Green Bowie News June 2022
“June is the gateway to summer.”
― Jean Hersey
Easy, Environmentally-Friendly Yard Tips:
1. Use an electric mower and electric yard tools
2. Don't use the bag! Let your grass clippings naturally fertilize your lawn
3. Don't spray pesticides unless you have a real issue- find natural alternatives first
4. Plant native plants
5. Plant pollinator-friendly plants
6. Install a rain barrel to catch water and reuse and also avoid runoff
7. Compost (backyard bin or curbside)
8. When mulching around trees, avoid creating a mulch volcano. This is where the mulch is pushed up against the trees trunk and resembles a bell curve. Tree roots need air and sunlight to thrive, specifically newer/younger trees, so please only mulch loosely around the tree and be sure you can always see the base!
9. As you become more experienced in gardening, consider planting grass alternatives and designating your yard as a certified Natural Wildlife Habitat through the NWF program.
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What's Happening:
Back by popular demand - ROUND 2 of the #CapitalAreaSolarCoop!
The Capital Area Solar Co-op is back in the DMV! With Round 2, Solar United Neighbors (SUN) continues to work with over a dozen local jurisdictions around the Capital Area to help residents put solar panels on their homes. By joining, you will join neighbors in DC, Maryland, and Virginia in the quest to lower your energy costs, become energy independent, and participate in the renewable revolution. Round 2 will run until Tuesday, August 30, 2022.
Please contact adiaz@cityofbowie.org with questions.
Bowie Fest: June 4 @ Allen Pond
Bowie Fest is an annual event that takes place at Allen Pond. There are vendors, information tables, games, food trucks, etc. Come out for a fun day and don't forget to stop by the Green Team tables. This event is from 11am- 6 pm.
Monarch Waystations Cleanup: June 11 @ Belair Meadows
Learn how to maintain your own pollinator garden, earn SSL hours if needed, and get hands-on experience from the Green Team (Natural Resources Subgroup) on planting and maintaining pollinator gardens and/or monarch waystations. The Green Team members will talk to you about what each plant is and its benefits for the garden as well as teach you about the best practices of design elements.
Yoga On The Green: June 18 @ The Belair Mansion
Join us for a morning of FREE yoga with a local teacher, Emily! Connect to yourself, nature, the rich history of Bowie, and all the good that's to come by partaking in this class on the lawn of the Belair Mansion. The class will be at 11 am and is first come first served, but the lawn can accommodate 50 or so participants. Questions? Contact adiaz@cityofbowie.org. All you need is a yoga mat or towel! See you then on the green.
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S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y
- Sustainability Webinar Series and Coffee & Climate Conversations: recap all episodes by visiting the City of Bowie YouTube channel and choosing the Webinar Playlist.
- Did you know the City has pledged to aim for 50% reduction of emissions by 2030? That's a hefty goal that will take work from all of us to meet. View the Climate Action Plan (CAP) today. And view the recently approved Implementation Plan, which serves as a supplement to the original CAP.
- Did you know the City of Bowie has its own Solar Farm to help off-set City emissions? How cool is that! "The farm" will greatly help reduce the emission generated from City of Bowie operations. Stay tuned for our State of the Environment report later this year to see more data on the farm.
- Adopt-A-Road: Did you know we have a City of Bowie Adopt-A-Road program? This program was made possible through a Keep Maryland Beautiful grant.
- As of May 2022 all 15 roads are adopted!
Grateful Charities cleaning up Mt. Oak Road
Bowie Methodist churches group working to clean up Superior Lane
Niyama Yogi Traveler group cleaning up Old Collington |
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Tip of the month: Plant native plants! They are accustomed to our weather and climate and require far less water and maintenance.
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Food Waste & Composting
- Food Waste Program: Do you live in Belair Town II, Victoria Heights, Idlewild, Yorktown, Overbrook, Saddlebrook or Saddlebrook West neighborhoods? If yes, you are eligible for the food waste program! Learn more about this fun and FREE program at www.cityofbowie.org/foodwaste.
Composting is our last line of defense, accordingly to the Food Recovery Hierarchy, before our food waste goes to the landfill. Once there it slowly breaks down over time, emitting methane into the atmosphere. You can help in a number of different ways and composting is a great one!
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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.
*Stay tuned for big changes regarding Green Bowie Businesses! We will be launching a Sustainability Grants program for local businesses very soon*
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Recipe of the Month
Where we give you a plant-based recipe to help your health and the environment!
Mushroom Sloppy Joe's
You will need:
- 1 lb container of mushrooms, baby bella or cremini
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 1 pepper of choice, diced
- 1/3 cup walnuts (can omit if allergic or not on hand) diced
- 1 cup of light beer (can omit but I recommend doing and used a Michelob Ultra)
- Olive oil for sauteing
- Salt & pepper as needed
- 1 or 2 tsp paprika
- 1 or 2 tsp cumin
- Red pepper flakes to taste
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- Garlic, to taste- I suggest 2 tsp or 2 cloves diced
- Liquid smoke, just a few drops
- 1 or 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast (optional)
Directions:
- If you have a high speed blender or food processor add the mushrooms into it and pulse a few times until they are thoroughly chopped and very small- if not dice them as well as possible
- Dice the onion and pepper and add to the olive oil in a pan on medium heat
- Let simmer until fragrant then add your tomato paste and some salt and pepper. Stir to combine
- Add in the mushrooms and the walnuts, stir to combine, and add the light beer (water or vegetable brother is fine too)
- Once this mixture is simmering, add in your garlic, paprika, cumin, and red pepper flakes if you want heat
- Once it's all combined, add in the ketchup, liquid smoke, and nutritional yeast if you have it. Let this simmer for a few minutes
- If you do not have nutritional yeast and want your mixture just a tad bit thicker you can use a spoonful of corn starch or masa flour and stir to combine
- Add in more salt and pepper to taste and you're ready to serve.
- Idea for serving: on a toasted bun with a slaw mixture
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Interested in Becoming a Volunteer?
The next Green Team Executive Committee meeting is
June 15, 2022 at 6:30 PM and will be held virtually.
Please check the City calendar for the link.
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Other Incentives
- Learn more about Maryland's energy supply, usage, policies, etc. by visiting this on-line manual on Maryland's Energy.
- Explore different choices for electricity providers through this Maryland website that allows you to filter choices based on your needs i.e. 100% renewable, wind, etc.
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.
Here is a great resource to learn more about Community Solar in Maryland and more specifically by Electricity provider.
Home Weatherization Upgrades:
Washington Gas Customers Can Now Get Up to $400 in Rebates at Your Favorite Home Improvement Retailer
Washington Gas is here to make your home more energy efficient and your equipment shopping experience more affordable. As of April 2021, Maryland residential Washington Gas customers can receive rebates on qualifying natural gas water heaters and dryers at our approved retailers. Retail associates at these stores are trained and ready to help you find the right appliance for your home. Be sure to look out for Washington Gas signage highlighting these rebates in these stores! Customers can save up to $400 on natural gas water heaters and $75 on natural gas dryers.
Qualifying ENERGY STAR certified natural gas water heaters are ALSO eligible for a $300 federal tax credit! Visit the ENERGY STAR website for more information. Montgomery County residents can also receive a $250 Montgomery County Energy Efficiency tax credit. That means you could save up to $950!
Participation is easy! To qualify for a rebate:
- Purchase qualifying equipment in store at an approved retailer.
- Work with an installation service professional through an approved retailer or with an EmPOWER Contractor to have the equipment installed.
- Apply for your rebate online through the Retail Application website.
- Receive a rebate check within 6-8 weeks of completed application.
Click here to get started on your path to energy savings.
To learn more about eligible equipment and the application process, please call our Application Processing Center at 1-833-286-0860.
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