April 1 at the Green Tent

GREY WATER FROM LAUNDRY WASTE

What is greywater? It's the "waste" water from your washing machine reused to water your fruit trees or perennial plants instead of being sent to the reclamation plant and then out to the ocean. 

With a greywater system, every time you do a load of laundry your plants get a good drink and you save money as well.

As everyone knows, California has experienced an extreme drought for many years and it will most likely continue. Water is probably the most important resource for every living species on our planet. Learn how to double the usage of your water!

Green Tent guest Art Lee holds workshops that cover all the information you need to install a grey water system at your house. He's bringing a mini greywater demo system so visitors can see how it works and will answer your questions. He'll also have a signup sheet for those interested in attending a future workshop.

A bicycle built for solar power!  And yeah, it works.

Art can also explain how to install your own personal solar panel for small projects or emergency power for your cell phone, laptop, or ham radio.

Art is also a solar energy expert!  When it comes to versatility and sustainability, he has all the info you need to painlessly shrink your carbon footprint.  Come by the Green Tent this Sunday and benefit from his free advice.

Los Angeles Waterkeeper, March 18

Do you know what a Marine Protected Area (MPA) is? Did you know there are two MPAs right here in the Santa Monica Bay? Whether you know or not, come by the Green Tent to learn what and how Los Angeles Waterkeeper monitors these precious areas with their fun “What’s the Catch” game. They'll have a few prizes for those who participate!

Los Angeles Waterkeeper safeguards LA’s inland and coastal waters by enforcing laws and empowering communities. They engage with an array of volunteers to monitor and steward Los Angeles waterways so all have access to healthy, living and safe water.


Los Angeles Waterkeeper is a member organization of Waterkeeper Alliance, the world’s fastest growing environmental movement. Along with hundreds other Waterkeeper Organizations, their movement works for swimmable, drinkable and fishable waterways worldwide.

Want to learn more about saving water in your home garden? The Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase, is back this year and chair Maggie Begley joins LA Waterkeeper at the Green Tent this Sunday! The 2018 Showcase will highlight 20+ of our area’s most beautiful gardens on Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 10am to 4pm. Want to know more about the gardens? Interested in volunteering at the evert? Visit the Green Tent this Sunday to learn more about this exciting, uniquely Mar Vista event.

Selva EcoGardens, March 11

CONSERVATION DONE RIGHT

...after

SELVA International, a Venice-based environmental non-profit, has partnered with conservation biologist and landscape contractor Steven Williams to offer EcoGardens, a sustainable landscape service to help you convert your water thirsty lawn to an ecological garden.

Learn how your garden can:
• Conserve water
• Save money
• Grow native plants to attract birds and butterflies
• Reduce polluted runoff to our beaches
• Collect and use rainwater
• Support our local community

At the Green Tent, SELVA International will display before and after pictures of sustainable, "Ocean Friendly Gardens." They'll have informational handouts on SELVA's EcoGardens program and Surfrider's Ocean Friendly Gardens program. They'll have some CA native plants local to our area. They will also be distributing free LADWP water-saving devices (low-flow shower heads, sink aerators, and more!) Get your questions answered and free advice on ecological landscaping!

before...

Selva EcoGardens, is offering two FREE Hands-on Lawn Be Gone Workshops in Mar Vista in March. The Workshops - which are now full - will teach residents how to remove turf and install California Friendly Landscapes in their yards. Click here to register on-line for future Workshops. Learn by Doing! 

Would you like to sign up for Selva's non-profit service to install a water saving EcoGarden at your home? Check out this service at http://www.selvainternational.org/ecogardens.htm and find out more at the Green Tent this Sunday.

Joining SELVA at the Green Tent we are lucky to have, Marla Brennan, the singing, fruit-juggling eco-chef. Catch her act from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.  Marla is also available to visit your school or play group and make the serious issue of saving the planet seem like child's play.

Straight Trash Talk, March 4

GREEN, BLACK OR BLUE BIN - WHERE DOES IT GO?

Are you a recycling expert? Stop by the Green Tent this Sunday, July 8, to test your knowledge with a sorting game, learn about the recycling process and commit to reducing waste. Get your recycling questions answered. Hear from a recycling pro and learn what to do with your Household Hazardous Waste.

In 2015, Californian’s produced 4.7 lbs of trash per person, per day and diverted 63% of waste from landfills. But we can do better! The City of LA’s goal of zero waste is within reach as long as residents are expert recyclers! Recycling right saves natural resources, decreases pollution and saves landfill space.

Guest Rachel Adell is a local Mar Vista resident and self-proclaimed enthusiast of all things trash and recycling. Her love of garbage fuels her blog Straight Trash Talk and earned her a job in local government working on municipal recycling, education and policy. Rachel’s goal is to share her love of waste and help the public understand their role in waste creation and reduction.