Cleveland Cuyahoga County Food Policy Coalition meeting -- In this month's meeting we will have the opportunity to hear from Steering Committee members about their ideas for strengthening the local food system and the challenges they've identified through their work in the community. There will be presentations by:

• Joe Cimperman, Cleveland City Council, Ward 13
• Patricia Britt, Clerk of Council
• Jennifer Scofield, Deputy Commissioner of Public Health, CDPH
• David Beach, Director of the GreenCityBlueLake Institute at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Following the presentation by the Steering Committee, the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission will present their analyses of food deserts and fast food outlets in Cuyahoga County.

Speakers include Mayor Frank Jackson and Ward 5 Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland

For questions or additional information,  please contact Orlando Grant at 216-341-1455

Complementary Electric Energy Sources for the Near Future

Sierra Club, NEO Group

For more information, call 440-734-6660

The Cleveland Section of the Ohio Planning Conference is offering a distance learning series to OPC members and guests free of charge. This session covers:

This program covers all the essentials for BZA members and staff. The operation of the zoning board of adjustment and the challenges it faces are the focus of this training program. Presenters discuss the purposes of the board and how it conducts sound public meetings. BZA members will learn to take testimony, assess reports and presentations, and make the meetings accessible to all participants.

Please RSVP to Ann Klavora at ann.klavora@shakeronline.com or 216-491-1436.

Does Northeast Ohio have the ability, the resources, and the will to become a leader in sustainable business practices? Can we gain a long-term strategic advantage? Learn more about how marketing the Northeast Ohio region as a leader in the adoption of sustainable business practices can create wealth and opportunity. Be part of a lively discussion that may help you identify how a regional approach to sustainability can be a source of competitive advantage for your company.

Panelists
Sally Breyley Parker, President, Currere, Inc.
Brad Chase, The Center for Regional Sustainability (GreenCityBlueLake)

Ms. Parker and Mr. Chase have worked diligently to facilitate the adoption of a regional approach to sustainability. They will discuss the potential benefits and challenges the region faces in its efforts to develop and encourage the development of the infrastructure and the will necessary to encourage regional adoption of sustainable business practices.

Key topics include:
* How to identify and partner with key stakeholders
* Creating competitive advantage for the region
* Managing risk
* Being a “good” environmental steward while creating wealth and jobs for our citizens.

Register at: www.csuohio.edu/cba/mkt/noon or via email to: j.dorazio@csuohio.edu

Get updates from local leaders working to harness the wind off shore from Cleveland.

Moderator: Iwan Alexander, director, Great Lakes Institute for Energy Innovation

Panelists:

• David H. Matthiesen, associate professor, materials science and engineering, Case
• Loius L. McMahon, partner, environmental law, Thompson Hine LLP
• Richard Stuebi, BP fellow for energy and environmental advancement, The Cleveland Foundation
• Ricahrd Zachariason, CEO, juwi Wind US Corp.

For more information.

Learn about the actual design and construction cost premiums, savings, and paybacks from Dick Pace with actual numbers from his Baker Electrical Building and Independence Technology Center projects. Andrew Watterson will review the current and proposed City of Cleveland policies for sustainable design. What are the incentives, benefits, and restrictions for residential and commercial construction? Hear from Jim O'Connor of Heartland developers about the sustainable commitments they have for Avalon Station.

Refreshments and a tour will follow. Registration with ULI Cleveland by April 10th is required.

Climate change symposium with featured speakers including Lt. Governor Lee Fisher and Fred Krupp, President, Environment Defense Fund.

Fee. For information or register, go here or call 440-775-6785.

Learn how to develop Safe Routes to School programs that address community concerns about safety, health and traffic. A combination of encouragement, engineering and enforcement strategies are covered.

To RSVP, contact: mestes@city.cleveland.oh.us or call 216.664.3055

The show addresses how artists mix personal and public identity as they respond to the places in which they live. Curated by William Busta with assistance from Susan R. Channing.

The show runs through July 6.

For more information: 216-621-2314; www.spacesgallery.org or info@spacesgallery.org

“Go Organic” seminar and open house at Royalton Supply Landscape Center.  

Free “Organics 101” Seminar at 10 a.m. on what organic really is, why you should use organic landscaping products, how to properly apply them to your yard, and what products you will need this spring and throughout the season. The seminar will also include food and beverages, drawings to win Royalton Supply products, and complimentary trees in honor of Earth Day.

Seating is limited. RSVP to Lindsey Whited at 440-582-5200 or info@royaltonsupply.com.

Speaker: Perry Peskin

Fee: $5/member; $12/nonmember

Please register in advance: 216-721-1600 ext. 168 or http//www.cbgarden.org

The Earth Day Coalition's annual EarthFest celebration, Ohio's largest environmental education event.

In support of Earth Day 2008, Rice Environmental Services (RES) and Rice Oil Company are encouraging automotive do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) to positively impact the environment by properly disposing of their used automotive fluids and filters.  On Sunday, April 20, in conjunction with the City of Parma and VFW Post 1974, RES will collect and recycle used oil, used antifreeze and used oil filters from area DIYers in an effort to promote sustainability and prevent pollution of Northeast Ohio's natural resources.

In addition, everyone is encouraged to drop off gently used cell phones, Blackberries and Smartphones, which RES will send to Michigan for participation in the Cell Phones For Soldiers program -- a program that enables our troops overseas to phone friends and families at home for free.

The event will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the VFW Hall located at 4305 Woodrow Drive in Parma, Ohio.  The first 50 donators will receive up to four quarts of new motor oil and all participants will receive a hat for their contributions.  Hot dogs will be served with proceeds going toward the purchase and planting of trees in the Cleveland area.  For more information about the event, please call Rice Environmental Services at 1-800-589-RICE (7423) or visit www.1800589RICE.com/earthday.

Take a trolley tour of downtown Cleveland’s coolest residential properties, loft apartments and condos. Along the way, grab a bite, do some shopping and see first hand why so many people are making the decision to move downtown. Trolleys pick up and drop off at a choice of 18 sites. For tix and info, call 771-8088.

 For more information, watch for ads in The Plain Dealer, or visit www.cleveland.com/ilovedowntown

Personal computers including CPUs, monitors, and printers can be dropped off at participating city service departments throughout Cuyahoga County.

 For local collection information, call your city service department or contact the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District at 216-443-3749 or www.cuyahogaswd.org

 All computers will be recycled by RET3 job corp., a local non-profit organization

Land use working group meeting of the Cleveland Cuyahoga County Food Policy Coalition.

City Fresh Mondays, a monthly gathering of folks that want to learn, dialogue, and collaborate around issues of food, health, community development, and the environment. Hosted by the New Agrarian Center and the Great Lakes Brewing Company.

This month's topic : Food Systems and Climate Change

Facilitators: David Benzing, Professor of Biology, Oberlin College, and Joe Logan, President of Ohio Farmers Union

Description: Over the past couple of months, we have seen an alarming growth of food access issues globally. At the core of rising food prices are rising fuel prices and changes in climate that have produced difficult growing conditions in some parts of the world. How will a transition to a post-carbon economy affect our approach to food systems? Can local food systems provide a proactive response to climate change? What are some of the dynamics of climate change and what might climate models suggest about impacts on food systems in Northeast Ohio? How can farmers provide a proactive role in growing materials for renewable energy or sequestering atmospheric carbon.

Personal computers including CPUs, monitors, and printers can be dropped off at participating city service departments throughout Cuyahoga County.

 For local collection information, call your city service department or contact the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District at 216-443-3749 or www.cuyahogaswd.org

 All computers will be recycled by RET3 job corp., a local non-profit organization

Throughout Earth Day Week, April 22-26, 2008 in San Francisco, CA, the Ecocity World Summit (7th International Ecocity Conference) will be convening an international community of inspired change-makers; courageous individuals who are addressing problems of the world's environment with thoughtful long-range solutions that are truly sustainable, ecologically healthy and socially just. The International Ecocity Conference Series brings together the key innovators, decision makers, technologists, businesses and organizations shaping the conversation around ecological and sustainable city, town and village design, planning and development.

Registration information.

Ohio Environmental Council's 2008 Environmental Lobby Day. Lobby your state elected officials for cleaner and safer communities, cleaner air and water, and a new commitment to cleaner, renewable energy.

For more information and to register, go here.

Andrew Winston, corporate environmental strategist and author of Green to Gold delivers the keynote address at the 2008 Material Handling show. Winston will provide a compelling blueprint for how forward thinking companies can address critical environmental supply chain issues, from climate change to energy to water, and improve their performance, gain competitive advantage, and increase profits.

For more information, click here.

Ohio State University will host Wooster’s first annual Scarlet, Gray and Green Fair from 1-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22 — Earth Day.

Organized by the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) and the Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute (Ohio State ATI), the event aims to celebrate, educate and demonstrate that it’s “easy being green.”

Showcasing eco-oriented exhibits, demonstrations, companies, artisans, speakers, entertainers and food vendors all in one place.

Featured, among other things, will be the benefits of bicycling, biodiesel and how it works, planting a rain garden, building a rain barrel, recycling yard waste, organic fertilizer and pest control, enviroscaping, the benefits of trees, how to turn trash into attractive handicrafts, estimating one’s carbon footprint, a green-campus design competition (grades 9-12), an environmental stewardship essay competition (grades 11-12), an ecological yardscape competition (open to all), a “Kilowatt Ours” energy challenge, and Earth Day poster, display, skit, poem and video competitions (grades 1-12).

For more information, contact Allen Zimmerman, (330) 287-1263 or zimmerman.7@osu.edu, or go to http://www.wcsen.org/wcsggf.

Rally for Green Manufacturing Jobs presented by 10,000 Little Ideas to Believe in Cleveland.

Did you know? Wind power provides the most cost-effective, non-polluting, renewable energy source. Ohio is ranked 2nd (behind California) in wind manufacturing capacity. Northeast Ohio could gain 12,000 new wind turbine jobs. Investment in wind turbine manufacturing will help secure over 80,000 Ohio jobs currently in the wind industry.

Show your support to create green manufacturing jobs in Northeast Ohio on April 22 at the Wind Turbine at the Great Lakes Science Center. Petitions will be distributed for signatures and sent to Columbus to push renewal energy legislation in Ohio. T-shirts will be available at the event or online for a donation.

Can't attend? Sign the petition online at www.10000littleideas.com.

Award-winning designer, curator, and founding director of slowLab Carolyn Strauss has emerged as an innovator in the concept of slow design as a fertile, holistic framework to understand and advance sustainable design.

Fee. Part of MOCA's Talalay Lecture Series.

Broadcast of the new documentary film, "The Return of the Cuyahoga" on WVIZ/PBS ideastream.

More on the film.

Personal computers including CPUs, monitors, and printers can be dropped off at participating city service departments throughout Cuyahoga County.

 For local collection information, call your city service department or contact the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District at 216-443-3749 or www.cuyahogaswd.org

 All computers will be recycled by RET3 job corp., a local non-profit organization

Throughout Earth Day Week, April 22-26, 2008 in San Francisco, CA, the Ecocity World Summit (7th International Ecocity Conference) will be convening an international community of inspired change-makers; courageous individuals who are addressing problems of the world's environment with thoughtful long-range solutions that are truly sustainable, ecologically healthy and socially just. The International Ecocity Conference Series brings together the key innovators, decision makers, technologists, businesses and organizations shaping the conversation around ecological and sustainable city, town and village design, planning and development.

Registration information.

West Shore commuter rail planning meeting with speaker Donald J. Emerson, Principal Consultant, Parsons Brinckerhoff  speaking on "Economic, energy and environmental challenges to federal transportation policy."

Contact: Ken Prendergast at All Aboard Ohio, 216-288-4883.

Student designs in industrial, communications and interior designs. See their work and interview them for internships and full time positions.

Reception: April 25 - 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. RSVP: events@cia.edu

CWRU Weatherhead's Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit (B.A.W.B.) invites you to a public and important conversation on business opportunities and energy independence as part of the semi-annual Fairmount Minerals Colloquium Series. What does the surging price of oil mean for the future of business? What new opportunities arise for the future of sustainability? How are they relevant for current business leaders, faculty, and students?

Join us for a discussion on "Business Opportunities in Achieving Energy Independence" with guest Speaker, Rinaldo Brutoco, President and Founder, World Business Academy. Chuck Fowler, President and CEO of Fairmount Minerals and Weatherhead EMBA '90 graduate, will moderate this series. A reception will follow.

More information.

A two-day I-Open workshop

Welcome to the new world of economic development based on networks. Learn the leadership skills you need to strengthen collaboration in your community and region. Here is an innovative, tested approach to building collaboration for economic and workforce development. Gain the insights, roadmaps and tools you need to develop new ideas and translate them into action. Strategic doing is a new approach to building the civic networks that your community and region need to prosper in the future.

This workshop is ideal for innovative civic leaders who want to expand their perspectives on economic and workforce development. Anyone who must lead a community or region in developing strategies for economic development and workforce development needs new analytic tools to understand how they can have the most impact.

Workshop Details:

When: April 23 - 25, 2008

April 23: Arrive at 6:00 pm on for a kickoff dinner and networking

April 24: All day workshop and dinner

April 25: One-half day workshop and lunch. Adjourn at 2:00 pm

Register online at 123 Signup

Send your check to: The Institute for Open Economic Networks (I-Open), Cleveland Midtown Innovation Center, 4415 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

Personal computers including CPUs, monitors, and printers can be dropped off at participating city service departments throughout Cuyahoga County.

 For local collection information, call your city service department or contact the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District at 216-443-3749 or www.cuyahogaswd.org

 All computers will be recycled by RET3 job corp., a local non-profit organization

Throughout Earth Day Week, April 22-26, 2008 in San Francisco, CA, the Ecocity World Summit (7th International Ecocity Conference) will be convening an international community of inspired change-makers; courageous individuals who are addressing problems of the world's environment with thoughtful long-range solutions that are truly sustainable, ecologically healthy and socially just. The International Ecocity Conference Series brings together the key innovators, decision makers, technologists, businesses and organizations shaping the conversation around ecological and sustainable city, town and village design, planning and development.

Registration information.

Student designs in industrial, communications and interior designs. See their work and interview them for internships and full time positions.

Reception: April 25 - 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. RSVP: events@cia.edu

A two-day I-Open workshop

Welcome to the new world of economic development based on networks. Learn the leadership skills you need to strengthen collaboration in your community and region. Here is an innovative, tested approach to building collaboration for economic and workforce development. Gain the insights, roadmaps and tools you need to develop new ideas and translate them into action. Strategic doing is a new approach to building the civic networks that your community and region need to prosper in the future.

This workshop is ideal for innovative civic leaders who want to expand their perspectives on economic and workforce development. Anyone who must lead a community or region in developing strategies for economic development and workforce development needs new analytic tools to understand how they can have the most impact.

Workshop Details:

When: April 23 - 25, 2008

April 23: Arrive at 6:00 pm on for a kickoff dinner and networking

April 24: All day workshop and dinner

April 25: One-half day workshop and lunch. Adjourn at 2:00 pm

Register online at 123 Signup

Send your check to: The Institute for Open Economic Networks (I-Open), Cleveland Midtown Innovation Center, 4415 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

Workshop on emerging energy technologies that can promote industrial revitalization in Ohio. Sponsored by the University Clean Energy Alliance of Ohio.

Registration information.

What will a new Ohio RPS law look like? How can wind power bring billions to Ohio's economy? What's up with Ohio advanced energy grants?

Ohio policymakers, business and institutional power users, energy professionals, community leaders, and consumers are invited to attend this day-long Central Ohio workshop co-hosted by Green Energy Ohio and the Ohio Department of Development Office of Energy Efficiency. Experts will review and discuss of Ohio renewable energy policy and legislation. Ohio case studies on wind, solar electric and thermal systems, and biomass are featured, along with companies providing renewable energy development, consulting and system installation, sustainable design, and energy efficiency products and services will be displayed in the exhibit area.

Registration.

Alliance for the Great Lakes brings its popular Adopt-a-beach program to Cleveland. Training sessions teach volunteers to conduct water monitoring, collect important beach data and educate about beach health. This session will take place indoors and at the beach.

To RSVP, contact adoptabeach@greatlakes.org or Tricia Piper at 312-939-0838 x 221.

Find out what’s going on in the watershed, and what else the Council has planned over the next few months. Miles Reed, former RRWC Board Member and host of "The Natural World Around Us with Miles Reed," will give a presentation entitled “Wildlife of the Rocky River Watershed.”

More information.

Join members of CWRU’s sustainability team this Thursday evening and get to know some of the ways CWRU is meeting the challenges of climate, energy, and sustainability.

Tour Case’s newest residential complex, which has recently been awarded LEED Silver certification for the complex as a whole, and LEED Gold for Building 5, by the US Green Building Council. Go behind the scenes with the features that make these residence halls environmentally friendly, energy all-stars, and such great places to live!

RSVPs appreciated.

Personal computers including CPUs, monitors, and printers can be dropped off at participating city service departments throughout Cuyahoga County.

 For local collection information, call your city service department or contact the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District at 216-443-3749 or www.cuyahogaswd.org

 All computers will be recycled by RET3 job corp., a local non-profit organization

Throughout Earth Day Week, April 22-26, 2008 in San Francisco, CA, the Ecocity World Summit (7th International Ecocity Conference) will be convening an international community of inspired change-makers; courageous individuals who are addressing problems of the world's environment with thoughtful long-range solutions that are truly sustainable, ecologically healthy and socially just. The International Ecocity Conference Series brings together the key innovators, decision makers, technologists, businesses and organizations shaping the conversation around ecological and sustainable city, town and village design, planning and development.

Registration information.

Student designs in industrial, communications and interior designs. See their work and interview them for internships and full time positions.

Reception: April 25 - 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. RSVP: events@cia.edu

A two-day I-Open workshop

Welcome to the new world of economic development based on networks. Learn the leadership skills you need to strengthen collaboration in your community and region. Here is an innovative, tested approach to building collaboration for economic and workforce development. Gain the insights, roadmaps and tools you need to develop new ideas and translate them into action. Strategic doing is a new approach to building the civic networks that your community and region need to prosper in the future.

This workshop is ideal for innovative civic leaders who want to expand their perspectives on economic and workforce development. Anyone who must lead a community or region in developing strategies for economic development and workforce development needs new analytic tools to understand how they can have the most impact.

Workshop Details:

When: April 23 - 25, 2008

April 23: Arrive at 6:00 pm on for a kickoff dinner and networking

April 24: All day workshop and dinner

April 25: One-half day workshop and lunch. Adjourn at 2:00 pm

Register online at 123 Signup

Send your check to: The Institute for Open Economic Networks (I-Open), Cleveland Midtown Innovation Center, 4415 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

Come celebrate Arbor Day at The Holden Arboretum. Northeastern Ohio’s premier source of tree knowledge invites you to experience the beauty and mystique of trees with free admission this Arbor Day weekend. Bring the kids for a tree scavenger hunt. Wander through Holden’s collections to see great examples of trees that will grow and show well in your backyard.

Take home a tree
This year Holden will give away 235 ‘Leonard Messel' magnolias. These trees produce a stunning pink flowered magnolia flower in the spring and can reach heights of 15-20 feet. Limit one tree per family.

Twenty marketing education students at Beachwood, Mayfield and Richmond Heights high schools are hosting this "Green Dream” showcase to feature green ideas in art, music, home makeovers, a light bulb exchange, organic food and exhibitor displays ranging from geothermal technology to environmentally friendly weddings.

Proceeds from the event will be used to build the “Ultimate Green Classroom” at Beachwood High School.

For more information, call 216/831-2028, ext. 236.

Cleveland Metroparks is hosting the fifth annual North Coast Nature Festival Friday through Sunday, April 25 - 27, 2008 at Rocky River Nature Center in Rocky River Reservation in North Olmsted.

Friday night will feature two presentations by nationally-acclaimed nature photographer Rod Planck, and Saturday and Sunday will feature a variety of other nature talks, nature programs conducted by Cleveland Metroparks staff, and demonstrations and exhibits by local nature organizations, artists and vendors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., both days.

Cleveland Metroparks North Coast Nature Festival celebrates the earth’s reawakening. The month of April is a glorious time for bird watching and discovering the spectacular beauty of spring flowers and wildlife that make Northeast Ohio their home.

Personal computers including CPUs, monitors, and printers can be dropped off at participating city service departments throughout Cuyahoga County.

 For local collection information, call your city service department or contact the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District at 216-443-3749 or www.cuyahogaswd.org

 All computers will be recycled by RET3 job corp., a local non-profit organization

Throughout Earth Day Week, April 22-26, 2008 in San Francisco, CA, the Ecocity World Summit (7th International Ecocity Conference) will be convening an international community of inspired change-makers; courageous individuals who are addressing problems of the world's environment with thoughtful long-range solutions that are truly sustainable, ecologically healthy and socially just. The International Ecocity Conference Series brings together the key innovators, decision makers, technologists, businesses and organizations shaping the conversation around ecological and sustainable city, town and village design, planning and development.

Registration information.

Come celebrate Arbor Day at The Holden Arboretum. Northeastern Ohio’s premier source of tree knowledge invites you to experience the beauty and mystique of trees with free admission this Arbor Day weekend. Bring the kids for a tree scavenger hunt. Wander through Holden’s collections to see great examples of trees that will grow and show well in your backyard.

Take home a tree
This year Holden will give away 235 ‘Leonard Messel' magnolias. These trees produce a stunning pink flowered magnolia flower in the spring and can reach heights of 15-20 feet. Limit one tree per family.

Cleveland Metroparks is hosting the fifth annual North Coast Nature Festival Friday through Sunday, April 25 - 27, 2008 at Rocky River Nature Center in Rocky River Reservation in North Olmsted.

Friday night will feature two presentations by nationally-acclaimed nature photographer Rod Planck, and Saturday and Sunday will feature a variety of other nature talks, nature programs conducted by Cleveland Metroparks staff, and demonstrations and exhibits by local nature organizations, artists and vendors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., both days.

Cleveland Metroparks North Coast Nature Festival celebrates the earth’s reawakening. The month of April is a glorious time for bird watching and discovering the spectacular beauty of spring flowers and wildlife that make Northeast Ohio their home.

This expo is taking place during the North Union Farmers Market, so partipants will have the opportunity to buy locally grown produce while visiting booths promoting a sustainable future for our region. For more information, contact ReZina at 216-421-2100 or rezina@shad.org.

To volunteer, log onto www.midtowncleveland.org/events to register

Cleveland Public Power (CPP) and Home Depot will detail energy efficiency and conservation initiatives with easy step-by-step methods.

Tonight's topic is: How to conserve energy from enhancing, upgrading and/or replacing.

These four Home Depot locations will offer the same clinic on the same day:

• Berea Road - 11901 Berea Road, Cleveland, OH 44111
• Brook Park – 10800 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44130
• Steelyard Commons – 3355 Steel Yard Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109
• East 200th Street – 877 East 200th Street, Cleveland, OH 44119

To sign up for any of these clinics call Cleveland Public Power at 216-420-7704 ext 235.

Lecture at the Cleveland Botanical Garden by Perry Peskin, a retired teacher, who has spent more than 30 years searching for rare and endangered plants within natural habitats. Join this lecture and slide presentation featuring photographs from Peskin’s book, The Search for Lost Habitats.

Please register in advance online or by calling 216.721.1600 x168.

Personal computers including CPUs, monitors, and printers can be dropped off at participating city service departments throughout Cuyahoga County.

 For local collection information, call your city service department or contact the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District at 216-443-3749 or www.cuyahogaswd.org

 All computers will be recycled by RET3 job corp., a local non-profit organization

Come celebrate Arbor Day at The Holden Arboretum. Northeastern Ohio’s premier source of tree knowledge invites you to experience the beauty and mystique of trees with free admission this Arbor Day weekend. Bring the kids for a tree scavenger hunt. Wander through Holden’s collections to see great examples of trees that will grow and show well in your backyard.

Take home a tree
This year Holden will give away 235 ‘Leonard Messel' magnolias. These trees produce a stunning pink flowered magnolia flower in the spring and can reach heights of 15-20 feet. Limit one tree per family.

Cleveland Metroparks is hosting the fifth annual North Coast Nature Festival Friday through Sunday, April 25 - 27, 2008 at Rocky River Nature Center in Rocky River Reservation in North Olmsted.

Friday night will feature two presentations by nationally-acclaimed nature photographer Rod Planck, and Saturday and Sunday will feature a variety of other nature talks, nature programs conducted by Cleveland Metroparks staff, and demonstrations and exhibits by local nature organizations, artists and vendors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., both days.

Cleveland Metroparks North Coast Nature Festival celebrates the earth’s reawakening. The month of April is a glorious time for bird watching and discovering the spectacular beauty of spring flowers and wildlife that make Northeast Ohio their home.

Rain barrels are a great way to capture the pure rain water that garden plants prefer, free of salts and other additives found in our city water. Workshop fee includes the materials and instruction for constructing one rain barrel. The benefits of rainwater harvesting will also be covered.

To register call 216-321-5935 x 225

Rain barrels are a great way to capture the pure rain water that garden plants prefer, free of salts and other additives found in our city water. Workshop fee includes the materials and instruction for constructing one rain barrel. The benefits of rainwater harvesting will also be covered.

To register or 216.321.5935 ext 225

Personal computers including CPUs, monitors, and printers can be dropped off at participating city service departments throughout Cuyahoga County.

 For local collection information, call your city service department or contact the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District at 216-443-3749 or www.cuyahogaswd.org

 All computers will be recycled by RET3 job corp., a local non-profit organization

Cleveland-area meeting to learn how you can support the renewal of the Clean Ohio Bond Fund, which provides funding for greenspace conservation, farmland protection, greenways, and brownfield redevelopment. The renewal will be on the November ballot.

More information.

Personal computers including CPUs, monitors, and printers can be dropped off at participating city service departments throughout Cuyahoga County.

 For local collection information, call your city service department or contact the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District at 216-443-3749 or www.cuyahogaswd.org

 All computers will be recycled by RET3 job corp., a local non-profit organization

You are invited to attend a media conference in Cleveland which will announce the first round of grant recipients of the ArcelorMittal Great Lakes Watershed Restoration Program launched earlier this year. Administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, this program represents a collaborative effort with federal partners U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USDA Forest Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The Ohio Business Council for Sustainable Development, an affiliate of the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development, presents a workshop on by-product synergy (BPS)opportunities (the practice of matching producers of by-products or waste streams with potential users).

For more information, contact the OSU Center for Resilience.

The Center for Resilience has been working with the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development , the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio, the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the City of Columbus, and other groups to develop BPS networks in Ohio.

Increase your green reading power and attend the Rent Party for the Bookstore on W.25th. This independent store has weathered 32 years in Ohio City, offering an esoteric collection of books. Live folk music and poetry readings will accompany the bargains and discounts available on many of these rare books.

Sponsored by Olmsted Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Face painting, earth games, activities and crafts! Come and learn how to make paper! Eat hot dogs cooked from Solar Power. Learn to make a Rain Barrel to collect rain water. Pony rides available for a small fee. Learn how OUUC, a historic church built in 1847, is going green.

Buckeye Forest Council community meeting for the Greater Cleveland area at Geauga West Library in Chesterland.

The meeting will be held on April 29 with two times from 2-5 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. The meeting will cover what the Buckeye Forest Council does, current issues and how the community can help.

Richard Shatten Public Policy Competition and Awards, featuring Case students who studied the costs and benefits of rehabilitating the old Coast Guard Station on Whiskey Island. Guest speaker is Chris Warren, chief of regional development for the City of Cleveland.

Reservations and more information at 216-592-2287.

Personal computers including CPUs, monitors, and printers can be dropped off at participating city service departments throughout Cuyahoga County.

 For local collection information, call your city service department or contact the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District at 216-443-3749 or www.cuyahogaswd.org

 All computers will be recycled by RET3 job corp., a local non-profit organization

4th Annual Rail/Transit Legislative Summit sponsored by All Aboard Ohio. This year's summit will be held in Columbus on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008.

Go here to see the agenda and to register.

Come see what could be the greenhouse of the future as the Cleveland Botanical Garden and Kent State University embark on a collaborative partnership exploring the potential of liquid crystal technology for creating more sustainable, energy-efficient greenhouses.

Two greenhouses located in front of the Garden on Wade Oval will be used to begin the experiment. One contains the liquid crystal panels, and the other (a control) has plain glass. A demonstration will reveal how the panes "switch" to manage the amount of sunlight that enters the greenhouse.

Join the Garden and Kent State as they unveil this pioneering research project.

For owners, managers and contractors working in HUD subsidized properties

Presenter: Tom Neltner, J.D., Director of Training and Education, National Center for Health Housing.

Sponsored by Environmental Health Watch & Cleveland Tenants organizations - Tenants for Healthy Housing Project

Approved by the Ohio Department of Agriculture for 1.5 Recertification Credits

For more information, call the Cleveland Tenants Organization at 216-432-0617

Presentation by Archbishop Migliore, Vatican Ambassador to the United Nations.

For more information contact Lyn Schott at lschott@sthilarychurch.org or 330-867-1055 ext217

Ben Cipiti is the author of The Energy Construct and graduate of Kenston High School. Cipiti will participate in this month's conversation via the Web.

For more information.

The College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State University has been a long time advocate of sustainable design education, research, and practice and, for the last two years, an adopter of Edward Mazria’s 2030 architectural challenge to design buildings that approach carbon neutrality. In response to the challenge this event will take place to celebrate the fourth year comprehensive design studio by exhibiting the students work.

The projects presented will demonstrate the use of passive and active climate responsive design principles to create a highly efficient facility while trying to achieve a livable, comfortable and healthy environment in harmony with the place in which the project is perceived. This project explores the use of different simulation software and design tools and methods to achieve and evaluate climate-based strategies. Students explored the use of innovative materials, lighting, HVAC, water conservation, and structural systems to achieve these goals.

River Rally is an intensive, interactive four-day training and networking opportunity with 70 sessions on a variety of timely topics.

This is the first time this national gathering is happening in the Great Lakes Basin.

For more information. 

Learn more about our meeting and register for free at

http//www.glu.org/agm2008

River Rally is an intensive, interactive four-day training and networking opportunity with 70 sessions on a variety of timely topics.

This is the first time this national gathering is happening in the Great Lakes Basin.

For more information. 

Visit Dike 14 Nature Preserve for a morning of fun and recreation. Normally closed to the public, this 88 acre wildlife haven will be open to the public.  Guided hour-long birding hikes offered at 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.; self-guided tours from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Dike 14 Environmental Education Collaborative member organizations will be stationed along the trails to answer questions and provide environmental interpretation. For more information call (216) 321-5935 ext. 233 or visit www.dike14.org

FarmLink celebrates its first year with a "Speed Dating" workshop to encourage farm owners and farm seekers to take the next step in land transfer. The event is May 3rd, and will be in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park from 9am until noon.

Participants will meet one on one to discuss their vision for the land, and how to keep it in agriculture. Experts from Northeast Ohio will be in attendance to meet with owners and seekers to address topics such as business planning, start-up capital, estate planning, marketing and more. This event is will help individuals find answers to their particular challenge in keeping land in active agriculture in our region.

Free for registered FarmLink participants. To register, get more information or to RSVP by April 28, call Chris Norman at 330-657-2529 or email him here.

Zachary Rinkes, Erie County OSU Extension Agent will help participants identify invasive plant species and discuss control methods. No registration required. Call 419-433-4601 or e-mail info@oldwomancreek.org for more information.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's 4th annual black-tie gala with special guest Don Plusquellic, Mayor of Akron. Special honors to Rep. Ralph Regula.

Call 1-800-468-4070 ext. 3099 for details. 

River Rally is an intensive, interactive four-day training and networking opportunity with 70 sessions on a variety of timely topics.

This is the first time this national gathering is happening in the Great Lakes Basin.

For more information. 

River Rally is an intensive, interactive four-day training and networking opportunity with 70 sessions on a variety of timely topics.

This is the first time this national gathering is happening in the Great Lakes Basin.

For more information. 

Breakfast at River Rally - Join us for breakfast and debriefing

Topics: what have we gained and where we go from here; building a vision for the Lake Erie LaMP Public Forum

No cost for breakfast, but attendees must work, reside, or volunteer within Lake Erie Basin

Registration through Ohio Environmental Council, contact Cheryl Johncox, Cheryl@theOEC.org or 614-487-7506 to reserve your place.

RSVP Deadline: April 17, 2008

Click here for directions: www.rivernetwork.org/rn/rally/

Help raise funds for Walk + Roll. The networking event will include bicycle riders who also happen to be some of Cleveland’s change makers, movers and shakers.

Special drink prices – Healthy fare – Prize drawings. Have fun and make connections while supporting a healthier, cleaner, more vibrant and more active Greater Cleveland.

More information.

The annual statewide historic preservation and community revitalization conference of Heritage Ohio.

Registration information.

Learn about the growth of the water industry and its impact on Cleveland. Also, find out what it means to “Go Green” and what you can do to help protect the environment.

Speakers: Alex Margevicius, Assistant Commissioner of Water and Andrew Watterson, Program Director, Sustainability Program at the city of Cleveland.

The annual statewide historic preservation and community revitalization conference of Heritage Ohio.

Registration information.

The annual statewide historic preservation and community revitalization conference of Heritage Ohio.

Registration information.

The second meeting for the Train Avenue Greenway. Be a part of the discussion about how this historic roadway can better serve to connect five West Side Cleveland neighborhoods & the Towpath Trail.

Habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and disease all threaten the amphibian’s survival. “Toad-ily Frogs” exhibit is part of the “Year of the Frog” initiative devoted to helping save amphibians from extinction.

Get an overview of amphibian biology, their habitat and the roles they play within natural systems. High-speed videos of amphibians feeding.

Kent State’s Interior Design graduating seniors will feature their work in this exhibit. Opening and awards ceremony (6 pm).

Join the Friends of Old Woman Creek for a walk along the trail looking for spring migrants such as warblers, thrushes, and vireos. Terrain: gravel/paved trails, boardwalk, hills, stairs Length: 1.5 miles All bird enthusiasts welcome! Call (419) 433-4601 or e-mail info@oldwomancreek.org for more information.