ENVIRONMENTAL HOME STORE FEATURES MOVIE NIGHT - FLOW: FOR THE LOVE OF WATER

The Environmental Home Store and ECLA PA host this month's Sustainability Movie at EHS/Doylestown on Friday 4/3/09 at 7pm. This month's feature is FLOW: FOR THE LOVE OF WATER. Please see below for detailed information on the documentary.

On April 3rd, The Environmental Home Store and ECLA PA will sponsor the Bucks County premier showing of Flow, Irena Salina's award-winning documentary on water. This program marks the first anniversary of the ECLA PA's popular First Friday video - discussion series.

Salina's award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century - The World Water Crisis. This, along with global climate change and peak oil, are a triple threat to the American way of life and peace in the world. As Mark Twain famously may have said, "Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over." In parts of the world the fighting has begun and it's spreading to America.

The discussion will be led by ECLA PA's coordinator, Larry Menkes. The series often attracts local experts who are invited to participate and co-lead the discussion. As always, part of the discussion will focus on home energy cost savings through efficiency and conservation, with a focus, this week on water.

The film will be shown in The Environmental Home Store's Doylestown location, 320 North Broad Street, at 7:00 PM on Friday, April 3. The Environmental Home Store was named the 2008 Best Green Resource in the Philadelphia area. It's eco-friendly interior is entirely safe for people with environmental sensitivities and is wheelchair accessible. Light refreshments will be available and the store will be open before and after the showing. For information and reservations call 267.880.6791

FLOW: FOR THE LOVE OF WATER

Irena Salina's award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century - The World Water Crisis.

Salina builds a case against the growing privatization of the world's dwindling fresh water supply with an unflinching focus on politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of a domineering world water cartel.

Interviews with scientists and activists intelligently reveal the rapidly building crisis, at both the global and human scale, and the film introduces many of the governmental and corporate culprits behind the water grab, while begging the question "CAN ANYONE REALLY OWN WATER?"

Beyond identifying the problem, FLOW also gives viewers a look at the people and institutions providing practical solutions to the water crisis and those developing new technologies, which are fast becoming blueprints for a successful global and economic turnaround.

"An astonishingly wide-ranging film. An informed and heartfelt examination of the tug of war between public health and private interests."
- New York Times

"Moving… motivating…a passionate call to arms." - Science Magazine

"The scariest movie at the Sundance Film Festival" - Wired Magazine

Official Selection: Sundance Film Festival 2008
International Jury Prize: Mumbai International Film Festival
Best Documentary 2008: Vail International Film Festival
Winner - Best Documentary: United Nations Association Film Festival

WHAT IS FSC WOOD?

There are so many names, acronyms and abbreviations for all sorts of sustainable products that it can be very confusing. We will take a look at some of these programs and define them to help clarify some of the confusion. Let's start with FSC wood.

The Forest Stewardship Council, FSC, is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.

Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.

FSC Chain of Custody traces FSC certified timber through the production chain.

FSC Chain of Custody is for companies that manufacture, process or trade in timber or non-timber forest products and want to demonstrate to their customers that they use responsibly produced raw materials. FSC Chain of Custody helps companies to strengthen their sourcing policies and comply with public or private procurement policies where FSC is the preferred option.

FSC wood is timber or processed wood that carries the FSC Chain of Custody certification. This informs consumers that the wood or wood products carrying the FSC label came from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.

Overview of the FSC Principles

Principle 1.
Compliance with all applicable laws and international treaties

Principle 2.
Demonstrated and uncontested, clearly defined, long–term land tenure and use rights

Principle 3.
Recognition and respect of indigenous peoples' rights

Principle 4.
Maintenance or enhancement of long-term social and economic well-being of forest workers and local communities and respect of worker’s rights in compliance with International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions

Principle 5.
Equitable use and sharing of benefits derived from the forest

Principle 6.
Reduction of environmental impact of logging activities and maintenance of the ecological functions and integrity of the forest

Principle 7.
Appropriate and continuously updated management plan

Principle 8.
Appropriate monitoring and assessment activities to assess the condition of the forest, management activities and their social and environmental impacts

Principle 9.
Maintenance of High Conservation Value Forests (HCVFs) defined as environmental and social values that are considered to be of outstanding significance or critical importance

Principle 10.
In addition to compliance with all of the above, plantations must contribute to reduce the pressures on and promote the restoration and conservation of natural forests.

More information on FSC can be found here.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF USING MULCH

It’s that time of the year again. The daffodils are starting to poke through the ground, the witch hazels are starting to bloom and robins seem to be everywhere. Spring is coming! That means it’s also time to prepare your planting beds. In nature forest roots are anchored in rich, well aerated soil full of nutrients. The soil is protected by leaves and organic matter that replenishes nutrients and provides optimal root growth and mineral uptake. Urban landscapes however typically consist of poor soils, little organic matter and big fluctuations in moisture and soil temperature. That leaves the homeowner with the task of adding mulch to the planting beds to improve soil aeration, to help moderate soil temperatures to give plants a uniform, well cared for look. But there are environmental benefits as well. Mulch conserves moisture by reducing evaporation. If the soil stays moist then less irrigation is required and that conserves water. A layer of mulch can inhibit certain plant diseases reducing the need for fungicides. There are also fewer weeds with a proper layer of mulch. Less weeds means less chemicals are used both post-emergent and pre-emergent. Mulch also reduces erosion by adding a protective layer from the forces of nature above it. And organic mulch adds nutrients back into the soil naturally guarantying plenty of nutrients for your plants. Every gardener should consider mulching their planting beds. Adding a good organic mulch can mimic a more natural environment and improve plant health. And remember Mother Nature does not like bare soil!

This article was contributed by Shane Holderer of Landscape Plus LLC

Shane Holderer
Landscape Plus LLC
4734 Applebutter Road
Pipersville, Pa. 18947
215-646-1235
Landscape Plus LLC

BUCKS BEAUTIFUL GARDEN & HOME SHOW

Superior Woodcraft will be exhibiting at Bucks Beautiful Garden & Home Show Friday, March 20th - Sunday, March 22nd at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, Pa. This is a great event for the whole family. There are children's workshops and entertaining shows for those young gardners. Stop by and visit Superior Woodcraft's display and talk with one of our staff designers.