February 22 - NEW DATE for Bowie Gardens for Wildlife HABITAT WORKSHOP

Hello, the workshop is back on! Same place, same time, different date:

WHEN: Monday, February 22 from 7 to 8:30 pm

WHERE: St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, 14900 Annapolis Rd

WHAT: Local Congregations Co-Hosting Wildlife Habitat Workshop – FEBRUARY 22

The Bowie Gardens for Wildlife Habitat Team is presenting a wildlife habitat “how to” workshop on February 22. Habitat Team members from All Saints Lutheran Church, St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will co-host this workshop to increase awareness about and to inspire more congregations to create habitats that meet the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) Certified Wildlife Habitat^TM criteria.

To learn more, visit the "Bowie Gardens for Wildlife" Facebook page, or email the Habitat Team at bowiegardens4wildlife@gmail.com.

February 8 Habitat Workshop POSTPONED

Hello, due to road conditions, the Monday evening (2/8) Habitat Workshop is being postponed. A new date will be posted as soon as we have one.

3 Congregations Joining Together to Present Wildlife Habitat "How To" Workshop - Feb. 8

The Bowie Gardens for Wildlife Habitat Team is presenting a wildlife habitat “how to” workshop on February 8. Habitat Team members from All Saints Lutheran Church, St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will co-host this workshop to increase awareness about and to inspire more congregations to create habitats that meet the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) Certified Wildlife Habitat^TM criteria.

Any property can become certified when you provide the four basic elements that all wildlife need to thrive—food, water, cover, and places to raise young—and by implementing sustainable gardening practices such as planting native plants, reducing or eliminating the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, conserving water, removing invasive plants, and composting.

The Bowie Gardens for Wildlife Habitat Team, in conjunction with the Bowie Environmental Advisory Committee, is supporting an effort for Bowie to become a NWF Community Wildlife Habitat^TM. Over the next few years, Bowie will need to certify at least 200 homes, at least 5 schools, and at least 6 community habitats such as businesses, places of worship, community gardens, and public spaces.

Come join us at 7 pm, February 8 at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 14900 Annapolis Road so you, too, can learn how to create and enhance habitat in which people, flora, and fauna can flourish! Questions? Visit http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/ or email the Habitat Team at bowiegardens4wildlife@gmail.com.

Invasive Plant Pull at All Saints - July 11 & Aug. 15

The All Saints Lutheran Church Green Team is working to enhance our wildlife habitat, certified by the National Wildlife Federation. This summer, we're focusing on removing nasty invasives, mainly mile-a-minute and multi-flora rose. Removing these invasives will make room for native plants that will support the local ecosystem. Anyone is welcome to come out - learn a little about why these plants are a problem, then help prune back and dig out tagged plants. Volunteers should bring heavy-duty gloves and bring pruners and/or shovels. Long sleeves, long plants, and closed shoes are recommended - given the thorny nature of these plants. All Saints is 16510 Mt. Oak Road - at the corner of 301 South and Mt. Oak Road. We'll be out from 9 to 12 on July 11, and again on August 15. Interested? Email garden4wildlife@yahoo.com.

Transition Town Presentation

Greenbelt as a Transition Town

Let's raise awareness of sustainable living and build local
resilience in our community. Let's seek out methods for reducing
energy usage as well as increasing our own self reliance to respond
to the negative effects of Peak Oil and Climate Change.



See a Video Interview of Rob Hopkins, One of the Founders of the Transition Town Concept
as he explains the origins, concepts and approaches behind the Transition Town Movement that has now spread to over 100 communities world-wide

We will Then Break into Small Groups
to use our imagination and creativity to envision what life will be like in Greenbelt as it becomes a Transition Town and after it creates an energy descent plan and prepares to power down its carbon footprint and power up creative living. (Please bring paper and pen to write down your ideas.)

Wednesday, June 24, 7:00 pm

Springhill Lake Recreation Center
(Emperian Village)
6101 Cherrywood Lane
Greenbelt, Maryland
301-602-3987

Global Warming Legislation

Subject: Remove the Trojan Horse from Global Warming Legislation

Our representative (Hoyer) is about to vote on legislation designed to stop global warming. Unfortunately, members of the House who answer to the worst polluters have succeeded in including a Trojan Horse at the heart of the legislation - a prohibition on Obama's EPA being able to use the Clean Air Act to take additional action on CO2.

This little known, almost secret provision actually guarantees that the United States will fall short of doing what the scientists tell us must happen - a reduction of 80% of CO2 emissions from their 1990 level.

Mr. Obama ran for president on a very strong global warming platform which achieved the 80% reduction, launched a cap and trade market without giving away free permits to polluters, and set strong standards for boosting clean renewable energy. Special interests are warping his pledge almost beyond recognition.

But the worst and most important compromise - and the one most secret and hidden from view - is the crippling of EPA's powers. This is precisely what Newt Gingrich and the Republican-controlled House of the 1990s did to President Clinton's EPA from 1995 on. They simply prohibited EPA from enforcing many laws. We cannot let the House strip President Obama of his most powerful tool to stop global warming.

> I just signed a petition to tell my representative to stand up for President Obama's best weapon to fight global warming - the EPA. I hope you will, too. Please have a look and take action.

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/trojan_horse/?r_by=4609-1643634-tpGGKLx&rc=confemail

New Vendor at Bowie Farmer's Market! GoGreen Cleaners

I met Susan Combs, founder of GoGreen Cleaners, at an event a few months ago. She emailed me recently to let me know that she has a booth now at the Bowie Farmer's Market!

GoGreen Cleaners offers a variety of products to clean your home and body. All products are plant-based and chemical, phosphate & fragrance free. Stop by and see her!

She will also be revamping her website soon so we'll let you know when that's ready.