[ Saturday, February 11, 2012; 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. ]

The first TAPST (Tucson Aquaponics Systems Tour) is officially happening!  Saturday 2/11/12 all around Tucson, 9AM-3PM.  The full range of aquaponics systems will be featured.  So far we have at least 10 systems on 5 different sites.  

Here is a link to more info: http://www.facebook.com/events/239007656182410/

[ Thursday, February 16, 2012; 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. ] Ride your bike to the Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market and Menlo Bike Mechanics will provide FREE bike tune-ups!

You can also enjoy:
* Live Music
* A Cooking Demo
* Bike Accessories
* Advice on Bike Maintenance
When: Feb. 16th 3-6pm
Where: Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida Del Convento, West of 1-10 near Congress/Grande
For more information call: 822-3304

[ Saturday, February 18, 2012; 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. ] at Northland Pioneer College, Snowflake, Arizona
Saturday, February 18, 2012 – 1 to 4 pm – Free admission

We are having a tribute to Barbara Kerr and Sherry Cole who invigorated a solar cooking movement when they lived in Tempe in the 1970′s. We’ve got some great speakers and everyone will have a chance to say [...]

[ Monday, February 20, 2012; Monday, March 12, 2012; ] PV101 Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid-Direct) Workshop

This course will provide an overview of the three basic PV system applications, primarily focusing on grid-direct systems. The goal of the course is to create a fundamental understanding of the core concepts necessary to work with all PV systems, including: system components, site analysis, PV module criteria, [...]

[ Saturday, April 28, 2012; ] at the University of Arizona and Tohono Chul Park

ANNUAL FLAVORS OF THE DESERT

This year we are celebrating the 1981 landmark gathering of the folks who would become the luminaries of the seed world, with a day of workshops at the University of Arizona, and then in the evening at Tohono Chul Park, we will enjoy [...]

[ Sunday, March 4, 2012; Thursday, April 12, 2012; Saturday, June 16, 2012; Sunday, October 28, 2012; ] March 4 – 9 in Tucson
April 12 – 14 Seed Library School
Summer Saturdays: June 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14
Oct 28 – Nov 2 in Phoenix

Seed School – Native Seeds / SEARCH

Six-day trainings in Tucson, Arizona, facilitated by NS/S Executive Director Bill McDorman, author of Basic Seed Saving.

Bill is a 30-year veteran of the bioregional [...]

[ Thursday, February 9, 2012; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Soil Steward Composting Toilet Program – Seeking Participants

Are you…

An early adopter who likes to be part of a cutting-edge pilot program to influence city and state policy?
Tired of flushing potable water down the toilet and interested in building a legal composting toilet for your home?
Interested in using alternative composting systems to improve your soil and [...]

[ Tuesday, January 31, 2012; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] On January 31st, there will be a meeting of the Pima County Food Systems Alliance, at Tucson Village Farm, 4210 N Campbell Ave

The Pima County Food Systems Alliance (PCFSA) is an open membership network comprised of a variety of groups and individuals—including but not limited to farmers, chefs, restaurants, schools, educators, youth, gardeners, researchers, food [...]

[ Saturday, January 28, 2012; ] 10am-5pm at Joel D Valdez Main Library, 101 N Stone Ave, Downtown Tucson

Pima County Public Library invites you to the grand opening of its Seed Library and introducing the new Pima County Public Library Bookbike!

The Seed Library is a collection of edible, decorative, and herb seed varieties that community members will borrow, use to grow [...]

[ Thursday, January 26, 2012; 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. ] On January 26th, Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market will host 2 DIY workshops to help Tucsonans stretch their dollars with homemade soaps and food preservation techniques.

From 3 to 4pm, Joyce Speirs from Dragnass Soaps will lead a workshop on homemade laundry detergent.

From 4 to 5pm, Tiffany Rose Wood, a local integrative nutritionist, will demonstrate how [...]

The 12 most hopeful trends to build on in 2012
Published by YES! Magazine on Sat, 12/31/2011
Original article: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/sarah-van-gelder/12-most-hopeful-trends-to-build-on-in-2012
by Sarah van Gelder
Who would have thought that some young people camped out in lower Manhattan with cardboard signs, a few sharpies, some donated pizza, and a bunch of smart phones could change so much?
The viral spread of [...]

[ Monday, January 9, 2012; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] at Joel D. Valdez Main Library
101 N. Stone, Downtown (free lower level parking off Alameda St)

How do we “green” our homes and neighborhoods?
How do we work together and contribute to each other?
How do we prepare for climate change?
Join us on January 9th to learn of some exciting efforts now underway in your home town to [...]

[ Monday, February 6, 2012 to Wednesday, February 8, 2012. ] Early registration ends January 6!

Brad Lancaster, Senior Watershed Specialist with Watershed Management Group and author of Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, will lead this hands-on technical training covering advanced greywater systems.

Greywater use is not only allowed by an increasing number of municipalities, it’s actively encouraged by many authorities in efforts to preserve water, reduce energy and [...]

[ Tuesday, March 20, 2012; 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Thursday, March 29, 2012 to Saturday, March 31, 2012. ] Introductory webinar: March 20th, 3-5pm (PDT).
Hands-on training: March 29-31, 2012, Tucson, Arizona.
 

Watershed Management Group has been working with community members to install neighborhood level Green Infrastructure (GI) projects in Tucson since 2008. Now WMG is offering an in-depth professional training covering the “how to” of organization and design for community led GI installations.

James MacAdam, Green [...]

[ Thursday, January 12, 2012; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Thursday, February 9, 2012; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Thursday, March 8, 2012; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Thursday, April 12, 2012; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Thursday, May 10, 2012; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] We’re starting a local Timebank for the Tucson region, and hosting Timebank community potluck & orientation meetings on the 2nd Thursday every month at the Tucson Ward 3 Office, 1510 E Grant Road (southeast corner of Grant & Vine)

If you’re interested in joining us, please sign up at tucson.timebanks.org/user/register and come to an orientation meeting.

We’ll [...]

Dreaming New Mexico has built a map of pragmatic and visionary solutions to create a more localized and green economy with greater local self-reliance and enhanced prosperity.
Peter Warshall is Co-Director of the Bioneers’ Dreaming New Mexico Project, and a world-renowned water steward, biodiversity and wildlife specialist, research scientist, conservationist, and environmental activist.

from 2011 September TEDx [...]

[ Monday, January 16, 2012; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] FREE at the Native Seeds/SEARCH Store, 3061 N. Campbell Ave. 85719

Bring your juiciest ideas and appetite for mind-watering conversations. The Salons are held every third Monday of the month, and have a little something for anyone who has ever wielded a fork or pitchfork.

Our Salon on January 16, 2012 will feature Carolyn Niethammer, author [...]

[ Wednesday, November 30, 2011; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] On November 30th (this Wednesday) from 6-8 pm, there will be a large group meeting of the Pima County Food Systems Alliance (PCFSA) with a potluck at the Sam Lena Library (1607 S. 6th Ave, Tucson; call 520.594.5265 for directions)

The Agenda is as follows:

Welcome & Introduction (Nick) (5 min; 6:00-6:05)
Presentation by PCFSA Consultants (Bryn/Lewis) (25 min; 6:05-6:30)
Break & Get [...]

[ Monday, December 12, 2011; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] at Joel D. Valdez Main Library
101 N. Stone, Downtown (free lower level parking off Alameda St)

Activism, Advocacy, and Political Action are ramping up all over the world.  Tucson is no exception, and so Sustainable Tucson begins an exploration into the realm of political expression and action, and how we can use it to promote sustainability [...]

A Secure Food Supply for Tucson & Southern Arizona
Resources & Contacts: Gardening & Farming – Production, Distribution, Education
A sampling and an on-going growing list (see this page for updates)
Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona – communityfoodbank.com
Native Seeds/SEARCH – www.nativeseeds.org
Pima County Food Systems Alliance – go to Facebook page
Tucson Organic Gardeners – www.tucsonorganicgardeners.org
Community Gardens of [...]

[ Sunday, November 20, 2011; 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. ] Food Film Festival featuring the Film ”Greenhorns”
and a film short on the locally owned Sleeping Frog Farms
Happy Hour Party at Borderlands Brewery to follow
Date: Sunday, November 20
Time: 3:00 pm
Cost: $15 per person
Place: The Screening Room (127 E. Congress St.)
& Happy Hour at Borderlands Brewery (119 E. Toole Ave.)

It’s time for the second annual Taste Film, Talk Food, brought to [...]

[ Monday, November 14, 2011; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Tuesday, November 22, 2011; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] We’re starting a local Timebank for the Tucson region.  If you’re interested in joining, please sign up at tucson.timebanks.org/user/register, and/or contact us by email – timetraders(at)sustainabletucson.org

We’ll be at the Sustainable Tucson General Meeting on Food Security on November 14 to give information about time banking and our local timebank, and help you sign up online.

We’re also hosting [...]

[ Saturday, November 12, 2011; 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. ] The future of sustainable agriculture will be in small to medium scale organic food gardens grown right in our cities.  In this workshop that includes hands-on work, you will learn how to set up a complete garden system.

We will show you how to increase your garden’s health, production, and nutrient value, using an integrated system [...]

[ Thursday, November 17, 2011; 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. ] Many in Tucson are familiar with the shady mesquite trees that fill our neighborhoods, but few may know that these native trees also provide us with an excellent source of food. Mesquite pods are a versatile food that may be ground up into a nutritious flour or processed to make sweeteners. Unfortunately, mesquite seeds are [...]

Do you grow your own vegetables? Become a Garden Mentor with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and help others learn!
Garden Mentors work with a new home or school gardener for two growing seasons, supporting them as they gain the tools to produce their own food.
For more information or to sign up as a [...]

[ Monday, November 7, 2011 to Friday, November 11, 2011. ] Understanding PV (photovoltaics) with Ed Eaton, guest instructor

November 7-11 at Bean Tree Farm

Registration & info about this class: http://solarenergyclasses.com/workshops

Ed Eaton an ISP certified Master Trainer of Photovoltaics, has taught 3000+ students, and founded the Tucson Solar Potluck & Exhibition, now in it’s 30th year. Ed’s educational demonstrations and events for the general public, schools, environmental [...]

[ Monday, December 5, 2011 to Wednesday, December 7, 2011. ] Eco-Sanitation Course with David Omick & Brad Lancaster

December 5 – 7 in Tucson

Note: Dates have changed from those previously advertized. Early registration extended to Oct 30. Early registration cost is $250. Scholarships are available.

Learn cutting-edge principles in simple living technology in a hands-on setting – join WMG for a Watershed Technical Training in Eco-Sanitation!

Expert instructors [...]

Innovative 30,000-gallon “Ground Pit” rainwater harvesting cistern being installed at Tucson’s Nature Conservancy headquarters

How Germany became Europe’s green leader: A look at four decades of sustainable policymaking
by Ralph Buehler, Arne Jungjohann, Melissa Keeley, Michael Mehling

In Brief
Over the last 40 years, all levels of government in Germany have retooled policies to promote growth that is more environmentally sustainable. Germany’s experiences can provide useful lessons for the United States (and [...]

[ Monday, November 14, 2011; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] at  Joel D. Valdez Main Library
101 N. Stone, Downtown (free lower level parking off Alameda St)

FOOD SECURITY
What is it? … Do we have it? … What can we do about it?
Please join us for the next Sustainable Tucson General Meeting, where we will begin to tackle the issue of creating a secure food supply for [...]

[ Wednesday, October 19, 2011; 6:00 pm; Wednesday, November 16, 2011; 6:00 pm; Wednesday, December 14, 2011; 6:00 pm; ] Sprouting: The Art of Gardening in a Jar

We are all trying to eat healthier, right? Growing organic sprouts in our own kitchen is an easy, cheap way to improve nutrition. You can quickly grow organic food in your own home by sprouting seeds, beans, grains, or nuts.

Easy to learn—In one hour, you will be [...]

RAINWATER & GREYWATER USE RESOURCE LIST
Hands-On/Workshops
http://www.sonoranpermaculture.org/courses-and-workshops/ (Sonoran Permaculture Guild workshops – gray water use; rainwater harvesting; and more)
http://www.watershedmg.org/calendar-tucson (Watershed Management Group calendar of events & workshops – hands-on work with gray water systems, rainwater harvesting systems, earthworks, etc.)
http://communityfoodbank.com/2011/08/10/gardenworkshops/ (Food Bank garden workshops – gray water use; self-watering containers; and more)
Websites for More Information
http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/water/greywater (City of [...]

[ Monday, December 19, 2011; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] December 19, 5:30-7:30 P.M. Native Seed/SEARCH Retail Store, 3061 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson

Join us at our monthly SALON for a discussion with Pat Foreman, internationally renowned chicken expert and author of CITY CHICKS. Pat will talk about how to employ your family flock’s skill sets for insect and rodent control, as weed eaters, fertilizer & [...]

[ Saturday, October 8, 2011; 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Saturday, November 5, 2011; 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Saturday, December 3, 2011; 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] Here are Bean Tree Farm’s workshop listings for fall, 2011, plus a special solar energy class we’re excited to be hosting.  For more info and any questions, check out www.beantreefarm.com, or email beantreefarm(at)gmail.com

—

October 8 ~ Earth Plasters, Paints and Pigments ~ 8am-12noon:
Art, mudslinging and a feast of harvested native foods and garden bounty

The morning will include:
~ harvesting and preparation of [...]

[ Sunday, October 16, 2011; 11:00 am; ] Tucson Prepares for National Plug-In Day on October 16
By Benjamin Nead · October 07, 2011

Bob Oldfather, owner of Bookmans Books and a longtime supporter of electric cars, at a Tucson event for the rollout of the Nissan LEAF.  Tucson’s parade for National Plug In Day will begin at Bookmans’s Campbell and Grant location.

A few weeks [...]

Dear Colleague,
The Earth Advantage Institute of Portland, Oregon, is inviting expressions of interest for an innovative Eco Neighborhoods program that will certify existing neighborhoods that demonstrate excellence in achieving economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social equity.
EAI is determining the level of interest in such a program and identifying key facets of the certification. Please help [...]

[ Monday, October 17, 2011; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] Join Native Seeds/SEARCH for the next monthly Salon at their Retail Store at 3061 N. Campbell Road,  Monday, October 17th from 5:30 – 7:30p.

Seed Saving for Dummies! presented by NS/S Executive Director Bill McDorman will convince you that seed saving is 80% inspiration and 20% technical.  Come prepared to be inspired.  FREE!

www.nativeseeds.org   Contact: belle(at)nativeseeds.org

[ Saturday, October 8, 2011; 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] Saturday, October 15, 10 a.m. – 12 noon; $65 per person, 3061 N. Campbell, Tucson
Learn everything that you need to know to successfully compost your household waste using worms! Learn how to maintain the bin, feed the worms, and harvest and use the worm compost. You’ll go home with: A complete worm composting system; 1 [...]

[ Monday, October 10, 2011; 5:15 pm to 8:45 pm. ] Sustainable Tucson is offering a very special Book Sale fundraising event at our October  General Meeting. We have more than 150 titles, including some hard-to-find classics. The winter reading season is coming, so come and browse this rich collection of sustainability literature. You can shop with gifts in mind for particular friends, relatives, or colleagues [...]

[ Monday, October 10, 2011; 5:45 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Sustainable Tucson General Meeting – at Milagro Cohousing Community
Monday, October 10th, 5:45 – 8:30 pm, and come early at 5:15 pm for a tour

Note: this meeting will be at the Milagro Cohousing Community instead of the library (click here for map). If you can come earlier, there will be a tour of Milagro from 5:15 [...]

[ Saturday, September 24, 2011; 9:00 am to 11:00 am. ] We’re starting a local Tucson Timebank soon.  If you’re interested in joining, please pre-register below, and/or contact us by email – timetraders(at)sustainabletucson.org

We will also be at the Connect 2 Tucson – Moving Planet event on September 24 to meet people and give information about time banking.

What Is A Time Bank?
A TimeBank is a group of [...]

Sustainability is the capacity to continue a desired condition or process either social, ecological or both. Resiliency is the ability of a system to adjust its configuration and function under disturbance. Both concepts are important as we seek to ensure a sustainable built-environment and economy which can function under changing conditions in the emerging future…  read [...]

[ Saturday, September 24, 2011; 7:00 am to 11:00 am. ] Moving Planet – September 24th, 2011: A Day to Move Beyond Fossil Fuels

JOIN THE RIDE: Connect 2 river paths on 2 wheels!

Celebrate the linkup of the Santa Cruz and Rillito river paths and ride beyond fossil fuels. Meet on the plaza south of Drachman Hall on the UMC Campus (Helen St and Martin Av).

Ride starts [...]

Barbara Warren’s – My Comments – Creating a clean energy future for Arizona
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep3iKOVn0RY
 
 

[ Tuesday, November 15, 2011; ] GoGreen ’11 Phoenix is a one-day sustainability conference for business that will inspire, educate and motivate professionals to deepen the commitment to green practices at their organizations. Spend a value-packed day connecting with business leaders, eco-visionaries, sustainability experts and like-minded individuals who will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to make your [...]

[ Saturday, September 17, 2011; 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. ] Sept 17, 2011

10 am – 4pm

Looking for inspiration and ideas as to how to green and beautify your home landscape without increasing your water bill? Watershed Management Group (WMG) is offering a self guided tour of residential rainwater harvesting systems. The tour will include examples of earthworks, greywater systems, and various types of cisterns and [...]

[ Saturday, September 17, 2011; 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] Stimulated by the positive response at Sustainable Tucson’s August general meeting on alternative building.
Javier Lopez and Tom Mendola are organizing an opportunity to play in the mud (tell your friends!)

You are invited to come participate in a cob/adobe bench building and green tea party.

We will make a few adobes and put together mud and straw [...]

[ Saturday, October 22, 2011; Sunday, October 23, 2011; ] We are doing a festival October 22 and 23 – for more info see http://www.ttev.org/TusconFallFestivalAndFarmersMarket.html

[ Saturday, November 12, 2011 to Sunday, November 13, 2011. ] Permaculture Course with Toby Hemenway author of Gaia’s Garden, the best-selling permaculture book in the world at Native Seeds/SEARCH (NS/S) Conservation Center.

One weekend a month for six months beginning November 12 13. $1,000 tuition, $850 early bird if paid by October 21. Proceeds benefit NS/S. For more information: www.nativeseeds.org

[ Monday, August 8, 2011; 5:45 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Sustainable Tucson General Meeting
Monday, August 8th,  5:45 – 8:00 pm
Joel D. Valdez Main Library 101 N. Stone
(free lower level parking – off Alameda St
This month’s General Meeting will continue our project on “Becoming a Desert Community” by presenting films relevant to desert natural buildings  and thriving desert communities.

Our Main film is    “First Earth: Uncompromising Ecological [...]