Green Group Speaker Series Ends with Mar 4, 2014 Meeting

Dear Green Groupers,
 
I have enjoyed 6 wonderful years as the director of the Lake Chapala Green Group.  We have had over 50 presentations in this time on sustainable topics and I am constantly amazed at the quality and professionalism of our speakers.  I hope these presentations have been of benefit to you as well.
 
It has become more difficult to continue our speaker series and unfortunately we will be ending our monthly presentations in March, 2014. I appreciate all the support you have shown over the years and hope you have gained some interesting perspectives on topics of sustainability.
 
I wish you all the best and hope you will continue your own projects and efforts in this most important area.

Best Regards,

Greg Ochs
Lake Chapala Green Group

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The lakechapalagreengroup.com website will remain active until October 2014.

Keep going green!

Bob Craft

LCGG Speakers Meeting for Mar 4, 2014

Upcoming Meeting

Tuesday, March 4, 2014, 3:30–5:00 pm

Lake Chapala Society Back Patio

Alejandro Juarez-Aguilar

“Pollution and Erosion as Threats to Lake Chapala”

Alejandro Juarez-Aguilar will explain how agricultural run-off, including fertilizers, soil silting, and pesticides are affecting Lake Chapala’s delicate and vital eco-system. These are under-researched problems, with profound consequences for biodiversity and sustainability, and are a threat to the millions who depend on the Lake.

Alejandro Juarez-Aguilar is the Director General of Corazón de la Tierra: Instituto de Desarrollo Ambiental (Heart of the Earth: Institute of Environmental Development.) He recently edited the contributions of 23 international researchers, producing a book that raises these critical issues for further research and policymaking.

Everyone is welcome!

LCGG Speakers Meeting for Feb 4, 2014

Upcoming Meeting

Tuesday, February 4, 2014, 3:00–4:30 pm, LCS Back Patio

Lee Carson

“New Science for Old Victory Gardens”

Lee Carson will draw on recent scientific advances that will allow any of us to grow our own phenomenally nutritious organic food on a small patch of land and with minimal effort. The foundation for health in plants (and humans too) boils down to two things: superior mineral nutrition and an active microbial community. Lee will explain how we can achieve both—on our own—or by joining with interested others.

Lee Carson is a Lakesider well known for her work with the Lakeside Garden Group and for other efforts to beautify our community She’s looking for others who will help bring community gardens to local schools.

Everyone is welcome!

LCGG Speakers Meeting for December 3, 2013

Upcoming Meeting
Tuesday, December 3, 2013, 3:30-5:00 pm
Arnold Smith
“Biosphere 2: Vision and Reality”
Lake Chapala Society, Back Patio

Arnold Smith was a Research Associate and Teacher for almost 20 years for Biosphere 2, the Arizona desert-based research facility famous for installing experimental subjects, for many months, in a closed ecological system. Strained relations among the residents of the architecturally spectacular environments made the news, but the project produced a wealth of good science. For example, the Biosphere was the premier institution in the world in the study of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Arnold will give the history and methods of operation of Biosphere 2 and describe some of the people involved as well as showing a video on the subject. NOTE THE LATER TIME.

All are welcome!

LCGG Speakers Meeting for Nov 5, 2013

Upcoming Meeting 

Tuesday, November 5, 2013, 3-4:30 pm

Tim Heppner

“Sustainable and Energy Efficient Building Design”

Lake Chapala Society, Back Patio

Tim Heppner is an international consultant on Ecotelligent design and is the Director of Education for the Building Science Institute. He is also Manufacturing Director for ELFI Wall System, which is the state of the art in prefabricated wall systems. Additionally Tim is the Managing Consultant for Chicagoland Green Homes Guideline, a self-rating system.

In partnership with fellow architect Guillermo Roldán in the new firm Verdosa Arquitectura Natural, Tim will develop the the first LEED for Homes certified house in Mexico under the Green Homes Guideline rating system.

Everyone is welcome!

NO Green Group Meeting for October 2013

There will be no Green Group meeting in October because of difficulties in getting a speaker. We'll see you next on November 5, 2013, 3:00 pm, at LCS.

Email us with speaker suggestions at chapalagreen@gmail.com.

LCGG Speakers Meeting for Sept 3, 2013

Upcoming Meeting

Tuesday, September 3, 2013, 3–4:30 pm

Lake Chapala Society Back Patio

Zachary Fredell

“Ecology for Us and for the Indigenous Sierra Huichol”

Zachary Fredell is a member of a long-standing Guadalajara collective of young people who donate their time to projects for the poor, including the Sierra Huichol indigenous people. Several members of the collective will describe their current green projects: bicycles for indigenous kids, potable water for some Sierra Huichol communities, conversion to solar water heating, water catchment, vertical and horizontal gardens, an attempt to commercialize a native Michoacán grain—a possible new Superfood. If time permits, we’ll get some discussion of indigenous art and culture, and get an idea about how a collective approaches sustainability.

Everyone is welcome!

FYI: New Plastics Recycling Business in Riberas

Open Letter RE: New Plastics Recycling Business in Ribera

Recicladora de la Ribera de Chapala (RRC) is open for business!

At RRC we purchase certain types of recyclable plastics, mostly bottles. These bottles are processed into “flake” which is produced through our industrial-sized grinder (molino). The flake is then sold to businesses engaged in the next steps, up the line in the cleaning and re-processing of used plastic into new items. The need for the recycling of plastics has become an issue of critical importance both for conserving dwindling oil resources and addressing an environment awash in disposable plastic products. The good news is that these two issues are making recyclable plastics valuable enough to support new businesses.

At RRC, we are looking to partner with a diverse set of interested entities and because we are a grinder destination, we can pay the best market prices.
 
Municipalities: Our municipality here in Chapala is heavily burdened by the expense of garbage collection and landfill. The crews on the Chapala trucks are encouraged to separate and sell recyclables and it is rapidly becoming a significant part of their income, but the cost of transporting these recyclables to buyers is also a burden.  We anticipate being the last stop of the day for many of the Chapala trucks. You can help by separating your plastics!
Independent Collectors: There are a number of communities and developments that have their own garbage collection. Some of them separate recyclables, others do not. If you live in one of these areas and want to help, encourage recycling programs and separate your plastics!
Restaurants: Redeem your investments by separating and selling your plastics.
 
Schools/Churches/Volunteer Groups: We are eager to work with all types of groups for clean-ups and fund-raisers. Drop by for details!
Green-minded individuals: We will be placing drive-by collection bags outside our facility. A portion of the income from these donations will be distributed to area non-profits. Drop by to donate and/or register your favorite cause.
Small volume street collectors are encouraged and welcome at our location.

Questions?
 
Drop by or phone.  We’re a few doors east of the 7-11 in Riberas on the carretera.  We have brochures with all the details.
 
222-A Hidalgo  Carretera Chapala - Jocotepec
Riberas Del Pilar, Jalisco Mexico  CP 45900
 
Recicladora de la Ribera de Chapala - RRC
376-765-2252

 


Francisco Javier Gonzalez Nava
Recicladora de la Ribera de Chapala
222-A Carretera Chapala - Jocotepec
Riberas Del Pilar, Jalisco, Mexico
CP 45900
376-765-2252
duchenney@yahoo.com

LCGG Summer Break until 9/3/13

The May 7, 2012, Lake Chapala Green Group meeting was the last of the season. Meetings will begin again on Tuesday, September 3, 2013.

Have a great summer!

LCGG Speakers Meeting for May 7, 2013

Upcoming Meeting 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Manuel Rivera

“Electric Bicycles for a Sustainable Mexico”

3–4:30 pm, Lake Chapala Society Back Patio

We know bicycles are environmentally friendly—but they are not right for everyone and every place.  Electric bicycles have many of the advantages as regular ones. Manuel Rivera will explain to us how they can both fit into a “power assisted” healthy lifestyle and provide economical and sustainable transportation.

Manuel Rivera is an Industrial and Systems Engineer with more than 20 years of experience with such employers as IBM and Hitachi. This, and his MBA in Finance, have equipped him well to start a business, Ecomobility Systems Mexico, that imports and distribute Electric Bicycles under the name "EcoMobile.” 

Everyone is welcome!