GreenBowie News June 2020:
Happy (basically) Summer!
“Green was the silence, wet was the light, the month of June trembled like a butterfly."
— Pablo Neruda
*The Green Bowie e-Newsletter will be on hiatus while the Sustainability Planner is on FMLA during July, August, and September. For City information go to www.cityofbowie.org or contact The Department of Planning and Community Development at 301-809-3045 with direct questions*
Staff Spotlight:
Get to know your City of Bowie staff who work on all things "green"
Name: Mati Bazurto
Position: Business Operations Manager
Years with the City of Bowie: 3
What part of your job helps make Bowie green: Mati chairs our Staff Sustainability Team, works on energy efficiency and conservation programs at all of our buildings, works closely with the resident-led Green Team and even helped create the City Sustainability Plan back in 2015 and 2016. One thing many people don't know is she was one of the main drivers and voices behind our brand-new-to-come Solar Farm!
Favorite part of the job: Her favorite part of the job is the direct impact it has on City operations and residents and being able to advocate for sustainability within the City of Bowie.
Favorite type of music: " Well, my favorite bands are Queen, Eurythmics, and the Clash. Then we have Mozart, Johnny Cash, and musicals. Some favorite songs are We Will Rock You, Sweet Dreams, Rockin the Casbah, and Holding Out For a Hero (this song is particularly special)."
2020 Green Citizen Award:
The Bowie Green Citizen Award is given out once per year to one Bowie individual deserving of this title in their exemplary work and devotion to sustainability. This year the committee, made of individuals from both the Green Team and Environmental Advisory Committee, is proud to present the award to Mrs. Ann Fleming, an 8th grade science
Since September 2018, Ann Fleming has been the Green Team sponsor at Benjamin Tasker Middle School where she teaches 8th grade science as a Special Educator. She is the green captain of her family, encouraging them to recycle, use solar and eat less meat. She acts as a citizen scientist by reporting birds who visit their home feeders to the Cornell University feeder watch site and installed a bird feeder outside her classroom window.
With the help of the Bowie Lions Club donating supplies and labor, Ann’s students have been able to refurbish the school’s courtyard, make tire planters for the school’s herb garden and upcycle handmade crafts for the holidays. Through the Lions Club she met a USDA entomologist and the first ever recipient of this award, Gaye Williams, who gifted her class with two Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches as class pets.
Ann takes advantage of the special offers local businesses make for schools by getting discounts at Patuxent Nurseries, getting used coffee grounds for their compost from the Starbucks at Bowie Town Center, and using Harris Teeter to support the school’s sheet plastic recycling program. She has undertaken specialty recycling with Trex and Crayola as well as recycling glasses through the Lions Club.
Ann Fleming clearly demonstrates leadership in her efforts at Benjamin Tasker and in her personal life and works to educate those around her, a true green citizen. She is an outstanding example of what the Bowie Green Citizen Award was created for and we are honored to have her be the recipient for 2020.
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Climate Action Plan & More
As of 2020, the original Climate Action Plan was completed and closed out. With the help of the Environmental Advisory Committee and the Green Team we now have a brand new version to run from 2020 - 2025. This document is available for viewing and will be accompanied by a Public Hearing (virtual) at City Council on June 15, 2020. Until June 10, however, you may send in your public comments and input to jmeinert@cityofbowie.org. This is an opportunity for staff and Climate Action Plan authors to hear your feedback and suggestions!
View the updated Climate Action Plan here !
S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y
Likewise, if you are looking to brush up on some reading during this time period of social distancing, head over to our Sustainability page and check out the Sustainability Plan and the most recent update on where we are at as a City: https://www.cityofbowie.org/2247/Sustainability
S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y
Would you like to see Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations at City Hall? Would you prefer them at another City location? Please write in and tell us your thoughts! aarmentrout@cityofbowie.org.
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Food Waste Program
Do you live in Belair Town II, Victoria Heights, Idlewild, Yorktown, Overbrook, Saddlebrook or Saddlebrook West neighborhoods?
If so, sign up today to participate in our food waste program!
*MAY BE UNAVAILABLE DUE TO SUSTAINABILITY PLANNER ON FMLA*
Have your food scraps picked up weekly, saving space in your own trash can, saving your garbage disposal, and preventing excess waste at the landfill. All food waste is brought to the County facility where it is turned into Leaf Gro soil. This is first come, first served, FREE program.
Learn more about this fun and FREE program at www.cityofbowie.org/foodwaste
"So cool to think my banana peel may be represented in one of those bags!"-
Food Waste participant Narda Theobald, referring to the LeafGro soil that our food waste helps to produce!
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Tree-bates
Did you know the City of Bowie offers rebates for native tree species purchased and planted? To take advantage of our $50 and $100 tree-bates, simply fill out an application and attach an image of your planted tree (must be one of our accepted species) and your receipt. Make sure to check out the guidelines, as we have updated them & now allow for more cultivars!
*Tree-bates will be discontinued as of July 1, 2020. If you have a rebate to submit during the month of June, please contact twright@cityofbowie.org directly to process it*
Important Note: If you have utility lines near your property, it is important to pay attention to the maximum height of the tree species you are selecting by using the Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place guidelines and contact MISS UTILITY prior to planting at 800-257-7777.
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Green Bowie Biz
There are now 10 certified Green Bowie Businesses
 Are you a business looking for ways to go green? Know a business that is green and should be certified? Need assistance with furthering your goals of sustainability? You've come to the right place! You can read about all Green Bowie Businesses at www.cityofbowie.org/greenbowiebiz.
The Green Bowie Business program is modeled after the MD Green Registry program. Admission into the state program automatically enrolls you into the City program and helps you access resources from both. Learn about the MD Green Registry here.
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Upcoming & Current Events
*Please visit the City of Bowie website and Calendar of Events for the most up-to-date postings while the Sustainability Planner is out on FMLA. Upon returning the Fall Green Events will be sent out asap!*
And remember, if you visit a beach this summer, leave nothing but your footprints! Trash and belongings left behind often end up in the water, polluting our water-ways and potentially posing threats to sea life.
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Interested in Becoming a Volunteer?
Help Wanted:
If you are looking for a way to give back to the Bowie community and to improve the environment in the process, look no farther! Both the Environmental Advisory Committee (mainly policy and programs) and the Green Team Executive Committee (mainly action and volunteer opportunities) are looking for volunteers/members. To get an idea what these groups are all about please visit:
https://www.cityofbowie.org/483/Environmental-Advisory-Committee
https://www.cityofbowie.org/653/Green-Team-Executive-Committee
https://www.cityofbowie.org/135/How-To-Apply
The City of Bowie Green Team is an excellent way to get involved in the community, gain volunteer experience and hours, and help with green initiatives. To find out more, please contact Ashleigh Armentrout at 301-809-3044, e-mail aarmentrout@cityofbowie.org OR attend a Green Team meeting.
The next virtual meeting is tentatively June 22, 2020. Check back for updates regarding COVID-19, safety guidelines, and whether these meetings are happening or not.
Recipe of the Month:
Summer Salad and Bean Tacos
For the Salad:
Package of baby spinach
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup walnuts or sunflower seeds *omit or choose nut/seed of choice*
Shallot, finely diced
1/4-1/3 cup shredded coconut *omit if you do not like coconut*
Brianna's Blush Wine vinaigrette dressing *any vinaigrette would do but THIS one is amazing*
Directions:
Add everything into a large serving bowl, making adjustments as needed. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and refrigerate before serving.
For the tacos:
One can of black beans
Handful of cherry tomatoes, sliced into halves
One clove of fresh garlic
One half of a fresh jalapeno *can omit*
Handful of cilantro *can omit*
Salt and pepper
Onion powder
Garlic Powder
Cumin
Chili seasoning
Juice of 1/2 lime
Tortillas or grain of choice for serving
Iceberg lettuce, hot sauce, salsa, etc. for serving
Directions:
Open your can of black beans- do not drain or rinse
Pour them into a medium-sized saucepan on medium-low heat
Add the sliced cherry tomatoes, one clove of minced garlic, and your half of a jalapeno
Let this simmer for 5-10 minutes
Add 1/2 teaspoon of all seasonings above- onion powder, garlic powder if you'd like, cumin, chili seasoning, juice of 1/2 lime, and salt and pepper to taste
Give a good stir
Put the lid on, put your beans on a notch or two above the lowest setting and let simmer for 10-15 more minutes
Remove jalapeno and give another good stir
Assemble the tacos! Add lettuce, hot sauce or salsa, cheese, more diced tomatoes, more cilantro or just serve over rice for classic rice and beans.
Serves 4.
Enjoy!
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Other Incentives
Interested in Community Solar?
Having solar panels on your home is not the only option for obtaining residential solar! By subscribing to a Maryland based community solar farm a customer is allotted a specified percentage of the entire farm’s electricity output each month, which the customer agrees to purchase from the supplier at a price that is typically 5%-25% below the rate the utility charges.
That percentage of the overall output is then converted into a dollar amount which is calculated at the current rate that the utility charges their residential customers. That dollar amount is then reflected on the customer’s utility bill in the form of a credit.
The first and largest of these solar farms was recently completed by Neighborhood Sun in the Pepco service area and is scheduled to start generating electricity in June 2019. They also have 3 additional farms being developed in the BGE service area with 350 subscriptions reserved for households of low to moderate income with savings at the 25% rate ~ or hundreds of dollars each year.
Links to companies with community solar projects under development in Maryland are below:
Arcadia Power
CleanChoice Energy
Groundswell
Neighborhood Sun
Solar United Neighbors of Maryland (SUN MD)
Municipal Collaboration for Home Weatherization Upgrades:
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