April 26th, 2009: World's First Compostable Chip Bag???

If you're anxiously waiting for next year's Recycled Art Faire, there's something special you should also look out for. On Earth Day 2010, SunChips® will be introducing its new 100% biodegradable chip bag. That's right! The bag will completely decompose within 14 weeks when placed inside an active compost bin or pile. DavisRISE is by no means associated with SunChips®, but this news is far too exciting to not share. Check out this awesome video of the incredicle disappearing bag:

But wait, that's not all! National Geographic has partnered up with SunChips® to bring the you the Green Effect™. The Green Effect™ is a contest and an initiative to inspire individuals to spark a green movement in their communities. In 250 words or less, submit a description by June 8, 2009 of your idea on how to make a "green" difference in your community. The winners will be chosen by a distinguished panel of judges and online viewers. National Geographic and SunChips will award $20,000 to five inviduals or groups for the best green ideas. Find out more at http://www.greeneffect.com.

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April 14th, 2009: Introducing the new Recycled Art Faire online registration form.

Here at DavisRISE, we like to promote a "paperless" theme. Therefore, we've developed an online form so visitors can apply electronically for the Recycled Art Faire! Take a look at the contest section on the right side for a link to get started.

Unfortunately, we regret that this section of our website was not developed in time as the deadline for registration has passed. We strongly encourage everyone to participate in next year's Recycled Art Faire.

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April 7th, 2009: Earth Day 2009 is approaching fast!

Every year on April 22nd, millions of people around the world celebrate Earth Day. In 1969, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin called for a demonstration on overpopulation to raise awareness and appreciation for the Earth's fragile environment. This event was to take place on April 22nd the following year. What started as a nationwide grassroot movement against overpopulation, is now a globally recognized event that's observed by national governments in 170 countries.

As with the previous years, DavisRISE (in partnership with local and state agencies and businesses) will be holding the fourth annual Recycled Art Faire to honor Earth Day and Arbor Day. This event will be held between 4:30-7 pm at Central Park in Davis. Everyone is encouraged to sign up for the Recycled Art Faire and it's free to enter! In addition, we will also be celebrating Davis' 31st year as a "Tree City, USA" and Davis' 3rd year of receiving the Arbor Day Foundation's Growth Award. There will be games, musical entertainment, arts & crafts, and tons of other activities. So come out this year and have a wonderful day celebrating all that our Earth has to offer!

You can read the full Press Release by following this link: Earth Day 2009

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March 15, 2009: The Green School Initiative

The Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) has begun to introduce a new program into its schools: the "Green School Initiative". According to the U.S. Green Building Council, a "green school" is a building or facility that creates a healthy environment, and is conducive to learning while saving energy, resources, and money. The DJUSD is currently developing a section on their website dedicated to facilitating the transition to "green schools" in the DJUSD.

Aside from the potentially significant cost savings in utilities, "green schools" also provide students with an interactive approach to learning about the environment. Imagine the school building as a laboratory with learning devices built into its infrastructure.

As examples, picture learning opportunities such as these:
• Students growing in student gardens, the organic fruits and vegetables they eat for lunch
  • Discovering the basic biological and chemical processes occurring within their gardens
  • Learning about the socio-economic benefits of eating organic and local foods
• Capturing rain water to construct typical small wetlands
  • Learning about the benefits of wetlands and their role in nature
    
  • Observing the wildlife that gathers in wetland environments
  • Learning about the environmental effects of storm runoff
• Students managing the solar equipment on their school roof
  • Learning about the importance of solar power as alternative energy
  • Calculating solar flux and what it means
    
  • Creating artwork about renewable energy
  • Using solar ovens for cooking or creating artwork
    
• Students constructing sustainable buildings or models, which
  
• Provides students with hands-on contruction experience
• Develops the architectural or design potential of students

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March 12, 2009: Recycling Competition

Congratulations to our DavisRISE program and Davis Farm to School Connection (DF2SC) on receiving the national Recycling Bin Grant: a program sponsored by the National Recycling Coalition and the Coca-Cola Company. DavisRISE was only one of five programs in California (out of as many as 1,400 total national applicants) to receive this grant. We received 50 new clear-stream lightweight containers designed for recycling bottles and cans in addition to national recognition!.

To celebrate this coveted award, DavisRISE and the Davis Joint Unified School District are launching the "We Are Greater Green" competition. Beginning January 20th until the end of June 2009, four Davis secondary schools will compete to see which school site will collect the most bottles and cans in terms of volume. These four schools are Harper Junior High, Holmes Junior High, Emerson Junior High, and Davis Senior High. The winning team will be awarded a perpetual trophy, letters of recognition, and a check for $200 to be spent at their school's discretion.

Good luck to all the participants!

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March 10, 2009

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