Have you seen the cute ads that Gov Mike Easley has put out recently, which showcase children noting how individuals can conserve water in their homes? Well, check out this N&O Editorial Cartoon response.

They sure do make a good point.

[This blog entry has been cross posted from Toxic Free North Carolina's weblog, Fair Ground, where it was originally posted by Fawn.]

A Task Force convened earlier this year by Governor Mike Easley to address pesticide exposure hazards in agriculture has sent its recommendations to the Governor (read the press release). The report contains some good ideas and some welcome changes, to be sure, but misses the chance to bring much-needed basic workplace protections to farmworkers who face the threat of pesticide exposure on the job.

Within the report's recommendations you'll find budget requests for several of the agencies that were represented on the Task Force, ideas for the expansion of many voluntary and educational programs, and very little reform. Only one of the recommendations brought by farmworker advocates, a provision that would outlaw retaliation against workers who report workplace safety problems, was adopted by the Task Force.

The Task Force faced several challenges in its structure, including the absence of any farmworker representatives. Because the recommendations were made by consensus, any Task Force member was able to prevent recommendations from going forward. One Task Force member in particular, Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, was extremely effective in preventing the Task Force from taking up several of the reform measures they discussed.

There were some key issues exposed by the Ag-Mart case that the Task Force chose to put off for future study:

• Keep workers' names confidential when they report workplace safety problems.
• Require growers to keep records of compliance with Worker Protection Standards by recording when workers are sent back into the fields after spraying.
• Increase minimal pesticide fines and remove the standard of "willful" violations.

Panelists also recommended solutions including: require crop-specific pesticide safety training; redesign pesticide labels and ensure that they are also provided in Spanish; encourage the use of organic farming, Integrated Pest Management and less-toxic alternatives; improve regulations of pesticide drift; require adequate showers and telephones in employer-provided farmworker housing; screen workers regularly for health impacts; increase the number of bilingual pesticide inspectors, and many others. None of these were mentioned in the final report to the Governor.

Whether Governor Easley and the NC Legislature can look beyond the limitations of this report remains to be seen. But they will have to if they intend to fix the problems that Ag-Mart has so painfully pointed out.

You can download the report (PDF, 232 KB) by clicking this link.

Looks like Nalgene finally got the hint--consumers don't want to purchase products made with the toxicant bisphenol A. (Click here for more on this issue). Thus, they're going to stop making their bottles with the controversial polycarbonate plastic. It's an amazing true story of consumers letting the producers know that environmental health hazards are real and a priority for many people. It reminds me of the days when CFC's were phased out from aerosol cans. Ah. Memories.

Looking for a way to lower those greenhouse gasses?  How about biking, walking, or riding the bus?  I'm trying to take advantage of the nice weather and ride my bike to work a few times a week.

If you live in the Triangle, and need more motivation (and possibly prizes!), check out the SmartCommute Challenge, coordinated by the Triangle Transit Authority. From their website:

The SmartCommute Challenge is an annual non-profit public service campaign that works to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in the Triangle.

From April 15 through May 30, any employee or college student who commutes to work or campus in Wake, Durham, or Orange County can participate. To enter the Challenge, make your online pledge that at least once before May 30 you will carpool, vanpool, bike or walk, ride the bus, or telework (work from home).

Everyone who takes the Challenge will be entered into a drawing to win one of several prizes, including a free vacation for two!

Join me, and 3,722 others, and take the pledge today!

Come check out our resident drought expert, Grady McCallie, at Saturday's Planet Earth Celebration in Raleigh. Grady will be giving a talk called "Learning from the Drought: Moving to Sustainable Water Use".

Sponsored by our friends at Burt's Bees and hosted by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, the event also includes speakers, live music, a puppet show, and a green bazaar. Click here for more info.

Grady's presentation begins at noon in the NC Museum of History. The NC Conservation Network will also be hosting an informational booth, so please stop by and say hello.

Got plans for the weekend yet?

I hear the weather is forecasted to be beautiful! And, if you don't have your own garden to work in, I highly recommend checking out the 13th Annual Piedmont Farm Tour. Or even better, volunteer for the event.

The Piedmont Farm Tour is an annual tour for local farms in the Piedmont area of NC. And, the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association is asking for volunteer help on one or both days of the tour: Saturday, April 19 from 12-6:15pm and Sunday, April 20 from 12-6:15pm.

Check out these great perks for volunteering:

• Get a FREE Farm Tour T-shirt to show your support of local farms!

• Get a FREE Farm Tour button for you & a car full of your friends and family to attend the tour for free on the day you aren't volunteering.

• Get a HALF price ticket to Shakori Hills.

• Have a great time getting to know a farmer while supporting CFSA.

For more information or to volunteer, email Logan Yonavjak, Volunteer Coordinator. 

For more information on the Piedmont Farm Tour, click here.

Join the NC Conservation Network on the Take Action Tour to learn how a changing climate can impact North Carolina, hear about ways our decision-makers can address these problems, and discover ways you can help influence our leaders to make wise choices.

Click on the city below for more details on the tour:

April 26th 1:00pm - 3:00pm Winston-Salem

May 3rd 1:00pm - 3:00pm Wilmington

May 17th 1:00pm - 3:00pm Charlotte  

May 31st 1:00pm - 3:00pm Asheville

June 7th 3:00pm - 5:00pm Manteo  

June 14th 2:00pm - 4:00pm Raleigh

For more information on the tour or to become a local partner, please email Veronica Butcher at veronica[at]ncconservationnetwork.org. 

I'm sure most folks have heard by now that in a surprising turn of events, North Carolina's exceptional drought (and projected drought through the summer of 2008) seems to be easing up a bit on us. Hooray!

Mandatory restrictions are lightening up throughout the state, and more and more voluntary restrictions are taking their place. But what does this all mean?

I ran across a series of articles addressing the recent changes in the drought situation that I thought I'd pass along. The major points: water conservation methods should be observed at all times since water is a finite resource, water rates throughout the state may be increasing as the demand for water becomes higher and the quantity does not, and maybe it's time to look into using stormwater and/or wastewater for non-potable use.

• Get used to it: In Charlotte, the days of limitless, inexpensive water are over

• NC water users learn benefits of conservation (editorial)

• State planners urge water conservation

• Some water limits loosened after rains: Officials warn that conservation efforts will still be necessary
• Asheville lifts water conservation measure
  

If you haven't already, take action to let your decision-makers know that North Carolina needs year-round wise water-management practices. And be sure to let us know (by commenting below) how the recent changes have affected your communities.

Remember that the deadline to register or change your party affiliation is this Friday, April 11. If you need to register for the first time or simply update your voter registration because you've moved, now is the time! Some good links for you:

• Download and print out the voter registration form for North Carolina: http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/content.aspx?id=48
  
• You must mail the voter registration form to your county board of elections: http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/content.aspx?id=13 by Friday April 11th.
• If you’re not sure on the status of your registration, check here: http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/VoterLookup.aspx?Feature=voterreg

Over 100 people attended the NC Conservation Network's 8th Annual Retreat last weekend! And, we can confidently say that fun was had by all at the event. Just check out our pictures.

Frank Warren, Greene County Citizens for Responsible Growth & Al Capehart, NC Rails to Trails cheers to a great 2008 Annual Retreat!

Billie Karel, Toxic Free NC; Lexie Danner, Elkland Art Center; Kelly McCoy, Todd Preservation Community Organization, Inc.; & Cindy Ball, Elkland Art Center found time to socialize during our Networking Reception.

Folks who attended told us that the most valuable part of the Annual Retreat was getting to meet so many other individuals and organizations working on environmental issues from across the state. And, we're glad that they did; because we know that a strong network means more environmental victories in NC!

Thanks to all who attended and presented at this year's event. And, we look forward to seeing everyone at the 9th Annual Retreat in 2009.

Now that our Annual Retreat is over, I'm back to my regular blog posts! I wanted to let folks know about a new page on our website that focuses on transportation issues. The page includes a recap of the last major transportation reforms in North Carolina, information about our current situation, what's on the horizon for the remainder of 2008 and 2009, as well as links for more information. Also, learn more about NC TRAM and the five principles that we think should guide NC in building a new transportation future.

While you're there, send an email to your legislator in support of a new sustainable vision for transportation in North Carolina!