As Cleveland considers how to transform from Rust Belt to Green Belt, it is grappling with questions like, how to deliver services to a smaller population and deal with economic and environmental issues? We have Re-imagining a More Sustainable Cleveland. Led by the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative and Neighborhood Planning, Inc., it's one of the more innovative approaches to how and where to apply sustainability to vacant land— whether its urban farming or greener stormwater capture. We also have a burgeoning effort by the city of Cleveland to plan for stormwater zones.

Being a shrinking city is an opportunity for Cleveland to adopt successful sustainability practices proven in other cities. Old ways of approaching the problem of aging infrastructure are just too costly. In Portland, the Green Streets program is an award-winning approach to activate treelawns and capture all of the stormwater before it ever hits the sewer. In Chicago, the city is replacing 13,000 aging alleyways with its Green Alleys. Since the alleys are not connected to the sewer system, the city found it more cost effective to apply a new technology that will filter water slowly back into the ground.

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Would you like to grow your own vegetables and not have them eaten by the deer?  Save money on expensive groceries and eat food that you trust?  Holly Moore Kowalski of the Avon-on-the-Lake Garden Club will share the plans for a community garden in Avon Lake and outline how residents can participate.

This is part of a series of events on environmental issues and actions hosted by Avon Lake Public Library and co-sponsored by the City Council Environmental Committee and the Environmental Affairs Advisory Board.

All interested gardeners and wanna-be gardeners are welcome.

Questions: 440.933.8128.

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An OEFFA workshop that will explore the basics of permaculture, a system of design that uses principles and processes found in nature to create food, fuel, and fiber for people, while caring for the earth and its inhabitants.

We’ll focus on edible forest gardens; gardens which look and function like forests and provide food for people in urban and rural homes alike. From the design through planting and care, expert designers Josh Beniston of Habitats Landscaping and Brett Joseph of Conneaut Creek Farm will teach us how to create such a garden anywhere. We’ll top it all off by getting our hands dirty and installing a garden within walking distance of the workshop.

$45 OEFFA members/ $60 non-members. Class size is limited so sign up early! Please bring your own brown bag lunch. To register, send your check, along with your name, address, phone number and email to: OEFFA Workshops, 41 Croswell Road, Columbus OH 43214. Questions can be directed to laura@oeffa.org or 614-421-2022.

What's your idea for reusing vacant land in Cleveland?

Neighborhood Progress, Inc. is working with the Urban Design Center of Northeast Ohio on strategies to put vacant land in Cleveland back into productive use. They held a charrette in May where planners pinpointed ideas—from test plots of plants that remove Lead from soil, an urban tree nursery, or growing food—for further exploration.

Read the summary of ideas from the Cleveland Land Lab charrette here.

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Organic Pest and Critter Control Management Seminar

Saturday, June 21st, 11:00a.m.

Speaker:

Dan Norris (Service Consultant, Certified Turf Grass Professional) - Good Nature Lawn Care

Topics Include:

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Learn the basics of sheet composting and asphalt gardening while while helping to create a new community garden. Bring your shovels and join this garden workshop run by Maurice Small of CityFresh. Rain or shine. Call 761-7935 or 220-5532 for details. http://www.gotthenac.org

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Natives, annuals, perennials, grasses, hanging baskets, 'Home-Grown' plants and more. Shop or pick up pre-sale orders from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Call (216) 321-5935 for information.

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In addition to the diverse selection of vegetable and flower varieties (all grown at Crown Point), events include farm tours, mini gardening workshops and children's activities.

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In addition to the diverse selection of vegetable and flower varieties (all grown at Crown Point), events include farm tours, mini gardening workshops and children's activities.

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Areas landscaped with perennial native plants that don’t mind getting “wet feet”, rain gardens are an attractive way to reduce the impact of stormwater on streams and Lake Erie. Rain gardens are designed to capture and filter stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces such as rooftops and driveways. Learn about these systems and take home a guidebook containing information on how to select a site, construct your own, what type of plants work best and more.

Visit www.oldwomancreek.org or call (419)433-4601 for more information.