Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center Offers "Living Green" Programs

Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center Offers "Living Green" Programs
Free workshops provide practical info for homeowners

Seattle Parks and Recreation's Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center, 950 NW Carkeek Park Road, is offering a unique series of workshops for people interested in making "green," or environmentally sustainable, improvements to their homes and properties.

Introduction to Green Living
Considering a remodel? Help is here! Learn to incorporate health, efficiency, and environmental performance into your home improvements. In this two-hour workshop you'll learn what makes a remodel "green," how the green remodeling approach is distinct from conventional remodeling, and review case studies of real Seattle remodels. You can see samples of green materials and recommended books, and there will be plenty of time for project-specific questions. Thor Peterson is
the Residential Green Building Specialist with Seattle Department of Planning and Development, and has more than seven years' experience working with conservation and green building programs. He is a graduate of the Sustainable Building Advisor Certificate program, and author of Seattle's Green Home Remodel guides.
Please register by October 5 by calling 206-684-0877.
Workshop date: Thursday, October 12, 7 to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free

Natural Water Management for the Home
In this workshop, you'll learn the importance of, and techniques for, taking steps toward restoring the hydrology in the built environment to its pre-development state. Mike Broili, director of the Well Home Program at Phinney Neighborhood Association, has extensive experience in the construction trades as a contractor and designer, and uses a low impact and sustainable approach to environmentally sensitive ventures. Join Mike in an in-depth discussion about passive and active rainwater harvesting and management strategies. Mike will reveal the mysteries of rainwater harvesting systems for flushing toilets, how to design rain gardens, vegetated roofs, waterwalls, best soil management practices, and many other strategies for managing rainwater on site.
Please register by October 6 by calling 206-684-0877.
Workshop date: Saturday, October 14, 2 to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free

Green Products for Home Interiors
Learn about a wide selection of applications for your living and bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom. Learn what makes "green" projects green, and how they really perform. You will touch and see a wide variety of products including flooring options, paint qualities, tiles, carpet, and countertops. Alicia Silva, founder of Greener Lifestyles, is an interior design professional who works with developers specializing in green building and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Please register by November 2 by calling 206-684-0877.
Instructor: Alicia Silva, LEED Accredited Professional and Sustainable Building Advisor
Workshop date: Thursday, November 9, 7 to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free

Residential Solar Power: Photovoltaic Assembly for Real People
Solar Power in the Pacific Northwest? It is not a fantasy. Come get the nuts and bolts facts about solar power. This hands-on, expert-led workshop will guide you step by step through preliminary design and assembly of a residential scale
photovoltaic system. See the Carkeek solar array in action and tour two other local projects with Mike Nelson, co-founder of the Northwest Solar Center. Bring a sack lunch.
Please register by November 10 by calling 206-684-0877.
Workshop date: Saturday, November 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free