19th Annual Tennessee River Rescue

This years' event is Saturday, October 6th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There are 14 zones along the Tennessee River and its tributaries stretching from Bradley County, through Hamilton County and into Marion County.

Volunteers will be equipped with bags and gloves. Early arrivals will receive a T-shirt that is designed for this event. Helping out is as easy as showing up at a zone of your choice. Groups will want to call in advance to reserve your T-shirts. Some zones are in need of boats to help with the cleanup. Call the Tennessee River Rescue hotline for zone captain phone numbers or check the Tennessee River Rescue website if you would like to voluneer or donate. Hotline: (423) 785-4177 or Website: www.tennesseeriverrescue.com.

| posted September 19, 2007 |

Summit for a Sustainable Tennessee

This fall, conservationists from across the state will be gathering in Nashville at Libscomb University "to create, prioritize and advance a statewide conservation agenda and action plan for implementation." To learn more click here.

| posted September 19, 2007 |

2007 Net Impact Conference in Nashville, Tennessee during November 2-3

The World’s largest annual gathering for MBA students and young professionals focused on corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, international development and environmental mangament. Convening at Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University. For more information visit http://www.netimpact.org.

| posted August 13, 2007 |


Southeast Solar Summit Convenes in Oak Ridge, Tennessee during October 24-25

To focus on new opportunities to promote solar research and development and market transformation in the Southeast. The first Southeast Solar Summit will facilitate strategic partnerships of established organizations in the region that understand the energy needs, economics and market of our demographic. For more information contact Gil Melear-Hough at (865) 637-6055 ext. 15 or Gil@cleanenergy.org.

| posted August 13, 2007 |


Western North Carolina Renewable Energy Initiative 2007 Workshop Series Continues

-Small Scale Wind Energy Installation Workshop
September 22 & 23 in Beech Mountain, North Carolina

-Active Solar Hydronic Space Heating Seminar
September 15 in Boone, North Carolina

-PV and National Electrical Code Seminar
August 29 in Boone, North Carolina

For more information visit http://www.wind.appstate.edu.

| posted August 13, 2007 |


Southern Energy and Environment Expo
August 24-26 in Fletcher, North Carolina - The Southern Energy & Environmental Expo is an annual event designed to showcase renewable energy and sustainable economics in a context of responsible environmental stewardship. For more information visit http://www.seeexpo.com.

| posted August 13, 2007 |


City of Chattanooga, Astec Demonstrate Green Asphalt

 The City of Chattanooga, along with Astec Industries, Inc., Talley Construction and Southeastern Materials participated in a joint demonstration project using “Green Asphalt” to pave a section of North Terrace Road between McBrian and Germanton Roads. “Green Asphalt” involves a process developed by local Chattanooga industry, Astec Industries, Inc. This new process involves reclaiming or recycling up to 50 percent of the existing asphalt pavement and mixing it with new materials at a lower temperature than previously achievable in the industry. This results in reduced green house gas emissions.

“This asphalt mix is equal to or better than the mixes now being used and can save 11 percent of fule costs over existing production methods,” says Astec Industries Chairman and CEO Dr. Don Brock.

| posted August 13, 2007 |


Renaissance Park Wins Environmental Award

The City of Chattanooga has received the 2007 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award in the category of Parks and Recreation for Renaissance Park. “Renaissance Park is an educational, environmental and historical resource for everyone,” said Mayor Ron Littlefield. “I am proud that Chattanooga is at the forefront once again for rejuvenating another industrial area into a clean livable space.”

The Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards recognize exemplary voluntary actions on the part of public and private organizations that improve or protect an area’s environment and natural resources. Developed as a part of Chattanooga’s 21st Century Waterfront Plan, the Renaissance Park project is receiving this honor for enhancing river eco-systems, promoting the return of native plants and animals, restoring urban stream ecology, highlighting this area’s historical significance and maintaining the balance between urban renewal and the conservation of natural resources.

According to Larry Zehnder, City of Chattanooga Administrator of Parks and Recreation, “Chattanooga has built a park that is a showcase for responsible, environmental stewardship, taking a previously unusable brownfield site with polluted, urban drainage areas and transforming it into a park for people to learn about the process and enjoy nature, all within blocks of the downtown area.”

This marks the 21st year for the awards program with over 100 entries submitted. The awards will be presented on June 8 in Nashville.

| posted on June 1, 2007 |
 

Great News for Solar Energy  

Announcing the Tennessee Community Economic Development Grant of $75,000.00, this is for solar PV systems for businesses that become TVA Green Power Generation Partners. The 30 percent Federal tax credits can be combined with this and the complete project is financed at 0 percent by the State.

One hundred percent of the power generated will be purchased by TVA through the Generation Partners program at either the $0.15/KWH or $0.20/KWH depending on whether it is a demand metered customer or not.

Cleveland State Community College teaches classes for solar installers to become accredited. As an experiment, Cleveland State installed a 1.4 kw demo solar PV system on one of its buildings. The system is being monitored and dated recorded at  http://view2.fatspaniel.net/FST/Portal/BigFrogMountain/cleveland/HostedAdminView.html

For more information go to http://www.tectn.org/Resources_solar.htmor contact Thomas Tripp with Big Frog Mountain Corporation at 423-265-0307

| posted on June 1, 2007 |

 
Chattanooga Market Opens April 29  

Local produce, baked goods, artwork and live music open the 2007 Chattanooga Market season on April 29 at the First Tennessee Pavilion on Chattanooga’s Southside. Come support local farmers and artisans and enjoy live demonstrations and children’s activities every Sunday from the last weekend in April to the second weekend in December, 12 noon to 5:00 p.m.

| posted March 21, 2007 | 

Renaissance Park Building to Have First Green Roof in Chattanooga 

The City of Chattanooga will soon begin construction on a 6,000 square-foot outdoor pavilion in the city’s newest riverfront public space, Renaissance Park. The roof for the pavilion will be an all-natural green roof with live plants on top. The building will be the first in Chattanooga to have a green roof, according to Larry Zehnder, parks and recreation administrator.

| posted March 8, 2007 |


American Hiking Society Announces 2007 Volunteer Vacations 

The American Hiking Society and the Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition invited hiking and conservation enthusiasts to enjoy a volunteer vacation helping on a number of trail projects throughout the Southeast.

(VA) Mt. Rogers NRA - Oct. 7-13, 2007

For more information visit the American Hiking Society website at www.americanhiking.org.

| posted February 5, 2007 |