Green Life
Our Silver Springs Community
LIVING GREEN
Willow Creek c. 1976 - The Silver Springs Community
People work better when where they live is better. We are so fortunate to live in this diverse and inspiring mountain meadow, governed by the unity of nature herself. — Vern Hardman
Silver Springs began as a wetlands area. The years since 2002 have been drought years by diminished rainfall. Also homes and condos continue to be built on both sides of Highway 224 and “uphill” in The Canyons development, etc., our water supply has become critically impacted. The Summit County Special Service Water District - Mountain Regional Water - is now the most expensive water in Utah. These are other factors necessitate careful conservation and responsible use of this precious resource. Silver Springs Community residents have responded and several have included xeriscaping in their conservation efforts.
NorthShore xeriscaping - water thrifty plantings
Best Green Blogs Directory — http://www.bestgreenblogs.com/
Old Farmer’s Almanac — http://www.almanac.com/weather/
Weather predications, timing for gardening, short-range and long-range weather, etc.
WIND POWER - Support http://www.pickensplan.com/theplan/ The Pickens Plan District Leader for UT-01 and zip code 84098 is Joel Wilson…..
Here is the list of items which are included in the newly passed Obama stimulus package:
- A 3-year Production Tax Credit (PTC) extension through the end of 2012
- An option to elect a 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) in place of the PTC
- An option to convert the Investment Tax Credit into a grant for projects placed in service in 2009, or 2010, or placed in service before 2013 provided construction begins in 2009 or 2010
- A new $6 billion Department of Energy renewable energy and transmission loan guarantee program, which should fund around $60 billion in principal amount of guaranteed loans
- Authority for the Western Area Power Administration to borrow up to $3.25 billion from the Treasury to build renewable transmission lines in the western United States, including western Texas
Dwarf-bear poppies - local endangered plant species
Trees are critical to our environment. One acre of trees will sequester about 2.5 tons of carbon annually. Depending on location, species, size, and condition, shade from trees can reduce utility bills for air conditioning in residences by 15-50 percent. Trees, through their shade and transpiration, provide natural “low-tech” cooling that means less need to build additional dams, power plants, and nuclear generators.
Good Plastic ~ Bad Plastic
Good Plastic - see recycle symbol on bottom of containers -
- #2 (high density polyethylene) opaque milk and water jugs, bleach, detergent and shampoo bottles, some plastic bags. Safe and easy to recycle.
- #4 (low density polyethylene) used in grocery bags, most plastic wraps and some bottles. Safe but hard to recycle.
- #5 (polypropylene) used in most Rubbermaid, deli soup, syrup, and yogurt containers, straws and other clouded containers including baby bottles. Safe but hard to recycle.
Bad Plastic - #1 (Pete or polyethylene Terephthalate ethylene) used for soft drinks, juice, water, detergent, cleaners, and peanut butter containers. Traces of DEHP were found in bottled water stored over 9 months.
#3 (PVC or V or DEHA aka Polyvinyl chloride or di-2-ethylhexyl-adipate) used for cling wrap, some plastic squeeze bottles, cooking oil, peanuat butter jars, detergent and window cleaner bottles. Associated with liver cancer, kidney, spleen, bone formation and body weight problems. Least recyclable.
#6 ( Polystyrene) used in styrofoam, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, carry-out containers and opaque plastic cutlery. Styrene can leach and is toxic to the brain and nervous system. It is also found to affect red blood cells, liver, kidneys and stomach. It is hard to recycle.
#7 (other plastics, usually polycarbonate) used in baby bottles, 5 gallon water bottles, sport water bottles, metal food can liners, sippy cups, and some clear plastic cutlery. Polycarbonate can leach Bisphenal A (BPA), a chemical that mimics the action of the hormone estrogen. It has been found to stimulate prostate cancer, produce ovarian dysfunction, genetic damage, etc.
THERE IS BEAUTY ALL AROUND WHEN THERE IS LOVE IN YOUR HEART
AND WORK FOR YOUR HANDS
Help keep our valley and our neighborhood beautiful and green: 
Composting for Your Garden
How to Compost
The Story of Stuff - a Recycle video
Summit County Recycling Programs
Contact Laurie Nadeau at Green Built Communities, 435-659-6990
Recycle Your Non-Business Used Oil for FREE, call Department of Environmental Quality 1-800-458-0145
Drop off used oil at Burt Bros., Mercer Automotive, or the Summit County Landfill
Our Silver Springs Community
Residents have been making efforts to conserve water by xeriscaping their yards. Xeriscaping and xerogardening refers to landscaping and gardening in ways that reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental irrigation. The word xeriscaping is a portmanteau of xeros (Greek for “dry”) and landscape. That includes reducing lawn areas and planting trees for shade.
Silver Springs home using terraced xeriscaping with green plants
Silver Springs home that has reduced lawn area