Category: Uncategorized

Ballard Social is a monthly cocktail party for those who live and work in Ballard.  Sustainable Ballard will be there to meet new folks and share what we’re all about.

The next event is Wednesday, February 19th, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m, upstairs at Ballard Loft, 5105 Ballard Ave NW.

When you walk in, just look for a group of people standing up and talking. Ask someone if it’s the Ballard Social, the answer will probably be “yes”.  At Ballard Loft, we’ll be UPSTAIRS!

There will be at least one host there, introduce yourself to her, she’ll introduce you to more people in the group. Everyone is there to meet their neighbors so don’t be shy, just introduce yourself!

(P.S. Entry is free, everyone buys their own drinks / 21 and older).

Saturday, February 8, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

The University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Center for Urban Horticulture, is offering this FREE class for adults.

Are you interested in learning how to improve the pollination of plants and trees in your yard? Or perhaps you are curious how you could support the environment by hosting non-stinging native bees without any fruit trees in your garden? Come join us as Missy Anderson (alias Queen Bee), from King County Master Gardeners, offers an engaging presentation on Orchard Mason Bees. Learn about the wonderful nature of mason bees, the value they bring to our world, and how easy it is to host them in a nesting box in your back yard. Becoming a successful bee farmer is easy and fun.

Cost: FREE! (Suggested $5 donation at door).  RSVP online, or call 206-685-8033.

Thanks for your interest … we’re all out of buckets now!

The Waste Management Think Green Challenge continues through March 28…waste less, shop smart, recycle and compost more…all to win up to $50,000 for community projects in Ballard!

We’ve up-cycled holiday cards for Free Letters Home, held a Holiday Barter Fair, played Think Green bingo, tweeted holiday gift ideas #instead of stuff, shared our favorite green cleaning recipes and posted tips for recycling and storing food without plastic.

And we’re just getting started!   This month, we have FREE counter-top composting bins to give away to the first 30 people that pledge to compost.   Just email the following information to info@sustainableballard.org.

1. Name
2. Email
3. Address (for delivery only)
4. Do you live in a condo/apartment?
5. Do you already have a composting bucket?
6. Do you want a free composting bucket delivered to you?

Frequently Asked Questions

• What if I don’t have a compost pile?   Putting compostables in the yard waste bin counts too.
• What if I want to pledge but I don’t want the bucket?   We still welcome your pledge!  This activity counts as outreach that will help Sustainable Ballard win Think Green money to share with community projects!
• I live in an apartment building and we don’t have yardwaste bins – can I still participate?   If your building doesn’t appear to have a bin, ask your landlord or property manager to provide one.  More information about composting at condos and apartments can be found here.
• Can I use the scraps for my chickens or worm bin instead of composting?   Absolutely!

Seattle Greendrinks invites you to their February gathering, sponsored by WeWork in South Lake Union, starting at 5:30pm. WeWork empowers entrepreneurs and small businesses to succeed by providing beautiful workspace, a collaborative community, accessible services and benefits. WeWork’s stunningly beautiful workspaces have everything you need to grow your business and be successful, including super fast Internet, connected conference rooms, and IT services. Members have access to these amenities at all WeWork locations across the country.

This will be a special Greendrinks, marking as it does a transition: Gabriel will be stepping down, after over 10.5 years, as organizer of Seattle Greendrinks. He is very excited to announce that Sustainable Seattle will be carrying on the convening of this community, and even more excited that this hand-off event will take place at WeWork, which is Gina’s new undertaking. We are super excited for the changes, and hope you can join us.

We are also excited to present the Dream Team of Cocktails with the collaborative efforts of Bluewater Organic Distilling, Finnriver Cidery, Starvation Alley Farms, and Snoqualmie Ice Cream, who are teaming up for local, organic, creative, cocktails that put the Green in Greendrinks.

Festivities start at 5:30pm. Suggested donation is five buckaroos. Please help us reduce waste – even compostable waste – by bringing your own mugs, wine glasses, and the like. Greendrinks pint glasses will be available for $10 at the door.

Ride your bike or take the bus! Or ride your bike to the bus! Click here to plan your trip to the event using Metro’s Trip Planner.

Major props and high fives and hoots of praise to our ongoing sponsors, The Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, Tonnemaker Family Orchard, The Essential Baking Company, and Chaco Canyon Cafe!

Please email for sponsorship information, or to volunteer, or to say hi.

Location

Find out who’s raising the bar for sustainability at the Sustainability Leadership Awards dinner in the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) on January 31. Sustainable Ballard President Jenny Heins and Bill Thorness of Solarize Seattle: Northwest have both been nominated for Sustainable Hero!

Check out all the nominees and register for the event here.

10–11am at Swanson’s Nursery

Hey kids, come plant your own mini-veggie garden with Swanson’s kids’ garden expert, Justin Brooks. You’ll learn how to sow yummy radishes and baby carrots in your portable take-home garden! Space is limited to 15 kids ages 6 and up. Call Swansons at 206-782-2543 to register. The $10 fee covers all materials used for your garden.

The City of Seattle is updating the Climate Action Plan, the city’s road map to becoming a carbon neutral city by 2050.

What can you do?

Share your feedback with the City: January 15 – February 28
Prioritize near-term city actions by completing this survey.

Attend one of these events:

Energy – Making Energy Use Visible
Tuesday, January 29, 6 – 8 p.m.
Yesler Community Center
917 E Yesler Way

Connecting Transportation & Land Use
Wednesday, February 6, 6 – 8 p.m.
Seattle Central Community College
Broadway Performance Hall Boardroom
1701 Broadway

Climate Change Open House
Tuesday, February 12, 6 – 8 p.m.
Bertha Knight Landes Room
Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Ave

Share your ideas online.

*This project is no longer active*

We’re excited to announce the start a great new way to support our community while having fun cooking with our Sustainable Ballard friends and neighbors!  Nyer Urness House, on 56th Street, is home to previously homeless men and women and managed by Compass Housing Alliance.

Once or twice a month we get a small team together who spends a few hours cooking and then serving dinner to NUH’s residents, in their beautiful facility.  It is rewarding and fun!