Archive for civic society
browse through common ecology and find some things you can do to celebrate our earth this weekend!
leave the grass high for hiding easter eggs. go to a farmers market. support local businesses. walk instead of drive. open your windows. turn off your lights. bird watch. plant some vegetables and native plants. have a zero waste weekend. make a rain barrel….
As I rush here and there this holiday season, traveling to see family, rushing home from work to wrap gifts, I find myself needing to just stop. To slow down. To actually enjoy the beauty that surrounds me and take the time to be mindful.
There is the slow food movement which is a grassroots organization “linking the pleasure of good food with a commitment to their community and the environment. Slow Food was founded in 1989 to counter the rise of fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.”
There is the slow money movement which suggests “we must bring money back down to earth. Slow Money believes “there is such a thing as money that is too fast, companies that are too big, finance that is too complex. Therefore, we must slow our money down.” Slow Money proposes that “the 21st Century will be the era of nurture capital, built around principles of carrying capacity, care of the commons, sense of place and non-violence. We must connect investors to the places where they live, creating vital relationships and new sources of capital for small food enterprises.”
I would like to introduce the concept of SLOW DESIGN which aims to encourage clients, contractors and architects to participate in making smart choices for a true investment in buildings, the community, and our future. Slow Design is a mindful approach to architecture:
- Creating spaces that are collaborative efforts between architect, engineers, owner and builder.
- Making decisions and choices that reflect our impact on the environment.
- Building homes and schools that are so well-designed they have a minimal carbon footprint.
- Taking the time to select high quality, durable, and local materials.
- Investing more money up front to see immediate payback in energy use, our health, and our environment.
what do i do with the campaign signs in my yard?!
now that Election Day has passed, Baltimore County residents are urged to recycle their campaign signs that are made from paper, cardboard, or corrugated plastic. check your local jurisdiction to see if you can recycle your signs.
Join the Friends of Druid Hill Park as they celebrate the 150th anniversary of the third largest urban park in the country, Druid Hill Park in Baltimore. Druid Hill Park is shortly behind Central Park (c. 1858) and Fairmount Park (c. 1859). Friends of Druid Hill Park is hosting a fun and fantastic gala at the Mansion House to recognize this historic gem in our City.
who we are? common ecology is an environmental educational resource founded and supported by Carri Beer, Rob Brennan + Michael Hindle of Brennan + Company Architects and alterego. We are a group of architects, artists and designers dedicated to creating healthy, cooperative lifestyles.
mission? empower each other through education and inspiration to create healthier communities and sustainable lifestyles.
how are we doing this? We have started the process by creating a Framework for Healthy Communities + Sustainable Lifestyles TM. This is an on-line document that has been developed as an educational tool to be accessed by everyone. Our hope is that while reading through this information you and your neighbors will be inspired to create a grassroots change to better our environment and way of life. We are available to present this guide to your community, county, business or organization. Please contact us to arrange a workshop or presentation.
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