Want new public green spaces?

Concerned citizen? Planning geek? SimCity fanatic? Now’s your chance to help shape the future of Philadelphia. In addition to rewriting the City’s ancient zoning code, Philadelphia is looking to overhaul the city plan between now and spring 2011. As part of PHILADELPHIA2035, the comprehensive plan that will guide the City's growth for the next 25 years, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission is hosting a series of public meetings to hear your vision of Philadelphia in 2035, so find a meeting near you and make your voice heard.

If 25 years seems too far out in the future, think about how the city’s landscape could change in a mere five years. Green2015 is a project led by the Department of Parks and Recreation in coordination with Greenworks Philadelphia and the Philadelphia City Planning Commission to shape the Mayor's action plan to create 500 new acres of public green space throughout the city. Attend one of the civic engagement meetings conducted by the Department’s nonprofit partners, PennPraxis, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Penn Project for Civic Engagement, and share why green space is important to you and your community.

Never Own Anything Again, Thanks to Thingloop - Planet Green

Never Own Anything Again, Thanks to Thingloop - Planet Green

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May is National Bike Month!

 Visit www.bicyclecoalition.org for a complete list of this month's events.  Great opportunities for those that are interested in starting to commute by bicycle and those that would like to connect with others.

Cool roofs are cool!

City Council unanimously passed Councilman Kenney’s cool roof legislation, which will require all new construction in the City to use highly reflective roofing materials that meet or exceed Energy Star cool roof standards.

Cool roofs are good for the environment and easy on residents’ wallets. While installation costs for cool roofs are similar to those of traditional roofs, they also create significant energy and maintenance savings. Their reflectivity typically keep roofs 50 to 80 degrees cooler than black roofs on hot summer days. In turn, lower roof temperatures help residents save around 20 to 30 percent off their monthly energy bills, and extend the life of the roof.

Eco Alley rocked the Fest!

GRINCH's brainchild Eco Alley, the Green Branch of this years Chestnut Hill Garden Fest, was a huge success. Festival goers were over heard saying it was their fav part of the fest despite 90 degree heat!
The beautiful bamboo entrance way was created by Green Earth Gardens and the signage was sponsored by Valley Green Bank.
Local sustainable businesses that set up "shop" for the day were Big Green Earth Store, Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Urban Girls Produce, Philly Compost, GRID Magazine, Future Tech, Night Kitchen Bakery, Rodor Caps Jewelry, Why Not Bob Store, Philadelphia Recycling Rewards, Greener U, KO Angotti energy audits, Sardine Clothing, Philly Electric Wheels, Milkshake Crafts, EcoQuette, Philadelphia University, Happy Cat Farm and Organic Mechanic Soil Co.
Deirdre Vezirov-Kilkenny of Nature Yoga and Krista of Shakti Yoga in Jenkintown held kiddie yoga sessions which was super cute. Jason Fifield's band, Urban Drawl, laid down the NewGrass tunes for all ages.
Student recycling ambassadors from the Jenks School, Teenagers Inc., OMC and Norwood Fontbonne manned recycling stations. They helped people recycle the correct items, hauled it to Valley Green Bank and onto the colorful mural arts painted recycling truck.