January 27th, 2010
This past Tuesday, January 26th was Conservation Day at the Indiana Statehouse. Blooming Branch worked with the folks at the Nature Conservancy to plan a Green Dessert Reception for legislators,interested community members and the like.
Our friends at the Juniper Spoon worked with Blooming Branch to make this the most local and sustainable Conservation Day yet! The menu was oh so local with fun items such as paw paw cookies, mini Indiana apple pies all topped off with some Traders Point Creamery milk. The food was amazing (of course) and Blooming Branch worked with Juniper Spoon to ensure the following green commitments:
Use of entirely biodegradable or 100% post-consumer paper products (7th Generation napkins and Planet to-go cups)
Composting of all non-meat food scraps
Recycled all recyclable materials
Served Fair Trade Coffee
Used ONLY local organic pasture raised eggs
Buy all ingredients from Montgomery County first; and purchase organic when possible
Grow their own fruits & veggies in our half-acre garden and orchard
Support local economy by purchasing local products
Thanks Juniper Spoon and the Nature Conservancy. Cant wait to work with these outstanding folks again soon!
January 11th, 2010
Blooming Branch Green Events loves the state of Indiana. As avid environmentalists, we will do anything in our reach to help preserve and protect the great natural places in this state. That’s why we are thrilled to tell you about our upcoming event on Tuesday, January 26th.
Blooming Branch has the distinct privilege of working with the folks at The Nature Conservancy and the Indiana Conservation Alliance to plan the 6th annual Conservation Day at the Indiana State House. Our friends from The Juniper Spoon will be there as well to treat everyone to an organic and local dessert reception in the Statehouse Rotunda.
Conservation Day is an incredible opportunity to show our elected officials that Hoosiers care about protecting our precious natural resources and preserving our environment. Not only is there a chance to engage legislators in matters that mean the most to us, but we’ll also have the chance to learn more about conservation organizations throughout the state.
Remember, the more people that attend Conservation Day, the bigger the impact. Carpool with co-workers, friends and family or take a brisk walk to the statehouse, and help make a difference!
When: Tuesday, January 26th 2010
Schedule:
Conservation Priorities Discussion – 9:30 am – Indiana Gov’t Center South
Legislative Reception – 12:30 pm – Statehouse North Atrium
Registration/Fee:
Event is free to the public. Registration is required and can be completed online by clicking here.
December 14th, 2009
We at Blooming Branch love the holidays, all holidays for that matter. Any excuse to celebrate and have a party is a good excuse to have a GREEN party. This year as you and yours gather round the holiday spread, why not do so in an earth friendly way. We are recycling some of our favorite holiday tips from last year and adding some news ones as well (we liked them so well, we thought we would share them again!)
*Dont go overboard on decorations and trimmings that cant be reused again and again.
*Decorate with natural items that can then be composted post holidays or tossed back out into your backyard or the local forest (ie: cranberry and popcorn garland, pine cones, pine tree branches, etc)
*Challenge yourself to a green tree decorating contest using items from your recycling bin to create ornaments, etc. This year Blooming Branch is reusing the aluminum from soda cans for all ornament making purposes.
*Instead of sending friends and familiy Christmas Cards, send Christmas emails or better yet, pick up the phone. It doesnt cost anything and wastes no paper. Every year 2.65 billion holiday cards are sold in the U.S. That’s enough to fill a football stadium ten stories high.
*Wrap all your gifts in reusable or recyled packaging. My favorite is newspaper, but pretty linens and even reused wrapping paper work great! Check with your recycling company, most non foil wrapping papers are recylcable (dont forget gift bags are not recylable, but are reusable).
*Buy your gifts locally! Support your amazing local businesses, reduce CO2 emissions and support your local economy! Challenge yourself to spend at least 10% (if not more) in your local economy. Buying local is the best way to help the economy and the environment while coming up with some fantastic finds.
*Have a holiday party with friends and family using only local, in season and organic food, wine and beer. Central Indiana has all sorts of great wineries, breweries and local foods. Make these the focus at your holiday party this year
And remember, its never to late to call in reinforcements. Blooming Branch would love to help plan your holiday party!
Cheers to you all!
Blooming Branch
November 23rd, 2009
All thanks go out to the folks at the Indiana Recycling Coalition for a fantastic event. The group at the IRC was absolutely amazing to work with and Blooming Branch was delighted to help celebrate the anniversary of such a wonderful organization. These great leaders in the Indianapolis environmental community have been doing heroic things for 20 years to promote a greener Indiana and recycling efforts galore.
The green ideas that the IRC had were amazing and the event itself was as close to a zero waste event as Blooming Branch has seen in quite some time. The picture of the above centerpiece is a great example (pardon the glare). The poinsettias were grown with gas generated and recycled by Southside Landfill. The chocolates were donated by Indy’s own Endangered Species Chocolates and the menu cards show the menu of local and organic ingredients. Guests were asked to write their favorite recycling tips using recycled stylus pens.
I could go on and on, the IRC is serious about a greener Indiana and Blooming Branch was proud to be a part of such a wonderful celebration for Indiana recycling past, present and future. Thanks to you all!
November 4th, 2009
Blooming Branch is absolutely thrilled for the Indiana Recycling Coalition gala this Saturday November 7th at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The folks at the IRC have been just great to work with and are really focused on making their event as close to a zero waste event as possible. The following steps are being taken to ensure this is the greenest gala in town. Stay tuned for pictures!
- Carbon offsets were purchased for the event
- Event invitations are printed on recycled paper by Twisted Limb Paperworks
- The evenings menu is based on local and organic ingredients provided by Nourish Events
- Reusable linens and table ware and glassware will be used to minimize waste
- Recycling- post event all bottles, cans and glass will be recycled
- Remaining food scraps will be composted after the event
- Paper print outs were minimized
- Bar is stocked with Organic beers and wines produced in green facilities
- The awards for the event were made with recycled glass
- Leftover meals will be donated to Second Helpings
- The table centerpieces were grown in Southside Landfill’s greenhouse,
which is powered by methane gas
October 26th, 2009
Blooming Branch always believes in practicing what we preach so we were proud to join the fight and sign the Indiana Clean Energy Business Pledge (see pledge below). We vow to do our part to help practice, promote and support green, clean energy in Indiana and hope you will too!
Indiana Clean Energy Business Pledge
We believe that now is the time for America to take bold and serious action to build a clean energy economy for the future. We urge President Obama and Members of Congress to enact comprehensive federal legislation that provides incentives for new industries, businesses and jobs. This investment in a reliable, clean energy future will strengthen national security, promote environmental sustainability, and create opportunities that ensure America remains competitive in a global energy market.
The U.S. is already behind in clean energy sectors. Chinese cars are more than one-third more efficient than U.S. cars. China is also set to be the world’s leading manufacturer of wind turbines by the end of 2009. And, as of 2006, the U.S had less absolute renewable power capacity than the 25 member nations of the European Union.
It would be a mistake to inhibit the success and leadership of American businesses in the global market. While government must take the lead, we will be strong and willing partners in this effort, which is why we are pledging our support for a comprehensive federal policy that achieves the following:
Incentives to create clean energy jobs. Incentivizing investments in clean energy technology will create new jobs, businesses and industries. Clean energy industries have produced at least 770,000 jobs, while the traditional energy sector employs only 1.27 million workers. According to a recent report from the Pew Charitable Trusts, clean energy jobs in the U.S. grew at rate 2 ½ times greater than the general economy from 1998 to 2007. A 2009 study by the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in partnership with the Center for American Progress found that investing $150 billion in clean energy produces a net gain of 1.7 million new jobs and reduces the unemployment rate by one full percentage point.
A path to energy independence. America consumes about 11 percent of world oil production, while we produce only about 3 percent of it. Meanwhile, America spends more than $200,000 per minute on foreign oil, that’s $13 million per hour. For decades we have avoided addressing this dependence on foreign oil, placing America’s economic and national security at risk. Now is the time to move towards greater use and production of clean energy sources such as wind and solar.
A promise of environmental sustainability for future generations. There is consensus within the scientific community that carbon pollution will have catastrophic impacts on the American people, creating severe natural disasters, spread of disease, loss of coastal communities, and a decline in crop and fish yields unless action is taken to mitigate these impacts.
Advancement of America’s global competitiveness. Climate and energy trends are compelling a worldwide race toward clean energy goods and services. If we are to remain prosperous and secure, this is a race we must compete in effectively. According to a task force of the World Economic Forum, investment in clean energy has surged from $33 billion annually in 2004 to more than $155 billion in 2008. Similarly, the International Energy Industry estimates that global investment in clean energy will need to grow to between $500 billion and $1 trillion annually in the next decade. This is a tremendous opportunity for American ingenuity; the clean energy economy must be a pillar for American economic renewal, progress and leadership in the coming years and decades.
We recognize that these are bold and challenging goals. However, when faced with adversity, Americans conquer their problems with optimism, courage and ingenuity. We call upon our leaders in Washington to forge policies that will achieve the economic, energy and environmental goals we need to realize.
October 5th, 2009
We are proud to be partnering with the folks at the Indiana Recycling Coalition for their 20th anniversary gala event in November. We are doing our part to make this event as close to zero waste as possible! It is great to work with the people that are working to help pass legislation to make IN a greener state for all of us! Hope to see some of you there!
September 18th, 2009
Its official, we are one! Blooming Branch has just celebrated its first year in existence. Thank you to everyone that has played a role in our success thus far, we couldn’t have done it without you. Over the past year, we have had our mitts in all sorts of projects from private events to town festivals and even managed a tv appearence. We have diverted atleast 780 pounds of trash from landfills and saved many a recyclable from life in a trash heap. We have a lot of great things coming up in 2010 and hope you will all continue to let us help plan your green events as we keep on keeping on.
August 18th, 2009
Check out the article below:
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/20445153/detail.html
INDIANAPOLIS — While weddings may bring to mind images of white, the color “green” is also becoming part of the big day for couples who want more eco-friendly celebrations.
Demand for sustainable weddings has grown across the country, including in Indiana, as more couples strive to make their events more like their everyday lives.
“For most of my clients, ‘green’ is a way of life,” said Cristina McGinnis Widman, owner of Bloomington-based Blooming Branch Green Events, the state’s first exclusively green even planning business. “If you are someone who is diligent about recycling, composting, why would you want your event to be anything different?”
Sarah and Andrew’s ‘Green’ Wedding
That premise is what led Sarah Oblon and Andrew Distelrath to decide early on that they wanted a wedding with a limited impact on the environment.
”We wanted to have a wedding that reflects the choices we normally make,” said Oblon, who works for a wind energy company in Houston, Texas, where Distelrath teaches eighth-grade social studies. “Our No. 1 goal was to reuse when we can, and then minimize what we had to buy.”
Oblon’s parents, who live in Indianapolis, scoured garage sales looking for reusable items, while salvaged paint was used to decorate flower pots, later filled with flowers grown in the family’s garden.
Distelrath’s aunt hosted a wedding shower by mail in an effort to cut down on carbon emissions from traveling, with all guests urged to take on a “green” project in the couple’s honor.
But the real sustainable showcase came in the form of Oblon’s dress. The custom-made garment incorporated pieces of 45 used white T-shirts collected from the couple’s family and friends.
”I had always envisioned people wearing T-shirts to my wedding. But this was a way to reuse in a unique way,” Oblon said.
The strapless, floor-length dress impressed not only guests, but those behind the scenes as well.
”This couple really went above and beyond,” said Mindy Olson with Venture Food Company, the caterer for the couple’s outdoor park reception featuring washable china and reusable plastic cups. “We’ve had some people do little things, but this is the first full-fledged ‘green’ couple.”
Growing Industry
And as more couples inquire about “green” options, the more outlets Hoosiers have to find those services.
A group of likeminded businesses in Bloomington, including McGinnis Widman’s event planning service, created the Local Green Wedding Package to offer eco-friendly recommendations on everything from cakes and catering to flowers and invitations.
”I want to be able to send couples to other vendors in town, instead of national vendors,” said Sheryl Woodhouse-Keese, owner of Bloomington’s Twisted Limb Paperworks, which features 100 percent recycled, chlorine-free invitations. “A lot of people were finding us through online searches, and then discovering that we were right here in Indiana.”
Woodhouse-Keese said her business, which uses alternative energy sources and recycles water from its dehumidifiers and air conditioner, saw an upswing after former Vice President Al Gore’s 2006 film “An Inconvenient Truth,” detailing the climate change crisis.
Now, the company offers papers in 26 different colors, all without additional dyes, and customized packages, including do-it-yourself invitation kits, to accommodate a wide range of budgets.
”A lot of people think that having a ‘green’ wedding is going to be more expensive, but really, I think the spirit of having a more environmentally conscious wedding has nothing to do with purchasing,” Woodhouse-Keese said. “It has more to do with just being more thoughtful.”
She recommends couples plan far in advance so they have plenty of time determine how their “green” priorities will fit with other important considerations like budget and the overall vision.
Blooming Branch’s McGinnis Widman said that when planning a sustainable wedding, every decision counts.
”When planning a ‘green’ event, it is important to consider the impact of the event long term,” she said. “Consider the environmental impact that your event will have, and think past the day of the event, (to the larger) sustainability factor.”
For Oblon and Distelrath, the planning and hard work that they and their family members put into their August nuptials paid off in the end, they said.
”It’s just a different way to plan a wedding,” Oblon said. “Not everything panned out 100 percent green, but it’s at least a good start, and we helped share that with the young people at our wedding.”
More Information:
Blooming Branch Green Events
Venture Food Company
Bloomington Local Green Wedding Package
Twisted Limb Paperworks
August 15th, 2009
Apologies for the lack of blogging, this has truly shapped up to be the busiest summer, ever…more to come later… Blooming Branch is so proud to have helped with Taste of Bloomington at the begining of the summer, it turns out that not only did we put a dent in the amount of waste and lack of sustainability of the festival, we also played a huge role in helping those in Monroe County. See excerpt below regarding the benefit to the Monroe County Community Kitchen. Thanks again for letting Blooming Branch play a part in this marvelous event!
Dear friends on the Taste of Bloomington Steering Committee:
Thank you all very much for your hard work on Taste of Bloomington. It was, as always, a wonderful day.
We are certainly grateful for the $8,000 contribution from Taste!! Your support helps us provide over
150,000 meals to the hungry each year; 51% of those meals go to children and another 20% go to seniors.
« Older Entries