SOS Asheville

Fall 06 SOS Report 

TOPIC:  Green Roofs

Convenor: Cathy Holt              

Participants: Jonah Goldwag, Christina Nelson, Charlotte Anthony, Cathy Holt

Past History of this Topic (if applicable): At DSL, the Local Environment Group proposed green roofs as a strategy for
Asheville to save energy and mitigate stormwater. Since then, Robin
Cape (City Council) and Cathy Holt and Janell Kapoor have been organizing a campaign for a green roof on the Civic Center.

Key Discussion Points: Benefits of green roofs = savings of 20-30% in heating & cooling costs; absorb 50-95% of stormwater runoff, with slower and delayed release of water; roofing materials last 2-3 times longer; creation of habitat for birds, insects, etc.; beautify the landscape; reduce urban heat island effect; filter pollutants out of air. Costs: typically 1/3 – ½ higher than standard roof for extensive type, more for intensive with deeper soil, larger plants and human access. NC State has done a study of 4 green roofs in NC, including the one at the Arboretum. There is a new green roof at UNCA with another one planned. The Civic Center roof  would be extensive because of load bearing limitations and lack of easy access. Other buildings for possible green roofs: Blue Ridge Biofuels, David McConville’s building, the Fortune Building (Jonah)—a 3000 square foot restored building, and the parking lot next to the Civic Center. Germany is the world leader in green roofs; Chicago, Portland, Seattle, Washington DC, Atlanta, and New York City are leaders in the U.S. Chicago estimates it will save $100 million in energy alone with green roofs. ABTech will be teaching a green roofs class. Many jobs in horticulture, design, installation, materials, contracting. The EPA Clean Water Act sec. 319 provides funding for up to 60% of cost on municipal buildings.

Conclusions or Recommendations for Action:  Find out who are the local roofers, landscape architects, designers. Consider use of  bacteria (EM, mycorrhizal fungi, earthworm castings)  in place of compost in the growing medium, since it would not leach nutrients such as nitrates into the water. Involve Ashevillage Building Convergence in a project in
W. Asheville for a green roof. The Civic Center green roof project will meet on Monday, 9/18 at 5:30 pm at the home of Janell Kapoor.  Robin Cape and 4 people in the green building industry will be there.

Report #: 15

Name of Topic:  Making a living on the land in the city (on 5 acres or less)

Name of Leader:  Lynn Johnson           

Names of Participants:  Lynn, Liz, Claire, Debbie, Brenda

Previous story regarding this topic if there is one:  Lynn moved onto 5 acres in west Asheville in the city limits this spring.  North, Northeast and East facing forested slopes; 3 bulldozed housesites uptop; an acre +/- on the hominy creek (similar in size to the Swannanoa), recently bulldozed as part of FEMA “stream restoration”.  Co-stewarding with one other person.  Wondering what other people are doing to make a living on small acreage.

Highlights of Discussion (present story unfolding):

• What’s possible?

• Preserving the land

• Making money

• Bartering

• Giving it away

• 3 people can be better than 2 to make decisions

• Centerstrip of driveway gardening in bay area for fancy lettuces for local restaurants

• Findhorn sold fancy food to restaurants in france

• Teach what you’re passionate about

• Growing for slow foods restaurants

• Focus on 5 herbs/year.  In 10 years you’ll have 50 herbs, your personal and financial apothecary.

• Cut flowers and herbs sold lemonade stand-style

• Homestead in southern California.  Grows lots of food on small acreage.  Has an inspiring website and blog.  pathtofreedom.com or .org or .something.

• Sell excess to clients, festivals, farmers markets

• Selling watercress from creek on the land in Madison co.

• Wild berries

• Make the relationship connection

• Work party groups – small groups of 5 or less households holding roving work parties throughout the year

• Using big machines to get big landmoving work done now (as opposed to by hand over a long, long time)

• WWOOF-ing - willing workers on organic farms

• Conservation easements

• Land trusts

Report #: 9

Name of Topic: Urban Homesteading

Name of Leader:  Steve Arpin

Names of Participants:  Steve, Clare, Angela, Rainer, Gayatri, Valaria, Jim, Liz, Janelle, Cathy, etc.

Previous story regarding this topic if there is one:

Leader defined urban homesteading:  Live in urban environment producing much of own food, power and harvesting water for use.

There are various experiments with urban homesteading in Asheville, in varying degrees of development. Leader shared his urban homesteading experiments in West Asheville where he shares a 3 bedroom home on ½ acre with housemates interested in furthering the vision in a cooperative way. Homestead includes organic gardens, solar heating, water catchment, etc. Goats and bees had to be removed because of restrictive city ordinances.

Highlights of Discussion (present story unfolding):

Participants shared experiences with off-grid stories, including some desert living experiments. Questions arose about how to sustain a homestead in WNC in Leicester and Weaverville and other similar rural areas. How to relate to locals in mountain areas and wealthy newcomers in urban areas and communicate ideals and practical applications. How to reach out and bring benefits of sustainable community to wider community, including poor and elders, and to learn from accumulated wisdom of local elders.

Remember that change begins with oneself and as one makes one truth visible in the world, others may learn. Begin the dialog, gently yet honest with differences. Hold space for differences and look for common threads.

Future Action/Next Steps:

Some suggestions included:

Cooperative sharing, forming group to help one another, find ways to take political action to prepare for coming crises: peak oil, dangers of nuclear waste transport through ara,Neighborhood based meetings, porch-sitting conversations, sharing stories of visions and success and process with wider community through public access TV, etc.

Form neighbourhood work days, share land, resources, etc. cob workshops, adobe brick building, offer of facilitators.

Resources Required (who should be involved, finances, non-paid labour, other):

Sundance Solar

Alternative local currencies, Clayworks, Mother Earth News, Organic Volunteers.org, CAN, WOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms). Perma culture, etc.