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Archive for January 3rd, 2008

Green Byte V9: “Green Resolutions”

January 3rd, 2008 | General, Green Byte

Happy New Year!

Here’s to Green Resolutions in 2008.

I’ve been pretty good about living a low impact life, from growing up in a house where the heat was not to be turned above 56 degrees in the winter (in Michigan!), to living in the heart of San Francisco (Nob Hill) where my weekly grocery shopping consisted of walking down to the farmers market, to now pledging my commitment to helping to develop Northern Nevada’s first truly sustainable master planned community. I’ve come a long way from just rinsing and reusing zip-loc bags like my grandmother taught me, but the world is just more complicated than it used to be. It’s times like this where I like to sit still for a moment and remember this ‘green’ thing is so important to all of us. It’s really about moderation.Here they are (in no particular order):

  • Keep it simple
  • Be patient
  • Walk or bike to work more
  • Cook more meals at home - this includes improving my vegetable garden this summer
  • Continue efforts with environmental stewardship
  • Work to get better recycling in our community

100_26832.JPGSimple earthen wall - photo I took while touring the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. As an architect who studies earthern architecture in New Mexico - this really does it for me

Not to be forgotten are the successes of this past year. Kiley Ranch has made great strides in continuing to plan and construct a resource conservative and environmentally sensitive live, work, shop, play community in Spanish Springs. We built and opened the Kiley Ranch Welcome Center. Using energy efficient systems and environmentally friendly materials in a clearly recognizable way is meant to demonstrate to the homeowners that green living can be easy to achieve.

04-23-07-cc-groundbreaking-005-cmp.jpgKiley Ranch Welcome Center - environmentally friendly design and construction

As for myself, I now consistently bring my stack of fabric bags to the grocery store. I also buy only earth - friendly cleaning and hygiene products. My husband and I are talking about going solar with our hot water and we’ve improved our insulation around our 1941 house.

Live moderately and thoughtfully. That should be a great start to 2008. And Mom, you’ll be happy to know I now just put on another layer when it’s cold and still don’t have to buy more than one box of zip-loc bags a year.

Happy 2008!

Stacey Crowley, AIA, LEED AP
Director of Environmental Initiatives                                                                                                                                                            

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