This project grew out of our Green Design Lab project that was recently highlighted in the Wall Street Journal and elsewhere. Now, the Greenhouse project will be taken to a new level thanks to a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $16,500.

UPDATE! MORE THUNDERSTORMS SUNDAY NIGHT, DIRT! THE MOVIE CANCELED AGAIN

Please check back here to find out when we might be able to screen DIRT!

Due to thunderstorms on Friday, the screening of DIRT! the Movie has been postponed until TONIGHT Sunday August 21 at 7pm (film will screen around 8:30).

The summer is more than half over, and you know what that means- time for Solar One’s annual Solar-Powered Film Series! As usual, we’ll have 6 programs of (mostly environmental) features and shorts, with a few surprises and special guests thrown in. Also as usual, we’ll be partnering with the always-amazing Green Edge NYC, a social network that helps New Yorkers live more sustainably. This year’s Film Series is also sponsored by Chapin Hill Advisors, a financial planning and wealth management firm with a strong commitment to the environment. We’re excited to welcome them to the Solar One family!

Also new this year: the first week of films deal with the themes of food and urban agriculture, and we’re incredibly excited that the urban farmers of Eagle Street Rooftop Farm will be coming to Solar One and setting up a farm stand where attendees will be able to buy popcorn, snacks and produce grown right across the river in Greenpoint, Brooklyn! Eagle Street is close to Solar One’s heart not only because of their farming venture, but also for Growing Chefs, a great program that teaches schoolkids to not only grow food, but to prepare it as well.

  
Come and meet them on Thursday, Friday and Saturday August 18-20!

And now, more about the first film we’ll be screening- DIRT! the Movie:

From the website:

DIRT! The Movie–directed and produced by Bill Benenson and Gene Rosow–takes you inside the wonders of the soil. It tells the story of Earth’s most valuable and underappreciated source of fertility–from its miraculous beginning to its crippling degradation.

The opening scenes of the film dive into the wonderment of the soil. Made from the same elements as the stars, plants and animals, and us, “dirt is very much alive.” Though, in modern industrial pursuits and clamor for both profit and natural resources, our human connection to and respect for soil has been disrupted. “Drought, climate change, even war are all directly related to the way we are treating dirt.”

DIRT! the Movie–narrated by Jaime Lee Curtis–brings to life the environmental, economic, social and political impact that the soil has. It shares the stories of experts from all over the world who study and are able to harness the beauty and power of a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with soil.

DIRT! the Movie is simply a movie about dirt. The real change lies in our notion of what dirt is. The movie teaches us: “When humans arrived 2 million years ago, everything changed for dirt. And from that moment on, the fate of dirt and humans has been intimately linked.” But more than the film and the lessons that it teaches, DIRT the Movie is a call to action.

“The only remedy for disconnecting people from the natural world is connecting them to it again.”

What we’ve destroyed, we can heal.

Speaker: Leanne Spaulding, Program Coordinator for the Western Queens Compost Initiative will talk abut the latest in compost initiatives and how YOU can get involved! Find out more about WQCI on their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/wqnscompost.

You can see trailers and get information about the entire Series HERE, and check back here in the coming days for more details about each program!

Unfortunately and once again, severe thunderstorms are headed straight for us, so we’ll be canceling the screening of Urban Roots tonight. Since we’ll be screening DIRT! on Sunday August 21, we’ll have to see about a rain date for Urban Roots.

URBAN ROOTS!

We’ve all got some urban roots, don’t we? Well, a small group of Detroit natives have discovered that their urban roots, and brought them to the center of a farming revolution! The movie, URBAN ROOTS, directed by Detroit-native Mark McInnis details the powerful story of a small group of unique individuals involved in Detroit’s inner-city agricultural movement.

The documentary from Tree Media (produced by Leila Conners and Mathew Schmid and directed by Mark Mac-Innis) the film follows the urban farming phenomenon in Detroit. Urban Roots is a timely, moving and inspiring film that speaks to a nation grappling with collapsed industrial towns and the need to forge a sustainable and prosperous future.

While it follows the inspiring stories of several agricultural programs, each story in Urban Roots is designed to address a specific issue. Not only are the organizations amazingly productive and emotionally driven, but the people tilling the soil and picking the harvest have fantastic stories to tell!

Speaker: TBA

Anyone Up For A FOOD FIGHT?

When we walk into a supermarket, we assume that we have the widest possible choice of healthy foods. But in fact, over the course of the 20th century, our food system has been co-opted by corporate forces whose interests do not life in providing the public with fresh healthy and sustainably-produced food.

Fortunately, for America, FOOD FIGHT, produced and directed by Christopher Taylor, is here to expose the nation’s tainted, conventional food system. FOOD FIGHT documents the journey of a group of political, anti-corporate, protesters – led by Alice Waters – as they voice their dissent over the conventional food system. The unintended result was the birth of a vital, local, sustainable, organic, food movement that has brought back taste and variety to our tables.

FOOD FIGHT is a fascinating look at how American agricultural policy and food culture developed in the 20th century, and how the California food movement has created a counter- revolution against big agribusiness.

In addition, FOOD FIGHT empowers views to share in this revolution. We have the power through our food choices to put the culture back in American agriculture. We get three votes a day, and they don’t all have to be perfect. But if just one meal is made with a mind to the small farmer, the land, and the environment, then we can all make a huge difference, one meal at a time.

Speaker: Paula Lukats, CSA NYC Program Manager for Just Food
Paula has 15 years of experience working in community and program development in New York City and has helped groups start CSA sites for the last 6 years.

Just Food has been the leader in connecting local farms to NYC neighborhoods and communities since 1995. Our mission is to unite local farms and city residents of all economic backgrounds with fresh, seasonal, sustainably grown food.

Last Thursday, Solar One partnered with Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Green Screens program to show Carbon Nation, Peter Byck’s climate change solutions documentary. The screening on Thursday was a phenomenal success, with a full house, a great discussion with director Peter Byck, Solar One Executive Director Chris Collins, Solar One Green Workforce Development Director Diallo Shabazz and “green hawk” Dan Nolan. Thanks to everyone who was able to come!

However, if you weren’t able to be there, you can still see Carbon Nation this week at the Cinema Village at 3:30pm and 7pm from now through Thursday February 17. You can get tickets HERE!

After Thursday, Carbon Nation is going on the road, and if you happen to live in one of the following cities, you’re in luck:

Los Angeles, CA- February 18
Austin, TX- February 25
Portland, OR- March 4
Seattle, WA- March 4
San Francisco, CA- March 11

Group tickets are available for the above screenings- please contact Jackie Papier, jackiepapier[at]hotmail[dot]com.

Vanishing of the Bees , 2010, 94 mins

Vanishing of the Bees is a fascinating documentary about the mysterious disappearance of bees from beehives all around the world. The film’s aim is a better understanding of ‘Colony Collapse Disorder’ (CCD), a phenomena in which honey bees abruptly abandon both their queen and brood for reasons as yet not fully known. The situation is dire and only stands to get worse and so, with that in mind, the documentary examines all scientific and environmental links to CCD. Plus a visit from some NYC beekeepers to explain the concepts of urban beekeeping!

Program will begin with a short film from Greener Media.

The 2010 Solar-Powered Film Series is sponsored by Green Mountain Energy.

Our next Family Day is coming up THIS SATURDAY, August 7 from 10am-2pm, and we’ve got great news- we will be having a visit from some native creatures from the Art Farm at noon! Plus costume making (we’re prepping butterfly wings tomorrow), face painting, making creature puppets, painting- and enjoying what looks to be a beautiful Saturday at Solar One! Fun for kids of all ages!

RSVP to Dina@solar1.org or Daisy@solar1.org.

Where does our food come from? How do flowers turn into fruits? Which tiny creatures are responsible for the existence of some of our tastiest treats, like almonds, strawberries and oranges? In fact most nuts, fruits and vegetables require animal pollination, or they wouldn’t exist at all!

On Saturday June 26 from 10am-2pm, we’ll be exploring the pollinators in our environment: honeybees, bumble bees, moths and even flies. Come make handmade ice cream using fruits and plants that grow in Stuyvesant Cove Park, sprout a native plant salad to take home, make a watercolor painting or pollinator costume and learn all about the fascinating, tiny helpers that make our food taste so good!

In Stuyvesant Cove Park, 20th Street Entrance
20th Street & the East River
Map & Directions: http://solar1.org/about/map
RSVP to Daisy@Solar1.org

NYU Earth Matters is throwing a party for Earth Day’s 40th birthday, and you’re invited! Check out a fabulous exhibit of eco-art from the NYU community and beyond, eat delicious food from the Dosa Man and check out some exciting live entertainment from MC Andrew WK, Cold Cave, Oberhofer and North Highlands, plus a Special Secret Guest so exciting we won’t be able to reveal their name until Saturday morning!

This event is free and open to the public, rain or shine! We hope to see you there!

The city’s Board of Health has decided to end its decades-long ban on city beekeeping, and allow the honey to flow! Just minutes ago, the AP reported that the movement to legalize bees has succeeded.

Honeybees are non-aggressive, and the very low incidence of bee stings within the city limits convinced the Board to change the rules. Honeybees are great pollinators, and allowing rooftop hives and so forth will be a fantastic boon to the burgeoning urban agriculture movement!

Go bees!

(via Gothamist/AP)

Green Your Home from the Inside Out!

Monday, April 19th, 6 pm – 8:30 pm
74 Trinity Place (Trinity Church)
Parlor Room, 2nd Floor

Solar One, in partnership with GrowNYC, presents Green from the Inside Out on Monday, April 19^th from 6-8:30pm at 74 Trinity Place (Trinity Church) in the Parlor Room. This event gives coop and condo owners, building managers, landlords, and tenants the tools, resources, and information they need to green their multifamily building through presentations on recycling, energy efficiency, and rooftop possibilities for multifamily buildings in New York City. Exhibitors of green products and services will also be present to answer technical questions.

Please RSVP to Celia Salgado at 212-505-6050 or celia@solar1.org.

PRESENTATION DETAILS:

A Survey of Solar Energy Roof Applications for NYC: Solar Thermal, Photovoltaics, Green Roofs and White Roofs

In this workshop Solar One will introduce, define and discuss the economic and quality of life implications of three solar rooftop applications that have considerable promise in the five borough area: solar thermal technology, photovoltaics and white roofs.

Combating Rising Energy Costs with Energy Efficiency for Multifamily Buildings

Find out how to reduce fuel and utility costs while improving resident comfort and building performance. Solar One’s NYSERDA Energy $mart Communities Coordinator will present cost-effective ways for residential building owners and managers to make lighting, appliances, heating and cooling more energy efficient. Learn about the government and utility incentives that are available for your building, as well as the Community Preservation Corporation’s new Neighborhood Energy Loan Program that provides financing for retrofitting multi-family apartment buildings for energy efficiency.

Navigating NYC’s Recycling Landscape

Hear about new recycling laws and old misconceptions. Find out how to avoid fines, improve your recycling program and get your tenants to recycle.  Learn about other ways to reduce waste, recycle more and help make NYC a little greener. GrowNYC (formerly the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education) is a program of the Council on the Environment of New York City.

Free event!  Refreshments will be served.

Vendors will be available to answer any technical questions about energy audits, different roof applications, and recycling.

GREEN FROM THE INSIDE OUT is a product of Solar One, in partnership with the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education. This series was made possible by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Check out these stats from WIRED Magazine comparing

artificial trees to the real thing

ARTIFICIAL TREES

-There were 8.9m artificial trees imported to the United States in 2008.

-A typical artificial tree contains 7.3lbs of plastic, mostly poluvinyl chloride (PVC).

-It takes 20 years of re-use for an artificial tree’s carbon footprint to be lower than that of an actual tree’s.

-In an entire year, approximately 600,000 U.S homes could be powered using the energy required to run decorative lights during the holiday season.

THE REAL THING

-In 2008 there were 28.2m real trees sold in the U.S.

-Each year, 5.8lbs of pesticides are sprayed on real holiday trees in North Carolina.

-There are approximately 4,000 tree recycling centers in the U.S.

-It is estimated the average conifer tree can absorb 1 ton of carbon dioxide over 60 years.

TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR HOLIDAYS GREEN!

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Check out www.greenpromise.com/resources to find organic, pesticide-free tree farms near you.

*

Switch to long lasting LED holiday lights and use approximately 90% less energy per string. Visit the New York Energy $mart Lighting Page for more info on LEDs. Visit www.holidayleds.com to recycle your old incandescent lights.

*

To find out where your tree can be turned into compost or woodchips, go to www.earth911.com.

]]> http://solar1.org/2009/12/08/the-greenest-tree/feed/ 0 http://solar1.org/2009/09/16/2009-solar-powered-film-series-continues-for-second-week/ http://solar1.org/2009/09/16/2009-solar-powered-film-series-continues-for-second-week/#comments Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:49:40 +0000 Dina http://solar1.org/2009/09/16/2009-solar-powered-film-series-continues-for-second-week/ It looks like the weather will hold and the films will go on as scheduled this weekend! For those of you who have not memorized the schedule yet:

Thurs Sept 17: A Sea Change, 2008, 85 mins.
Fri Sept 18: The Garden, 2008, 80 mins.
Sat Sept 19: Burning In the Sun, 2009, 65 mins.
Rain Date for any of the above: Sun Sept 20

For trailers and descriptions, please visit http://solar1.org/events/film.

Friday September 18th

Short: Hawthorne Valley Farm (from From Elegance to Earthworms)

Feature: The Garden
An Academy Award-nominee, The Garden follows the plight of the farmers who care for a fourteen-acre community garden at 41st and Alameda in South Central Los Angeles. Established to promote healing after the devastating L.A. riots in 1992, the South Central Farmers have since created a miracle farm in one of the country’s most blighted neighborhoods but are now challenged by bulldozers that are poised to level their oasis.

Speakers: Juventino Avila & Stacey Murphy

Juventino Avila, Co-owner and Chef of Get Fresh Table and Market, entered his first professional kitchen in 1995. He began his career as a line cook for Nuevo Latino pioneer Douglas Rodriguez at Patria, which was rated three stars by the New York Times, but received his formal training afterwards at Peter Kump’s School of Culinary Arts (now the Institute of Culinary Education) in New York City. As an instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education [ICE] he had the opportunity to work alongside top chefs like Diana Kennedy and attend seminars with food science writer Harold McGee and the father of molecular gastronomy Hervé This.

Eating exclusively from NYC’s Greenmarkets for two years reconnected Stacey Murphy to food production and led her to question what kind of agricultural was possible in a city as dense as NYC. She entered BK Farmyards in the Buckminster Fuller Challenge as a way to combine all of her passions and envision an urban agricultural system where everyone eats well. She hopes to stimulate new possibilities in our failing food system through partnerships with the city, developers, and homeowners.

In the herb garden just outside of Solar One, we spotted 4 Black Swallowtail caterpillars. The were munching on the seedlings of last years dill plant.

At first glance we thought the caterpillars were Monarch caterpillars only because they are the only caterpillars we ever see in that garden, and from a distance they have similar stripes. But on closer inspection we noticed that they were definitely not Monarch caterpillars, nor were they on the correct host plant. These caterpillars were on our dill plants which are one of the host plants for the Black Swallowtail along with carrots, parsley, Queen Anne’s Lace, and a few other species.

The Black Swallowtail starts its life as a cream colored egg, it then goes through 5 larval instars and then forms its chrysalis (cocoon). After the chrysalis it emerges as an adult Black Swallowtail Butterfly.

The instars are different stages of growth the larva goes through to reach its mature size. The first two instars the larva or caterpillar is brown with a white band in the middle of its body. The following 3 instars the caterpillar is light green with black bands that have yellow dots on them (as shown above). It is the larval stage that these insects do most of their eating, in fact is seems like they never stop!

When the caterpillar enters the pupal stage, the time it forms it’s chrysalis, it begins the process of metamorphosis. This is when it changes shape from a caterpillar to a butterfly. Depending on the time of year the pupal stage can last from 8-12 days (if formed in early summer)  or it can over winter (if formed in late summer) and emerge 8-9 months later. The time of year also determines the color of  the chrysalis;  green in summer brown in winter.

It seems as though we may have to wait till next year to see the beautiful Black Swallowtail butterflies emerge from their chrysalides. In a few days these caterpillars are going to form their chrysalides, they seem to be in the 5th instar now.

Check back with us on our flickr account @ solaronenyc for updated photos of the caterpillars, chrysalides and hopefully the butterflies.

Last year, Daniel Bowman Simon began The White House Organic Farm Project (TheWhoFarm), a quixotic quest to petition the winner of the 2008 presidential election to grow food on the White House lawn.  After WaitingForApples, a solar-powered publicity stunt held outside of Apple’s flagship store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, Daniel and his friend Casey traveled across twenty-five states and ultimately to nation’s capital on an upside-down school bus with a rooftop vegetable garden.  Everywhere they went they talked to folks of all walks to raise awareness about the White House’s edible landscape potential, and gathered heaps of signatures in support of the project. As improbable as their vision may have seemed at the outset, it is in fact, in both spirit and objective, not unlike what has actually come to pass since the White House’s current occupent has taken up residence. On March 20th, with the help of a class of DC elementary school students First Lady Michelle Obama broke ground on an 1,100 square foot vegetable garden at The White House.  Since her announcement, the First Lady of California and the Mayor of Baltimore have announced plans for their own vegetable gardens.

In this presentation Daniel will share a colorful account of his experiences on the road in 2008, discuss what motivated him to pursue the project in the first place, and talk about his most recent (and more local) agrarian ambitions: a small vegetable garden at New York’s City Hall.

RSVP/Contact: greenrenter@solar1.org/212 505 6050