Events

Saturday: Everything You’ve Always Wanted To Know About Eco-Roofs

April 24, 2009
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Instead of tar paper and shingles covering your home, imagine a roof that’s more like a garden.  It would filter pollutants from rainwater, make your home more energy efficient, and even provide a little more green space.  Although you probably won’t spend a whole lot of time up there.

These garden roofs, better known as ecoroofs, are one of the big ideas Portland is advocating as a way to improve the quality of life in the city.

Which is why the city is sponsoring an ecoroof fair tomorrow.  There will be several seminars with people who’ve already installed ecoroofs and dozens of companies will be on hand to show how they can help put one on your house.

Here’s where and when to go:

  • Ecoroof Vendors Fair
  • Doubletree Hotel near Lloyd Center
  • Saturday, April 25
  • 10am-6pm
  • Free

The city is so interested in ecoroofs it’s offering grants to Portland homeowners and businesses.  The ecoroof grant program will pay for up to $5 per square foot.  The city says typical installations can cost anywhere from $5 to $20 per square foot, so getting one of these grants could save you some serious money.  The deadline for this round of grant giving ends June 1.

For more information see: Ecoroof Incentive Program.

Hello Earth Day 2009, Here’s What’s Going On

April 21, 2009
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There are a ton of Earth Day events going on today.  Here’s some of what we found.

JUNKride comes to Salem.  Researchers Marcus Eriksen and Anna Cummins of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation present photos and other evidence about the growing amount of plastic debris in the ocean.  It’s the second of three events they’re holding in Oregon.  They’re on a three month bike ride across the west coast to raise awareness of the problem.  The Salem event starts at 7pm at Tokyo International University of America, Kaneko Auditorium, 1300 Mill St. SE.  It’s free.

At the University of Portland, they’re celebrating with a “low carbon” lunch, meaning food that “won’t raise the temperature of the planet.”  Working with food service provider Bon Appétit, the school is serving a lunch made from locally grown ingredients.  Some of the choices include turkey burgers with sautéed mushrooms, sweet potato jojos, charred lumi island salmon and grilled baby romaine and mesclun greens.  The public is welcome to take part at $5 per person from 10:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the University Commons.

An Americorps Volunteer installs a birdhouse in 2008. Courtesy City of Gresham

An Americorps Volunteer installs a birdhouse in 2008. Courtesy City of Gresham

The city of Portland kicks off a month long Walk + Bike Challenge.  Local students and school staff are encouraged to stop driving and riding the bus to school.  In 2008, 30 schools and more than 4000 students took part.  Get more information from the Walk + Bike website or contact Angela Koch with the Bicycle Transportation Alliance at 503-226-0676.

Americorps is sponsoring an Earth Day symposium inside council chambers at Gresham City Hall.  The event runs from 4pm – 8pm.  Visitors will be able to take home tips about restoration, native birds, rain gardening, composting and worm bins and more.  At 7pm, they’ll show the OPB special on invasive species, “The Silent Invasion.”

In Wilsonville, there are several events planned at the library including a puppet show on reducing litter.  There’s also a showing of the documentary, “Who Killed The Electric Car?”  You can find more information on the City Calendar.

Finally, SOLV is holding several clean up events around the area.  Most of them are full, but you can find a complete Earth Day list on the group’s April Calendar.