
- One tree can absorb more than a ton of carbon dioxide
- Over the course of 50 years, a single tree can control $31,500 of soil erosion.
- Trees help maintain clean water supplies.
- One tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen a year.
The Lynchburg Green Building Initiative is an organization whose mission is to transform Lynchburg
and the surrounding areas through sustainable and environmentally responsible planning, design, construction
and operation of the area’s buildings, landscapes, cities and communities. It is our wish to be mindful
of the legacy left for future generations as we move forward.
What makes a rain garden is how it gets its water & what happens to that water once it arrives in the garden.
To the gardening environmentalist, “Black Gold” is neither oil nor coal… it is compost. The combination of kitchen scraps, autumn leaves, grass clippings, and bio-degradable materials make a dark and rich compost to add to plants and garden soils.
There are six easy steps to composting:
Step 1: Select a compost bin. It can be hand made or a purchased tumbling model. The hand made bin will require you to turn your compost with a rake or shovel.
Step 2: Select a location for your compost bin. A level, well drained site is preferred. Place it on the ground, not on pavement.
Step 3: Add good composting material. Mostly brown and green materials should be added, such as, leaves, straw, paper, vegetables, grass clippings, and plant cuttings.
Step 4: Keep out the bad compost material. Do not add vegetable fats or dairy products because their presence slows down the composting process. This is primarily due to a lack of oxygen. Items that could be harmful include feces, pressure treated wood, sawdust, animal fat and meat.
Step 5: Layering is key.Start with a 4 inch layer of brush. This helps air to circulate. Add four inches of brown material and a thin layer of planting soil. Add four inches of green matter topped with a thin layer of planting soil. Mist each layer lightly with a garden hose. Keep adding material in alternating layers until the bin is full and turn the mix every two weeks.
Step 6: Using compost_Your compost will nurture your plants and shrubs and will add nutrients back into the soil for a lifetime of gardening enjoyment and success.