Sustainable Ballard

Est. 2003 · Seattle
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Category: Uncategorized

  • Greendrinks Startup Fair – Apr 14

    Greendrinks Startup Fair – Apr 14

     

    April Greendrinks

    Tuesday, April 14th, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

      @
    Sponsored by
    220 Second Ave South, Seattle
    Plan your route using Metro Trip Planner or ride your bike!
    This location is right off the Pioneer Square Light Rail!
    Beer is sponsored by 

    Next month is Greendrinks’ first ever Start-Up Fair and they want you to be a part of it!  It will be held at Impact HUB Seattle on Tuesday, April 14th.

    This Greendrinks will look a little different.  They are looking for 15-20 businesses or organizations to host tables and participate in Start-Up Stand Up. Each organization will have two minutes with the microphone to give the room its pitch, discuss its product or program or ask for the resources it needs. It is a great way to engage the community and find the resources needed to take an idea to the next level.

    They are looking for a balance between businesses, non-profits and those who can offer resources to new businesses.

    The tentative agenda for the night is:

    5:30: Doors open
    6:15-6:30-First Stand Up Group
    7:00-7:15-Second Stand Up Group
    7:40-7:55-Third Stand Up Group
    8:30: Event Ends

    Cost: Tables for Non-Profits are $75 and $100 for businesses.

    IF YOU’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT PARTICIPATING, NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!! 

    Email katie@sustainableseattle.org to sign up!

  • Barter in Ballard – Mar 28

    Barter in Ballard – Mar 28

    Backyard Barter is coming to Ballard in March!  Here are a couple of upcoming Backyard Barter events:

    March 28 @ 1pm, Ballard Public LIbrary
    April 19 @ 12pm, Second Use Building Materials, 3223 – 6th Ave S, Seattle

    About Backyard Barter:

    Backyard Barter supports the homemade and homegrown bartering community in the Seattle area. Founded in 2011, we are a volunteer run organization, and a fiscally sponsored Project of Seattle Tilth. We host monthly barters city wide 10-12 mo/year.

    How to participate:

    Our events are casual and fun, and usually scheduled for a two-hour block. We ask that people arrive/sign in and set up their goods in the first 30 minutes of the event – we start bartering at ‘halftime’.

    What to bring? Here is a partial list of bartered items at past events: eggs, honey, baked goods, handmade soap, edible plants, garden seeds, fruit/vegetables/herbs, kefir, kimchi, beer/mead, jams/jellies, homemade yogurt, homemade laundry soap, homemade skin care products, redworms for vermiculture, compost tea, and ornamental plants. Your sign in sheet will have space for item descriptions, but some people also prepare labels and/or ingredient lists (eg gluten free baked goods) ahead of time.

    Backyard Barter garden eye candy
    The exchange value of any given item is up to each barter participant. The process is a simple one, ‘would you like to trade your (eg jar of blackberry jam) for my (eg loaf of bread)..’ or whatever you are trading. It’s fun, come join us!

  • Swansons Seminar: Developing a Hummingbird & Butterfly Garden – Mar 29

    Swansons Seminar: Developing a Hummingbird & Butterfly Garden – Mar 29

    Sunday, March 29 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
    Cyndi Stuart, a former field biologist and perennial plant buyer, offers insights on selecting plants to attract hummers and butterflies, as well as other important factors that motivate wildlife to visit your yard. Whether you are looking to add a few irresistible perennials to an existing flower bed or planning a garden from the bottom up, join us to see what it takes to create a hospitable garden.

    Seminars offered at Swansons are free, unless otherwise noted. Some may require sign-up in advance so we can prepare materials. Please be aware that seminars are often full, so we recommend arriving 10 minutes early to be assured of a seat. Due to limited space, we ask that you do not bring your pet to seminars. Come enjoy Swanson’s seminars and improve your gardening know-how!

  • Groundswell NW Annual Meeting and Civic Social – Mar 24

    Groundswell NW Annual Meeting and Civic Social – Mar 24

    6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. @ the Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th Street, Seattle

    All are invited to this special event that will change the landscape of your community and grow the public green.  Sustainable Ballard will be there — come on by and say ‘hi’.

    This year, the Ballard Open Space Plan will be highlighted and a facilitated interactive exercise will spark future parks, public art, gardens, green space connectors and habitat in Northwest Seattle.

    Groundswell NW will also present its “Local Heroes” awards, which recognize individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to parks and open space in Ballard.

    Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for an open house to meet with Groundswell NW’s partnered groups and find out more about their projects. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m.

    You bring your best ideas, Groundswell NW will bring the treats.

    Contact: Dawn Hemminger – groundswellnw@gmail.com

  • Ballard Earth Day Street Party – Apr 24

    Ballard Earth Day Street Party – Apr 24

    dreamstimevector_1479524 copy [Converted]1st Annual Ballard Earth Day
    April 24th – 4pm-8pm

    Sustainable Ballard is partnering with Sunergy Systems, Giddy Up Burgers and New Roots Organics for a Ballard Earth Day Street Party!  These three sustainable businesses are located on the corner of Leary and NW 46th.  Guests can grab a burger and a drink from Giddy Up Burgers while enjoying live music, games for all ages and a raffle!  We hope you can join us!

    Visit the official webpage to learn more.  RSVP here.

     

  • Keep This Land in Public Hands Informational Open House – Mar 22

    Keep This Land in Public Hands Informational Open House – Mar 22

    March 22, 2015, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
    Sunset Hill Community Association Clubhouse: 3003 NW 66th Street, Seattle

    Seattle Green Spaces Coalition and Groundswell NW present this power-building event.
    •           See what potential green space could be sold to a private developer.
    •           View before/after photos (good and bad) of other substations
    •           Meet other neighbors/organizations with overlapping concerns
    •           Unite to stop the sale of these lands while shaping public policy
    Throughout Seattle former Seattle City Light substations are at risk of being sold to private developers, with eight (8) in Ballard.  Some of these properties are hiding in plain sight, across from Ballard High School, by the VFW on Market, on Phinney. These properties have the potential to become green space or what best meets community needs. Selling these surplus/excess sites to private developers would mean further loss of potential green space and tree canopy.
    The purpose of this event is to bring together neighbors and neighborhood groups to combine your concerns and strengthen our public voice. Although we all love living in Seattle we need to join forces in order to impact City policy on land use and development, because affordable housing, economic evictions, and infrastructure concerns are all related.
    This program will include a slideshow by Cass Turnbull (a feasibility study funded by a Groundswell NW microgrant). Next step planning and materials to share will enable us to join forces and mobilize the northwest area of the city before lands are sold from underneath our noses. This will include substation treasure hunt and passports.
    Seattle Green Spaces Coalition was formed in 2014 by Seattle neighbors who appreciate green spaces as places of natural beauty and wildlife habitat in their neighborhoods. The mission of SGSC is to re-purpose City property as parks, green spaces or for other uses consistent with City’s environmental goals. www.seattlegreenspacescoalition.org
    Groundswell NW was formed in 1989 and incorporated in 1992 as a grassroots effort to create more parks, open space and natural habitat in the northwest area of Seattle. Since then, this vision has grown to include a connected system of parks and natural habitat uniting our community.
    We thank the Sunset Hill Community Association for donated use of this venue in support of this cause.
     
    Excess/Surplus City Light Substations in the Ballard area that could be sold in 2015:
    Name                                               Address                                           S.F.                        Area
    Ballard Substation                      6730 24th Ave NW                          5,100                    Ballard
    Leary Substation                        1414 NW Leary Way                       8,800          Ballard/Crown Hill
    Loyal Heights Substation          7750 28th Ave NW                          8,158          Ballard/Crown Hill
    Market Substation                     2826 NW Market St.                        9,468                   Ballard
    Monroe Substation                   1407 NW 65th St.                            4,000                    Ballard
    North Beach Substation           9407 19th Ave NW                          6,600           Ballard/Crown Hill
    Olympic Hill Substation            8032 15th Ave. NW                          6,780           Ballard/Crown Hill
    Phinney Substation                   6109 Phinney Ave N                       6,000         Greenwood/Phinney
    Sunset Hill Substation              3209 NW 65th St.                            6,300                    Ballard
    Questions and inquires: Peggy Sturdivant, peggysturdivant@gmail.com, 206.419.5845
  • The City of Seattle is Looking for Tree Lovers!

    The City of Seattle is Looking for Tree Lovers!

    Do you dream of living in a tree house? Do you eagerly await the first leaf buds in the spring? Do you love to lie on your back and watch branches dancing in the breeze? Does a stroll down a tree-lined street put a smile on your face? You may be a tree lover!  

    Applications are now open for City of Seattle Tree Ambassadors!  image002

    What is a Tree Ambassador?

    Tree Ambassadors are volunteers who help nurture Seattle’s trees with the goal of growing and caring for the urban forest. Tree Ambassadors help build community and create a culture of caring for our community’s trees.

    Tree Ambassadors work in one of three project areas:

    • Tree Walks: Tree Walks are fun, positive community events that engage neighbors with the trees surrounding them. Tree Ambassadors develop tours to highlight interesting or significant trees in their neighborhoods and lead their walk as a public event. Check out the schedule of upcoming walks or download one of the self-guided walks here. Don’t see a walk in your neighborhood? Become a Tree Ambassador and design Seattle’s next Tree Walk!Tree Ambassadors in this track are given an introduction to tree identification and taught skills in making maps and organizing community events. After the training, staff will assist Tree Ambassadors in identifying good routes, mapping trees on that route, writing accompanying text, and putting together a public event.
    • Landscape Renewal: Tree Ambassadors plan and organize small-scale landscape projects in residential areas. Tree Ambassadors “adopt” sites and organize work parties to weed, mulch, and activate these neighborhood green spaces. Check out the events page and come volunteer at an upcoming work party.  Tree Ambassadors in this track are taught basic landscaping and site design skills, how to identify and remove invasive species, proper mulching, how to plan safe events, and community event organizing. After the training, staff help volunteers identify appropriate landscapes to work in, develop site plans, organize community work parties, and secure tools, mulch, and other equipment. Find a site to love in your neighborhood!
    • Street Tree Stewardship: Tree Ambassadors provide critical care to help young street trees thrive. Tree Ambassadors plan work parties to weed, mulch, and care for the trees that make our neighborhoods walkable, attractive, and healthy. Check out the events page for other opportunities to join us. We are not training new volunteers in this track at this time.

    For more information and to apply, go here.

  • King Conservation District Grant Workshops – March 23 & 24

    King Conservation District Grant Workshops – March 23 & 24

    The King Conservation District (KCD) is a natural resources assistance agency authorized by Washington State and guided by the Washington State Conservation Commission. They work to promote the sustainable use of natural resources through responsible stewardship.

    All landowners within the District boundaries are entitled to free information and technical assistance for water quality protection, wildlife habitat enhancement, farm management plans, soil and slope stability information, native plant products, manure exchange information, volunteer opportunities, stream restoration/enhancement assistance and many other natural resource topics.

    In Seattle, the KCD partners with the City of Seattle to execute a grant program that supports projects that directly improve the condition of natural resources, provide education and outreach to increase awareness, build capacity to enhance implementation of natural
    resource improvement projects and implement pilot or demonstration projects. Learn more about the grant program and what kinds of projects are eligible for funding at one of these upcoming workshops.

    Monday, March 23,  6:00pm – 7:30pm
    Northeast Library Branch
    6801 35th Ave N.E.
    Seattle, WA 98115

    Tuesday, March 24, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
    Beacon Hill Library Branch
    2821 Beacon Ave S.
    Seattle, WA 98144

    Please RSVP.

    For more information about the grant process and to view past projects, please visit: http://www.kingcd.org/pro_gra.htm

  • Applications Being Accepted for SDOT's Parklet Program and Streateries Pilot Program through Mar 20

    Applications Being Accepted for SDOT's Parklet Program and Streateries Pilot Program through Mar 20

    Do you have a great idea for a small public space in your neighborhood? Now is your chance to pitch that idea by applying to host a parklet or streatery!

    We’re pleased to announce the launch of Seattle’s permanent Parklet Program, and businesses and community groups are invited to apply for a spot in the program. As you probably know, a parklet converts a couple of on-street parking spaces into public space, open for anyone to use. Parklet hosts are responsible for all costs, including design, construction, and ongoing maintenance. We’ve got six parklets in Seattle already and are excited to see what ideas you propose.parklet2
    But what’s a “streatery,” you ask? Well, with the success of both sidewalk cafés and parklets in Seattle, we’re also rolling out “streateries,” a new type of seating in the street that combines the best of both worlds. Streateries, like parklets, are small open spaces constructed in a parking spot. And like sidewalk cafés, streateries provide outdoor seating for local businesses.  Streateries provide a new option for activating a parklet in different ways throughout the day—sometimes as public space and sometimes as a café with table service. And streateries make it possible for businesses in areas with narrow sidewalks to have sidewalk cafés, too.
    Now you’ve got a decision to make! This year, as part of our new call for parklet applications, you can apply for a parklet or for a streatery (if you meet certain criteria). The number of parklets we accept will depend on the number and distribution of applications. We will accept about 15 streatery applications this year and, if all goes well, streateries may become a permanent addition to the parklet program in 2016.
    Our new Parklet Handbook tells you everything you need to know about designing, permitting, and building a parklet or streatery in Seattle. Applying to the program is easy! You need to submit an application form, three letters of support from your community (four if you want a streatery), a simple site plan showing the ideas for your parklet or streatery, and a few photos of the proposed location.  Check out the application guidelines in the Parklet Handbook for all the details.
    All application materials must be emailed to parklets@seattle.gov by 5:00 p.m. on March 20, 2015. You can contact us via email or at 206-684-5267 with any questions. And our website is full of great resources as well. We look forward to receiving your proposals!
    Seattle Parklets
    Public Space Management Program, Street Use & Urban Forestry
  • Join us at Hattie's Hat for Ballard Social on Mar 18

    Join us at Hattie's Hat for Ballard Social on Mar 18

    1374101_603700143002661_1713211887_nWe’re tagging onto the popular Ballard Social and meeting up at Hattie’s Hat on March 18 from 7 to 9 p.m.  Whether we’re meeting you for the first time, or we’re old friends, we look forward to seeing you.

    WHERE:  Hattie’s Hat
    located at 5231 Ballard Ave NW in Ballard MAP

    WHEN: March 18, 2015 (Wed)
    7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

    (always the 3rd Wednesday of the month)

    NOTE:  We’ll be standing up at the bar.