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Featured Volunteer - Nefertiti P.

NC GreenPower is incredibly grateful for our volunteers!
Our “Featured Volunteer” series will recognize some of our do-gooders for their dedication and service.

Nefertiti became interested in renewable energy in her junior year of high school when taking AP Environmental Science. She went on to major in biology at Hampton University and learned more about the benefits of alternative energy sources in classes like Ecology through lectures and labs. That’s when she made a conscious effort to make a positive impact.

“When I first started volunteering with NC GreenPower,the solar schools program was not as immense as it is today. It has been one of main reasons I’ve remained an active volunteer with NCGP and I am thankful to have been a part of the impact it has made.”

Nefertiti found out about NC GreenPower while doing some independent research looking for organizations that support and promote renewable energy in North Carolina and has been volunteering for NC GreenPower for about 5 years.

Her favorite events are STEM expos or events dealing with youth and students. She believes “it’s very important to educate youth on the importance of STEM, including renewable energy, and how they can effect change even if they are still young.” Her most memorable volunteer experience was the 2017 STEM Back to School Minority fair. It was especially important to her because she founded a nonprofit organization (Peoples’ Prep and Progress, Inc.) that uses STEM and other project based learning to help close the achievement gap between low-income youth and their peers. She loved being able to talk to all the students and parents about NC GreenPower and her journey through her career in STEM.

“I enjoy knowing that my time volunteering with NCGP will provide benefits for families and communities long after I’m gone. I enjoy being a part of making my community cleaner while making an impression on the students. I remember when I was young and first took an interest in the environment and sustaining it for future generations. It is nice to be on the other side and be a resource for students that are now where I once was.”

She wants others to know that volunteering at NC GreenPower is very rewarding, and even if you do not know much about renewable energy and solar schools, that shouldn’t intimidate you! “The organization provides all the resources you need to stay current and knowledgeable to spread the word about all the great things going on at NC GreenPower. Besides, every event I’ve been a part of, I’ve had a great partner there volunteering with me, and I used that as an opportunity to learn more from them and become a better volunteer.”

Nefertiti’s main motivation to volunteer is that she wants to contribute her time to making North Carolina cleaner. “When I learned of all the renewable energy and carbon offset projects the organization was engaged in, I wanted to promote their mission. Then I became further motivated once the solar schools project rolled out.”

We are very excited to have volunteers like Nefertiti to help us achieve our mission. NC GreenPower operates using a small staff so to help us spread the word about the program so we depend on hundreds of volunteers to provide education and outreach to the public. If you’re interested in helping out, you can sign up here.

Help us Celebrate World Environment Day

June 5th is World Environment Day, and in honor of the occasion, we’re excited to get involved by spreading knowledge to inspire involvement. World Environment Day is dedicated to encouraging awareness and action worldwide to protect our planet. The event this year is specifically dedicated to reducing plastic pollution, which proves to be a growing issue in our oceans across the globe. 

Single use plastic products are one of the largest culprits of our disposable consumer lifestyle, causing damage by polluting our oceans, harming animals, leaching toxins into our food - entering the food chain and ultimately the human body. While the effects are terrible, there are some simple precautions everyone can take to reduce the consumption of single use plastic products. While plastic pollution is the focus of this year’s observance, pollution of all types is a very real and pressing issue for our world.  Here are some ways to reduce your carbon footprint and hopefully help lessen the negative impacts of pollution this World Environment Day:

1.     Unplug - One way to make a positive impact on the environment is to turn off devices and be conscientious about how much power you are using. Think about all the energy sources you use each day: cars, lights, fans left running all the time, cell phones, computers. The list can go on forever. Help us conserve energy by making a conscious effort to power down all unused electronics for the day and put down your cell phone. This type of a “blackout day” is great to make ourselves aware of just how much energy we use, and to think of creative ways to avoid using power. In this day and age, we often forget there are things to do that don’t require technology. Take this World Environment Day to read, play cards, go for a walk, climb a tree and remember how nice it is to have conversations with our friends and families face to face. Once you see how refreshing a day like this can be, consider implementing a blackout day once a month or quarterly to further reduce your energy consumption.

2.     Teach a lesson on the importance of utilizing renewable energy. One of the most important aspects of environmental protection is sharing knowledge. Take it upon yourself to help educate others who aren’t aware of the changes they could make to help protect their planet. Whether you host a talk at your local community center, or find a school to work with on a lesson and project for children. Here at NC GreenPower, we are proud of our Solar Schools grant program which implements solar educational projects in schools throughout the state. The knowledge we can share with both teachers and students about renewable energy is valuable and exciting, as many people aren’t aware of the access to clean energy in our close proximity. Sign up to be a volunteer here!

3.     Utilize reusable bottles, grocery bags, straws, etc. One simple way to reduce your carbon footprint each and every day is to purchase reusable products. From coffee cups to grocery bags, there are products that can replace single use items and reduce your trash production. One rule of thumb to live by in this regard is “If you can’t reuse it, refuse it.” Start by refusing straws at restaurants and bringing your own bags to the grocery store. Any product that you could function without, say no to. Not only will utilizing reusable products help save the environment, it will save you money and keep you healthier.

4.     Organize a cleanup party. Get a community group together and set out to make an immediate impact by picking up trash in your area. Plan out areas that have the most buildup, and break out into smaller groups to cover more ground. Areas that tend to need the most love include highways, medians, parks, and bodies of water. Sign up to Adopt-a-Highway in North Carolina!

Help educate others, do an analysis on your immediate environmental needs and get to work! There is always cleanup that needs to be done, and what better day to start than World Environment Day? Make this the start of a month-long challenge to green up your world.

Featured Volunteer - Noah A.

NC GreenPower is incredibly grateful for our volunteers! Our “Featured Volunteer” series will recognize some of our do-gooders for their dedication and service.

Noah is an NC GreenPower volunteer from Raleigh, NC. He first staffed an event for us at the EV Electric Drive Celebration in September 2017. Over the past few months, he’s been regularly signing up for nearly all of our events and has gone above and beyond to help us spread our message.

Noah graduated from Appalachian State University’s Appropriate Technology program and has had an interest in renewable energy for as long as he’s been aware of the need for a transition away from unsustainable sources.

Green Ideas for your Valentine

Valentine’s Day is one of those commercialized, overly advertised holidays where you feel obligated to lavish gifts on a significant other. But if you just want to tell someone you love how much you appreciate them in your life, and don’t want to be wasteful, check out these green heart ideas!

Choose local flowers

Imported flowers need to be flown or trucked in from states away, AND refrigerated during their journey, so we definitely recommend picking up your loved one flowers or a flowering plant from a local shop or one of the NC Farm Fresh retail nurseries and garden centers. Store-bought, imported flowers usually come wrapped up in cellophane — which is not recyclable.

Reasons to apply for an NCGP Solar Schools Grant

NC GreenPower is excited to announce we are accepting applications for the fourth year of our Solar Schools Program starting January 2, 2018 through February 28! The NC GreenPower Solar Schools Pilot provides grants for a 3-5 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) educational project, complete with a weather station, real-time monitoring, curriculum and training for teachers. Any K-12 school in North Carolina may apply for a 50% matching grant, up to $10,000. Schools are reviewed on a number of criteria – more information about the application process and eligibility requirements can be found in the Application Information document.

Are you interested in applying but need some help getting your principal on board with the Solar Schools Program? Here are some good reasons why your school should apply:

Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift Guide

Did you know that 60 percent of the world’s Christmas decorations are made in a single Chinese village? According to Inhabitat, most are produced inside the Chinese village of Yiwu, where 600 factories produce 60 percent of all of the world’s festive decorations. The factory workers in Yiwu put in long hours in less-than-ethical working conditions, often dealing with toxic chemicals that have the potential to cause lasting damage to their health.

So think twice before you overload on holiday knickknacks. Why not buy green gifts this year instead? Ones that use fewer resources and produce less waste than ordinary, mass-produced items. There are so many types of eco-friendly gifts you can give.

Ready for some green ideas? Let’s dive in!

NC GreenPower Solar Schools Hold Ribbon Cuttings

Originally published by Advanced Energy.

NC GreenPower Solar Schools was launched on April 1, 2015. This pilot program uses a portion of NC GreenPower’s donations to provide matching grants for the installation of small solar photovoltaic (PV) systems (3-5 kilowatts, or kW) at North Carolina schools, providing clean, green, renewable energy. The Solar Schools pilot funds any eligible North Carolina K-12 school and gives teachers valuable tools to educate students about renewable energy.

Top 5 North Carolina Parks to Explore this Summer

Living in North Carolina has so many perks like our amazing state parks! Get active and explore these Top 5 North Carolina Parks this summer. North Carolina State Parks challenges you to hike, walk, bike, run, swim, paddle or roll 100 miles on our state's trails and waterways before the end of 2017. Sign up today for the NC 100 Miles Challenge if you need an extra incentive to visit all these amazing parks.

1. William B. Umstead State Park - Raleigh

Divided into two sections, Crabtree Creek and Reedy Creek, this 5,579-acre park is easily accessible from Interstate 40 and US 70 with. 5,000 acres of gorgeous scenery waiting to be explored. There are more than 32 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, camp sites and plenty for nature lovers between the expanding cities of Raleigh, Cary, and Durham. Experience trails, lakes, canoeing, and scenic overlooks.

Image Courtesy of TakeAHike.info

2. Eno River State Park – Durham 

The Eno River flows near urban areas of Durham and Orange counties with five scattered public access areas. This park offers 24 miles of hiking trails, mature forests, historic structures, canoe launches and picnic areas. 

Festival for the Eno

The Eno River Association was established in 1966 and played an important role in creating the park. As a part of its conservation role the group presents the annual Festival for the Eno to draw thousands of folks to the shaded banks on the Eno River to sing dance and make merry with great food and crafts all while learning about natural resource conservation and raising funds for land protection in the Eno River basin. 

Image Courtesy of

LearnNC.com

3. Hanging Rock State Park

With five waterfalls, a mountain, a lake, and rock outcroppings at 2,580 ft., Hanging Rock State Park is a must see. Go swimming in the cool mountain lake nestled in the hills, rent a canoe and hike the more than 20 miles of hiking trails that climb onto spectacular views and weave alongside clear streams and waterfalls. Picnic areas and campgrounds lend themselves to time spent with family and friends in this 8,000 acre park in Stokes County.

Image Courtesy of Trover.com

4. Fort Macon State Park 

Located on Bogue Banks near Atlantic Beach, the park opened in 1936. Fort Macon State Park is the second most visited state park in North Carolina, with an annual visitation of 1.3 million, despite being one of the smallest state parks in North Carolina with only 423 acres. The Battle of Fort Macon was fought there during March and April 1862.

In addition to the perfectly restored Civil War-era fort, the park offers visitors a museum-quality coastal education center, nature trails and an unspoiled shoreline for swimming, surf fishing and beachcombing. 

Image Courtesy of VisitNC.com

5. Jordan Lake State Park 

This 14,000 acre reservoir outside of Raleigh is a great getaway. More than 1,000 campsites among five of the access areas offer a range of outdoor experiences. There are seven swim beaches in the recreation area and a number of boating ramps. Nearly 14 miles of hiking trails wind across the hilly lakeshore, with most of them offering easy, brief hikes. The park is also home to bald eagles. Find out more in this Park Fact Sheet from NC State Parks.

Image Courtesy of JordanLakeWaterSports.com

Pollinators – What the buzz is all about

Did you know? Every third week of June is Pollinator Week! National Pollinator Week is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what you can do to protect them.

Throughout this week, and other holidays such as World Honeybee Day, there are events all across the country to educate and raise awareness for our pollinators.

But why are pollinators so important?

Earth Month 2017 – Educating, Learning and Volunteering with NC GreenPower

This year’s official national Earth Month campaign was all about environmental & climate literacy.

The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 helped jumpstart the modern environmental movement, inspiring people worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to a healthy and sustainable world. Earth Day is just one day, but there are opportunities to get involved all month long.

Sustainable Fashion: Part 2 – Upcycle your clothes

After we introduced you to sustainable fashion last week and told you all about its benefits, we will give you some ideas on how you can make a difference in today’s blog post.

What can you do?

So knowing the negative impact of fast fashion this, how can you make an impact? This is where sustainable fashion comes into play.

Sustainable Fashion: Part 1 - Why fashion needs to be sustainable

Sustainable fashion, once frowned upon by many consumers, is a growing trend taking the fashion industry by storm. It proves that “sustainable” and “fashionable” don't have to be mutually exclusive.

Green Holidays around the World - 7 days you should be celebrating next year!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! As this year comes to an end we cherish our time with friends and family, enjoy some time off and celebrate with holiday lights and treats.

But did you know that there are dozens of GREEN HOLIDAYS that people celebrate around the world? That's right, we're celebrating the earth many times each year. This blog post will highlight some of our favorite green holidays!

NC GreenPower teams up with Yes Solar Solutions and Baker Renewable Energy to help out a disabled Army Veteran

Not everything is about profits and the bottom line for all companies. Recently, Yes Solar Solutions and Baker Renewable Energy teamed up with local nonprofit NC GreenPower to help get a wounded Veteran’s solar PV system back on track.

How to help N.C. after Hurricane Matthew

An aerial view shows flood waters after Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, 

Oct. 10. CHRIS KEANE / Reuters

Recently, our local news stations have made me aware of the devastating lingering effects of Hurricane Matthew across our state and I wanted to share this with you all.

We didn’t even lose power at my house, but almost a million customers across our state did, and thousands are still waiting for theirs to come back on. Serious flooding is affecting many highways, roads and cities.

Breweries 2.0 - Organic and LEED Certified

The craft beer scene is booming - with more than 4,200 breweries In the US, small and independent craft brewers now have a 12 percent market share! Not only do some breweries offer organic beer, many breweries also have high sustainability standards - from being powered by solar energy to recycling local grain for the brewing process. 

The Rise of Electric Vehicles and why you should purchase one

In recent years the electric vehicle has gained a lot of popularity. What is all the hype about? Is it really worth it to invest in a car just because "it's good for the environment" or the new fashionable thing to buy? 

Wasting Water - A Guide to Conservation and Innovation

Every year on March 22 we celebrate World Water Day. According to the official World Water Day website, this international observance is an opportunity to learn more about water related issues, be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference. It has been around since 1992 when the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development recommended an international observance. Here is why you should be mindful of your water usage every day and how you can easily conserve water.

Water Usage in the US

The US Geological Survey released a study which reports that the total freshwater and saline-water withdrawals for 2010 (the latest year it surveyed water use) were estimated to be 355,000 million gallons per day. The average American used 88 gallons of water per day – an amount that quickly adds up around the house for things like preparing food, washing clothes, flushing toilets, and watering lawns. 

Water Innovation around the World

In recent years there have been many new innovative technologies which aid people around the world in gaining clean water access and assist them in conserving water. 

How to reduce your Carbon PawPrint - Green Pet Ownership

Have you considered adding a new furry friend to your family this year? In the U.S. alone, the number of owned pets is estimated to be 70-80 million dogs and 74-96 million cats. In addition to being sweet, cuddly companions, your pets can also be hard on the environment.

If you love your pets and the environment, here are some resources to help you be good to both.

Don't Shop…Adopt!

The concept of recycling doesn't only apply to cans or newspaper. Just like going to the thrift store to get a good deal on a used item, consider rescuing and rehoming an adoptable dog or cat from your local shelter. Give them a second chance by "recycling" them. Each year 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters. An estimated 80% of these animals are healthy or treatable so why not give the cats and dogs already available a home instead of buying from a breeder? For more facts about pet ownership in the U.S. go to the Humane Society's website.