J. 1998.
as a valuable source of information for indoor and organ- Communication Strategies. CGBD Biodiversity
ic, outdoor-problem solving. Amazon offers the book used Project. Madison, Wisconsin. pp. 139. (Book)
for $4.98 plus shipping and handling and it’s a five star Become a leader in your community for conserv-
rating. ing biodiversity; it would be an awesome mission. Once
you connect on an emotional, spiritual, and ethical level
Our Ecological Footprint: Reducing Human with others, major accomplishments in preservation can
Impact on Earth. Wackernagel, M. and W. Rees. be achieved. More importantly, Elder claims, once you
1995. New Society Publishers. Gabriola, British learn more about people, their needs and priorities be-
Columbia. pp. 160. (Book) come a kind of road map for engaging them in the process
Individual and collective environmental impacts of change. This communications article stresses the im-
a.k.a. “ecological footprints,” portance of speaking plain
take center stage in this book language and appealing
by Wackernagel and Rees. to what is important on a
Facts and arguments blend local level. For example,
favorably to justify the neces- leaders are advised not
sity of lifestyle changes in or- to address the problem of
der to achieve sustainability. global warming generally,
The authors’ assessment is but to discuss what we can
accompanied by good charts, all do locally as active par-
diagrams, and illustrations ticipants. If you are taking
and reinforced by real world steps to make progressive
applications; a sort of envi- changes in your neighbor-
ronmental science book writ- hood, this is a good article.
ten in story form. The au- Find out what’s important
thors delve into the science An all-native viewing garden on the corner of SE 16th Ave. & for a leader to know about
of carrying capacity (which Division St. (Paulist Center). conserving and communi-

46
 Biodiversity

cating on the topic of biodiversity conservation. plants and animals, but also shapes the health, land use,
behavior, and survival of our social fabric.
The Role of Protected Areas in Conserving
Biodiversity and Sustaining Local Livelihoods. Lessons from native cultures elude to the fact that
Naughton-Treves, L., Holland, M. and K. Brandon. human intervention is not only required but managed in
2005. Annual Reviews of Environmental Resource. such a way that humanity takes only what it needs with-
(30):219-252. (Journal article) out over-extracting to the point that it can no longer sus-
tain itself. Over-extraction examples include the rainfor-
Sectioning off or sanctioning parcels of land to be con-
ests, referenced in this book, where deforestation is al-
served for biodiversity has been a principle tool for gov-
lowed by various Latin American governments’ that use
ernmental efforts. While this prevents destruction of
laissez faire policies. These policies in combination
certain habitats by humans, there are risks and
I f y o u with Northern Hemisphere market demands (in-
consequences of not addressing socioeconom-
haven‛t visited cluding USA) have created negative pressure
ic needs. Such cautionary thinking is part
our very own urban on biodiversity by consumption. Portland ho-
of this larger discussion on maintaining
biodiversity and conservation while con- Portland Nursery at two meowners, inspired to buy less of such prod-
ucts, can have a positive impact on sustain-
sidering socioeconomic needs, and even locations, SE 50th & Stark
ability issues outside of our area. We found
going so far as to allow incorporation of and SE 90th & Division, it‛s
this an important reference for reading.
socioeconomic development in conserva- definitely worth the visit.
tion efforts. The result is a shift in favor They have a very diverse Natural Investing. 2006.
of protected areas being opened for local selection of plants; they www.naturalinvesting.com
resource use. Rather than isolate land for have everything.
Cost of preservation efforts is one of the
conservation the authors argue for manag-
reasons that biodiversity is so debated. This
ing development in support of healthy ecosys-
website provides tools and resources that enable us
tems on a different scale. Without excluding hu-
to achieve financial goals yet still function in an environ-
mans, areas are being considered for use in their natural
mentally-friendly way. The site features Investing with
state as potential sites for ecologically sensitive activities.
Your Values, Making Money and Making a Difference,
The value in this tenet comes from learning how to create
Seven Steps of Natural Investing, the Wheel of Natural
man-made products within the natural ecosystem. For
Investing, and the Green Money Journal. Socially-re-
example, Wildlife Reserves and National Forest timber-
sponsible investing is a way for homeowners and rent-
land, valued for the items they naturally provide, are ex-
ers to make sustainable choices by supporting eco-friend-
amples of the difference between parks that do and don’t
ly businesses.
hinder the social economic use of land.
Homeowners aware of the variables involved with Windstar Wildlife Institute. 2006.
sustainable topics know that it is not a matter of isolat- www.windstar.org/index.cfm
ing biodiversity; rather it is a delicate balance of interac- Windstar Wildlife Institute (WWI), established in
tions between wildlife and humans. Roping off our yards 1986, filled a perceived need for good wildlife habitat in-
is not the solution. The discussion presented by these au- formation for property owners. It has since evolved to an
thors is that creating an ecosystem (in our backyards for accessible website for the public, better capable of provid-
example) can sustain itself in the broader picture of land ing specific methods to attract wildlife to your property.
conservation and biodiversity issues. This article gives WWI enthusiasts support the fact that each different crit-
a bigger picture of biodiversity and sustainable issues... ter requires a different combination of elements and they
that will open your eyes. provide tips that can mean the difference between seeing
just a few animals or a large range of species. Four areas
Biodiversity for the Philosophical are considered on this site: food, water, cover, and space
with many descriptions of each for attracting and main-
From the Forest Floor. Pye-Smith, C. 2005. New taining particular species of birds and plants.
Scientist. pp. 50-53. (Journal article)
Windstar also offers courses on how to get your land
The debate over the value of nature’s resources is
certified as a wildlife habitat, and how to become a wild-
daunting. How do we measure the value of nature in a
life habitat naturalist. This is a great place to start if you
tangible way? Pye-Smith tells us that native rainforest
are looking for a new way to enjoy your yard, property,
cultures have an acute understanding and value for the
or the outdoors in a way that creates healthy habitat for
unique and important tropical ecosystem. A team of scien-
wildlife, people, and plants.
tists from the Center for International Forestry Research
(CIFOR), working with native tribes, set a course to value
the products of the rainforest that are used on a daily ba-
sis for medicines, fabric, food and livelihood. The result
was a deeper understanding of how biodiversity plays a
key role in the lives of these human beings. Retaining
biodiversity doesn’t just promote a healthy ecosystem for

47
Biodiversity
Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Native Plant Search Engine. 2006. National
Permaculture, 3rd ed. Hemenway, T. 2001. Wildlife Federation.
Chelsea Green Publishing. White River Junction, http://enature.com/fieldguides/ then enter your zip
Vermont. pp. 220. (Book) code under step 2
If you know nothing about permaculture or even if The Native Plant Search Engine compiles lists of na-
you know a lot about permaculture, be sure to read this tive plant species for gardens and landscapes. See if your
book. Realistic and practical, this book is an inspiration. favorite flowers are included on the native species list
Hemenway is easy-to-follow and understand, scientifical- by sorting through this compendium of flowers, shrubs,
ly-grounded, and technically-sound in his explanations. trees, and groundcovers, sorted by either the family, com-
Each chapter is so chocked with interesting information mon, or scientific names. Native plants are important to
that it is hard to pick one over the other as being better to your backyard by promoting biodiversity and providing
read. Take the introductory first chapter for example: healthy habitats for neighboring spe-
Gardens that really work with nature One cies of wildlife. Native plants
Why is gardening so much work? of the keys to are also more easily main-
tained; they require only
Beyond — way beyond — natural gardening designing a space for
natural conditions of light,
The natives versus exotics debate permacultural practices is water, and soil. The web-
Making the desert bloom, sustainablely to observe that space over site also provides informa-
Sidebar: what is permaculture? a long period of time; tion on how to integrate
Chelsea Green, the publisher of Gaia’s Garden, get to know your out- plant life and wildlife into
claims to be the pre-eminent producer of books on sus- side space. your garden for a healthi-
tainability. You may want to check out the other sustain- er ecosystem, without artificial
able publications listed on www.chelseagreen.com/about. fertilizers and pesticides. You may
find this to be one of the easiest-to-use sites dealing with
Sustainable Landscaping plant biodiversity and organic gardening yet.

Landscape Sustainability. Rodie, S. and A.

Streich. 2000. University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Extension. Institute of Agriculture and Natural
Resources. (Newsletter)
Nature sustains itself through the ability of species to
continue living and thriving while adjusting to environ-
mental changes. Designing systems that host a sustain-
able landscape plan can be visually appealing as well as
environmentally beneficial. The purpose of a sustainable
landscape is to enhance the local microclimate, increase
biodiversity, reduce resource inputs, reduce resource
waste, and maximize re-use of resources. Landscape
Sustainability addresses these topics with simplicity and
includes graphics to help plan a good-looking, sustainable
landscape.

Sustainable Landscaping for Homeowners, #442-

05-007. 2005. The California Integrated Waste
Management Board. pp. 2. (Newsletter)
Yards that are managed well don’t just affect the space
within the fence but the streams and lakes that are with-
in the watershed. As homeowners, we can manage our
yards to promote biodiversity and ultimately healthy eco-
systems. The California Integrated Waste Management
Board advises on designing, pruning, fertilizing, and wa-
tering to help manage your yard in sustainable ways with
minimum hassle. For example, a sustainable landscape
doesn’t require tearing out your grass and covering the
yard with soil. A sustainable landscape means helping
the landscape grow and produce a broad range of habitats
while a healthy lawn ensures permeability without com-
paction and with adequate moisture capabilities.

48
 Processes
If we, as humans, can think of preserving three main processes: nutrient recycling, soil
composting, and preserving natural pollinators and predators, then nature may have a
chance at prevailing and turning waste into food for itself. Learning from nature will help
us lessen our overwhelming demands on natural resources.

Composting Mulching. United States Department of

Agriculture, National Association of Conservation
A Shot of Green. Nelsen, V. September 14, Districts, and Wildlife Habitat Council. 1998.
2006. The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. National Association of Conservation Districts.
(Newspaper article) (Newsletter article)
You’ve just finished your morning coffee and need http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/FEATURE/backyard/pdf/
to clean out the coffee pot for another cup. If mulching.pdf
you don’t compost as a practice, at the Betsy Malolepsy Mulching protects the soil from ero-
very least, throw those coffee grounds sion, reduces compaction from heavy
has an unheated hobby
out the door and into your gar- rains, and provides a “finished” look
den, on your lawn, or in a shovel greenhouse surrounded on all to a sustainable garden. Organic
hole. Coffee grounds have many sides by 5’ compost piles which pas- mulch (without chemical pesti-
uses, one of which, according to sively provide heat to her plants during cides, insecticides, or herbicides),
Nelsen, is a very satisfactory, or- the winter; the difference can be as in particular, contributes im-
ganic soil amendment. Grounds
much as 2-5˚F on the coldest days, mensely to better soil conditions.
can improve soil drainage as well There are sections in this report
as water-holding capacity. They she says, which could be the dif- describing compost and its com-
show a nearly-neutral pH of 6.9 and ference between freezing ponents, when to apply it, and some
contain additional nitrogen (2%) that is or not. precautions during application. Text
so important to plant health. Read more to and graphics detail the different types of
find out what to do with those soggy coffee filters. mulch and illustrate how mulch affects any back-
yard biome.
Composting: Composting Turns Household
Wastes into Valuable Fertilizer and Soil All of the USDA collections (mentioned below) are very
Organic Matter. April 1998. United States thorough in their treatment of the subject matter. It is for
Department of Agriculture National Resources this reason we mention them. Set up your own booklet
Conservation Service. with information on all the
(Newsletter article) following subjects by using
www.nrcs.usda.gov/ the preface URL www.nrcs.
feature/backyard/pdf/ usda.gov/feature/backyard,
Compost.pdf then selecting any one of
the PDF files offered.
The mantra that com-
posting saves energy by re- Backyard pond
ducing waste and return- Composting
ing nutrients to the soil Nutrient management
is repeated in this article Pest management
by the National Resources Terracing
Conservation Service. What Water conservation
makes this article different Wetland
than the rest is that cold Wildlife habitat
composting is distinguished
from hot composting (tem- Clean Compost.
perature and content de- 2004. Organic
pendent) and we are intro- This NE Portland front yard was all grass two years ago, now it is com- Gardening. 51(2):l.
post, mulch, and groundcover, implemented by the residents and with
duced to vermicomposting the help of a garden coach. (Magazine article)
which uses worms to do the Compost that is avail-
dirty work. Different containers for composting are dis- able through commercial or municipal outlets may con-
played graphically and labeled with varying degrees of tain herbicides that have the capacity to negatively af-
difficulty on installation and maintenance. The site is an fect soil properties and soil processes in general. A study
easy, informative, and organized read. (reported in this issue of Organic Gardening) has iden-

49
 Processes
tified that common lawn herbicides used in Oregon and
California need only be present at 3 parts per million to
have damaging effects on the soil to disrupt the nutrient
cycling processes. Read about the chain reaction of prob-
lems that can occur if you put treated yard debris in the
curbside pickup.

Prize-Winner’s Life is Just A Pile of

Active Compost. Hortsch, D. November 4,
1999. The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon.
(Newspaper article)
Freda Sherburne, a strong crusader for composting,
claims in this interview that a lot of waste sent to landfills
can actually be used in the yard as compost to fertilize
plants and vegetable patches. For example, some sheet-
rock is decomposable and considered organic therefore a
compostable item. In addition to standard composting,
Sherburne also describes worm composting which yields
high-quality compost and rich nutrients which are a plus
for facilitating processes that nurture life in general cy-
cles.

Composting With Worms. April 2, 2007. Earth 911:

The Nation’s Premier Environmental Resource.
http://earth911.org/blog/2007/04/02/composting-with-worms/
Earth911 is a good website; it is quick, informative,
and to the point when it comes to vermiculture, or worm
composting. Tools necessary to get your worms up and
running are quickly stated, as is how to access compost
from your worms, where to put it, how much to use in the
soil, and trouble shooting when the compost smells or if it Active Earth-Machine in a Portland homeowner’s backyard
attracts flies. We were particularly amazed at how well (SE Sherman St.).
these folks answered questions about collecting finished
worm compost; they provided several creative methods. part of the ecosystem...processing waste and turning it to
Bravo. compost.
The main point is that if you want to practice sus-
Earthworms and Crop Management. Kladivko, E.
tainable soil management, earthworms are a lot of bang
October 1993.
for the buck. They provide so many benefits to the soil
www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/AY/AY-279.html
that, when present, you actually do less work to main-
Imagine you are at a party one night where you don’t tain good soil and healthy plants. Visit Metro’s website
know a soul. You are at a loss for conversation, but in an (www.metro-region.org) and learn how to build your own
effort to mingle, you casually mention to a woman stand- worm bin.
ing nearby that “I have worms in my house.” Over the
sound of the music she doesn’t hear the “in my house” Black Gold. Pokorny, K. April 9, 1998.
part, and begins to walk toward the other side of the The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon.
room. But you persist to win her over by explaining that (Newspaper article)
they (the worms) eat half their body weight in cardboard, Here’s another quick reference for the basics in com-
newspaper, food scraps, and coffee grounds, so that if posting; how can composting enrich the soil and save you
you have 10 lbs. of worms, that would be 5 lbs. worth of money. Pokorny describes simple steps for harvesting
scraps, and that by using waste in this way you could re- compost sooner by layering and using vegetable and fruit
duce your curbside garbage to 50% or more. “Imagine”, scraps, which deliver rich, crumbly humus you can add
you exclaim, “the scraps to be processed.” Ignoring her to the garden or use as mulch around shrubs and trees.
open-mouthed, wide-eyed stare, you can’t shut up, and Finally, her article suggests where to get the best deal on
continue with your newfound knowledge, “Think about compost bins (a.k.a. Earth Machines). In Portland, con-
it,” you say, “what other animal eats that much in a day?” tact Metro; they sell for $35 the last we heard.
She is completely unimpressed.
Okay, forget the party, and more realistically, imag-
ine yourself just passing around this web address which
provides interesting and important information on a vital

50
 Processes
Wiggle While You Work. 15,000 Worms Turn ing compost indicating which specific materials are rich
Food Scraps into Fertilizer for Wells Fargo. in carbon or nitrogen and vital to soil replenishment.
Bartels, E. Tuesday, August 8, 2006. The Portland
What separates this site from the others? A trouble-
Tribune. Sustainable Life. Portland, Oregon.
shooting guide is provided, along with information
(Newspaper article)
on compost thermometers…now that’s thor-
If we haven’t boasted enough already about At Metro’s ough. This site is good, and anyone with the
the merits of wiggly critters either below or website, www. slightest green thumb will be closer to be-
aboveground, here are two articles, back to
metro-region.org, coming an expert on growing healthy plants
back, demonstrating the scale of their use. after visiting this website. Several charts
As large a facility as the Barnhart Loan you can learn how are included, as well as an online store for
Center in Hillsboro that houses Wells Fargo to build your own composting tools.
to a small personal composter at home, worm worm bin.
bins are turning garbage into enzyme-rich Compost Uncomplicated. Pokorny, K.
compost ready to use on your lawn or gardens. March 27, 2003. The Oregonian. Portland,
Oregon. (Newspaper article
How to Make Compost, a Composting Guide. 2004.
If you are interested in a Question & Answer format
Compost Guide: A Complete Guide to Composting.
to dispel any confusion about composting and to provide
www.compostguide.com
explanations on the trickier or less known types of com-
For those of us who are compulsive about our com- post like vermiculture, then this is the article to read.
post, here is everything you ever wanted to know about The questions deal with what to compost, how to layer,
composting but were afraid to ask. Compost is the rich- timing for compost, different types of compost, and the
est sediment nature can produce to improve the soil and size of compost loads.
create healthy environments for plants. It is renewable
energy and recycled from organic waste products. This What and What Not to Compost.
site explains the decomposition process, organic materi- http://bettinazzi.m.tripod.com/alphabet.htm
als needed, site selection, seasonal schedule, and use of If a diseased bird is eaten by your pet and then the
compost on better than a beginning level. It also offers pet’s excrement containing harmful bacteria or other
a reference table for types of materials to use in creat- pathogens is not fully composted by the heat generated in
your backyard composter, the conventional belief is that
you are creating a health hazard. However, meat and
meat bones, dog and cat feces, and dairy products are in
fact organic and will decompose, though they are likely to
create odor problems, and may attract undesirable wild-
life into the yard.
As far as parasites, pathogens, or viruses harmful to
humans are concerned, the research literature shows no
agreement. So, as a caution and until a better way of
dealing with this material turns up, empty feces into your
toilet, or, better yet, bury them in the ornamental sec-
tion of your landscape, but not within 100 feet of a domes-
tic water well, lake, or stream (also current convention).
The same cautions are not applied to other animals such
as rabbits, chickens, geese and cattle. Animals that eat
vegetative matter are not as likely to pick up and pass on
diseases harmful to humans, as are the meat-eating ani-
mals. The key here is to remember that the problem is
disease; foster a healthy landscape so there is no disease.

A Better Way to Fertilize Your Garden. Solomon,

S. June/July 2006. Mother Earth News.
www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-
Gardening/2006-06-01/A-Better-Way-to-Fertilize-
Your-Garden.aspx
From an author who grows up to half of his family’s
yearly food intake, Steve Solomon has created a recipe for
an entirely healthy organic fertilizer. Potent and chemi-
cally balanced, his fertilizer is composed entirely of nat-
ural substances. He starts with seed meal and lime, the
Can-O-Worms in the basement (Grant Park).
basics of any healthy fertilizer, he says, and goes on to list

51
 Processes

the ingredients that can be substituted because of cost Keep Leaves at Home And Put Them to Work.
or availability. This article includes the steps of apply- Nelson, V. September 28, 2000. The Oregonian.
ing the fertilizer, how much to use, and what plants Portland, Oregon. (Newspaper article)
need the most fertilizer. Solomon agrees that Nelson reminds us, as homeowners, of the un-
growing your own garden can be complicat- 1 7 6 , 0 0 0 necessary work of buying huge paper bags, rak-
ed and worrisome, but only if you let it. He dogs are regis- ing all our leaves into them, and then carting
does a good job of providing us with the tered inside the city’s them to the curb. This article magnifies the
knowledge needed to be confident in the limits; that’s roughly 1 benefits of keeping leaves on the ground or
selection and use of fertilizers. putting them to work in the compost bin, es-
poop/dog/day using that
pecially if chipped into smaller pieces. The
For easy access to a non-toxic fertil- many plastic bags per smaller pieces promote grass growth and
izer, one that is good for a healthy ecosys- day. Dogs aren’t bad, turf buildup through natural fertilization.
tem and its natural processes, and good it’s the plastic that’s Also mentioned here is the suggestion of cre-
for growing vegetables for the family table, the problem. ating a bin for composting the leaves; after less
read this article. After all, some of us have than six months (sooner if you follow some easy
neither the time nor the inclination to compost, steps), you are left with great plant food and a great
right? soil amendment.
Where to Find the Dirt on Organic Gardening. Rethinking Yard Care. Korb, G. 1999. The
Kinnie, B. July 2, 2004. Calgary Herald. Alberta, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin.
Canada. (Newspaper article) Madison, Wisconsin. (Brochure)
This is a guide for locating information on organic gar-
dening. Embedded on this one page article are books, or- Lawn & Garden Pesticides. Korb, G., Hovland,
ganizations, and other websites that offer good informa- J. and S. Bennett. 1999. The Board of Regents of
tion for locating the most fundamental of gardening ma- the University of Wisconsin. Madison, Wisconsin.
terials. Kinnie distinguishes different types of fertilizers (Brochure)
such as liquid organic fertilizers from non-liquid fertiliz- Managing Leaves & Yard Trimmings. Korb,
ers and heralds the safer pest controls among many oth- G., Morrisey, S., Lukazewski, D. and D. Wilson.
er sustainable practices. While most sites are specific to 1999. The Board of Regents of the University of
Canada, some sites are located in the Pacific Northwest. Wisconsin. Madison, Wisconsin. (Brochure)
Some of the other websites mentioned are: All the Korb references can be found at University of
www.city.toronto.on.ca/pesticides Wisconsin - Extension ERC Natural Resources Education
www.region.halifax.ns.ca/pesticides Publications, Yard Care & the Environment Series,
www.panna.org (http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/home.htm). The pro-
www.pesticidefreeyards.org cess of natural landscaping is important for a variety of
www.organiclandcare.org reasons including primarily restoring natural life cycles
and secondly reducing human workloads. Rethinking
Mulch is A Matrix for Soil Life. Major, Yard Care details the problems modern landscaping has
T. February 8, 2006. North Shore News. created with regard to its disrupted water cycles and wa-
British Columbia, Canada. (Newspaper article) ter runoff. The brochure has an easy-to-understand man-
Skim past the subjects ner describing good prac-
of xeriscaping and permac- tices and listing sustain-
ulture and get right to the able activities for around
point — mulching is an ex- the home and in the com-
cellent method for low-main- munity.
tenance gardening, preserv-
Korb’s write-up
ing the soil, and maintaining
on Integrated Pest
nutrient cycling processes.
Management (IPM) in
Mulch is the matrix for soil
Lawn & Garden Pesticides
life that feeds plants, pro-
is included in the Tolman
tects plants during drought
Green Guide not just be-
and frost, and creates a soil
cause the seven-step pro-
cover that moderates rain-
cess is thorough but be-
fall infiltration. Slow wa-
cause it goes one step fur-
ter recharge enriches the
ther and teaches us how
soil and is beneficial to or-
local flora and fauna inte-
ganisms. Look to this arti-
grate with ecology and nat-
cle for a quick education on
ural cycles.
the importance and benefits Mirador sells compostable dog poop bags (SE Division St. at 7
of mulching. corners). Slightly different than

52
 Processes
Nelson’s article above on Keeping Leaves at plex than they appear, so homeowners seeking
Home, Managing Leaves & Yard Trimmings Say “NO” the help of a professional for installation
discusses common wastes of energy such to junk mail! On might check this site out first.
as bagging leaves and grass clippings to Metro‛s website there Any savings on this investment
have them carted away instead of uti- are six phone numbers that may be important since retail prices for
lizing the rich nutrients these “wastes” allow you to opt out of national
composting toilet systems at the time
have to offer. This publication, as well mailing lists by notifying the
of publication range from $1,200 to
as the others, retrains us to consider
major marketing companies. $1,700, not including labor. Envirolet
weed control from a different perspec-
tive and consider waste as food and
We were only successful at Composting Toilet World occasionally
calling 4 of them and leaving offers coupons. However, when pricing
what that means to nutrient cycling.
a message; the other two any sustainable system, try to factor in
Compost Toilets Reconsidered. required a mailed the advantages to your family, your local
Steinfeld, C. March 1997. BioCycle. community, and the environment.
notice.
38(3):49. (Magazine article)
Humanure Compost Toilet System
Composting toilets can be very practical for the Instruction Manual. Jenkins, J. 2006. Joseph
home. When you live in the Northwest, you can conserve Jenkins Inc. Grove City, Pennsylvania.
water by using rainwater in the toilet (greywater), and www.jenkinspublishing.com/manual.html
at the same time keep fecal matter out of the landfills or
If you were willing to read with us on composting toi-
rivers. Some maintenance is required, but it’s not rock-
let information then allow us to take you to another level
et science. Two main types are available commercial-
of processes! Humanure (human manure), which is hu-
ly: self-contained units and centralized systems, both of
man fecal material plus urine is a major source of envi-
which are described in this one-page article (certainly not
ronmental pollution around the world, as well as a source
all you should read before jumping into the building of a
of diseased organisms. As such, it creates pollution and
compost toilet). The toilets can be easily maintained and
threatens public health. However when recycled, the po-
some even flush. Maintenance services are available for
tential for pollution and health threats can be eliminated
around $600.00 per year, if desired. Included in this ar-
and valuable soil nutrients can be replenished.
ticle is information on regulations and standards, current
models, microflush, and accessories. While a complete guide to building your own compost-
ing toilet is available for $25 or less through Jenkins’ web-
Steinfeld believes more people would have a positive
site, download his PDF first and give it a thorough perus-
opinion of composting toilets if they knew more, and that
al. This informative manual explains that by recycling
people who say they have had a negative experience, sim-
your own waste (and he tells you how), you are avoiding
ply did not perform the proper maintenance. This is an
environmental pollution while creating environmentally-
easy-to-read article that provides basic, helpful tips on
friendly compost. Plenty of information is given on this
composting toilets for the home. After reviewing this ar-
renewable energy to answer your every question. A pro-
ticle, we are convinced that this is a viable option. You
cess of three steps is provided in detail for building your
may agree, once you are armed with enough information
own compost toilet, building a compost bin, and finally
to make an informed decision on whether or not to install
composting the waste.
a composting toilet, and
This is a good, simple
which model to select.
idea for only the very se-
Envirolet rious about composting
Composting Toilet systems and protecting
World. 2007. the environment.
Composting Toilet
Grow a Healthy,
World Homepage.
No-Waste Lawn
http://compostingtoi-
and Garden. 2003.
let.org
Minnesota Office
If you are interest- of Environmental
ed in researching more Assistance.
on the benefits of a com- www.moea.state.
posting toilet, its con- mn.us/campaign/gar-
tribution to the main- den
tenance of natural pro-
If it’s not too late to
cesses, their associated
make radical changes
products or costs, then
to your routine, consid-
this is the website to
er simplifying and us-
visit. Composting sys- Metro transfer station off NW Front St. All waste that isn’t collected at curbside
ing only one fertilizer,
tems can be more com- (plastic, rugs, furniture, large items, etc.) goes to this covered site to be carried
to the landfill at a future date. and less of it while mak-

53
 Processes
ing compost for lawns or gardens and simultaneously pre- spreadsheet of Portland area
serving natural processes. We like both this article and While a cut compost suppliers, which
the one below, and think they can be used in conjunction Christmas tree includes address, type
with one another. Learn from them what types of grass- may not be the most and cost of compost,
es are suitable for your specific around-the-house prac- and the beneficial
tices, and figure out “low-input” methods, waste-control
sustainable option, con- rating of each com-
methods, and pest management practices that are good sider decorating a house post. Desperate Ag:
for your landscape and decreasing your energy use. plant, buying a living tree in reculture, according
a pot (to be planted in the to the information
Keeping It Organic yard), or buying from a local source posted on
the site, will work
Just Say No to Chemicals. Tarr, L. 11 February tree grower and commit- with homeowners on
2006. The Olympian. Olympia, Washington. ting it to compost after a one-on-one basis to
(Newspaper article) the holiday season determine their com-
Not convinced yet that chemical-free gardening will is over. post needs. That is a
work to your advantage and replenish or maintain nat- very good thing!
ural processes in the soil? Read what Linda Tarr, a
Northwest garden center owner, has to say about chemi- Watch for Signs of Common Rose
cals in the landscape. Linda bases her business on the fact Pests in Your Garden. O’Connor, T. April 10,
that chemicals are short-term fixes and over-rated. In the 2005. Ventura County Star. Ventura, California.
larger picture, plants actively absorb toxins from contam- (Newspaper article)
inated soil and when that occurs, natural processes are This guest write-in column provides cut-to-the-chase
disrupted. On the other hand, healthy soil with compost answers for questions regarding how to protect roses that
and earthworms can enrich and provide plants with the are eaten by insects. O’Connor chooses six typical situ-
capacity for resisting pests and/or disease. Alternatives ations in a rose garden to explain natural warfare with
to chemicals that Linda advocates include animal ma- pests. Introduce native predators such as ladybugs, green
nure, kitchen wastes, and yard clippings. We like it. lacewings, or parasitic wasps to rid roses. Alternatively,
wash leaves to purge spider mites. Keep natural critters
Know Your Pesticides. Cunningham, S. March in the system for the best method in preserving natural
31, 2006. Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. cycles and assisting plants at being resilient to pests. We
(Newspaper article) concur.
Cunningham introduces Integrated Pest Management
(IPM) and cautions against pesticide use. IPM depends Social Processes
on resistant plants, healthy plants, rotating crops, and
flowering time of plants and insects to encourage natural Environmental Sustainability and the Redesign
enemies like spiders, birds, bats, and toads that balance of Agroecosystems. Hill, S. (ed.) May 15, 1992.
pest populations. Cunningham reminds us that pesti- Ecological Agricultural Projects.
cides by law require specific uses in accordance with label www.eap.mcgill.ca/Publications/EAP34.htm
instructions. The discussion leads into biomagnification Ecologically harmful practices in farming still persist
and the harmful effects of pesticides that are magnified for a number of reasons. This report asks the question:
up the food chain. At the top of the food chain, humans why, when sustainable alternatives exist, is it common
receive the largest doses, due to the consumption of the practice to raise our food in ways that are damaging to the
greatest quantity. Since strains of pests highly re- environment. Important reasons for mak-
sistant to pesticides will continue to develop, and ing the change to sustainable practices
since broad-spectrum pesticides create second- are provided, as well as explanations
ary pests while killing natural pest preda- to why change is difficult for people
tors, we should ask ourselves; why use pes- in general and in agriculture. We
ticides? consider this a glimpse into the
third component of sustainabili-
Desperate Ag:reculture Website. ty, the social component.
2007.
www.desperateag.net/index.html American Community
Desperate Ag:reculture (that’s not a Garden Association. 2004.
typo!) recommends compost teas for ho- www.communitygarden.org
meowners and renters, among many oth- Community gardens are
er demographics. Major benefits of us- about food but we like this refer-
ing compost teas are reducing fertilizer con- ence for this section because they
sumption and choosing an alternative to chem- are also about people and the way peo-
icals — compost teas do not harm bene- ple socialize. Community gar-
ficial insects. Posted on the website is a Another bottlepath in Northeast Portland. dening is a process and a system

54
 Processes
in the larger context. The American Community process convenient and clear. Work with cater-
Garden Association supports networks of com- A n n – ers and the product suppliers, and encultur-
munity gardeners and their practitioners. Eldredge Burns ate new staff properly. There’s even more in
Just input your zip code at the site and all is a kindergarten this little newsletter; it’s packed with ideas
the community gardens in your area pop teacher at Alameda for institutionalizing waste-reduction pro-
up. We pulled up four community gardens School who is involving grams. But you might expect that from
in our area (2 Oregon Food Bank’s Learning her students in a the Assistant Director of Conservation for
Gardens, Woodlawn Community Garden, and pathway made entirely the Botanical Garden at Chapel Hill, North
the Fulton Community Garden). You can con- of old colored Carolina.
nect with each garden and look it over or sign bottles.
up for an E-newsletter or get on a listserve. The A White Wedding? Try Green Instead.
resources offered for gardeners at this site focus on Brides and Grooms Find Ways to Fit Earth-
neighborhood and community development so you’ll find Friendly Practices into Nuptials. Helmer,
gardening workshops and cooking classes, compost dem- J. Tuesday, July 11, 2006. The Portland
onstrations, garden tours, social events in the neighbor- Tribune. Sustainable Life. Portland, Oregon.
hood, and a calendar. Growing a garden capable of beau- (Newspaper article)
tifying neighborhoods, producing nutritious food while Michelle Kozin is not about to let the sticky sub-
reducing family food budgets, and conserving resources ject matter of planning a wedding stop her from think-
by creating recreational and educational opportunities ing about options of marrying and marrying with the love
are their goals. We want to change their website title to of the planet included. While Kozin has written a book
Community Gardens and More. on the subject, Organic Weddings: Balancing Ecology,
Waste Reduction: The Three “Rs” Plus a Style and Tradition (2003) there are other profession-
C. Randall, J. July/August 2006. North al wedding planners in the area such as Piece of Cake,
Carolina Botanical Garden Newsletter. Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Doubletree Lloyd Center,
(Bimonthly newsletter) Oblation Papers and Press, and August Gardens. In ad-
dition, the green movement has already spawned a num-
Recycling czar, Dr. J. Randall, speaks out on a suite of ber of green wedding websites (portovert.com, organic-
actions that are absolutely necessary for waste reduction. weddings.com, and ethicalweddings.com to name a few).
Reducing, reusing and recycling are just not enough; re- What are some of the recommended activities of a green
storing natural processes must integrate composting, so wedding? Try sending recycled paper invitations, se-
include a “C” in that mantra. In a funny article on what lecting locally-grown flowers, pesticide free, choosing or-
efforts the Chapel Hill-based public garden uses, Johnny ganic wine and biodegradable favors, reserving a green
says that it’s apparent composting is not embraced as a venue like a local garden or a park, and serving locally-
tenet by American society, as evidenced by the overflow- grown and organic food. But what about the gown you
ing garbage cans, dumpsters, and general litter in public ask? Wouldn’t a bride who wants zero impact choose a
places. Some of his suggestions, which we endorse whole- used gown from say, Brides Against Breast Cancer or any
heartedly, are: holding trash-free events, composting ev- of the Good Will, Value Village or Teen Challenge resale
erything from paper towels to plates and cups (the chlo- stores? Terri Spaeth-Merrick, a Portland designer trans-
rine-free types), using 100% recycled products like fur- forming the bridal industry through her custom design
niture from sawdust and copy paper, and finally mak- studio Embellish and her website (olivialuca.com)(a web-
ing sure that there is a waste reduction program in place based tool that helps you design a gown), creates gowns
and with sufficient staff. He advises making the entire from organic linen, fair-trade, hand-woven silk, and hemp
blends. Attractive, easy on the conscience, and afford-
able, all gowns are meant to be cut off and worn again.
Check out her website tool and create your own design;
it’s fun.

King Cob. Anderson, J. June 13, 2006.

The Portland Tribune. Portland, Oregon.
(Newspaper article)
You may have seen them around town at the
Rebuilding Center, Portland State University (PSU), and
People’s Food Co-Op; they look just like mud structures.
More precisely they are cob structures made of an adobe-
like mix of straw, clay, and sand that can be used to build
huts and even houses. City Repair Project, a nonprofit
group that specializes in social building of whimsical and
functional cobb structure projects, for and by communi-
Bottlepath with miniature blinking white lights in every tenth bottle ties, fosters a type of social bond with their structures that
(NE 50th Ave.). is so important for sustainable communities and minimiz-

55
 Processes
ing the disruption of natural processes. Their one hour, says Wamser, the amount ofsunlight
goal is to make Portland #1 in the nation’s Christie falling to the earth is more than all the en-
sustainable cities and they are very com- Peterson claims ergy that the world could use in an entire
mitted to including communities in the that for a sustainable year. In the same vein, hopefully the in-
process of attaining that goal. ventions stemming from these research
Christmas this year she projects will decompose naturally, tru-
The Portland Tribune is a semi- gave individual Satsuma
ly mimicking nature.
weekly newspaper that spotlights sus-
oranges grown from her 7’
tainable stories in and around Portland Dying Outside the Box. Earth-
once a month. This same issue fea- organic potted tree; it pro- Friendly Oregonians Can Opt for
tured a report on the collaboration be- duced 20 oranges and the Ultimate in Biodegradability.
tween Stumptown Coffee Roasters required two people to Cummins, C. Tuesday, August 8,
and Portland’s Office of Sustainable drag it into the house 2006. The Oregonian. Sustainable
Development with a plan to capture and Life. Portland, Oregon. (Newspaper
this winter.
recycle the gaseous byproducts from the cof- article)
fee roasting process. These and other reports fo-
A shroud or a biodegradable box is all you
cus on green business. Pick up The Portland Tribune,
need to become a tree in another life. It isn’t necessar-
it’s free.
ily cheaper but it is the cleanest; offsetting the carbon
suck of living, eliminating toxic chemicals from embalm-
Mimicking Nature
ing fluid or elaborate caskets, and eliminating air pollu-
Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature. tion or energy waste from being cremated. We definite-
Benyus, J. 1997. Harper Perennial. London, ly found this solution to be “green”, literally and figura-
United Kingdom. pp. 308. (Book) tively.
The wait is over: a book that writes about contem- What Can I Do? Hayes-Bohanan, J. May 2006.
porary, manmade processes and products that are en- http://webhost.bridgew.edu/jhayesboh/resource/env_ican.htm
gineered to mimic the nat-
The sage advice of this
ural world. Different as-
fellow-concerned citizen
pects of energy such as
is that there is something
food, materials, medicine,
that each of us can do to
and technology, in every-
perpetuate simple but nec-
day lives, structure the
essary cycles in nature.
chapters but scientists who
Straight-from-the-hip tips
have research in these ar-
on eating locally, network-
eas give their explorations
ing with people, educating
in contemporary products
yourself and others, travel-
that have resulted from
ing alone, and eliminating
studies of natural process-
consumption habits (Stay
es. For example, one re-
out of Wal-Mart, he says)
searcher explores a stron-
make this a good how-to
ger material by mimick-
article for living healthy
ing the structural proper-
while living sustainably.
ties of spider silk. Another
You can even find out what
is researching higher crop
experts claim is is the right
yields through the study
amount of toothpaste.
and mimicry of processes
in productive meadowland How To Make Paper
biomes. Portland State Out of Lint. Amber,
University (PSU) research- A. October 29, 2007.
ers are also exploring inno- Istructables: The
vative products through in- World’s Biggest Show
spirations in nature. In an and Tell.
article titled, Producing, www.instructables.com/
Using, Saving (Steineger id/How-To-Make-Paper-
2008) Carl Wamser (a Out-Of-Lint/51BHG9VF8
chemist at Portland State
Dryer lint that is.
University) is exploring
That’s right and we’ve
leaf energy technology to
tried this one, it does work.
harness solar power. Why
Seven easy steps to making
is this inspirational? In
C. Peterson’s Satsuma orange tree with green oranges on the branches. your own paper out of dry-

56
 Processes
er lint. Soak the lint in warm water for at least 30 sec-
onds, mix it in a blender, sift the mix over a screen that
they show you how to make, place it over a piece of fab-
ric and damp out the excess water, and allow it to dry.
Skeptical? Try it...you will develop a keen appreciation
for something that the ancient Chinese did thousands of
years ago.

To Free Urban Forests From Invaders,

Some Weigh Ban on Noxious Plants.
Stiffler, L. November 30, 2005. Washington
Post. Washington District of Columbia.
(Newspaper article)
Do you have invasive plants in your landscape? Do you
have management issues with your ivy? Invasive plants
are considered to be noxious for their overbearing proper-
ties and destruction of natural biodiversity, and for rob- A creative use of objects that would otherwise be sent to the landfill
bing a landscape site of its naturally reoccurring cycles. (NE 53rd Ave.).
Removing invasive species frees up some nutrients and
provides for a more diverse ecosystem and healthier habi- asm she helps you actually make the leap from the living
tat for many types of species. Seattle is discussing a ban on room TV and out the back door. In our opinion, she is the
one invasive species of ivy, but is finding it hard to actually Closet Organizer of gardening tasks.
pin down the culprit species because of the varying genetic
Rebuilding a River’s Spongy Edge. Jewett, J.
strands. Invasive ivy is constantly adapting to avoid de-
March 11, 1996. The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon.
struction and in the process, showing its strength as a sur-
(Newspaper article)
vivor species. Stiffler questions if outright banning and
policy-making are appropriate measures for control of in- Jewett provides a compelling argument for homeown-
vasive species, or if educating the public on healthy biodi- ers to create buffer zones in the form of a wetland on their
versity and plant management are the better solutions. properties. Like many other Pacific Northwest residents,
Portlanders in the Willamette Valley are living in a large
Other management issues surrounding invasives floodplain. In this environment, preparedness is impor-
are mentioned as well as why specialized predators are tant. Understanding that an important consequence of
considered the checks and balances of nature. Without global warming is the increasing number of intense rain-
checks and balances, says Stiffler, species can overpopu- fall events, it is important to know that major floods can
late and insect damages can be devastating. This is an occur more often than every 100 years as we have seen in
informative read. the past. It has been shown that restoring 50,000 acres of
wetland along the river’s edge could reduce a flood’s flow
In Love With Fall: 30 Minutes a Day to a Great
by as much as 18%. Think of wetlands as sponges, which
Fall Garden. Pokorny, K. September 18, 2005.
allow a river to spread out during a storm. Plants, trees,
The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon.
grasses and other rough vegetation — key elements in
(Newspaper article)
buffer zones—ensure the ground acts like a sponge to fil-
Daunted by all those overwhelming tasks in the gar- ter out unnatural compounds. Humans integrating with
den that keep it looking nice? Daunted by what it means the ecosystem in this example translates to living in a
to preserve processes in a natural system? Pokorny says natural wetland system while preserving the natural pro-
that if the fallen leaves have completely buried those cesses.
shade-loving perennials then she has an organized, how-
to plan for overcoming common obstacles in the garden. Nature’s Services. Daily, G. (ed.). 1997. Island
Kym Pokorny’s thirty-minute, Monday-through-Sunday Press. Washington, District of Columbia. pp. 392.
schedule is a good way to give yourself a great fall gar- (Book)
den at a more relaxed pace while maintaining some of For most of us it has been years since our last science
those natural processes. Specific chores range from clip- class. Science constantly reveals new truths, such that
ping dead flowers in the garden on Monday (leaving them the stuff we learned in class years ago is most likely his-
to compost onsite) to pruning just one shrub on Tuesday. tory by now, and not very relevant history at that. We be-
Overall goals in the garden are meant to be therapeutic, lieve the responsible thing to do as good citizens is to stay
enjoyable, connected, and relaxing, so there’s no hurry, updated on the latest topics and political issues regarding
just methodical pacing. She guarantees getting the work the environment. We say this for a number of reasons,
out of the way in very little time. Pokorny emphasizes some of which are economics, human health, the environ-
taking time and using tools that make the job more com- ment, and social concerns. Nature’s Services is a person-
fortable and convenient, like using kneepads. And then alized account of many authors’ experiences with natural
there is Pokorny’s spicy wit; with humor and enthusi- cycles — important for considering big-picture problems

57
 Processes
in the sustainable landscape. For example, two chapters BioBag’s complete line of products includes kitchen
document the importance of services provided by insect bags, composting systems, pet products, lawn & leaf, toi-
pollinators, and how they are linked to global food produc- let systems, and shopping bags. The company’s various
tivity and stability. While we feel that this book might be products are ideal for practicing sustainability and water-
a little over the top in terms of scientific explanations, you conscience behaviors.
may be intrigued by its discussion of intricate, natural
processes and the science behind the sustainable scene. A Lawn You Can Love. McCausland, J. September
1998. Sunset. pp. 59-63. (Magazine article)
Flower’s Power to Reproduce Relies on Bugs. If you have to have a lawn please look up this issue of
Proctor, R. May 20, 2005. Rocky Mountain News. Sunset magazine. The second page contains one of the nif-
Denver, Colorado. (Newspaper article) tiest guides to selecting grasses for the Pacific Northwest,
Rocky Mountain News’ reporter, Rob Proctor writes and specifically for outdoor routines. Whether you are
a nice story heralding pollinators, their trials and tribu- selecting a lawn for shade, low-to-no mowing, low water
lations throughout history, and why we should have only use, or for resilience to dog urine, the table is a “down and
the highest respect for them. Differences between flow- dirty” guide to buying the right grass for your situation.
ers and flower types are explained as are nature’s alter- Sunset endorses fifteen grass choices with good cultivat-
natives to pollen. Ultimately Proctor leads us to the im- ing information as well as photos. The accompanying
portance of attracting pollinators, like bees, to our gar- text discusses buying sprigs versus plugs and seed versus
dens. He weaves a rich story, but it may be difficult to sod. If you’ve got to have a lawn, choose with knowledge
access this article as the Rocky Mountain News archives of what’s compatible for your family routine whether it’s
was down the last we checked. commitment to water, pets, or high traffic.

A Plea for Nature’s Pollinators: Garden’s Exhibits Green Culture: Products for an Enlightened
Highlight Need to Protect Crucial Creatures. Planet. 2007.
Becker, A. August 29, 2004. Washington www.eco-gardening.com
Post. Washington, District of Columbia. Often being sustainable is not so much a matter of
(Newspaper article) making appropriate decisions about environmental-
In this article from the Washington Post, we learn ly safe products as it is a matter of where to find them.
that 80% of the world’s food plant species depend on pol- Responding to this need, the Green Culture website sells
lination. Besides bees, there are lots of other pollinators green products at affordable prices. You can find basic
such as bats, butterflies, moths, lemurs, wind, and the things such as raised planter beds, composters (including
most prolific pollinators of them all—beetles. Preserving worms), and weed killers/fertilizers made of natural plant
these sometimes annoying creatures is vitally essential oils. Fascinating and unique projects are on the site such
for sustainable growth and development. as shitake mushroom kits for the garden. Look for facts
about the most effective of natural pest controllers such
Buying to Preserve Natural Processes as bats and ladybugs.

BioBag Homepage. 2007. Green Pages. 2007. Northwest Ecobuilding Guild

http://biobagusa.com/ Website.
If you must buy, then please, by all means, buy green. www.ecobuilding.org/green_pages
BioBag manufactures biodegradable household products Green Pages is an educational association of build-
and buying green will help invigorate economic cycles and ers, designers, homeowners, trades people, manufactur-
infrastructure. The garden bio-film is an excellent alter- ers, suppliers and others that are all interested in ecolog-
native to pesticide use. “[It] is designed to protect your ically sustainable building. Some of the articles included
plantings from weeds and pests and stimulate warmth for are Hydronic Radiant Floor Heat and Dive in With Denim
uniform growth, then return itself naturally to the earth Insulation. This is one of the more exhaustive websites
after the plantings reach maturation. The film also serves we’ve seen. Remember it when you are short on time or
as a plant protector during frost and wind warnings.” are looking for specific, knowledgeable help on a project

Neighbors making sustainable connections. Left: an example of a U-pick parking strip vegetable and berry garden. Middle: neighbors share
a covered trellis to keep out the heat. Right: neighbors share daylighted driveways and permeable pavers.

58
 Processes
because you can search by service, keyword, or hazardous household products they will dispose
location. The green pages are also available D a v e of, at no charge. Their site also tells us which
for downloading, printing, or filing. The Chameides and products are not to go in the regular gar-
Ecobuilding Guild site also gives informa- his family resolved to bage. This is a wonderful resource.
tion on monthly meetings, so get on their
throw nothing away in Why is this mentioned in the process-
emailing list to hear what they have to
2008. Follow his fam- es section? Ultimately, our wastes can im-
say.
pact our local rivers, streams, and water-
ily’s progress on NPR’s
Green Home Environmental Store ways so if we can get you to drive out to
website at www. the facility to dispose of your toxics properly
Website. 2007.
www.greenhome.com
npr.org. then we’ve succeeded in engaging you in a pro-
cess that saves at least one element of our envi-
Green Home Environmental Store is a prac-
ronment.
tical website for researching and purchasing green prod-
ucts for the home. Green Home claims their products are Environmental Building Supply. 2006.
not only alternatives to existing products but offered at www.ecohaus.com.
the same cost, same convenience, and same quality as
To keep you in synchrony with processes and natural
their traditional counterparts, with less of a toxic impact
cycles while tackling construction projects, Environmental
on the environment.
Building Supply (EBS) promotes natural and renewable
Green Home offers products from apparel to pest con- materials, such as FSC-certified wood products, wool car-
trol. They offer green products for hoses and drip sys- pets, cork, and environmentally-safe paints. They also of-
tems, compost bins, biological pest control, kitchen and fer low toxic, energy-efficient, solar, and recycled content
bath cleaning products, personal accessories, and a lot products. This is an excellent source for finding the prod-
more. ucts you might be reading about, and is an ideal place to
get your questions answered online by their knowledge-
Northwest Green Directory Homepage. 2008. able staff.
www.nwgreendirectory.com
The Northwest Green Directory website is a The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard.
registry of green businesses where products Many dynamic Tides Foundation & Funders Work
and services can be searched by region or Portland neighbor- Group for Sustainable Production
keyword. A search results in a supplier’s hoods, with strong retail and Consumption.
phone number, address, and website in- clusters, host a Gallery Walk www.storyofstuff.com/
formation along with a brief descrip- one night out of the month, The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute
tion of the company. Sustainability which features local art and en- video about all the stuff in our lives,
criteria such as labor relations and tertainment while stores remain its production and consumption, and
corporate environmental policies for open (Alberta, Hollywood, the how it affects our communities at home
each company are included. Pearl, and Division/Clinton to and around the world. It’s a great look
name a few). Check out at the big picture. Leonard gives a list
Natural Home Magazine. 2006. of 10 big and little things we can all do
the one closest to
www.naturalhomemagazine.com to reduce the pressure on a linear system
you.
As an independent online magazine, and foster a more cyclical system. Included
Natural Home Magazine provides readers with the are: powering down energy, wasting less, talking
inspiration and information for making the best choices in with others, inspiring others, detoxing our homes, body,
creating an eco-friendly home. The magazine highlights economy, unplugging the TV, parking our cars to walk
innovative ideas on home building, design, remodeling, more, changing our light bulbs, recycling more trash, buy-
and decorating, with additional tips for the kitchen, gar- ing green, fair, local, used, and by all means, buying less
den, yard, and personal health. Natural Home Magazine stuff. An awesome video, check it out!
also has a radio show called Natural Home Show with a
more interactive approach to discussing sustainable liv-
ing techniques.

Metro: Garbage and Recycling. 2007. Metro.

www.metro-region.org/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=24197
Metro, Portland’s regional government agency, in-
structs us where to dump garbage and hazardous
wastes. If you’ve never visited the Metro waste facili-
ty on NW 61st Ave., it’s very cool. It’s a drive-through;
you never leave your car, and a team of folks come out in
hazmat suits, take your wastes, and organize it to bins
for reuse, remix, or disposal. The website details what

59
 Appendix I

Garden Planting Table

plant harvest protect transplant
lettuce, spinach,
beginning parsley, lettuce in gh strawberries in gh
kale outside
alfalfa, chickpeas, oats, sun-
January mid oranges ,limes (gh)
flower seeds in gh

end

beets, celery, leeks in gh;

beginning onions in hb, asparagus in
ground
February seeds of arugula, peas, and strawberry, celery,
mid oranges, limes (gh)
spinach plts to cf

end leeks in gh

peas, turnips, onion sets in from hard freeze w

beginning kale, spinach, lettuce
ground cloche

mid lettuce in gh oranges, limes (gh) turnip seeds

March
strawberry, celery,
leeks, peas, radishes, spin- broccoli, cabbage,
end chives, parsley
ach, turnips to ground cauliflower plts to
ground
beets, artichokes, kohlrabi,
parsnips, eggplant, pota-
toes radishes, broccoli, cab-
bage, carrots, cauliflower in, carrot, beet seedlings, let- leeks, lettuce, cau-
beginning
ground; melons, spinach, tuce, spinach, mache liflower to ground
okra, peppers, Swiss chard,
April sweet potato, cucumber,
eggplant, in gh

scallions, bunching onions

mid ,peas, endive, escarole in slugs
ground
end corn in ground hailstorms

parsley, cucumbers, mel- all plants from leaf

ons, garlic, basil, lettuce, lettuce, onion, beets seed- insects and cab-
beginning
parsley, radish, tomatoes in lings bage worms and
ground slugs

May beans, broccoli, cabbage,

cauliflower, NZ spinach, po- potato plants from
mid radishes, turnip seedlings
tatoes, radish, tomatoes to sun
ground
lettuce ,radish, winter
end spinach
squash to ground

broccoli from in-

radish, shallot, any seeds basil, beans, beets, cab- celery, eggplant,
sects cauliflower,
beginning / seedlings lima beans in bage, carrots, parsley ,peas, okra seedlings to
endive, leeks, po-
ground, corn in pots peapods ground
tatoes from sun
June
pumpkin, win & sum squash spinach, cabbage, Swiss
mid onion maggots strawberry runners
seeds in ground chard
brussel sprouts
end cabbage
from insects
cauliflwr=cauliflower, cf=cold frame, gh=greenhouse, grnd=ground, hb=hotbed, plts=plants, underfert=underfertilization

60
 Appendix

plant harvest protect transplant

beans, beets, broccoli, corn,
beets, lettuce, Chinese cab- asparagus from brussel sprout
beginning cucumber, leeks, radishes,
bage, collards, sun seedlings
onion
July mid dill, onions, scallions squash, tomatoes squash from borers

kale, lettuce, radishes, ruta- parsnips from un-

end eggplants, okra, peppers
bagas derfert.
endive, escarole, peas, tat-
basil, polebeans, broccoli
soi, Chinese cabbages,
beginning seedlings, corn, garlic, shal-
mustard greens, broccoli
lot, tomatoes
rabe, arugula
August
squash, blueberries, peach-
mid
es
cantaloupes, onions, pota-
end spinach
toes
brussel sprouts, collards,
beginning cool weather lettuce celery from sun,
kale, peppers

September mid peas apples, cabbages

end pumpkins

lettuces, spinach, radishes chives, cauliflower, brocco-

beginning
in cf li rabe
peas, potatoes, radishes,
October mid garlic, shallots
rutabagas,
purple cauliflower, brussel
end
sprouts, tomatoes

beginning

broccoli, brussel sprouts,

cabbages, leeks, celery,
November mid spinach in cf parsnips, artichokes, lettuce,
cauliflower, radishes, col-
lards, kale, peas, radishes

parsnips from
end kiwis
freeze

beginning alpine strawberry in gh

December mid oranges, limes (gh)

end
cauliflwr=cauliflower, cf=cold frame, gh=greenhouse, grnd=ground, hb=hotbed, plts=plants, underfert=underfertilization

61
 Appendix II

When are locally grown products available?

Products locally grown in Oregon; colors distingquish between vegetables.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Apples
Apricots
Asparagus
Beans
Beets
Blackberries
Blueberries
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Cherries
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Kale
Lettuce
Nectarines
Onions
Parsnips
Peaches
Pears
Peas
Peppers
Plums/Prunes
Potatoes
Pumpkins
Radishes
Raspberries
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Spinach
Strawberries
Squash
Tomatoes
Turnips
Winter Squash
http://www.eatlocal.net/when.html

63
 BEST CHOICES G O O D A LT E R N A T I V E S AVOID Support Ocean-Friendly Seafood
Best Choices are abundant, well-
Abalone (farmed) Basa/Tra (farmed) Chilean Seabass/Toothfish* managed and caught or farmed in
Barramundi (US farmed) Clams, Oysters* (wild) Cod: Atlantic environmentally friendly ways.
Catfish (US farmed) Cod: Pacific (trawled) Crab: King (imported)
Clams, Mussels, Oysters (farmed) Crab: King (Alaska), Snow, Imitation Dogfish (US)* Good Alternatives are an option,
Cod: Pacific (Alaska longline)* Dogfish (BC)* Grenadier/Pacific Roughy but there are concerns with how
they’re caught or farmed — or with
Crab: Dungeness Flounders, Soles (Pacific) Lobster: Spiny (Caribbean imported)
the health of their habitat due to
Halibut: Pacific* Lingcod* Mahi mahi/Dolphinfish (imported) other human impacts.
Lobster: Spiny (US) Lobster: American/Maine Monkfish
Pollock (Alaska wild)* Mahi mahi/Dolphinfish (US) Orange Roughy* Avoid for now as these items are
Rockfish: Black (CA, OR) Rockfish (Alaska, BC hook & line) Rockfish (trawled) caught or farmed in ways that harm
Sablefish/Black Cod (Alaska*, BC) Sablefish/Black Cod (CA, OR, WA) Salmon (farmed, including Atlantic)* other marine life or the environment.
Salmon (Alaska wild)* Salmon (CA, OR, WA wild) Scallops: Sea (Mid-Atlantic) Key
Sardines Sanddabs: Pacific Sharks* BC = British Columbia CA = California
Scallops: Bay (farmed) Scallops: Sea (Canada and Northeast) Shrimp (imported farmed or wild) OR = Oregon WA = Washington
Shrimp: Pink (OR) Shrimp (US farmed or wild) Sturgeon*, Caviar (imported wild) Mid-Atlantic = North Carolina to New York
Spot Prawn (BC) Spot Prawn (US) Swordfish (imported)* Northeast = Connecticut to Maine
Striped Bass (farmed) Squid Tuna: Albacore, Bigeye, Yellowfin * Limit consumption due to concerns about
Sturgeon, Caviar (farmed) Sturgeon (OR, WA wild) (longline)* mercury or other contaminants.
Tilapia (US farmed) Swordfish (US longline)* Tuna: Bluefin* Visit www.oceansalive.org/eat.cfm
Trout: Rainbow (farmed) Tuna: Bigeye, Yellowfin (troll/pole) * Some or all of this fishery is certified as
sustainable to the Marine Stewardship
Tuna: Albacore (BC, US troll/pole) Tuna: canned light, canned Council standard. Visit www.msc.org
Tuna: Skipjack (troll/pole) white/Albacore*
Appendix III

White Seabass Seafood may appear in more than one column

65
2007 ©2007. All rights reserved. Printed on recycled paper.
credited to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation
April 2007.
Contaminant information provided by: was last updated in
Seafood Guide The seafood recommendations in this guide are
This Seafood Guide
West Coast
SALMON CHINOOK or yellow columns.
something else from the green
Seafood Watch Pocket Guide 2007

If you’re not sure, choose

WATCH Brought to you in partnership with:
your health and much more... the environment.
for ocean wildlife and

• How was it caught?

• Is it farmed or wild-caught?
• Where is the seafood from?
Page can be removed and folded.

• Information on seafood and

and other regional guides fish farms that are healthier when shopping or eating out.
to support those fisheries and
Seafood
® • The latest version of this
not on this list
• Recommendations for seafood
about these recommendations

the green or yellow columns

a difference. Buy seafood from
Your consumer choices make

to check labels or ask questions

read all columns and be sure
where it is from, etc. Please
based on how it is caught,
• More detailed information You Have the Power occur in more than one column
Visit www.seafoodwatch.org for: The seafood in this guide may
Healthy Oceans
Learn more Make Choices for How to use this guide
2. Fold on grey lines
1. Cut along outer black line To use your pocket guide:
 Additional References
Referenced material within the document (in parenthesis).

Engel, C. 2002. Wild Health: How Animals Keep Themselves Well and What We Can Learn from Them. Houghton
Mifflin Books. pp. 276.
Metros Travel Options. 2008. http://www.metro-region.org/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=12130
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Nowak, D. and D. Crane. 2002. Carbon storage and sequestration by urban trees in the USA. Environmental
Pollution. 116(3):381-389.
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division. 2002. Air toxics advisory committee final
report. June. http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/toxics/index.htm
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. 1998. Your drinking water and pesticide use. Nelson, D. and S.
Stewart (eds.). Oregon’s Drinking Water Protection Program: Source Water Protection Program. Portland,
Oregon.
People Powered Machines. 1999-2007. http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/faq-environment.htm#environment
PlanTea, Inc. How to make the world’s fastest compost: Here’s your solution to all those grass clippings! Owen, M.
(ed.) http://www.plantea.com/fastest-compost.htm
Portland Water Bureau. June, 2007. Portland Water Bureau Drinking Water Quality Report. Portland’s drinking
water quality “…continues to meet all state and federal regulations.” Portland, Oregon.
Spector, C. Last Updated: September 24, 2001. Soil formation. http://soil.gsfc.nasa.gov/soilform/parmat.htm
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 2008. www.tceq.state.tx.us/assistance/p2Recycle/p2Week/
otherengines.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2007. New Surgeon General’s Report Focuses on the Effects of
Secondhand Smoke. http://os.hhs.gov/news/press/2006pres/20060627.html

67
 Glossary
Anthropogenic Anthropogenic effects, processes, objects, ternately repel and/or attract pests.
or materials are those that are derived from human ac- Compost The decomposed remnants of organic material
tivities, as opposed to those occurring in natural environ- that can be used as either soil or soil amendments
ments without human influences.
Cost effectiveness-assessment A systematic way of eval-
Biodegradable products Products that have the ability to uating or comparing the costs and outcomes of alterna-
break down, safely and relatively quickly, by biological tive means of achieving the same degree of sustainabil-
means, into the raw materials of nature and disappear ity.
into the environment.
Cost-effectiveness The ratio of the cost of an action to a
Biodiversity (biological diversity) Biodiversity is the various relevant measure of its outcome.
kinds of life over the entire Earth (a wide array of natu-
CSOs Combined Sewage Overflow is an apparatus built into
ral communities and ecosystems throughout the world,
the sewer system which allows a certain amount of flow
from tropical rainforests to tall grass prairies to boreal
to discharge into a water course, untreated, to keep the
forests).
system for becoming surcharged during storm condi-
Biomagnification The magnification of a concentration of tions. In Portland, CSOs can occur if it rains as little as
toxics in an organism caused by its consumption of oth- one tenth of an inch.
er organisms in which the toxics have accumulated.
Cultural diversity A variety of human societies or cultures in
Biomass he accumulated biological material that is pro- a specific region, or in the world.
duced by living organisms.
Decomposition This is the natural process of breaking
Biosolids The organic materials resulting from the treat- down dead animal or plant tissue by fungi, bacteria, and
ment of domestic wastewater in a wastewater treatment invertebrates.
facility.
Drip irrigation Water-conserving, micro-irrigation technolo-
Bioswale Landscape elements (drainage course, or swale, gy utilizing a network of plastic pipes to carry a low flow
with gently sloped sides and vegetation, compost, and/ of water under low pressure to individual plants.
or riprap distributed throughout the drainage) that are
Ecology The scientific study of the distribution and abun-
designed to remove silt and pollution from surface run-
dance of living organisms and how the distribution and
off water.
abundance are affected by interactions between the or-
Buffer zone Any zonal area that serves the purpose of keep- ganisms and their abiotic environments.
ing two or more other areas distant from one another
Ecoroof A vegetated roof system used in place of a conven-
(i.e. greenbelts).
tional roof.
Carrying capacity The maximum number of individuals of
Ecosystem A specific biological community (plants, animals
any species that can be supported by a particular eco-
and microorganisms in an area) and its physical envi-
system (food, habitat, water and other necessities) on a
ronment functioning together with an interaction of mat-
long-term basis.
ter and energy.
Chronic toxicity The property of a substance that has ad-
Energy The capacity to do work, such as moving matter
verse toxic effects on a living organism, when that or-
over a distance.
ganism is exposed to the substance continuously or re-
peatedly, in contrast to acute toxicity, which is a single Environment The sum total of our surroundings, including
exposure or multiple exposures in a short period of time all of the living things and nonliving things with which we
(usually 24 hours). interact.
Climate Average variations of weather over long periods of Evaporation This is the process by which a substance is
time. converted from a liquid form to a gaseous form.
Climate change The variation in the Earth’s global climate Farm co-op A community with land that is cooperatively
or in regional climates over time. owned by all its members.
Cloche Material that is used as a protective covering for Food councils A non-partisan form of civic engagement that
shielding plants, usually vegetables, primarily from cold, brings together citizens (and sometimes government of-
wind, and insect damage (sometimes called a row cov- ficials) for the purpose of providing a comprehensive ex-
er). amination of a state or local food system.
Cold frame A transparent enclosure used to protect plants Food system A network of relationships among a group of
(usually seedlings) from cold temperature and wind such parts, elements, or components that interact with and
as a window. influence one another through the exchange of energy,
matter and/or information, in this case everything from
Companion planting A landscaping approach that inte-
farm to table
grates pest management into the choice and distribution
of garden plants. Companion planting uses plants with Food web A visual representation of feeding interactions
natural substances in their roots, flowers, or leaves to al- within an ecological community that shows relationships

69
Glossary
between organisms at different trophic levels. a point of stability and will break down no further and
Fossil Fuel A nonrenewable natural resource that is pro- that serves as a major source of plant nutrients or soil
duced by the decomposition and compression or organ- amendment.
ic matter from ancient life such as crude oil, natual gas, Insecticides Chemicals that kill insects.
or coal. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) An ecologically-based,
Gaia The term given for an ecological hypothesis which pest control strategy that relies on natural mortality fac-
states that living and nonliving parts of Earth interact as tors, such as natural enemies, weather, cultural control
a complex system that can be viewed as a single organ- methods, and carefully applied doses of pesticides. It is
ism. an ecological approach that can significantly reduce or
Global climate change A change in any aspect of Earth’s eliminate the use of pesticides.
climate, such as temperature, precipitation, and storm Irrigation An artificial application of water to the soil for the
intensity; currently it refers to the general warming trend primary purpose of growing plants.
in global temperatures and associated climate chang- Landscape The physical features of a geographic area such
es. as landforms, flora and fauna, lighting and human ele-
Good Agricultural Practices (GAPS) A set of guidelines or ments.
recommendations for improving the quality and safety of LEED A green building rating system which provides stan-
the produce grown including soil, water, handling, and dards for environmentally sustainable construction.
surfaces that come in contact with the produce.
Life Cycle Assessment LCA) The examination of the en-
Green A cultural term that connotes environmentally-friendly tire life cycle of a given product from its origins in raw
products. materials, through its manufacturing, to its use, and fi-
Green building A term that broadly means designing, build- nally its disposal, in an attempt to identify ways to make
ing, and operating a home in a manner that conserves the process more ecologically efficient.
resources and minimizes environmental impact. Mimicry An adaptive change in which one species, called
Green economics A branch of economics that addresses the mimic, assumes the color, shape, or behavioral traits
the dynamic and spatial interdependence between hu- of another.
mans and ecology. Natural resources Any of the various substances and ener-
Green manure A cover crop, such as rye, is grown at a spe- gy sources that we need in order to survive.
cific time of the year, then plowed under and incorpo- Naturescaping A method of landscaping which incorpo-
rated into the soil, primarily to add nutrients and organic rates native plants while attracting beneficial insects,
matter to the soil. birds, and other creatures.
Green roof This is a roof that is either partially or completely Net metering An electricity metering and billing agreement
planted in vegetation and soil over a waterproof mem- between consumers who have small renewable energy
brane. facilities (wind, solar power, or vehicle-to-grid systems)
Greywater Wastewater that is generated from domestic and their utility company. Net refers to the total supply
processes (residential) such as laundry, washing dish- of energy to the consumer’s site, minus actual consump-
es, and bathing and distinguished from blackwater by its tion.
compostion of biological contaminants such as feces or Organic farming Farming that uses no synthetic pesticides
toxic chemicals. or fertilizers but instead relies on biological processes
Groundcover A plant that is used for the purpose of grow- such as composting and biocontrol
ing over bare ground to hide it or to protect it from ero- Organic food Food produced according to certain legal
sion or evaporation. standards such as no conventional pesticides, no arti-
Habitat The specific environment in which an organism lives ficial fertilizers, human waste, sewage sludge, or foods
including both biotic and abiotic factors. that were processed without ionizing radiation or food
Hardiness zones Geographically defined areas in which a additives. Many countries require producers to obtain
specific plant is capable of growing within a specific tem- organic certification in order to market as organic.
perature range. Organic matter Material in the soil that has come from liv-
Heirloom plants Plants that were commonly grown during ing organisms, is capable of decay, or already decayed,
earlier periods in history and are not used in modern ag- and made of organic compounds. Three components of
riculture. organic matter (raw plant residues and microorganisms,
an actively decomposing component, and a stable com-
Herbicides A chemical that kills plants.
ponent), are vital for a soil’s physical, chemical, and bio-
Hotbed A pile of decaying organic matter that is warmer logical fertility.
than its surroundings as a result of heat given off by the
Ozone An ultraviolet absorbing shield in the stratosphere
metabolism of decomposing microorganisms and used
that protects us from mutagenic radiation but a danger-
primarily for composting, but are also good for warming
ous pollutant in ambient air.
plants during the winter.
Passive cooling Natural design features for cooling a house
Humus Mature compost or organic matter that has reached

70
 Glossary
such as the canopy of a shade tree in the direction of the barter with neighboring farms.
southwestern sun. Sustainable consumption and production (SCP)
Percolation The slow passage of a liquid through a porous Achieving economic growth while respecting environ-
material such as water through soil. mental limits and finding ways to minimize damage to
Permaculture A lifestyle ethic for the development of pe- the natural world.
rennial agricultural systems (high yields with low energy Sustainable development Development that satisfies our
inputs) that mimics the structure and interrelationships current needs without compromising the future availabil-
found in natural ecologies. ity of natural resources or our future quality of life.
Pesticide An artificial chemical used to kill insects (insecti- Texture The relative distribution of sand, silt, and clay in a
cide), plants (herbicide), or fungi (fungicide). soil and the quality of soil that determines air and water
pH A measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a so- circulation.
lution; the value of which indicates acidity or alkalinity on Three Rs A sustainable pneumonic that when used in order,
a scale from 0 to 14. stands for reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Potable water Water of a quality that is suitable for drinking, Tillage Agricultural preparation of the soil by digging it up
cooking, and personal bathing. and turning it over.
Processes (Biological Processes) A recognized series of Transpiration The release of water vapor by plants through
events or molecular functions that result in a physical their leaves.
change. Urban agriculture Cultivation of crops, fodder, livestock,
Remediation The cleaning of chemical contaminants from milk production, fisheries, and forestry activities, within
a polluted area. or surrounding an urban setting.
Renewable resource Resources normally replaced or re- Vermicomposting The process of using worms and micro-
plenished by natural processes, virtually unlimited, or re- organisms to turn kitchen waste into black, earthy-smell-
plenished by the environment over relatively short peri- ing, nutrient-rich humus.
ods of time such as hours, weeks, years. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Chemicals contain-
Resource A physical or virtual entity that gives wealth or ing carbon that evaporate easily at room temperature,
satisfaction, usually of limited quantity. are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids such
Salinization The build up of salts in surface soil layers, as house paint, and contribute to local air pollution in in-
eventually to toxic levels for plants. dustrialized societies.
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) A cluster of allergies and Waste Any unwanted product that results from a human ac-
other illnesses caused by sensitivity to molds, synthetic tivity or process.
chemicals, or other harmful compounds trapped in insuf- Wastewater Any water that is used in households, busi-
ficiently ventilated buildings. nesses, industries or public facilities and is drained or
Sequester is the natural process of capturing carbon. flushed down pipes, as well as the polluted runoff from
streets and storm drains.
Smart growth An urban planning concept in which a com-
munity’s growth is managed in ways that limit sprawl and Water-wise gardening The judicious use of water in the
maintain or improve residents’ quality of life; it guides the garden as a key sustainability goal
rate, the style and the placement to serve the environ- Wetlands Ecosystems of several types of in which rooted
ment, the economy, and the community. vegetation is surrounded by standing water during part
Soil A complex system of disintegrated rock, partially de- of the year.
composed organic materials, air, water, nutrients, and Xeriscaping Landscaping in ways that do not require sup-
living microorganisms plemental irrigation.
Soil aggregation How sand, silt, and clay combine to form
larger granules of soil.
Soil erosion he loss of soil from the land.
Soil formation The process by which rocks are broken down
into progressively smaller particles and mixed with de-
caying organic matter. This process is influenced by five
soil-forming factors: regional climate, biotic potential, to-
pography, parent material and the passage of time.
Solar collector A device for extracting the energy of the sun
into a more usable form.
Species All the organisms genetically similar enough to
breed and produce live, fertile offspring in nature.
Subsistence farming A method of farming in which farmers
grow only enough staple food to feed their family, or for

71
 Index
A 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 44, 49, 51, 53, 54,
56, 59, 69, 70, 71
Air preservation 17 Energy briefs 28, 29
Anthropogenic activities 14 Environment 7, 16, 22, 32, 52, 69
B Evaporation 2, 43, 70

Batteries 32, 34, 35 F

Biodiesel 5, 14, 15, 27, 34, 38 Farm co-op 69
Biodiversity 22, 24, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 69 Food system 69
Bioheat 34 Food web 69
Biomass 69 Forestry 37, 71
Biosolids 69 Fossil fuels 33, 34, 35, 37, 40
Bioswale 69
Buffer zone 69 G
C Gaia 48, 70
Gardening viii, 19, 20, 21, 24, 39, 42, 45, 48, 52, 54, 55, 57,
Carrying capacity 69 58, 71
Chronic toxicity 69 Global climate change 70
City of Portland 7, 8, 37 Good Agricultural Practices 70
Climate 14, 20, 69 Green iii, 6, 7, 9, 10, 19, 25, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37,
Climate change 20, 69 42, 46, 47, 48, 49, 52, 55, 58, 59, 70
Cloche 69 Green building options 37
Cold frame 69 Green businesses 59
Community gardens 54 Green economics 70
Compost 2, 6, 14, 19, 20, 22, 25, 42, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, Green energy 35
55, 57, 59, 67, 69, 70 Green manure 70
Compost teas 54 Green roof 6, 7, 70
Compost toilet 53 Greywater 1, 2, 4, 32, 53, 70
Connectivity 46 Groundcover 21, 24, 49
Contaminated soil 22, 23, 54
Cost-effectiveness 69 H
Cost effectiveness-assessment 69
Habitat 3, 6, 24, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49, 57, 69
Crop rotation 23
Harvest rainwater 7
CSOs 69
Heirloom plants 70
Cultural diversity 69
Herbicide 71
D Herbicides 37, 39, 49, 50, 71
Homegrown biodiversity 43, 45
Decomposition 69 Hotbed 60
Diapers 5 Hotbeds 39
Drinking water 5, 67 Hot water 1, 2, 28, 29, 31, 37
Drip irrigation 3 House plants 11, 12
Hybrids 36, 38
E
Earthen floors 25 I
Earthworms 21, 50, 54 Insecticide 6, 71
Eating 40 Insecticides 49
Ecolawns 46 Integrated Pest Management 52, 54, 70
Ecological footprints 46 Invasive plants 24, 44, 57
Ecology 45, 55, 69 Irrigation 1, 2, 3, 4, 69, 71
Ecoroof 6, 7, 69
Ecosystem 69 L
Electric cars 31
Landscape 2, 3, 4, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 32, 38, 43, 45,
Energy viii, 3, 5, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,
48, 51, 54, 57, 58

72
 Index
Life Cycle Assessment 70 Soil 3, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 49, 52, 67, 71
Local food 42, 69 Soil biodiversity 24
Soil composition 19
M Soil erosion 23
Metro 25, 27, 50, 51, 53, 59 Solar co-op 32
Mimicry 70 Solar collector 71
Mulch 6, 19, 22, 23, 25, 49, 50 Solar power 32, 56, 70
Mushrooms 41 Species 45, 71
Subsistence farming 71
N Sustainable iii, 14, 21, 22, 27, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 40, 42, 46,
48, 51, 55, 56, 59, 71
Native plants 3, 48
Sustainable consumption 71
Natural cycles vii, 37, 45, 46, 52, 54, 57, 59
Sustainable development 71
Natural pest control 46
Swimming pools 9
Natural resources 70
Net metering 70 T
O Texture 21
Three Rs 71
Organic farming 70
Tillage 71
Organic fertilizers 24, 52
Transpiration 3, 71
Organic food 25, 55
Organic matter 21, 70, 71 U
Ozone 18, 70
Urban agriculture 71
P Urban sprawl 12
Paints 16, 37, 38, 59 V
Passive cooling 28, 29
Percolation 71 Vegetable oil in vehicles 14
Permaculture 36, 48, 71 Vermicomposting 49
Permeable surfaces 4 VOCs 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 71
Pesticide 5, 71 Volatile organic pollutants 16
Pet food labels 40
W
pH 19, 22, 49, 71
Potable 8, 71 Waste 1, 2, 23, 35, 36, 37, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56,
Processes 19, 24, 49, 54, 58, 71 59, 70, 71
Protected areas 47 Wastewater 5, 69
PSU vi, 34, 35, 55, 56, 74 Water-wise gardening 71
Water conservation 1, 4, 10
R Water preservation 4, 10
Rainforest 47 Water storage 9
Rain barrels 3, 7, 8 Weather 2, 18, 23, 31, 39, 61, 69, 70
Rain gardens 3 Wetland 57
Recycling 1, 34, 55, 59 Wildlife habitat 6, 47
Reduce, reuse, recycle 35 Wind 19, 33
Reflector 28 Wood burning stoves 36
Remediation 71 Y
Renewable resource 71
Resilient 25, 45, 54 Yard care 52
Resource consumption 43, 44

S
Sequester 71
Sequestration 17
Sick building syndrome 11
Smart growth 71

73
This Project was made possible through a grant
from PSUFA and the Department of Geography
at Portland State University

Printed on recycled paper, 100% post-consumer waste.