118: Transition Towns - Community, Resilience, Independence, and Permaculture
Peak Environment
The Transition Town grassroots movement is a way you can impact your own neighborhood. Learn more about this as Peak Environment co-host Ally Richardson explores Transition Towns with Becky Elder and Brian Fritz from Pikes Peak Permaculture. If you would like to find out more about public forums, lectures, and community green movies, or if you would like to host such an event, please send Pikes Peak Permaculture an inquiry at Pikes Peak Permaculture is a Southern Colorado 501c3 nonprofit that educates adults and the youth on the wide world of nature and permaculture. Our upcoming class…....
info_outline
117 City of Fountain Sustainability Update
Peak Environment
Katie Helm, Conservation and Sustainability Program Manager for the City of Fountain, provides an update on the city's sustainability efforts. This episode includes an extensive impromptu discussion of recycling challenges and solutions across El Paso County. Katie Helm is the Conservation and Sustainability Program Manager for the City of Fountain, where she manages energy and water programs. In previous roles she has worked as a Water Conservation Specialist for the City of Aurora, a Park Ranger for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and as a sawyer through Americorps. She earned her Bachelor of...
info_outline
116: Colorado Springs Sustainability Update
Peak Environment
Learn about City of Colorado Springs sustainability efforts – from both a strategic and an operational perspective. Ryan Trujillo, Deputy Chief of Staff – Operations, updates us and answers questions. Topics include decentralization of the city’s sustainability efforts, status of the yet to be launched Sustainability Advisory Board, a waste characterization study to determine rates we’re diverting waste from landfills, micromobility, and the 2050 Regional Transit Plan (see link to sign up for updates). MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 2050 Regional Transit Plan This episode was...
info_outline
115: Plastic Bags Update & Moving Toward Zero Waste: Policy Wins, Advice and Resources
Peak Environment
What’s the law on plastic bags and polystyrene cups and take-out containers? What other legislation is in effect or potentially coming soon to move the state toward zero waste? How can you receive funding to support your organizational efforts? How can we all take part in moving to reduce this kind of waste? Find out in this update from Rachel Setzke of Eco-Cycle. In Colorado, restaurants have experienced as much as a 90% reduction in use (and costs) of single use items like straws, ketchup packets, etc. when they don’t automatically provide them, but first ask if a customer wants them....
info_outline
114: In and Outs of a Permaculture Design Certification
Peak Environment
Why might you want to attend a permaculture design certification course offered in our region? Ally Richardson, a permaculture educator and Peak Environment podcast co-producer, discusses this with other members of Pikes Peak Permaculture: Becky Elder, Brian Fritz, and Jayme Domejka. Mentioned in this episode: Pikes Peak Permaculture’s 2024 Permaculture Design Certification Since the early 1980s, permaculture has been taught through hands-on courses – PDCs – with experienced mentors handing down their knowledge to passionate students. We are beginning March 8th and will finish September...
info_outline
113: Poor Richard's Rubbish Roundup
Peak Environment
Richard Skorman shares an environmental vision and a unique community building opportunity that can help with the restoration efforts of our local watershed - creating natural landscapes that everyone can enjoy: Poor Richard's Rubbish Roundup! Join the weekly trash roundup team and help keep our community clean. Or, better yet, reach out to Richard for support in starting your own volunteer group near your local waters. The episode is hosted by Ally Richardson, a permaculture educator and Peak Environment co-producer. Richard Skorman served thirteen years on Colorado Springs City Council,...
info_outline
112: Have Yourself a Low Impact Holiday
Peak Environment
Do you approach the holidays mindful of the environmental impact of shopping, gifts and food? This episode explores sustainable options for this holiday season. Konrad Schlarbaum, sustainability director for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, shares low-impact practices for gifts, food, decorations, and transportation. Konrad Schlarbaum is the Director of Sustainability at the University of Colorado–Colorado Springs (UCCS). He also serves on the Board of Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future, the Sustainability Committee at Thomas MacLaren School, and the Planning Committee for...
info_outline
111: Colorado Clean Energy Legislation
Peak Environment
Current and upcoming legislation that will impact greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, zero emission vehicles and consumer energy costs. Chris Piper, Director of Legislative Affairs at the Colorado Energy Office shares this and much more, in a very engaging presentation and discussion. Colorado Energy Office This episode was recorded at the Sustainability in Progress (SIP) virtual event on October 18, 2023. Sustainability in Progress is a monthly program of the Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future. Join us (free) the third Wednesday of every month. Register for the...
info_outline
110: Permaculture Principles - Part 2 of 2
Peak Environment
Continue your deep dive into permaculture principles in the second part of a series hosted by Pikes Peak Permaculture. Acknowledging and practicing permaculture principles can lead to wonderful experiences - which will guide you to understanding how natural systems work in our environment and our climate. Pikes Peak Permaculture is a Southern Colorado 501c3 nonprofit that educates adults and the youth on the wide world of nature and permaculture. Thank you to our supporters and community members who came out to Ranch Foods Direct and helped make our September 16th fundraising event possible!...
info_outline
109: How to Love the Outdoors: Leave No Trace
Peak Environment
We can enjoy the great outdoors most when we love and protect our cherished spaces. In this episode we get to know longtime nonprofit Leave No Trace organization, its principles and its programs. Frequent host Dave Gardner is joined by guest co-host Bob Falcone, co-host of the Outdoors with Hiking Bob podcast, and guest Andrew Leary, Director of Sustainable Tourism and Partnerships at Leave No Trace. Andrew and Bob also explain some of the basics of how we can love and protect the outdoors. It’s easier than you think. Mentioned in This Episode: Leave No Trace Take the free Leave...
info_outlineLight pollution is the one pollution that costs less to solve than it does to continue polluting. It also represents a lot of wasted energy and has potential negative health effects. Plus, the lights of the city hide the wonders of the night sky from us. Clint Smith reacquaints us with what we’re missing and tells the story of how the Wet Mountain Valley (Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, CO) became the first International Dark Skies Community in Colorado. One accomplished amateur astronomer started crying when he experienced the night sky in this valley.
Clint explains light pollution and what communities around the world are doing about it. He and other volunteers with Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley hold star parties throughout every summer.
This program was recorded at the September 27, 2019 luncheon meeting of the Pikes Peak Environmental Forum. The Forum informs the community in Colorado Springs on issues of environmental import. Our monthly luncheon meeting topics have ranged from how earthquakes can predict weather events to sustainable energy solutions. Each month we learn something we weren’t necessarily aware we needed to know, but in broadening our knowledge, we deepen our understanding of, and our connection to, the world. Learn about future luncheons at our Facebook page, or contact us to be put on the email list for meeting notifications.
Pikes Peak Environmental Forum presenting sponsors are Becky Elder the Gardener and Peak Radar.
LINKS:
Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley
International Dark Skies Association
Sunday Today feature (video)
Where Are the Stars? See How Light Pollution Affects Night Skies (video)
SPONSORS:
- Adams Bank and Trust
- Art of Engineering
- Becky Elder, The Gardener, LLC
- Black Hills Energy
- Environmental Compliance Systems
- Old Town Bike Shop
- PeakRadar.com
- Pikes Peak Permaculture
- Terra Essentials
UPCOMING ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS:
Green Drinks
Thursday, October 24, 2019
5:30 to 7:30 pm
Westside Community Center
1628 W Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Get a garden tour. Refreshments provided
$5 donation requested
Pikes Peak Environmental Forum
The Dark Side of Renewable Energy
October 25, 2019
Noon to 2 pm
Margarita at Pine Creek
7350 Pine Creek Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Event is free; you buy your lunch
RSVP here; very important
The following environment/sustainability organizations in the Pikes Peak region collaborate to produce the Peak Environment podcast about environmental stewardship, sustainable living and enlightened public policy in the Pikes Peak Region.
Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future
Pikes Peak Environmental Forum
Pikes Peak Library District Green Team
Pikes Peak Group of Sierra Club
Keep up with all the organizations and events making our area a better place to live. Subscribe (free) on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode:
