Spring is when the sounds of birds and insects (like all the cicadas!) greet us and tuck us in at night. It is also when mowing the grass begins again. Have you heard of No Mow May? What about Slow Mow Summer? Both of these are movements to help support pollinators, reduce the exhaust from gas-powered lawn mowers, and reduce your list of house chores. Did you know that mowing less often also helps reduce Japanese beetle populations?

Consider mowing less this summer or try replacing all (or some) of your lawn with native plants to increase pollinator habitat, save water, and save time. Alternatively, an electric mower is a great way to reduce carbon emissions!

If you want some tips on Japanese beetle control, here is an article written by a master gardener.

Mel Gilles is the new Sustainability Projects Analyst for Orange County and they are thrilled to join the team. They grew up in Greensboro, went to college at UNC-Chapel Hill, and lived out West in the high desert for nearly two decades. Mel has helped hundreds of local governments, nonprofits and corporations refine their sustainability programs, develop Green Teams, and train employees on recycling, composting and hard-to-recycle sorting and collection systems.

In 2018, Mel returned home to help DEQ launch Recycle Right NC, a statewide anti-contamination campaign to clean up recycling that reached more than 1 million people and accumulated 30,000 interactions on Facebook alone. With over thirty years of experience on the front lines of community initiatives, Mel is a unique expert on making the world of sustainability efficient, practical and easy to navigate.

Mel is delighted to give back to the land, rivers and people of Orange County in any way possible. When they aren’t working on supporting Orange County’s Climate Action Plan, Mel is at the Farmer’s Market with their wife, converting their front lawn to native pollinator plants, or on a certain rock in the middle of the Eno, watching the turtles and listening to the owls.

Valeria is an incoming junior at UNC Chapel Hill, studying Public Policy and Economics, with a minor in Environmental Science and Studies. Outside of class, Valeria is a member of Alpha Phi Omega, the university’s service fraternity. She is also a Community Service Scholar, a leader for APPLES Service-Learning, and conducts outreach for the Institute for the Study of the Americas.

Valeria is passionate about creating environmental policies that ensure a clean and healthy environment for all people. The Great Salt Lake, only a few hours from her hometown, is on the brink of disappearing and poisoning the population of the Salt Lake Valley. Pressing issues such as these have fueled her determination to further her education and pursue a career in environmental law after graduating from Carolina.

Valeria is eager to learn about the intricacies of environmental policy, from natural resources management to the policy-making process. She looks forward to working directly with an organization like Orange County that is deeply committed to the environment.

Ever find yourself overwhelmed by all the lists of things you could do for the environment? Do you keep forgetting your bags or find yourself unsure of what to recycle? Sometimes, we just want to know: what 5 things are most impactful to reduce my carbon footprint? Here’s our top five ways to reduce your carbon footprint, based on emissions saved: 

If these 5 left you wanting more, luckily, more information is out there! And, here. If you try a few of these and feel invigorated, here’s one last infographic to keep the inspiration flowing. Keep it simple—remember to enjoy your efforts and celebrate your wins! 

And, remember your old standbys: reduce, refuse, reuse, repair, and if all else fails, recycle! 

A little more from Amy Wetsch, the artist of “Emergent Tides”

When asked what inspired her to create this piece, she said: 

I was inspired to create Emergent Tides after collaborating with planetary scientists and learning about the experiments they conduct in their laboratory that help us better understand the atmospheres of celestial bodies in outer space. My art practice focuses on incorporating unconventional materials, so when I saw discarded copper gaskets from various experiments in the lab, I knew I had to find a way to recycle them. These gasket artworks are artifacts from their complex scientific processes and pay tribute to their discoveries that advance our understanding of Earth's atmosphere and beyond.

And, this is what she had to say about the role artists can play in tackling climate change:

Artists play a crucial role in tackling climate change in countless ways. Through my work, I aim to raise awareness by fostering a deeper connection to the natural world and collaborating with diverse scientists to highlight their research, which often deals with the complex issues we face today. By combining the wonder of human imagination with scientific advancements, I emphasize the urgency of protecting Earth, our only home. Additionally, I strive to be environmentally conscious by incorporating recycled materials into my mixed media work. Through this approach, I aim to inspire a sense of responsibility and stewardship for our planet.

Are you prepared for extreme heat days? Do you know where to go if your A/C stops working on a really hot day? Find County hot weather resources here and information about how to prepare for extreme heat here.

Rodale Institute has over $6 million in cash and non-cash incentives to give to farmers who participate in on-farm trials as part of the Southern Piedmont Climate-Smart Project. The project goal is to support southern farmers as they change over to more sustainable practices.  Currently, Rodale Institute is conducting a study to understand the impacts of roller crimping cover crops vs using plastic on Southern Piedmont soils, greenhouse gas emissions, and farm economics. 

Rodale Institute is looking for farms that can enroll 1-10 acres into the project for 4 years. If you are interested or have further questions, please contact:

Logan Tweardy
Climate-Smart Farm Coordinator
Cell: 859-221-8069

Have a question or comment about one of our sustainability programs? Want to volunteer? 

Contact us at sustainability@orangecountync.gov

or 919-245-2626