the master composter / yardwise revival. “what’s happening today in texas and the southwest...
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The Master Composter /
YardWise Revival
“What’s happening today in Texas and the Southwest should be a wake-up call on climate change. These are the kinds of conditions that we expect to see more often as climate warms,” - Dr. Julia Cole, Professor of Geosciences, University of Arizona (Project on Climate Science)
Water for Texas 2012State Water Plan
Texas Water Development Board
“In serious drought conditions, Texas does not and will not have enough water to meet the needs of its people, its businesses, and its agricultural enterprises.”
Water for Texas 2012Texas Water Plan
Where Does Our Water Go?
Urban Water Usage
Water Quality• Non-point source pollution accounts for
65% river pollution, 76% lake pollution in U.S.
• More than 200 stream segments in Texas do not meet water quality standards.
• Farming accounts for 10% of U.S. pesticide use – buildings, lawns, gardens, and other landscaped areas receive 90%.
Water or Power?
• Electrical generators consume 3X household water use, per household.
• Utilities could account for 60% of all
non-farm water use by 2030.- 150 coal-fired plants planned in US.
• “…water is becoming a greater permitting issue than air quality.” – Thomas Feeley,
US DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory
Oil Boom = Water Bust?
• Rising oil prices spur increased production from marginal, obstructive geological formations
• Hydraulic fracturing
“fracking” = high pressure
injection of sand, water,
& chemicals (some
hazardous) to release oil & gas deposits
• Fracking one well in S.
Texas Eagle Ford shale
requires 13,000,000
gallons of water.
• Water for S. Texas fracking to increase 10X by 2020, 20X by 2030 - groundwater pollution feared.
Today's problems cannot be solved by thinking the way we thought when we
created them.- Albert Einstein
The Four Laws of Ecology
• Everything must go somewhere.
• Everything is connected to everything else.
• There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
• Nature knows best .(Nature recycles life).
36%
20%
9%
29%
6%
Paper Yard Trimmings
Food Other
Wood
MSW Composition
“The Natural Cycle”
YardWise Elements:
▸Xeriscaping (native/adapted plants)▸“Don’t Bag It” (grass-cycling)▸Efficient Watering▸Mulching▸Composting▸Integrated Pest Management
Blueprint for Action:
Keep America Beautiful
5-Step Attitude Change Process
Step 1: Get the Facts:
Additional Publications
Compost Benefits
Water Conservation
▸Helps sandy soil retain moisture▸Breaks up clay soils▸Protects against wind and water
erosion▸Improves soil tilth
Compost Benefits
Water Quality▸Prevents water runoff▹Judicious use multiplies water
retention▹Promotes healthy root systems to
hold soil in place▸Reduces need for pesticides &
herbicides
Compost Benefits
Soil Fertility▸Contains complete spectrum of
plant nutrients▸Retains nutrients▸Optimum pH for nutrient availability▸Slow, steady nutrient release
Fertilizer: What’s In It?
A Healthy Diet
?
Compost Benefits
Beneficial Soil Life▸Promotes diverse beneficials:▹Bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes▹Insects ▹Worms▸Breaks down organics into plant
nutrients▸Suppresses diseases & pests
Soil Biology Principle
Population: Number of Soil Organisms+
Diversity of Soil Organisms= Soil Functions: Soil Structure,
Fertility, Moisture Retention, Disease Suppression
NRCS Soil Biology Primer
Number of organisms in 1 cubiccentimeter of agricultural soil:
• Bacteria: 90,000,000
• Actinomycetes: 4,000,000
• Fungi: 200,000
• Algae: 30,000
• Protozoa: 5,000
• Nematodes: 30
• Earthworm: < 1
Ecosystems are not only more complex than we think, they are more complex than we can think.
-Frank Egler
Composting
Essential Elements▸Carbon / Nitrogen Ratio
▸Moisture
▸Aeration
▸Temperature
▸Time
Basic Compost Recipe
GREEN STUFF + BROWN STUFF
+ WATER+ AIR
COMPOST
Step #2: Involve the People
• STAR staff / Compost Advisory Council compost professionals
• Keep Texas Beautiful staff
• Texas AgriLife Extension
• Partner & sponsor organizations
• KTB affiliate community coordinators
• Master Composter Candidates
• State & local government
‘Xeriscaping’Native and Adapted Plant Selection
El Paso Austin Houston
2/3 grass blade removed & bagged
1/3 grass blade removed, mulched in
“Don’t Bag It”
Efficient Watering
Mulching
Integrated Pest Management
Step #3: Plan Systematically
Master Composter
Program Roles
Local Coordinator
• Conduct 20-hour MC training
• Provide 20 hours volunteer service
• Monitor & document candidate hours
• Submit documentation to central program administration
• Present Master Composter Certificates
“Don’t Preach to the Choir, Turn them into
Missionaries.”
• “GREENS”: already there - reinforce
• “SPROUTS”: ready – prime target
• “BROWNS”: resistant
Compost Advisory Council
Statewide Administration (CAC & Partners)
Step #4:Focus on Results
• Master Composter certifications
• Volunteer hours logged
• Events conducted
• Citizens reached
• Media exposures
• Attitude / behavior survey results
• Municipal water usage
Social Marketing:“Find a Price that
Matters”
Step #5: ProvidePositive Reinforcement
• Master Composter Certification
• Presentation / Recognition Events
• Publicize results
• Demonstration lawns
• “Insider” communications / program access
• Testimonials: personal / household benefits
www.recyclingstar.org/cac
Alan WattsWhat Goes Around, Inc.
512-538-8949alanwwatts@gmail.com
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