My Photo

Categories

Environmental, Green Golf Community News_

May 19, 2008

Eco-Quiz: How High Is Your Green IQ?

Eldobeachnew12
El Dorado Ranch, Mexico: One of GolfCourseHome Network's GreenGolfCommunities

From Zero Energy Homes to Drip Irrigation to knowing your carbon footprint and more, it's important to be familiar with the growing lexicon of the environmental movement. Answer the below questions and see how green you are! Answers follow the quiz.

Test Your Green IQ

1. Biodiversity

a) A university sociology class

b) The variety of life in all forms, levels and combinations in a given location. Often used as a measure of the health of biological systems

c) The name of the latest and greatest rock band from Seattle

2. Carbon footprint

a) A measure of one’s environmental impact in terms of greenhouse gas production www.carbonfootprint.com

b) The foot-shaped image left in the sky after astronauts visit space

c) What the black soles of the new $200 Nike Fireball sneakers leave behind

3. CSA

a) Common Sense Answer

b) Community Supported Agriculture. Farm membership system through which members make a seasonal financial commitment to a farm, and receive weekly produce in return. www.localharvest.org

c) Celery Stalks Association. Promotes the use of celery in recipes and snacks. Promotional ads are now running on the Food Channel on the Rachael Ray program among others

4. Drip Irrigation

a) Water-conserving system allowing water to drip directly into soil via a system of installed pipes with small holes.

b) What you experience when your cocktail glass is almost empty

c) The reaction you might have while watching a really sad movie

5. Humanely raised

a) Refers to waking someone up gently

b) The philosophy of rearing children while never yelling at them or asking them to do chores. Most common in utopian communes in south Arizona

c) Food label given to producers providing their food animals with adequate shelter and space, resting areas, nutritious food and the ability to engage in natural behaviors. http://www.certifiedhumane.com

6. LEED

a) License to Eat Environmental Desserts. Given to subscribers of the Slim-Fast diet program who want to eat fatty, sugary foods created according to earth-friendly recipes

b) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Provides verification that a building is “environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work.” http://www.usgbc.org

c) The opposite of follow

7. Resin Identification Code

a)  Number on plastic containers indicating recycling capabilities. In most communities, #1 and #2 are the only plastics collected in recycling programs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resin_identification_code

b) Will hopefully be able to include more recyclable items in the future

c) A and B

8. Sustainable development

a) “Meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” www.un.org/esa/sustdev

b) Better than arrested development

c) Buildings constructed sturdily so they don’t fall down

9. USDA Organic

a) Cleaner, healthier food source

b)  United States Department of Agriculture label given to food grown without conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, and certain other materials. Organically raised livestock are raised without antibiotics, growth hormones, or in most countries, genetic modification

c) A and B

10. Zero Energy Homes

a) Produce as much energy as they consume

b) Use no energy. Examples include tents and lean-tos. Also refers to homes that have been abandoned and are awaiting the wrecking ball or the action of the local government to rehab them

c) Are run by hired help, so you can save your energy

How did you do?
1. b
2. a
3. b
4. a
5. c
6. b
7. c
8. a.
9. c
10. a

8-10 correct: You are leafy green!
5-7 correct: You have a green thumb.
2-4 correct: You are the other kind of green (but you can still learn).
0-1 correct: You are experiencing a brownout.


March 04, 2008

El Dorado Ranch, Featuring Solar Power, Is Added to GreenGolfCommunities.net

Eldobeachnew12
El Dorado Ranch, Mexico: Beachfront, golf and green.

El Dorado Ranch in San Felipe, Mexico, has been added to
GreenGolfCommunities.net and awarded Vanguard status.
More than 17,500 acres of El Dorado Ranch's 35,000 acre
development are designated "Green Space" to preserve
the integrity of the surrounding environment.

Among its many green accomplishments, El Dorado features
the largest solar community in North America.  With
approximately 3,000 solar lots, the development has
attracted the attention of many solar lobbyists,
environmentalists and solar engineers, becoming a model for
solar energy usage, according to the community developer.

You can request further information about El Dorado here.

Additional initiatives at El Dorado include:

  • The pioneering of Straw Bale construction in Baja. In
    constructing  the first straw bale home in Baja, the
    community has actively promoted this environmentally
    friendly construction method.  El Dorado is now the
    largest strawbale community in North America
  • El Dorado Ranch is in full compliance with Profepa
    (Mexican Government's Environmental Protection
    Agency). The community has a full-time Ecology
    Department managed by Victor Zazueta. The
    department is responsible for both El Dorado Ranch
    and the San Felipe Beach Club in the following areas:
  • Follow up and coordinate conditions given by the
    environmental authorities
  • Follow up and coordinate the environmental
    administration plans
  • Supervise and control all ecological aspects of El Dorado
    Ranch and San Felipe Beach Club
  • Legal representative of the environmental issues
    with environmental authorities
  • Study, investigation, taxonomy and life cycle of native
    species of wildlife
  • Keep ecology file updated and in order

February 26, 2008

Holy Cow! Endangered Right Whale & Calf Spotted off Amelia Island Plantation

Amelia_island_plantation187
Amelia Island Plantation, FL: Right whales seen off coast.

Christina Nelson, Nature Program Manager at Amelia Island
Plantation
, recently spied  In the shallow waters off the beach
at The Dunes Club a sight she had been waiting 12 years to
see--Right Whales. There off the coast a mother and her
young calf remained on the surface of the water for at least
an hour before traveling northward along the coastline toward
the Amelia Inn & Beach Club.

“I watched in awe as the youngster submerged then floated
to the surface blowing water from its blow holes," she said
excitedly. "The calf would swim around the mother, pause
to nurse, and then flip its tail as it investigated the
dolphins that were passing by. I got a few pictures--most
look like black logs floating on the ocean, but the memory
will remain with me forever,” said Nelson.

Right whales are one of the most endangered whale species
with only about 300 remaining. In spring and summer
Northern Right whales swim along the coast of Canada and
New England where they feed on plankton. In late fall and
early winter, the pregnant females make their annual
migration to the warm coastal waters off South Carolina,
Georgia, and Northeast Florida where they give birth. 

The waters off these southeastern states are designated as
Right Whale Critical Habitat because it is the only calving
area known for this whale. Amelia Island Plantation, which
has its own Nature Center and Staff Naturalist, is featured
on www.GreenGolfCommunities.net.

February 16, 2008

These 13 Leaders in Green Golf Community Development Are in the VANGUARD

Scanlake55
Suncadia, WA: Pristine and in the Vanguard.

The leading environmentally involved golf communities--
those who are not only pursuing green policies at their
development, but are also pioneering new ways to be
green--are designated at the Vanguard Level on
GreenGolfCommunities.net.

GreenGolfCommunities.net mission is to assist real estate
buyers in determining the level of activism a community is
following as well as provide insights into its future arc of
involvement.

The four designations used by GreenGolfCommunities.net—
Vanguard, Steward, Sustaining and Participant—represent
current levels of involvement and commitment.

VANGUARD

The top level is Vanguard. Vanguard Level properties are
driven to innovate and take the lead in environmental
activism. These early adapters pioneer green efforts and
aggressively seek out new ways to be environmentally
progressive. Vanguard communities embark on virtually all
of the basic and expected measures for a master-planned
golf course community, then push further to help define
new directions for their industry to follow.   

You'll note below that community green programs are
described as Significant Green Space, Nature Center,
Education & Research, Audubon Sanctuary and more. Go
to 18 Ways to Be Green for a complete explanation of all
18 categories cited.

VANGUARD Level

Bayside, Selbyville, Delaware

    * Significant Green Space
    * Nature Center
    * Conservation Trust
    * Funding of Environmental Initiatives
    * Research Partnership
    * Green Volunteerism
    * Additional Awards

The Cliffs at Glassy, Landrum, South Carolina

    * Significant Green Space
    * Staff Naturalist
    * Habitat Restoration
    * Green Construction
    * Conservation Trust
    * Funding of Environmental Initiatives
    * Research Partnership
    * Additional Awards

Walcliflede
The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, NC: Splendor in the mtns.

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, Asheville, North Carolina

    * Significant Green Space
    * Staff Naturalist
    * Habitat Preservation
    * Green Construction
    * Conservation Trust
    * Funding of Environmental Initiatives
    * Research Partnership
    * Additional Awards

Daniel Island, Charleston, South Carolina 

    * Significant Green Space
    * Audubon Sanctuary
    * Additional Awards
    * Pedestrian Commerce Center

Ford’s Colony, Williamsburg, Virginia

    * Significant Green Space
    * Habitat Restoration
    * Staff Naturalist
    * Habitat Preservation
    * Watershed Preservation
    * Additional Awards

Hasentree, Raleigh, North Carolina

    * Significant Green Space
    * Habitat Preservation
    * Green Construction
    * Watershed Preservation
    * Nature Center

Huntsman Springs, Driggs, Idaho

    * Significant Green Space
    * Conservation Trust
    * Nature Center
    * Dark Sky Initiative
    * Habitat Restoration
    * Staff Naturalist

Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, South Carolina

    * Significant Green Space
    * Staff Naturalist
    * Research Partnership
    * Habitat Preservation
    * Conservation Trust
    * Pedestrian Commerce Center
    * Additional Awards

Seabrook Island, Charleston, South Carolina

    * Nature Center
    * Green Volunteerism
    * Additional Awards
    * Significant Green Space
    * Staff Naturalist
    * Audubon Sanctuary
    * Habitat Restoration

Seapingolf3433412_2
Sea Pines Plantation, SC: Green for pros and residents.

Sea Pines Plantation, Hilton Head, South Carolina

    * Significant Green Space
    * Nature Center
    * Audubon Sanctuary
    * Staff Naturalist
    * Habitat Preservation
    * Common Gardens

Spring Island, Beaufort, South Carolina

    * Conservation Trust
    * Audubon Sanctuary
    * Significant Green Space
    * Staff Naturalists
    * Nature Center
    * Additional Awards

St. James Plantation, Southport, North Carolina

    * Significant Green Space
    * Audubon Sanctuary
    * Habitat Preservation
    * Research Partnership
    * Green Volunteerism
    * Common Gardens

Suncadia, Roslyn, Washington

    * Significant Green Space
    * Conservation Trust
    * Habitat Preservation
    * Watershed Preservation
    * Green Construction
    * Pedestrian Commerce Center


February 11, 2008

13 Communities Earn GolfCourseHome's(R) 'Vanguard' Green Leadership Award

Huntsman_springs_walkway_33
Huntsman Springs, ID: Green, space, dark skies & more.

Thirteen of the 200 master-planned communities
featured on the GolfCourseHome(R) Network have earned
the highest level of achievement--Vanguard status--on the
Network's new GreenGolfCommunities.net website which
charts leadership in developing green-environmentally
progressive programs at golf and waterview communities.

The Network's GreenGolfCommunities.net  website states
that "Vanguard level properties are driven to innovate and
take the lead in environmental activism. These early adapters
pioneer green efforts and aggressively seek out new ways to
be environmentally progressive.

"Vanguard communities embark on virtually all of the basic
and expected measures for a master-planned golf course
community, then push further to help define new directions
for their industry to follow."

Community activity in noted in 18 different categories:

  • Significant Green Space
  • Staff Naturalist
  • Nature Center
  • Education & Research
  • Audubon Sanctuary
  • Audubon Signature
  • Habitat Restoration
  • Green Construction (LEED, etc.)
  • Conservation Foundation
  • Research Partnership
  • Volunteer Program
  • Common Gardens
  • Additional Awards
  • Pedestrian Commerce Center
  • New Urbanism
  • Innovation/Rails to Trails Paths
  • Archeological Preserve

Go to 18 Ways to Be Green to more how a community
can be green.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Sign Up for Free Golf Newsletter

July 2008

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
    1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31