Free Home Energy Assessments from PSE

Puget Sound Energy is now offering Home Energy Assessments at no cost.  The assessment is an overview of your home to provide a better understanding of your home’s basic energy consumption.  This written assessment includes useful and cost-effective ways to improve your home’s comfort and efficiency, including a review of your home’s insulation levels, doors and windows, heating and cooling system, major appliances, lighting, and more.

This service was recently written up in The Olympian. Additionally, here is an article about the free assessments.

The assessment also includes replacement of up to 50 light bulbs and two showerheads at no cost. The assessment report will include energy-saving recommendations, information on: energy-efficient product rebates and other helpful energy efficiency tips.  For more information or to schedule an assessment you can contact Energy Efficiency First at: 360-236-9684 or qualityrcss.com.

Madison Elementary Plant Sale

The Madison Plant Sale is this Saturday, May 11, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm in the Madison School parking lot (1225 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA (98501). Annual and perennial plant and vegetable starts professionally grown and affordably priced.  All proceeds benefit the school’s garden program.  This is a great one-stop spot for your Mother’s Day gifts.

Proceeds support the school’s garden enrichment programs including: the Giving Garden outdoor learning lab, all-school farmers market stands and a mobile classroom cooking cart.

Can’t make it? You can PRE-ORDER plants for pick-up at a later date. If interested, please download the Plant Sale 2013 Order Form and Plant Sale 2013 Plant List and submit your order by Friday, May 10, 2013. Or, if you’d just like to see what plants are available on Saturday, check out the Plant Sale 2013 Plant List.

Stormwater Stewards Recruiting for 2013

Greetings Neighborhood Association Members,

Could you please pass this along this information? This is a great volunteer opportunity to help empower residents and receive extensive free training in Green Stormwater Infrastructure. Also, a Stormwater Stewards site assessment is a great free service for homeowners looking to find solutions for managing stormwater drainage issues.

Stormwater Stewards are recruiting for the 2013 cohort!

View the 2013 Recruitment Packet HERE

Please pass this message along to anyone who might be interested. This year we’re adding new information and installation opportunities; it is going to be really awesome! All details are included in the Recruitment Packet. A print application is available in the packet, but folks can also apply electronically HERE.

You can read the press brief below.
Volunteers Sought for Unique “Stormwater Stewards” Program
Thurston County Stormwater Utility/Stream Team Program and WSU Extension are recruiting volunteers to train as “Stormwater Stewards.” The program works with local residents to help reduce pollution in our local waterways and Puget Sound from stormwater runoff.
Volunteers receive training in many aspects of on-site stormwater management including rain gardens, water-wise plants, sloped biodetention hedgerows, pervious pavements, vegetated roofs, and more. Trained volunteers use their new expertise to work in teams to provide guidance to homeowners who want to do their part to protect local waterways and Puget Sound.
Classes and hands-on field trainings will be held in the evenings and on weekends to accommodate work schedules. Landscaping professionals are also encouraged to take part in the volunteer certification program. The training dates are evenings on Thursdays, May 9, 16, 23, 30; June 6, 13, and 20, with field days on May 19 and June 22 and 29.
To learn more and receive an application packet, contact WSU Extension’s Native Plant Salvage Program at Kr****@****************ge.org or 360-867-2166, or download the packet at www.nativeplantsalvage.org.
Looking forward to working with you all!
Warm Regards,
Krista Elvey
Peer-to-Peer Stormwater Education Coordinator
Native Plant Salvage Foundation
www.nativeplantsalvage.org
360-867-2166