Earth Day 2009
Green at Home
Green Tips: Ten Under $10
Baby steps. That's what Earth Day is really all about. No one expects you to declare your energy independence from the "grid" or to design and install a new rainwater collection or composting system. Instead, this is a time to see and evaluate your world through green colored-glasses, and then take action – regardless of how small – to reduce your impact. And the best news? Reducing your footprint doesn't mean you have to reduce your assets. Join us for a tour of a local hardware store (have you supported yours lately?) for green tips on a shoestring budget.
Green on Main Street
Andersonville, while only 20 minutes from downtown Chicago, feels like a small town worlds away from the Windy City’s skyscrapers. This Earth Day, the community is launching an innovative green initiative called Eco-Andersonville that will certify the shops, cafés and restaurants that make this area not only a haven for independent businesses, but one of Chicagoland's most vibrant destinations. Read Q&A interviews with the owners of each of the already-certified pilot businesses below, and check out the full story by the National Trust Main Street Center to learn more about the program.
Green Genes
Owners: Heather Muenstermann & Tina Isperduli
GreenSky
Owners: Nadeen Kieren & Thom Greene
Hamburger Mary's
Owners: Brandon Wright & Ashley Wright
Food for Thought: More Tips for the Taking
Need some more inspiration? We've got your covered. Check out these additional tips and must-reads for everything you need to know about going green, and then visit our Sustainability Initiative to learn more about the National Trust's ongoing work in this exciting field.
Window Know-How: A Guide to Going Green
To live green at home, and reduce your monthly energy bills, it's important to evaluate windows. If you live in an older residence, don't assume that replacement windows are the only option. Historic wooden windows are remarkably efficient as long as they're well maintained. (And there's nothing greener than preserving what you already have.)Green Home Tips
The greenest house is the house already built. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't make your old house even more eco-friendly. Ten tips to green your home while maintaining its historic integrity.Tip Sheet for Historic Windows
There is an epidemic spreading across the country. In the name of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, replacement window manufacturers are convincing people to replace their historic wood windows. However, repairing, rather than replacing, wood windows is most likely to be the "greener option" and a more sustainable building practice.How to Green Your Home: Five Tips from Stephen and Rebekah Hren
The Hrens (he's a restoration carpenter and she's a solar electrician)offer five easy solutions to help reduce your home's fossil-fuel output and lower your energy bill.
Speak Up: How Are You Celebrating Earth Day?
Now it's your turn! Are you celebrating Earth Day? Do you have some quick and easy tips of your own? Leave a comment below and tell us how you're going green and spreading awareness.
