On April 24, 2008, Richmond will be celebrating its designation as an Indiana CLEAN Community. The Indiana Comprehensive Local Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) Community Challenge is a voluntary recognition program for local Indiana government. CLEAN helps communities take steps to plan, develop, and implement a quality of life plan. This plan includes gathering input and support from the community and local businesses.

The City of Richmond, working through the Richmond Wayne County Environmental Awareness Council, has developed a Quality of Life Plan (QLP). It is similar in concept to an environmental management program (ISO: 14000) used by many businesses. CLEAN actions are in keeping with the sustainability commitments of the Strategic Plan.

Here are the five CLEAN goals for Richmond:  continue reading »

I thoroughly recommend a visit to Fountain Acre Foods, an off-the-grid Amish-run grocery story. Located in plain sight just off of 27 south of Fountain City, this full service grocery is eight miles north of Richmond.  continue reading »

Imagine Indiana as a role model of sustainability by 2016. Join a growing movement of people from Indiana whose organizations and projects are incorporating principles of sustainability.

Sustainable Indiana 2016 is a Collaborative Project Initiated by Earth Charter Indiana, Inc. Indiana is not generally regarded as a role model for progressive causes but could, for that very reason, make a considerable impact for good by becoming a national and world “leader” in the race to sustainability.  continue reading »

A Premier Educational Event in Indianapolis for Food Consumers, Small Farmers, Gardeners, and Energy Users Who Want A More Sustainable Lifestyle.

This gathering will be a source of information about simpler lifestyles. Locate sources of food that is less processed, grown closer to home, constitutes a healthful diet and supports a clean environment.

Discover options for renewable energy technologies for your home. Watch a demonstration of biofuel production that anyone can do. Mingle with farmers that can supply food from local farms. Network with other like-minded people. Visit our trade show of resources and educational exhibits.  continue reading »

Eliminating waste adds value to your bottom line and makes your company greener. Subaru of Indiana Automotive—one of the largest manufacturing plants in Indiana—saw value in eliminating waste and is now a “zero landfill” plant: None of their waste goes to a landfill. Instead, they have eliminated as much waste as possible and they have found markets that reuse or recycle what remained.

Find out how SIA did it—and what it has meant to them in terms of savings and improved operations. Brent Lank, ISO 14001 Project Manager for SIA, will present SIA’s program during our Go Lean by Going Green workshop on Friday, March 28, in Richmond.  continue reading »

Join us for Peace Forum, a weekly gathering for free food, fellowship, and education, at noon on Thursdays in the Earlham School of Religion Dining Room.
Richmond (and many other small cities) seems to be emptying into the coasts. Jim & Vicki Hair have reversed that trend, moving here from Berkeley 1 ½ years ago. Since then, they have taken Downtown Richmond by storm, opening Richmond Art Works (full of Jim's photographs and other local artists' work) and Unwind Yarn Shop (where Vicki sells yarn and hosts knitting parties). Their vision for this city is inspiring – how will you get on board?
Contact Anna Lisa Gross, grossan@bethanyseminary.edu or 914.2973, for more information.

This blog entry is a repository of personal "action items" that I suggest when I give my talk entitled "Going Local: Building a Self-Reliant Richmond, Indiana," first presented in its current form in November, 2007. As I say in the talk:

• You may already know a lot of this stuff
• I don't like telling people how to live, and I very much still aspire to practice some of these things myself, so I don't offer these up with any sort of moral authority
• This can be thought of as a menu of possibilities, rather than a list of imperatives or instructions

If you're not completely sure why it might be a good thing for Richmond to become self-reliant or why these action items might help, then please invite me to give the talk for your group or organization. It's chock full of great information about the energy crisis, climate change, the economy, and the implications for life in Richmond and Wayne County, Indiana. I also tell some jokes.

Now, on to the list, which is largely centered on reducing our dependence on and usage of fossil fuels:  continue reading »

Friday, November 16th, 1:00 PM—5:00 PM in the City Building, Council Chambers. FREE for City/County Officials and Builders, the workshop will feature information about: Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs), Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs), Energy Efficiency products, Passive Solar Rooms, Using recycled & reused materials in the building process, and more. Green Building improves energy efficiency throughout the home, lessens waste to the landfill, and saves resources. Be the first to learn how you can "Build Green" on your block!

Pre-register by November 15th with the Department of Metropolitan Development by calling - 983-7342 or email pklusman@ci.richmond.in.us.

Join us for this free program at the Peace Forum held in the dining room at the Earlham School of Religion on Thursday, November 15th from 12:00 PM to 1:10 PM.

Chris Hardie will talk about how Peak Oil, climate change and the meltdown of the U.S. dollar open up new opportunities for strong, self-reliant local communities to build their own sustainable future. We'll talk about existing projects and movements in Richmond ready to support you and be supported, and new ideas for how to "re-localize" the area.

Saturday, November 10 - 10AM to 2PM - at the Richmond Square Mall
Come out and learn about recycling and conservation with local organizations. Things to do and see include: pictures with Richie the Recycling Raccoon, giveaways, crafts, displays, and local information at booths located in the mall common area. This is a free event for all ages!!

For more information check out the EVENTS on these websites:
www.waste-not.org
www.ci.richmond.in.us/sanitation/stormwater
Or call LuAnne at 765-966-0191 ext 3