As a growing number of schools embrace gardening, honey bees are generating the latest educational buzz.

The humble honey bee plays a huge role in our food supply. Experts estimate that one in every three bites of food you eat depends on pollination, either directly or indirectly.

“You can’t learn about growing fruits and vegetables without learning about bees,” says Jeff Miller, a beekeeper and educator at DC Honeybees in Washington, D.C. “Bees are as important to the process as sun and water.”

This coming year Whole Kids Foundation will award its first round of approximately 50 hive grants for schools as part of the new Honey Bee Grant Program, a natural extension of the Whole Kids Foundation School Garden Grant Program.

Hundreds of schools have already expressed interest in hosting hives to enhance their gardens and to use as teaching tools. Despite their stingers, honey bees are actually docile creatures, and with a little education they can coexist in sweet harmony with kids in the garden.

With reports of bee populations declining, education about honey bees is more critical than ever. Tending to hives and observing bee activity provides kids with vital lessons about biology, agriculture, ecology, nutrition and even business. Bees do more than make honey. Pollination is also key to increasing the size of plants, fruits, flowers and overall crop yield.  Supporting this program can accomplish so much.

Please visit the Whole Kids Foundation website to learn more about this amazing new initiative.  You can also get in touch at info@wholekidsfoundation.org.

Please join us!

Friday July 5

4-7 Race Registration

7:30-9 Free concert by 1% for the Planet Ambassadors “Dwight and Nicole” at the Waitsfield Green

Saturday July 6

9-6 Nonprofit Expo and race registration

6 Presentation by Green Bronx Machine founder and 1% for the Planet Ambassador Stephen Ritz

6:30 Kids Fun Run

6:30-9 1% for the Planet 10th anniversary party! (RSVP required)

Sunday July 7

7 Mad Marathon start

11-2 Finish line celebrations

See you here!

Merryl Brown Events is an award-winning event design and production company, specializing in elegant corporate events, social events and weddings. They have been recognized nationally and internationally for excellence in their industry, receiving top awards from the esteemed International Special Events Society, the National Association for Women in Communications, Event Solutions and BizBash, among others. Their experience and professionalism is reflected in their ability to create events for their clients that are both exquisite and flawlessly produced. Personal service, attention to detail and creative design are the trademarks that they bring to every event that they produce.

Merryl Brown Events joined 1% for the Planet because they believe that each of us have the responsibility to make a difference in our corner of the world in whatever way we can. They have been giving back to their community of Santa Barbara, CA since the company first launched in 2009. One of their first non-profit events was for the Community Environmental Council, for whom they created an annual branded event, The Green Gala, which won awards year after year for its high diversion rates, beauty and creativity. Merryl Brown Events is proud to announce that they have chosen the Community Environmental Council as the beneficiary of their annual 1% for the Planet donation.

We also welcome Palo Alto, CA based Vanderhoof Chiropractic. As a chiropractic office, they appreciate both their patients well-being and health. That being said, they also love the planet as well. Dr. Aaron has been an avid surfer for almost his entire life and being in the water has been like a second home to him.

“Having our practice in the heart of silicon valley where saving energy is key, we are surrounded by a community based eco-ethic that encourages the responsible use of resources, reusing, and recycling. In our office. We encourage our patients to use reusable water bottles, use energy saving equipment, and recycle in every way that we can. Informing our patients that we have joined one1% for the Planet has been a great way to raise awareness of our commitment to sustainability. We feel that by living here on mother earth, we have an obligation to give back, and partnering with 1% is a great way to do so.”

Congratulations on becoming part of the 1% network!  We’re thrilled to have you.

05/31 (Day 42)

I awoke at 6:00 and stepped out the door into a beautiful Kansas morning. I took the morning to get caught up online and organized my gear that never ceases to get unorganized. For the first time in a while I made a fire to prepare myself breakfast and I cooked up a dish of potatoes from way back in Steamboat Springs with mushrooms and corn. It kept my hunger, which is back in full force, satisfied for a few hours at most. On the road at 10:30 and it was a hot one.

It took a while to get out of Lincoln and I pedaled close to ten miles through the residential neighborhoods before coming out on the north side of town. I stopped to admire some huge wind turbines create electricity out of thin air and then was into the farmland. I missed my turn northeast onto highway 6 and continued north on the farm road for a few miles before realizing it. This added about 5 miles onto the trip to Omaha but I didn’t mind for many reasons namely the pleasant road to ride on, the fresh air to breathe, and the sun shining upon me.

Highway 6 took me to Ashland, Nebraska, which I just had to explore since I am from Ashland, Wisconsin. This was my first time being in any Ashland other than my hometown. This Ashland was about the quarter of the size of mine at 2,500 residents and the business street was called Silver Street rather than Main Street my Ashland. There were plenty of differences between the two cities and I enjoyed comparing them. Just after Ashland I got the idea of testing out my next sustainability campaign, Stand up for Sustainability. I’m removing the seat from my bike and trekking across the state of Iowa standing up. The combination of my bare feet and the lack of a seat was quite exhausting and a majority of the muscles throughout my body were burning all day. It appears that it might be more of an upper body and core workout than legs but with that being said my calves were burning pretty bad too. The trial led me all the way into Omaha for 40 miles of barefooted standing up riding but not before I stopped at a grocery store dumpster in Gretna and scored about 20 good apples and bread to last me a few days. I found enough food, much of it not even expired yet, to feed about 50 families for the day. I filled up a box full of bread and brought it across the street to an apartment complex where I gave it to a lady who said she’d put it out for the residents. I don’t imagine what I found in that dumpster was an uncommon occurrence.

Continue reading about the adventure HERE….

United Plant Savers (UpS) is the only organization advocating for the sustainability of native medicinal plants and encouraging conservation through cultivation. Placing plants on an At-Risk List has been a great first step for protecting these plants; however, shifting land use practices and the increasing demands of the natural products industry require additional effort. UpS empowers its members to make a difference by creating native plant Sanctuaries in their own backyards and by promoting the responsible purchasing of herbal medicines.

“It takes a lot of maturity, a maturity that the human species is still working toward, to see that we’re here to give out as much as we receive.  The launch of United Plant Savers is the herbal community maturing and working hard to give back to the earth by being a voice for protection of the native plants.”

– Rosemary Gladstar Founder of United Plants Savers.

Meet the Supporters: 

United Plant Savers collaborates with many state and federal agencies such as Fish and Wildlife, Federal Park Service, local agricultural extension agencies who promote specialty crops and several University programs that teach ethnobotany, medicinal plant conservation and herbalism. UpS is supported by over 50 corporate members that renew each year.

1% member business Elemental Herbs recommended that United Plant Savers become an approved nonprofit partner and has since supported their cause.

Successes:

- The Botanical Sanctuary Network developed by UpS includes 101 sanctuaries across the country with nearly 7,000 acres dedicated to conservation of at-risk native medicinal plants.

- UpS has built relationships with herb companies to save goldenseal, their signature plant.

- The UpS  “At-Risk List” has helped bring awareness to several medicinal plants such as lady slipper that is no longer abundant enough to serve as medicine.

- UpS has promoted sustainable alternatives and endless educational workshops and materials over the last 19 years.

Challenges:

Expanding membership and support is a constant challenge. Plant Conservation is difficult to fund through foundational support so UpS depends on membership dues for close to 50% of our annual budget.  The remainder of the budget comes from the support of conscious herb companies.  Finding consistent financial support is essential.

Call to Action:

UpS is currently seeking funds to expand the Botanical Sanctuary Network. Funds will the organization reach out to a broader audience, connect sanctuaries to each other and empower members to join in our effort.  The ultimate goal is creating a large network of thriving sanctuaries that connects plant communities and human communities.

You can also support UpS by donating to their Mad Marathon team, which is running in the first marathon devoted to issues of sustainability.  A team of 5 recent graduates will be competing under the name, “Run for the Plants.” They have a goal of raising 10,000.00.

The Future of Our Native Planets 

As United Planet Savers’ membership grows, so can their programs. The Botanical Sanctuary Network, grants made to community herbal gardens, having additional schools join the Partners in Education program, and UpS internships are all important steps to protecting medicinal planets for the future.  Ideally, as many medicinal plant varieties as possible can be protected in perpetuity.

Contact Susan Leopold, PhD, Executive Director of UpS, susan@unitedplantsavers.org, 703-667-0208 with any further questions.

Here’s a link to their announcement about joining the 1%FTP network earlier this year.

Waitsfield, VT — This July, Vermont’s Mad River Valley will host “The World’s Most Beautiful Marathon” the Mad Marathon, a 1% for the Planet event. While Sunday, July 7 is the official race day, the whole weekend is turning into a can’t miss summer event. The most recent additions to the weekend’s lineup include 1% for the Planet ambassadors Stephen Ritz, founder of Green Bronx Machine, and Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson, both musicians and Vermont natives — Nicole is well known for her stint on the third season of “The Voice”. “Dwight and Nicole” will perform on Friday, July 5 and Ritz will speak about his experience teaching students how to grow vertical ‘living walls’ on July 6^th.

Ritcher, Nelson and Ritz are new to the 1% for the Planet family, and excited to be ambassadors as 1% for the Planet celebrates its 10^th year.

“Dwight and I are looking forward to performing at an event that does so much good, both for the environment and local and regional communities,” said Nelson. Ritz added, “The Green Bronx Machine is thrilled to come to the Green Mountain State to celebrate our commitment to 1% For the Planet; proof that no matter where you live, work and play, together, we can all make a difference!”

In addition to speeches, musical performances and the official marathon, the weekend will host a fun run for kids and showcase 1% for the Planet’s hometown of Waitsfield, offering participants the chance to enjoy the local Farmer’s Market and cuisine on Saturday before the race.

“We are so honored to have Stephen, Dwight and Nicole join us for this year’s Mad Marathon and the celebration of our 10^th year,” said Terry Kellogg, CEO of 1% for the Planet. “The 1% for the Planet family is big and continues to grow, adding nonprofits, businesses, ambassadors and media partners. This event allows us to highlight all of these different groups that come together through our network to make good. Honestly, we can’t think of a better way or setting to have our network celebrate ten years of giving back to Blue.”

1% for the Planet announced its partnership with the Mad Marathon earlier this year, making the third annual Mad Marathon the first marathon dedicated to environmental sustainability. All funds raised by the 1% for the Planet team will be split among three nonprofit partnerships: The Staying Connected Initiative, The Bay Circuit Trail and The Penobscot River Restoration. 1% for the Planet New England nonprofit partners also have the opportunity to create individual teams and raise funds for their organization.

For more information about how to contribute, please visit http://www.crowdrise.com/1percentFTPmadmarathon2013

“The Bay Circuit Trail is one of Boston’s hidden recreation treasures–a beautiful and unexpected long-distance trail that is also close to home.” Charles Tracy – New England Trail Administrator for the National Park Service.

The trail traverses 57 communities and is in the sphere of more than 4 million people and population centers in greater Boston, New Hampshire, Central/Southern, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. It is a multi-use trail allowing hiking, trail running, biking, horse-back riding, and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and paddling. The trail is also accessible by public transit in some locations and connects multitudes of public lands flanking it.

In January 2013 AMC began a trails inventory of the Bay Circuit Trail. This inventory aims to catalogue trail conditions, signage needs/enhancements, problem areas and obstacles along the trail. Through this assessment a list of priority areas in need of enhancement will be developed.

In order to the complete priority trail projects AMC plans to:

-Hire a seasonal, full-time Bay Circuit Trail Coordinator
-Work with volunteer leaders of the Bay Circuit Trails Committee, as well as towns, communities, college outing clubs and local corporations to recruit and train volunteers to maintain and steward the trail
-Make our members and the public aware of the trail by leading monthly hikes  and local chapter family activities on the trail
-Ensure that the trail is easy to follow and has blazes and directional signage throughout and develop a system to establish educational kiosks at key spots along the trail

We are in need of funding to:

-Support the Bay Circuit Trails Coordinator
-Cover the costs of signage, kisoks etc.

We are in need of volunteers to:

-Help maintain the trail
-Lead hikes on the trail and
-Someone who is web savvy to help us maintain the Bay Circuit Alliance website

Please consider supporting the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Bay Circuit Alliance and the good that it models.

“Residents connect with each other and with local industry. Voters connect with their government. Towns connect with neighboring towns. Towns connect with their historical past and preserve land for posterity: Green gems connected by the string that is the Bay Circuit Trail. The positive energy originating from this undying idea sparks a sense of community vigor and cooperation; of physical and mental health; of hope.” Marlies Henderson – Trail Volunteer – Bay Circuit Alliance

For more information, please contact: Kristen Sykes, Director of Conservation Strategies – Appalachian Mountain Club & Director of Operations – Bay Circuit Alliance, ksykes@outdoors.org or 617-391-6565

ABOUT AMC

Founded in 1876 the Appalachian Mountain Club is the oldest conservation and recreation organization in the country.  The Appalachian Mountain Club promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region.

We believe these resources have intrinsic worth and also provide recreational opportunities, spiritual renewal, and ecological and economic health for the region. Because successful conservation depends on active engagement with the outdoors, we encourage people to experience, learn about, and appreciate the natural world.

Stephen Ritz, Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson join Mad Marathon lineup; 1% for the Planet celebrates 10th anniversary

Waitsfield, VT — This July, Vermont’s Mad River Valley will host “The World’s Most Beautiful Marathon” the Mad Marathon, a 1% for the Planet event. While Sunday, July 7 is the official race day, the whole weekend is turning into a can’t miss summer event. The most recent additions to the weekend’s lineup include 1% for the Planet ambassadors Stephen Ritz, founder of Green Bronx Machine, and Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson, both musicians and Vermont natives — Nicole is well known for her stint on the third season of “The Voice”. “Dwight and Nicole” will perform on Friday, July 5 and Ritz will speak about his experience teaching students how to grow vertical ‘living walls’ on July 6^th.

Ritcher, Nelson and Ritz are new to the 1% for the Planet family, and excited to be ambassadors as 1% for the Planet celebrates its 10^th year.

“Dwight and I are looking forward to performing at an event that does so much good, both for the environment and local and regional communities,” said Nelson.

Ritz added, “The Green Bronx Machine is thrilled to come to the Green Mountain State to celebrate our commitment to 1% For the Planet; proof that no matter where you live, work and play, together, we can all make a difference!”

In addition to speeches, musical performances and the official marathon, the weekend will host a fun run for kids and showcase 1% for the Planet’s hometown of Waitsfield, offering participants the chance to enjoy the local Farmer’s Market and cuisine on Saturday before the race.

“We are so honored to have Stephen, Dwight and Nicole join us for this year’s Mad Marathon and the celebration of our 10^th year,” said Terry Kellogg, CEO of 1% for the Planet. “The 1% for the Planet family is big and continues to grow, adding nonprofits, businesses, ambassadors and media partners. This event allows us to highlight all of these different groups that come together through our network to make good. Honestly, we can’t think of a better way or setting to have our network celebrate ten years of giving back to Blue.”

1% for the Planet announced its partnership with the Mad Marathon earlier this year, making the third annual Mad Marathon the first marathon dedicated to environmental sustainability. All funds raised by the 1% for the Planet team will be split among three nonprofit partnerships: The Staying Connected Initiative, The Bay Circuit Trail and The Penobscot River Restoration. 1% for the Planet New England nonprofit partners also have the opportunity to create individual teams and raise funds for their organization.