From the NC Arboretum and the Reading, Riding, Retrofit program of Buncombe County Schools:

Visit the Sustainable Schools events at the NC Arboretum; learn new ways to save energy, reduce waste and grow/eat more local food

The Reading, Riding and Retrofit program and the NC Arboretum have partnered to produce a Sustainable Schools series of events over the coming weeks. Each event will focus on a different topic and will feature projects done by staff, teachers and students at schools in Buncombe County. Arboretum Educators will be on hand to lead family activities for each event, which will take place within and around the Baker Exhibit Center at the Arboretum. Organizers hope these events will inspire attendees to do some new things in their homes, schools and businesses.

Programs in the series will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and include:

• Energy Explorations on October 27
o 5 – 6 p.m. – visit exhibits and talk to teachers, students and staff about their Green Team, energy audits, “turn it off” campaigns, cost savings retrofits and more;
o 6 – 7 p.m. – hear short presentations on the facilities projects and energy and cost savings done in each school system, followed by Q&A

• What a Waste! on November 3
o Projects include reducing, reusing and recycling waste, including composting and vermiculture
o Recycling and waste management companies’ staff will be there to provide information and answer questions

• Food for Thought on November 17
o Projects include school gardens and the lessons taught through/with them (e.g. energy and environmental costs and benefits related to food and food production) and health and wellness issues related to food and outdoor activities.
Attendees are encouraged to also visit the Arboretum’s newest exhibit, Sustainable Shelter. This exhibit provides a hands-on and engaging view of how humans can replicate designs, structures and materials utilized by animals in creating their own homes. Families can take part in programs including a short woodland hike to investigate animal homes as well as logs, tree bark and other natural materials to build shelters of their own.

PLEASE NOTE: Admission to the Arboretum exhibits and parking are FREE to event attendees. Light refreshments will be also available. For additional information on these events, see www.reading-riding-retrofit.org/arboretum-event.

These events are sponsored by: Asheville Buncombe Sustainable Communities Initiative, Global Institute for Sustainable Technologies at A-B Tech, Carolina Recycling Association, EPA Climate Showcase Communities Program, Land-of-Sky Regional Council, North Carolina Arboretum, NC Center for Health and Wellness at UNCA and Waste Reduction Partners.